Revolution (video game)
Encyclopedia
Revolution is an isometric
3D
puzzle video game released by U.S. Gold
in for the Sinclair Spectrum
and Amstrad CPC
. It was programmed by Costa Panayi
and is a development of the earlier 3D games Highway Encounter
and Alien Highway
.
Each puzzle consists of two black cubes that turn temporarily white when touched by the player's ball, before turning black again. To solve the puzzle, both cubes must touched in rapid succession so that they both turn white simultaneously.
There are nine levels in total. When all the puzzles on one level are complete the player ascends to the next.
The height of the ball's bounce is controlled by the "fire" button, while the direction controls steer it around the map. The player must take care not to fall off the edge of the level, or through the gaps between tiles.
Flying platforms, conveyor belts, adhesive surfaces, spiked balls, and other structures may help or hinder the player in his attempt to solve the puzzles.
The player has five balls. There is also a time limit that must be beaten.
:
Isometric projection
Isometric projection is a method for visually representing three-dimensional objects in two dimensions in technical and engineering drawings...
3D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
puzzle video game released by U.S. Gold
U.S. Gold
U.S. Gold was a British video game publisher and developer from the early 1980s through the mid-1990s, producing numerous titles on a variety of 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit platforms.-History:...
in for the Sinclair Spectrum
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
and Amstrad CPC
Amstrad CPC
The Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
. It was programmed by Costa Panayi
Costa Panayi
Costa Panayi was a computer game programmer during the 1980s. He founded Vortex Software with Paul Canter, publishing games for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC....
and is a development of the earlier 3D games Highway Encounter
Highway Encounter
Highway Encounter is a computer game released on the Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K, Amstrad CPC, MSX, and Commodore 64 by Vortex Software in 1985...
and Alien Highway
Alien Highway
Alien Highway: Encounter 2 is an isometric 3D arcade adventure game released by Vortex in for the Sinclair Spectrum and Amstrad CPC. It was programmed by Mark Haigh-Hutchinson and is the sequel to Highway Encounter.- Gameplay :...
.
Gameplay
The player controls a bouncing ball on a series of superimposed levels, each consisting of an array of square tiles, on which are arranged a number of puzzles.Each puzzle consists of two black cubes that turn temporarily white when touched by the player's ball, before turning black again. To solve the puzzle, both cubes must touched in rapid succession so that they both turn white simultaneously.
There are nine levels in total. When all the puzzles on one level are complete the player ascends to the next.
The height of the ball's bounce is controlled by the "fire" button, while the direction controls steer it around the map. The player must take care not to fall off the edge of the level, or through the gaps between tiles.
Flying platforms, conveyor belts, adhesive surfaces, spiked balls, and other structures may help or hinder the player in his attempt to solve the puzzles.
The player has five balls. There is also a time limit that must be beaten.
Background
Mark Haigh-HutchinsonMark Haigh-Hutchinson
Mark Haigh-Hutchinson was an English video game developer. He is most notable for working on Paperboy, Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Star Wars and the Metroid Prime games.-Biography:...
:
"The result of Costa's efforts was REVOLUTION, an abstract isometric puzzle game. It was designed with lastability in mind - each time the game starts the puzzles are shuffled between levels as well as their locations within the level.
'Shifting the puzzles around and creating a new landscape, or set of levels, each time you start play - it's trying to make the game something more than other games on the market' Luke [Andrews] would say at the time.
'Even with our old games, you always had the first level, second level, third level, and so on. ALIEN HIGHWAY, the remix of HIGHWAY ENCOUNTER started us thinking that way, and with REVOLUTION I think the changes in the puzzle and landscapes are the main attraction. If someone picks up the game and can't get past the first level, then the game can be played on level one and the player still gets thirty new puzzles so you can still enjoy it, even if you never get past the first level!'"
Reviews
- Your SinclairYour SinclairYour Sinclair or YS as it was commonly abbreviated, was a British computer magazine for the Sinclair range of computers, mainly the ZX Spectrum.-History:...
: "Yet another cracker from Costa Panayi..." - Sinclair UserSinclair UserSinclair User, often abbreviated SU, was a magazine dedicated to the Sinclair Research range of home computers, most specifically the ZX Spectrum...
: "A brilliant game with masses of tortuous puzzles, set in an abstract landscape. Think, not zap."