Changes

Points are also scored for each blockGarkon vaporizes. Plain blocks scorefew points. Treasure blocks, which areshaped differently than the plainblocks, are worth more. The value ofany block also depends on which row itis on. The higher the row, the more ablock is worth. Ther There are also Zapperblocks which, when vaporized, causean entire row of blocks to be created onthe floor. While Zapper blocks do notproduce points, they come in handywhen trying to compensate for therandomness of the lasers. The lasersdo not create a block over the spot theGarkon is standing on when the floor isbeing zapperized, to coin a word. Having escaped, Garkon is returnedto the dungeon for another round ofdodge the lasers. This game has many strengths,including the use of color. The combination combination of colors used in the variousrows of blocks is actually pretty, goingfrom magenta at the bottom, to red toyellow to green. Also, I did not feelfrustrated by this game, despite thefact that the action is fast-moving andrelentless. You have to think very fast,not only in deciding which blocks tovaporize but to avoid being hit by alaser. The graphics, though simple indesign, are effective and flawless. Thesound effects, those representing thelaser in particular. are realistic and donot become annoying despite thenumber of times you hear them. The only drawback I can see is in thefact that Garkon is able to move onlytwo squares at a time without pausing.I suspect this is due to the limitationsof Extended BASIC. This creates aproblem when trying to jump out of theway of the laser when it is about toshoot. The program must either firethe laser or respond to the joystickcommand to move Garkon. At timesthe joystick seems to take precedenceover the laser and at other times it isthe other way around. The fact thatyou can ·t 't predict whether the joystickwill take precedence at any particularpoint is bothersome at first, but Iadapted to it. Written in assembly language. language, this game would have enormous enormous potential.EasP ===Ease of UsP: Use=== Garkon's Getaway issimple to play and. , once you getstarted. obvious. All input is throughthe joystick. The program, as far as Icould tell. , is crash proof.Doeunwntation: ===Documentation=== The game comeswith a brief but adequate manual.Valm•: ===Value===I enjoyed playing this game alot. So have others of varying ages whotried it out. And the price is right.