Deflektor / game / commercial










From: Michael Current (aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)

Date: 12/31/91-08:17:44 PM Z









From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
Subject: Deflektor / game / commercial
Date: Tue Dec 31 20:17:44 1991


Reprinted from Atari Explorer, Vol. 10, No. 1, January/February 1990
Copyright 1989 by Atari Explorer Publications Corp.
Reprinted by permission.
 
Software Survey
 
Deflektor
---------
 
Review by Brad Butler
 
     Atari's games division has released on cartridge one of the best 
games many 8-bitters have played in years.  Deflektor is a unique 
strategy game that challenges you to complete an optical circuit on each 
level.  To do this, you guide a laser beam around the screen by 
arranging a variety of optical device in logical sequence.  The beam 
originates in a generator; its goal is a receiver located elsewhere on 
the current level.
     The laser emits a high-intensity beam with which you must destroy 
light-blocking cells to clear the path to the receiver.  You determine 
that path by reflecting, refracting (bending), and transferring the beam 
via fiber optics from one point on the screen to another.
     To change the direction of the beam, you use your joystick to 
rotate mirrors to the desired orientation.  Some of the mirrors revolve 
automatically, making adjustment particularly tricky.  While adjusting 
the beam, you must be careful not to hit energy mines or reflect the 
beam back along its own path, either of which will create a power surge 
and overload your laser.  The laser will also overload if the length of 
the beam is too great, and if you take too long to complete a level, the 
laser will run out.
     Only the mirrors can be controlled directly, but you can aim the 
beam at a number of other items to reflect or redirect it.  Fiber optic 
blocks are particularly useful, because they transfer the beam from one 
point on the screen to another.
     To add a bit more challenge to the task, the programmers at Atari 
have thrown in some pesky gremlins, who wander about, undoing your 
careful adjustments and generally wreaking havoc.  To get rid of one of 
these pests, position your cursor over it and hit the fire button on 
your joystick.  Zappo!  Gremlin is vaporized.  But don't waste time 
shooting gremlins unnecessarily or you will run out of laser energy 
before finishing the level.
     To get the hang to Deflektor, I made good use of the Practice Mode 
with its very slow energy drain and no risk of overload.  At first I 
found the game a bit difficult, but my frustration soon turned to 
compulsion, and I just couldn't tear myself away from it.  Amazingly 
clever and incredibly challenging, Deflektor may well be the most 
compelling game you have every played.
 
                  out of 10
EASE OF LEARNING          7
CHALLENGE                 8
GRAPHICS                  8
DOCUMENTATION             7
 
OVERALL RATING            8
 
System: Atari 8-bit computer
Required equipment: Joystick
Summary: Novel concept requires logic and quick thinking
Price: $24.99
Manufacturer:
  Atari Corp.
  P.O. Box 61657
  Sunnyvale, CA 94088
-- 
 Michael Current, Cleveland Free-Net 8-bit Atari SIGOp   -->>  go atari8  <<--
   The Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG is the Central Atari Information Network
      Internet: currentm@carleton.edu / UUCP: ...!umn-cs!ccnfld!currentm
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