P.F.
Software.... 16k cassette.... £3.50 ....
Picture Torment is the
latest from P.F.Software and maintains the high standards set by the
earlier releases reviewed in issue 11. The program is a sort of Rubik's
Picture Puzzle with the choice of dividing the picture into 9, 16, 36 or
an incredibly complex 81 pieces, each with five levels of difficulty
that scramble the picture with increasing complexity. Additionally, with
the 36 or 81 piece puzzles you can choose to rearrange them in single or
double column format After selecting your level press START and the
picture will scramble. Two diamond shapes appear on the top and left
hand sides of the screen representing each column or row. Use the
joystick to position these alongside the column or row you wish to move
and then hold down the joystick button and move the joystick in the
appropriate direction.
The program is similar to
Picture Puzzle (reviewed in the last issue) but will run in 16k. The
real bonus comes when you flip the tape over and get a fully fledged
drawing program that allows you to create your own pictures for use in
Picture Torment. The utility has options for Plot, Drawto. Colour, Fill,
Circle, Square, Load, Save and Wipe and will allow you to create some
pretty good pictures to juggle with. One suggestion made by the author
is to use the program to teach young children number sequences by
drawing the numbers 1 to 9, perhaps with accompanying illustrations
representing the numbers, and then use the 9 piece option and level one
or two to get them to put the numbers back in the right order. Even if
you can't draw, this is easy to do and I drew out the numbers in about 5
minutes. It really does work well. There is no reason why you can't
extend this idea by using the 36 piece option and the letters of the
alphabet or perhaps rows of shapes such as squares, circles, and
triangles.
Another bargain program,
complex enough for adults yet simple enough for youngsters. An
incredible bargain at £3.50.
top
