Temporal Misplacement - Author Jason Strudwick
     (AMOS adventure on SynTax PD 755 for Amiga only)

             Reviewed by: Philip Richmond

This is an adventure written using AMOS.  Comprehensive
instructions and background regarding the game are supplied and
can be read upon booting the disk.

On loading the game you are presented with a intro/title screen
which is accompanied by a pleasant music track. From here you can
view the game credits, read the instructions or start the game.

The game is presented in a split-screen text/graphic format with
digitized pics (black and white) for each of the 100 odd
locations.  There are also some sampled SFX for various player
actions.

Text input is by the usual 2 word VERB/NOUN method eg:  GET ROPE ;
USE HAMMER ; TALK WOMAN. GET ALL and DROP ALL are also understood,
and there are some useful keyboard shortcuts provided.  Game
positions can be saved and loaded.

The aim of the quest is to locate a missing time crystal which has
been accidentally transported from the near future to a location
in the present day.  The Global Science Corporation, in their
infinite wisdom, have chosen you to undertake the mission for the
retrieval of the vital crystal which is so necessary for their
experiments - and, incidentally, for your safe return!!  The game
starts when you find yourself outside the entrance to a maximum
security prison complex.

All of the game action and puzzles are set within the confines of
this large gaol complex.  Gaining admittance to the prison is
relatively easy and the author has provided a gentle start to the
game.  It is not possible to get killed or die and there is no
hunting for food or water to survive, so you don't have to worry
about your health/stats etc.  You are able to roam freely
throughout the gaol, but there are a couple of locked door/gate
puzzles which restrict access at first, and these must be solved
before the entire prison can be thoroughly explored.  It is
worthwhile collecting all objects that one finds, although not all
of them are required to solve the game.  Location texts are fairly
short and a few are similar in description eg: corridors, cells
and walkways - so making a map is advisable to avoid getting lost
or confused.

The digitized pics, to be honest, add nothing to the game. In fact
they are quite poor quality and blurred black and white shots
which contain little of interest to look at. The idea is quite
good, but I would have preferred coloured hand drawn pics than
these - or, better still, more descriptive text to read.  The
author has (thankfully) provided an on/off facility in respect of
the graphics.

At the end of the game you are shown a "Congratulations" screen, a
short animation and a hint that a sequel may well be on the cards.

"Temporal Misplacement" is a basic adventure that is easy to play
and not too difficult to solve.  I give full marks to the author
for coding the game in AMOS, rather than using a commercial or PD
creator.  I know it's not easy writing and designing your own game
from scratch and can appreciate the time and effort that has been
expended in producing this.  To the author I say "Keep up the good
work!' and look forward to an even better offering as his next
release.

Phil's Rating: 7/10











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