FOOM - part of Disk 1071 (PC) / 1124 (ST)

                  A review by Peter Clark

Foom is described as a text based shoot 'em up. Now I am not a
great fan of the graphic type of shoot 'em up so I wondered just
how I would get on with a text version and just how it might
differ from the original. Upon loading you are faced with a
description of a room with a door shutting behind you. It is
possible to go one of several ways but I must admit to aimless
wandering rather than drawing a map.

I found that the world I was in was populated by soldiers and
sergeants of various descriptions ranging from fat and thin
soldiers to furthest and nearest sergeants etc. There were a
smattering of imps inhabiting the place also all with the express
aim of killing me with pistols and shotguns. Initially I found
myself armed with a pistol and a small amount of ammunition for it
but, after a few skirmishes with the inhabitants, I was able to
pick up better weapons and more powerful ammunition. All the game
involves is going from location to location "Getting All" to pick
up any weapons, ammunition, armour or health points that lie
scattered around and then, if there are any other characters in
the location, typing "Kill Fat Soldier" or "Kill Furthest Imp" etc
until they are dead. At the same time, of course, each of the
enemy has a shot at you reducing your Health Level. If this Health
Level, which starts at 100, runs down to zero you are dead.

I managed to get to the end of the first level on my first real
attempt at the game and was presented with the opportunity to send
away to the author for more levels.  I'm afraid that I will be
declining the offer.







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