Monstrosities abound in this latest release from Red Rat. Originally
banned along with 'Little Devil', NIGHTMARES has reportedly since
been withdrawn from the main offended party's list of 'untouchable'
software — perhaps their conscience was keeping them awake at night?
It's a shoot 'em up by nature, but just for a change there aren't
any space-age zap-mobiles, Photon missiles or Alien Motherships to
worry about. This time you assume the role of a brave Faerie (not a
typo!) and as you might have guessed, the fate of elf-kind lies
entirely in your skilful hands. Someone has taken a lot of time and
effort to write a fantastic plot, which doesn't add a great deal to
the game but makes for some excellent reading while you're waiting
for it to load in!
It seems that elfin society needs protecting from the encroaching
darkness that threatens to engulf the land. How unfortunate that the
Faerie King — Lord Motorhod —
is away on business and unable to drive the evil essences back to
hell and hence rekindle the magical radiance that keeps the Faeries
perpetually young and happy!! Only you can save the day by
collecting radiant insects called Airflits and destroying the
frightening array of hideous Demons, Ectoplasm spitting 'Grunts',
Ravening Werewolves and the ugly `Monkoids'. No piece of cake!
Although armed with a magic bow and arrow plus an intermittent
supply of Lightning bombs, the monsters are continually in pursuit
with only one intent — to sap your precious energy reserves! They
invariably succeed too! If you manage to collect the specified quota
of Airflits, rescue all of the stray faeries and eliminate a
sufficient number of nasties, you must then search for an exit door
taking you through to the next in the series of fifteen
action-packed levels.
As for visual effects, you will be hard put to find a better variety
of monsters than in NIGHTMARES, they really are a terrific bunch of
nasties! You won't have to search the screen for a minuscule blob
like in so many other arcade games — this lot are VERY conspicuous
filling up as much as half of the available screen height! The
attention to detail is superb, and each level features its own
horizontally scrolling background scenery. Music and sound effects
are very good too, providing the decisive touch to an outstanding
overall impression. One word of warning: NIGHTMARES becomes very
challenging, especially on the higher levels, so if you haven't got
an auto-fire joystick I would suggest that you acquire one before
hand!
Games of the shoot 'ern up genre can be boring at the best of times
if not constructed in a competent manner, but Red Rat have found the
magic formula to produce an entertaining package of the highest
quality. Be sure to show your appreciation!
Paul Rixon
Published by Red Rat.
£7.95 on cassette - £9.95 on disk - 1 player with joystick
