Boulder Dash Construction Kit

by Chris Gray, Peter Liepa
Databyte
1988

Databyte
£9.95
Reviewer: Jonathan Davies

There was one word that summed up the original Boulderdash when it first appeared a few years ago: addictiveness. There was something totally compulsive about trying to collect diamonds from underground caves while avoiding being crushed by falling boulders.

Since then, Boulderdash has reappeared in many incarnations, this being the latest. As well as a complete game designing program, the tape also includes Boulderdash IV, the latest in the saga.

If there's anyone out there who's so unhip they've never seen Rockford in action, the idea behind the game is this: before you can exit from a cave you must collect enough diamonds by tunnelling to them through the earth. If you remove the earth from under a boulder it will fall down, along with any other boulders and stones that were resting on top of it, usually crushing you in the process.

Things have come a long way since the early days. Now you'll need to take into consideration a number of new elements. Amoebas grow as large as possible until they are completely trapped, and then turn into diamonds. Growing walls expand to fill any space you make either side of them, magic walls convert into boulders that fall through them into diamonds. Extra Rockfords need to be protected from danger, or you'll both cop it!

Now you've got a designer at your disposal you'll be able to try out all those cunning puzzles you've always wished you could have a crack at. Or maybe you've always wanted to see what happens when you fill the top half of the screen with boulders, place Rockford at the bottom and wait for them all to come crashing down.

Fortunately, the construction kit is quick and easy to use, so in no time at all you'll be ready to try out Boulderdash V, the sequel. And if you don't like it, wipe it out and start again.

The Construction Kit brings a whole new dimension to the original Boulderdash concept (this is beginning to sound like a crummy press release!). Go on, give it a try!

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Graphics: 5/10
Playability: 9/10
Value For Money: 8/10
Addictiveness: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

Summary: At last you can exercise your creative talent on this great game.

Transcript by Chris Bourne