Game Review

Remember Moonbeam Software? Unless you are a TI-99 enthusiast, I'm guessing no. They released a handful of games for the TI-99/4 and TI-99/4A in the early 80's; All of their games were written in either TI BASIC or TI Extended BASIC and released on cassette and disk. Unfortunately, they disappeared almost as quickly as they appeared; the video game crash of 1983 certainly didn't help, but also the failure of the TI-99/4A to compete against Commodore and Atari computers was the final nail in that coffin. At the time, starting with TI-99/4(A) as the platform to make games for wasn't completely out in left field... the system had a promising start with quite a few units sold and sales increasing. But in 1980's computing the scene can change quickly! Anyway, Robot Runner is one such game they released and utilizes Extended BASIC. It consists of an impressive seven(!) different screens where players need to guide their android through various platforms, mazes, and other obstacles. The number of screens, each with their own goal, was quite a large variation for platform/action games of the era, especially for a game written in BASIC. The graphics and sound in Robot Runner are simplistic, but overall sharp and work well enough. The main issue I have with the game is due to limitations of TI Extended BASIC; it's a bit slow! Even with taking advantage of the TI's sprite capability, the game (and all Moonbeam games really) run somewhat clunky by modern standards, and even by standards of the day. It's also quite difficult; after losing an android, you're sent back to the first screen to try again. Making it through all seven without losing a life is a challenge, especially since you don't have much time to react once a level begins — you'll need to learn each level's tricks to get through before you're caught. It's too bad TI BASIC didn't perform better, as that really held back Moonbeam Software games which were otherwise creative and attractive. On the other hand, Robot Runner does work surprisingly well for a TI BASIC game; some other companies efforts at an action game in this language barely even have any action (I'm looking at you Slinky).