DOWNHILL CHALLENGE from Br0derbund
Reviewed by Michael Graf
Copyright (c) 1990 Apple Users' Group, Sydney
Republished from Applecations, a publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia.
Requirements:
- Apple //GS with 512k.
Optional:
- Joystick.
"Take a deep breath, grit your teeth, and go for it!"
That's how the product description, on the back of DOWNHILL CHALLENGE, describes this great, new game for the Apple //gs. To be honest, they're not wrong !!
For all skiing enthusiasts, waiting eight months for the snow to fall in the Snowy Mountains is often a great hardship. Australia has good weather (usually), but the lack of snow, with the exception of 4 months during the year, can make a skier a little anxious. So spend a few hours relaxing, and get involved in DOWNHILL CHALLENGE (DC), where you can play or practice four of the world's best skiing events. These are:
o Downhill
o Slalom
o Giant Slalom
o Ski Jumping
Many sport's simulations are available now days, especially for the Apple //gs (GS), but this is the first true skiing one that I have heard about. For the real keen skiers, DC allows us to relax and get involved in this wonderful sport, but also to try, and succeed at, events we might never actually have the opportunity to participate in.
^Game Mechanics or How the Skis Fit On^
DC comes on two disks, one basically being the operating system, and the other containing the program and data files required for the game to function. (For some unknown reason, disk one contains ProDOS 16v1.2 as its operating system and the Apple //gs program launcher; since both these are now more than two years out of date, I am surprised that they are still being used.) It is produced by Br0derbund, a company well known for their excellent products.
Instructions within the package are sparse (almost too sparse), covering a multitude of computers, including the GS, but basically cover the booting of the game and rough game play. Considering the excellent programming and research that must have been performed to produce such a product, such scanty documentation is a great disappointment.
Once the game boots, the player is automatically confronted with excellent graphics, as you can choose to register in an event or practice an event. First time users would be well advised to practice a lot before attempting serious time
trials. The game allows you to compete against a world-class computer opponent who know the slopes very well, or against multiple players (one at a time, named by the computer or by the player), or simply practice, any of the four events.
You can pause the game simply by pressing Control-p (so you can answer the phone when it rings - very annoying in the middle of a fast tuck) or even quit an event, and the game can be exited back to the launching system simply by selecting EXIT from the main screen.
Though the game states it can be played by mouse, keyboard and joystick, the latter would be the recommended means to do so. The mouse is a little too sensitive to be a great device. However, the instructions do NOT tell you how to access the joystick, and so persistent trials are necessary to get it to work with DC. Then there is nothing but speed and snow to get involved with. As you ski down, the snow and scenery, which include the crowd, trees and other obstacles, fly past, as the sound of running skies echoes across the room. Truly a great experience for the first time skier, or the expert ski jumper.
You can use the numeric keypad on the GS by simply hitting '8' when you are in the gate; this tells the game that you are aiming down and moving forward. Then, through various keypad and apple-keypad key combinations, the skier can be turned left or right, perform sharp turns, lean down or stand up and even do a stop turn. However, the keypad can be slow to react and may take some getting used to before great proficiency with it can be achieved; yet it is still preferable than using the mouse.
^Good Points^
Naturally, the sound and graphics are a great selling point for such a game, and DC does not let the user down. Run without Transwarp GS (a means of speeding up the GS), the game still flows and moves very quickly, as the animation is smooth and accurate. The sounds and digitised voices help create an atmosphere of 'being there and actually hitting the slopes'.
Also, having four different games and a good computer opponent, makes DC very replayable, an important point for many gamers these days. However, not only are there four events, but each can be performed on the Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced ski runs, which can mean the difference between a gold medal run, and ending up, face down in the snow (which will happen often, believe me!).
^Unfortunate Short Comings^
With many software packages having no copy protection, the fact that DC uses a key disk system is a little annoying. For those who have not come across this form of copy protection, before the game can be played from a backup copy, you are asked to insert the original disk. I am pleased, however, to say that this means that the game can be run from a hard drive (and is compatible with System
5.0.2), as long as you have the original handy. So I suggest that you create a back up copy and play with that, and protect the original which is vital to play DC.
The instructions, for they do not truly qualify as a manual, are very skimpy. No mention of copy protection, backing up, or using the optional interfaces (joystick, keyboard) can be found. I admit that the game is somewhat intuitive, but probably only for actual skiers or those who are glued to their televisions when the winter Olympics are on. For the new comers, it might take some getting used to and experimentation.
^Overall Assessment^
"Downhill Challenge: It's like having your own private ski mountain!"
Well this is certainly true, and the game is very worthwhile. Despite the minor annoyances, listed above, the game is quick, exciting and loads of fun. You will swear that you can feel the wind whip past your face on the Giant Slalom, and that shifting your chair helps your ski jumper gain those extra few metres.
With four events and three levels of play, Downhill Challenge should provide many hours of entertainment, during the long summer months until the ski season starts.
Go for it !!!
Downhill Challenge comes on 2 x 3.5" disks: 1 system, 1 game disk; and is available for $49.95 from Dataflow.
Rating: Standards:
Graphics: **** ***** = excellent
Sound: *** **** = very good
Entertainment: **** *** = good
Documentation: * ** = acceptable
Interface: ** * = poor
Review copy courtesy of Dataflow Computer Services
134 Barcom Ave
Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011
(02) 331-6153

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