SpySnatcher - Topologika - RRP œ16.00
               (Text adventure for PC and ST)

                  Reviewed by Neil Shipman

Topologika have gradually been converting all their titles from
the original BBC versions on which I played them to a range of
computers which now include both the PC and ST. The latest to
undergo this process is SpySnatcher which, as I am sure you can
guess, was inspired by Peter Wright's book Spy Catcher.

It was written in 1988 at the time of the furore over that book
and its release now for these 16 bit machines is remarkably
fortuitous coming, as it does, hot on the heels of the
publication of Margaret Thatcher: The Downing Street Years. For
those readers with incredibly short memories it serves as an
admirable reminder of just what a stubborn old bat our ex Prime
Minister could be. Okay, that's my political bias out of the way.
Now on with the adventure.

The chief of MI7, Sir Arthur Cayley (or just 'Z' to his friends),
is extremely worried because it looks as if the plans for the new
Sonic Macrothrodule [I bet you thought I was going to say
Hedgehog!] have been leaked. They were kept in the safe in his
office and were there yesterday when he came in at 9 a.m. Today
they are still there but, when he went to check them, the safe
appeared to have been disturbed.

Superintendent Hardy of Special Branch has been assigned to the
headquarters of MI7, popularly known as 'The Zoo', on special
duties but he hasn't had much success. Consequently Z drafts in
you to investigate matters and, hopefully, unmask a mole. He
reckons it would take at least an hour for anyone to remove the
plans, copy them and put them back. He also tells you who you can
probably rule out for one reason or another. Then, obviously
confident in your abilities, Z, Hardy and a third person
disappear to the local hostelry, aptly named the 'Cloak and
Dagger', to await developments.

Because your position is unofficial even you are not allowed
access to Z's safe; and to complicate matters still further a new
Security guard patrols the premises. If you are seen by anybody
you will have to abandon the investigation so timing is all-
important. Game time advances 1 minute per move and you are
always told the current time immediately after the response to
your input.

Your location and score are shown in a box at the top of the
screen and a massive amount of text appears below. And I do mean
massive because the locations are well described and, when you do
manage to open the safe, you find there are lengthy files on 17
individuals plus a couple on other things for you to peruse.

All the action takes place in and around The Zoo and there are
only about 50 locations in all. Such a compact setting is however
beneficial because a wealth of varied puzzles is set therein and,
in the best traditions of espionage, you will find yourself
hacking into a computer, cracking codes and secret writings,
donning a disguise and, of course, figuring out all the clues you
are given to name but a few.  I found the best way to tackle the
adventure was to concentrate on avoiding the security guard and
note down all the sounds of doors opening and closing, dogs
barking and conversations overheard whilst doing so. Then, having
established the guard's pattern of movement, I was able to avoid
him with ease and apply my mind to solving a few of the puzzles
which I'd come across.

Once the safe was open I was faced with a huge amount of
information to amass and oh how much I wished for the ability to
script the files direct to disk and/or printer. As it was I had
to spend a long time scribbling down copious notes when I really
wanted to be getting on with the game. This is one of the areas
where Topologika adventures show their age.

Unfortunately, the parser has not been updated either and is very
restrictive, only recognising one or two word inputs. Hardly any
synonyms are catered for and the usual abbreviations we have
become used to - l for look, i for inventory, x for examine and z
for wait - are similarly lacking. You will first notice this when
trying to turn on the lights in the darkened offices. LIGHT ON or
just ON is the necessary command so don't bother with anything
more sophisticated.

Similarly, not being able to WAIT UNTIL a certain time in a game
which, by its very nature, involves waiting around is little
short of scandalous. I might not be so harsh in my comments here
if I had been able to recall and edit/copy commands using the
arrow keys but, sadly, even this is not available.

With a maximum inventory of ten items it is difficult to know
what you must take with you and what you can safely leave behind.
This results in a lot of backtracking. Much of the order in which
you should be doing things is only apparent with hindsight so
regular saving is strongly advised. Even then you will definitely
need the on-line HELP which has been provided.

SpySnatcher comes in a plastic folder containing a glossy-covered
A5 brochure, gameplay instructions, technical notes and a sealed
envelope for use with the on-line help facility.

I am sorry to be so negative about this adventure particularly as
I have enjoyed some of Topologika's earlier titles which I played
long ago on my old BBC. Partly this probably stems from the fact
that detective games are not my favourite even when they are done
well; but to a very great extent SpySnatcher displays totally
unacceptable signs of ageing and shows far too many deficiencies.
In all honesty, I have played better shareware games. For œ16 it
is one to avoid. Sad indeed.