In this Puzzle Pack Review we will be trying out six different games. Yes Puzzle Pack is a compilation from Sumlock.
Orbit
The first game out to be tried is Orbit. And wow, these are the moments when you discover things that gives you a sense of “could it be?”. Briefly, Orbit is a game where you need to land your geometrical figure into the right geometrical pattern that fits to it.
Yes, I hear you. The game is from 1982, and could it actually be a source of inspiration to Tetris. I don’t know for sure. But it could be possible.
Orbit
Knight’s Move
The second game to try has the clear objective of you filling a chess board. The challenge is that you cannot land on the same square twice. The only movement pattern you can take is the pattern of a knight’s move. Not to easy and to figure out the right moves to fill the table is a to long activity for me. And by this, theis game is not for me.
Knights Move
Graphic Twister
You are presented with a graphical pattern in the top of the screen. You will later on have three objects in the boxes below. Your task is to rotate them to get them to become the same pattern in the boxes as the displayed pattern on the top. Trivial as if you solve the first box, the other two are solved in the same way with the same movements. Any easy game but for enjoyment it stops after a few plays – not my favourite game.
Graphic Twister
Rainbows
Another game in this pack that charms you with its simplicity. The aim of the game is to out of three displayed letters find out the three following letters. This requires you to dig up your mathematical skills. This try and play made me really feel stupid until I actually understood how it was to be played. I suggest you to read the instructions well to avoid frustration.
For every correct answer you give the rainbows closer to form a real full rainbow over the sky.
Rainbows
Slide Puzzle
All of us that have been kids in the 80s owned one of these puzzle games. You know the one with moveable parts to create a text or a picture. Where you had one empty spot so you could move around the pieces. Well Slide Puzzle is just that. You are displayed a desired pattern before starting the game and then it is up to you to move around the pieces to get the right solution. I must say that I prefer to play this game in with a real physical puzzle. But if you can’t find yours this is the game for you.
Slide Puzzle
Digits – Final Puzzle Pack Review
The final game in this compilation and a little fun I must say. You play it by moving the cursor through the numbers placed in a table. You objective is the get the highest value by moving around. The questions marks are secret values and there is one rule, you cannot cross your own path. Try to beat your highest score and make sure you are best at it in your family.
Digits
In the Magazines
Six tests of skill and perspicacity. entertaining enough for a rainy afternoon – could also come in handy for those who wish to put something ‘sensible’ on the screen once in a while. You are presented with:
ORBITS (slot a falling shape into a matching landing zone); KNIGHT’S MOVE (land on every square on a chess board); GRAPHIC TWISTER (contort three shapes to match an original); RAINBOWS (complete a mathematical sequence); SLIDE PUZZLE (like the puzzle given away in hamburger pints); DIGITS (a number-eater teaser);
The graphics are low-res, straight from the standard character set in ROM: and similar programs could be easily typed in from various listings. But if you want them here and now, get your money ready.
from Commodore User Issue 10 July 1984 by LS
On the cover
%
Our Cover Rating
Programs for the un-expanded VIC 20 COLOUR COMPUTER. Six intriguing puzzles ranging from light hearted diversions to la testing conundrums. Specially written by a puzzle expert to be both entertaining and educational for all ages and abilities.
A SIDE
ORBITS (Tape counter 0-23) Landing craft are dropped from the mother ship onto a moving planet surface. The player must manoeuvre the craft to fit exactly into the shaped landing areas or they will destruct! A test of co-ordination and shape recognition. (3 skill levels).
KNIGHTS MOVE (Tape counter 23- 46) Hop from square to square on a 8 x 8 chessboard using the Knights Move (two ahead one to the side). All squares have to be filled without landing on the same square twice. Give in and the solution is demonstrated.
GRAPHIC TWISTER (Tape counter 46-71) Ari IQ tester in which graphic displays have to be twisted to match an original. (3 skill levels).
B SIDE
RAINBOWS (Tape counter 0-23) A chain of letters based on a mathematical series (e.g. A,C,E – alternate letters) is displayed. Solve the series, type in the next three letters and complete the construction of a rainbow complete with music and animation. (2 skill levels).
SLIDE PUZZLES (Tape counter 23-46) An ingenious presentation of the traditional hand held puzzle in which blocks are moved to make a pattern. Two different puzzles – easy and hard.
DIGITS (Tape counter 46-71) A path has to be plotted through a matrix of numbers with the aim of getting the highest score. A “number eater” with amusing sound and graphics is used.
