THE UNDEROOS THAT ATE NEW YORK (TADS game, part of Disk 1000 (PC) and 1114 (ST)) Reviewed by Peter Clark When I first looked at the title of this game I wondered just what I would be loading into my computer. What were underoos and just how would they eat New York? I fully expected a Science Fiction type of game with the underoos being an alien race from a distant galaxy. But no! I soon discovered that that underoos are, in fact, underwear although this term seems to include other items of clothing and footwear as the game progresses. It seems that you have somehow become irradiated by something on your way home last night and remember little about it as you awake in your bed the following morning. All that you can remember is that you have a date with Cindy, your girlfriend, in twenty minutes. You must find your clothes, including the underoos, and get dressed without further delay. It was the obvious thing to leave my bed and look under it and it was here that the game for me really started to take off. Yes, your underoos are under the bed but trying to get them provokes them into attacking you! They then run to a corner of the room and cower from you. Exploration soon provides a weapon but the underoos will not be taken without a fight and, although they can be beaten, things do not always go your way. Similarly, your socks when discovered, can be lethal. Your shoes provide you with quite a chase before they can be cornered and subdued. One final problem rears its head when Cindy arrives and is taken hostage by your shirt and pants. They have to be vanquished and Cindy rescued before your date can go ahead. This is a very small game with only five locations but it is well written without any obvious spelling mistakes and bugs. To enter into the spirit of the game I would say that I laughed my socks off all through it and was quite disappointed when the game finished at the front door. I had only scored five points and was looking forward to laughing my way around New York for the other ninety five when I was told that the maximum number of points to be scored was five and I had them all. I am not sure who the author is but someone should get him and force him into expanding the game. His sense of humour is obviously quite zany but it is a sense of humour that appeals to me. If you haven't played this game and need a good laugh then get and now and play it. - o -