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IN THE June issue of Sinclair User we reviewed Cats from Artic, a super little maze game based on the alleged musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

There were in fact problems we didn't notice. In the first place, the game wasn't going to be called Cats after all because Artic failed to obtain the rights to the theme from Andrew Lloyd Wallet. Secondly, the version we saw was an early development version, and very much easier than the final game was ever intended to be.

You have to travel a giant Sabre Wulf-style maze searching for your 10 lost kittens, and hunting down or avoiding the bully dogs who prowl the midnight streets.

You're armed with fur-balls and stun powder which knocks out the dogs for a short time. Food and ammunition for the fur balls is dotted all around the maze.

The game is certainly a challenge in the final version, and very difficult to beat, even on the easiest of five levels. The graphics are colourful and the theme effective.


Publisher Artic Price £6.95
Memory 48K Joystick Kempston, Cursor, Sinclair
****

Chris Bourne

PAWS
Artic / £6.95

Rick: You've got to be a keen mouser to find your way round this maze game for moggy lovers everywhere. Mamma cat has to round up her lost kittens before nightfall when the bully dogs get together and make mince pies of the moggyettes. On the way, you can slay the strays with gobs of fluff balls (charming! Ed) or engage in a little feline fisticuffs. But beware your dropping catoplexic energy level.
At times I was more confused than amazed but then I have trouble following the tube map. At one point I became catatonic and popped out to see a man about a dog! (OK, that's enough cat and dog jokes unless it starts raining in the game. Ed).
The constant need for referral to the map doesn't help the game go with a flow but aids the feline feats without strain on the brain. The scrolling Sabre Wulf type maze has some gorgeous graphics ranging from Basildonesque shopping centre to litter strewn inner city. Mama cat might have more luck powing the pooches if she didn't have to rely on a diet of fish bones and dustbin dregs to replenish her energy/stamina levels. Our Ginger only eats Tesco's best - I asked him what he thought of the game: no cat-astrophe but not purrfect, he mewed. Reckon I could get him a job on YS? 3/5

Ross: I don't want to be catty about this but isn't this just too close to Sabre Wulf to make it boring. Still, it is big and there's a lot going on. 2/5

Roger: This is a sort of cat of nine tails. I'm afraid I soon wanted to curl up in someone's lap and go to sleep. 2/5