Rad Zone

RAD ZONE HISTORY

Radiation disasters are becoming commonplace in the Rad Zone, although fortunately this one takes place on a remote planetoid. There is only one human life at risk, you have to guess who, well, someone has to do it. You have to solve this problem; decontaminate the affected areas by removing all radioactive objects.

Rad Zone comes from the authors of The Scout Steps Out and has the same graphical style although in gameplay they are somewhat distinctive. It's an exploration/platformer packed with small, colourful graphics and some nasty hazards. You control a bald little man who, after donning an anti-radiation suit, has to venture into the hostile irradiated environment.

HOW TO PLAY RAD ZONE

In Rad Zone the screens are made up of colourful, futuristic graphics that include some moving hazards and other features that you must learn by trial and error. On each screen there are a number of objects that must be collected to make it a radiation-free area. These are not always the same, but include clam shells, seaweed, diamond shapes and discs. Some can only be neutralised when they flash red, which makes things even more difficult. Once all radioactive objects are placed, the screen becomes a safe area. These areas are extremely useful for clearing your suit of radiation. An indicator at the bottom of the screen shows this build-up due to the presence of radioactive elements and collisions with certain moving hazards. If you go too high, you first lose the protective suit and then a life. Returning to a safe area removes all radiation, but if you have a suit, you must collect another from the home screen.

RAD ZONE SCREENSHOTS

The game also accepts joysticks. Simply press the fire button on the joystick to start, instead of the space bar to start using the joystick.

RAD ZONE CREDITS

Programming and graphics: J. Dave Rogers , Colin Hogg

Game cover