Laser Zone
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Critic Reviews 81% add missing review
Commodore User (19 out of 20) (95%)
This is what your 16K RAM is for. 31 levels of difficulty? I can't cope.
Dec 1983 · VIC-20 · read reviewCommodore User (18 out of 20) (90%)
This is the most difficult game we have come across so far; but the superb graphics, sound and colour ensure that you are committed to return to this exhilarating arcade quality game frequently. [+8K]
Nov 1983 · VIC-20 · read reviewCrash! (81 out of 100) (81%)
"'For players who like shoot em ups and have become bored by the usual 'Galaxian' or 'Phoenix' format, this game should prove a winner. The very speed of play makes it difficult to master, before one even goes on to talk about controlling two different lasers at once..."
Apr 1984 · ZX Spectrum · read reviewHome Computing Weekly ( ) (80%)
Congratulations to Salamander on an exciting Dragon game nicely complemented with high score, title page, pause function and 15 selectable levels of play.
Mar 13th, 1984 · Dragon 32/64 · read reviewSinclair User (8 out of 10) (80%)
"The game is enjoyable and extremely addictive. The graphics may not be so good as on the more powerful machines which support sprites, but it is essential for any arcade fan who wants something different to fire at for a change."
May 1984 · ZX Spectrum · read reviewHome Computing Weekly ( ) (80%)
All of which makes this fast, innovative game a pretty tough test of coordination skills, and while good fun for all, it will perhaps be the most appreciated by those who take their games seriously.
May 17th, 1983 · VIC-20 · read reviewTilt (4 out of 6) (67%)
Ce jeu demande une grande adresse, mais surtout, beaucoup d'entrapinement. Un seul secret, jouez sans arrĂȘt.
May 1984 · VIC-20 · read review%20-%20Page%20032.jpg){kind=link}
Tilt (4 out of 6) (67%)
Ce jeu demande une grande adresse, mais surtout, beaucoup d'entrapinement. Un seul secret, jouez sans arrĂȘt.
May 1984 · Commodore 64 · read reviewHome Computing Weekly ( ) (60%)
I found the combination of keys tiring, and got the impression that the action didn't match my efforts ont he keyboard. Altogether a disappointing experience.
Mar 6th, 1984 · ZX Spectrum · read reviewPlayer Reviews
An awesome game that keeps you on edge
The Good
Laser Zone is another great game from Jeff Minter. In my opinion, it is the most difficult game he made. Again, this is the type of game that should have hit the arcade game. Just like his previous titles, it is an original that is fast and frenetic.
As the player controlling two gunners on the X-Y platforms, you need to be paying attention to everything thatâs happening on the screen. Two aliens that go in separate directions make their way toward the platforms, and it is your job to fire at them before they reach their destination. If they do, you need to zap them with your electros before they crawl toward a gunner and destroy it. If you manage to kill both aliens enough times, you proceed to the next wave. If one of the gunners are destroyed, you lose a life.
The game has two impressive features worth mentioning here. You have the ability to wrap around the screen (ie: go off the edge of a platform and land on the other side), and this is useful if you need to get that alien on the other side quickly. Also, for aliens that are already crawling toward one of your gunners, that is where diagonal fire comes in.
The game is quite colorful. The aliens are colored and shaped differently, and the grid that you move on is a nice shade of blue. The animations are also great. I like how the characters appear on the title screen letter by letter and this is accompanied by the appropriate sound effects. This is the first Llamasoft title I have seen to actually read âLlamasoftâ in the copyright message, not âJCMâ. The excellent animations also apply in the game as well.
Laser Zone also has a high score included within the game. It only includes one entry, and that was awarded to the author of the game, Jeff Minter, for 3000 points. If you manage to beat his score, you will be able to replace his name with yours, and this always remain on the title screen (as long as you don't switch off your VIC-20). There are about 30 waves, but I have enough trouble getting past the first wave. I was trying to âscore attackâ and enjoyed playing it, thatâs the main thing.
The Bad
There is nothing bad about this game.
The Bottom Line
In my opinion, Laser Zone is the most difficult game that Jeff Minter has done, with you having to turn your attention to everything that's happening on the screen. The graphics and sound are good, and given the fast and frenetic gameplay, you will be wanting "just one more go". Definitely a title to add to your VIC-20 collection.
by Katakis | ă«ăżăăč (43269) on Oct 17th, 2019 · VIC-20
Contributors to this Entry
Critic reviews added by FatherJack, ZeTomes, S Olafsson, Alsy.