A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

	Thomas the Tank Engine (Alternative, 1990) Thomas has to complete seven tasks, such as taking oil to a refinery, delivering letters to the nearby city, or taking some children to the beach. You've got to find the carriage first and reach your destination before sunset. On the easy mode, you won't face any dangers apart from the odd train, and it's easy to complete. However, the so-called normal mode sees you facing more trains, as well as blocked tracks, and since it's far too difficult, you won't be playing this game for too long once you've completed the easy mode. The graphics and sound effects are mediocre, too, although the rendition of the theme tune on the menu is welcome. More information on CPCSOFTS 5
	3D Boxing (Amsoft, 1985) Enter the boxing ring and defeat six fighters (including one called Roland!) to become champion and win the Amsoft belt. In each round, you have three minutes to knock out your opponent. The graphics aren't bad and the fighters are large and well animated. A jolly tune plays on the menu screen, but the game itself is limited to a few sound effects, and some of these are rather poor, particularly when one of the fighters is hit. Playing the game is quite frustrating; the controls are awkward and punching your opponent is tricky. The collision detection is inaccurate, and your opponent can randomly land a knockout blow on you, regardless of how much energy you have. More information on CPCSOFTS 4
	3DC (Hit Pak, 1987) Stranded at the bottom of the sea, you must find or construct a submarine that will rescue you and take you back to the surface. The sea bed is littered with objects that you can collect. Some of them are hidden from view by larger objects that can be pushed out of the way. You will also find Eric the Eel, who can squeeze into gaps that you cannot fit into – but watch out for the octopuses, who will steal your oxygen tanks if you're not careful! This isometric arcade adventure with some lovely graphics and a pleasant rendition of a tune that will be familiar to British ears. However, the controls are awkward, and it's quite difficult to work out what you're supposed to do with the objects you can collect. More information on CPCSOFTS 7
	3D Fight (Loriciels, 1985) Reviewed by Guillaume Chalard Once again, you must save the Earth from evil aliens. Flying over a blue chequered surface, you'll have to destroy waves of hostile spaceships. Well, as with many games containing "3D" in their title, we shouldn't expect much of this game. First, it is very difficult to aim accurately at the incoming aliens because the perspective is rather deceptive. Then, you have to collect fuel (by firing at it!) very often, which makes your task even harder. You'll soon be lost in a cloud of enemy bullets (or whatever it is), trying to find an oil tank – and you'll press the CONTROL, SHIFT and ESCAPE keys! More information on CPCSOFTS 3
	3D Grand Prix (Amsoft, 1985) This early Formula 1 game sees you racing around eight tracks. In order to qualify for the next track, you must finish third or higher. After playing for a while, it's clear that this is much more of an arcade game than a proper motor racing simulation. Although you start on pole position on a grid of 23 cars, other cars will appear randomly in front of you even if you're in the lead and on the first lap! Despite this, it remains a fairly enjoyable game after all these years, and you get a sense of speed while driving around the tracks. More information on CPCSOFTS 7
	3D Invaders (Amsoft, 1984) It's Space Invaders in 3D, would you believe? The Quarks are invading and you have to shoot as many of them as you can. You move your laser cannon about a grid of squares and try to dodge the aliens' fire as they move slowly – very slowly – left and right. It's really difficult to aim your laser at the aliens and your laser bolts nearly always seem to go right through them. The game is mostly written in BASIC and so it is excruciatingly slow, and the graphics, sound effects, and of course the game itself, are all abysmal. More information on CPCSOFTS 1
	3D Monster Chase (Romik, 1985) Hunt through three floors of a maze to find a key, then use it to disarm a stink bomb (!), and return to your home base. There are seven keys in total, and you must also beware of the bat that flies round each floor, although there is a supply of grenades you can use to kill it. This game ranks as one of the worst I have ever had the misfortune to play. It is horrifically sluggish, and pressing keys often does nothing. The graphics are equally terrible, and the game is extremely boring, anyway; playing it for more than two minutes will seriously test your sanity! More information on CPCSOFTS 0
	3D Pool (Firebird, 1989) The problem with most snooker and pool games is that you can't move around the table, but you can in this game. You can take part in a tournament against several other players, all battling to face the champion, Maltese Joe. Alternatively, you can practice, or even try out fifteen trick shots – you can design your own as well. The 3D nature of the game makes it a little difficult to aim your shots, and it isn't helped by the other players being pretty good. The graphics are blocky and a bit slow, despite the four-colour mode being used, and there are hardly any sound effects and music, but it's still not a bad game. More information on CPCSOFTS 7
	3D Quasars (Solar, 1985) After the fighting of the Proxima war, the enemy has blasted tunnels in the Quasar defence system. You have been sent to fly along these tunnels in your Tarantula C1 spaceship and have to shoot all the enemy craft. It's tough going right from the start – even with only one enemy coming towards you at a time, you'll need to be alert. You'll soon find that it's really tough, and soon you're overwhelmed; if you can survive for more than a minute, you're doing well! It might be worth a few goes if you're looking for a very short game to play, but there isn't any variety in it at all, and the tunnel is too narrow. More information on CPCSOFTS 4
	3D Snooker (Players, 1990) Most snooker games view the board from above. This one dares to be different by viewing it from one end and adding some perspective. However, it just doesn't work. Aiming your ball is like most other snooker games – you move crosshairs about the table and fire. The perspective makes aiming the ball accurately impossible, especially when you're aiming for a ball at the far end of the table. It also uses only four colours, so working out the other coloured balls can be tricky. The 3D graphics are a reasonable attempt, but I'll say again that it doesn't work in a snooker game. More information on CPCSOFTS 3

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