So, after buying that lovely Spectrum, I finally got to properly explore bits of the amazing Hobbit text adventure, got impressed by Winter Sports, tried solving Waxworks, avoided more than a few sub-par arcade conversions and -eventually- decided to give Tynesoft's Super Gran a try. It is, you see, an arcade game based on the 80s kids friendly TV series of the same name; a series I fondly, though admittedly vaguely, still seem to remember.The first thing that actually struck me after loading the game was just how dreadful everything looked. I mean, come on Tynesoft, we all know the Speccy is a graphically limited machine, but at least it always managed to output some decently detailed graphics that didn't horribly flicker. Not so with Super Gran, despite it being a 1985 release. Everything is ridiculously blocky and badly drawn, moves sluggishly and flickers like there's no tomorrow. What's more, the only redeeming feature of the thing's graphics, the admittedly decent looking sprites' size, only contributes in reducing the game's playability and making for a horribly crammed playing area.
Then again, graphics don't make a game, do they? Of course they don't and that's where Super Gran spectacularly fails. The controls are shockingly unresponsive, the first three levels (ranging from a horrid shmup-like thing to a top down racing affair) I managed to see are dull, short and ridiculously tough and -adding insult to injury- the game has even managed to age horribly, making sure nobody will actually dare to find out if it really sported the 10 levels/screens the devs promised. Then again, the first level should be all you need subject yourselves too. It impressively manages to encompass all that is wrong with Super Gran in just one screen!As for the sound, well, at least it can be easily turned off.
(Find out more about Super Gran and -god forbid- download a copy of the thing via World of Spectrum. It will be a most enlightening experience let me assure you.)
Related @ Gnome's Lair:
Well, unfortunately there were some really bad games fo Spectrum too...
ReplyDeleteI see you've taken your own 'voyage to the bowels of the back catalogue'. What's it like down there?
ReplyDeleteNot particularly shocking when over 15k games have been released for the thing, I'd say dear Barts,
ReplyDeleteWell, Neil, mate, it's bloody terrifying. And quite a bit shocking too.
But the TV show itself sounded so promising. o_O
ReplyDeleteAnd it only has a Superness rating of 3? Hmm, doesn't sound too good. Looks just about as bad as E.T. for Atari. Good luck with your later finds.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, promising. Just like the game's cassette inlay, oh Pacian!
ReplyDeleteIthmeer, I wouldn't say it's that bad. I mean at least there is a game to be found somewhere, albeit a not particularly playable one. Still, better Speccy titles will be discovered.
At least the poster looks good and retro!
ReplyDeleteI admit, I'm a graphic whore of sorts... hhhmm I would have a very hard time staying with this game.
Then you'll just love browsing around the World of Spectrum...
ReplyDeleteThat was quite a disappointment, I see... :(
ReplyDeleteWell, cheer up, you still have all the other awesome games for the Spectrum :)
Gnome is damn hardcore. I've never even seen a Spectrum in person.
ReplyDeleteSpectrum People!!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen them in person either!
Absolutely Nebacha dear. Lots of fine 7-bit gaming can be had...
ReplyDeleteOh, but Ross and Deitrix luvs... that's what eBay is for you know... Spectrums and Spectrum People.
gnome -
ReplyDeleteThe CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) used to broadcast "Super Gran" once a week. My friends and I absolutely hated it - it took up precious programming space that could have been used for more important shows like "The Raccoons" and "Tintin".
The fact that they released a game based on the show is hilarious. This makes me even more want to pick up a speccy. Any suggestions on which model?
I think I quite enjoyed it back then, but it must have been when I was 6. Kept me wondering about the powers of my grannies, it did.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Spectrum, well the absolutely best choice is the original Sinclair 128k (usually referred to as "heatsink"), released before Amstrad took over. It's slightly more expensive and slightly rarer than other models but is by far the best.
Failing that, I'd go for the Spectrum + over the original Speccy due to better keyboard and reset button, that most definitely is a computer saver. The way I see it, the +3 is strictly for collectors and the generally handy +2 comes in some not particularly compatible variations.
Then I'll add the Sinclair 128k to my birthday list :D
ReplyDeleteYou just do that Chris! And don't forget to add a tape recorder to the thing, eh?
ReplyDeleteThis game really was bad. There were loads of good games for the Speccy, but there were plenty of bad ones too. Supergran was really, REALLY bad.
ReplyDeleteCan't disagree with you there. And cheers for dropping in!
ReplyDelete