ZUB

ZUB
Release	1986
Publisher	Mastetronic Added Dimension
Developer	Binary Design
Programmer	Peter Gartside
Musician	David Whittaker
Artist	Ste Pickford
Genre	Arcade Adventure (2D)
Players	1
Controls
Language
Media
Compatability	464, 664, 6128 & Plus
Magazine Reviews	77% - AA 016 (Jan 1987) 88% - Amtix 16 (Feb 1987)
Information	* Appeared on side B of the compilation Megaplay Volume 1 * Appeared on disk 5, side A of the compilation PP Games 15

Zub is a platform exploration game in a quest to find a missing treasure through 10 levels of the ZUB-sphere.

Inlay Text

Zub, Private Third Class in the second glorious army of ZUBI, was not the happiest being in the ZUB system. In fact, he was terrified. He sat alone outside the office of his commanding officer, Sergeant ZUB. His knees began to shake, a single involuntary tear dripped from his left eye-stalk. If he had had a brow it would doubtless have been furrowed , but he hadn’t, so it wasn’t.

Many thoughts swam around his tiny confused brain. “What have I done?” “Why was I sent for?” “Will I be sent into action?” “Why has he kept me waiting so long?” At this point he gave up, his brain wasn’t really designed for thinking. ZUB was a precision-built, genetically-engineered fighting machine, his sole purpose in life was combat. He was also frightened of dying and had spent the last 478 years avoiding active service. ZUB was a coward. He had a feeling that this period of his life was coming to an end. He was right.

The office door opened silently. “Right, Sergeant ZUB, I’ll see you now!” ZUB staggered to his feet, still shaking andentered the office.

“Actually, it’s Private Zub, Sir” ZUB stammered, “Private Third Class 8AB4788… Sir.”

“Ah yes… we’ll see about that. I suppose you’re wondering why I sent for you? “Er…” “This morning” the Sergeant interrupted, “an envelope was handed to me by General ZUB, this very envelope in fact!” The Sergeant waved a large golden envelope under where ZUB’s nose would have been if he’d had one.

“It doesn’t come from the General”, the Sergeant continued. “Oh, no. It comes from the top, from our beloved leader, King ZUB himself!”

ZUB shook his eye stalks and groaned to himself. “Would you like me to read it to you?” the Sergeant asked as though hewasn’t going to read it anyway. “Well…”

The Sergeant opened the envelope and removed a single sheet of golden paper. “It’s addressed to the War Office and it’s written in the King’s own handwriting. It says…

Right you lot stop playing games and cop this. I’ve got a real job for you. Someone’s nicked one of my crown jewels, the green eyeball of ZUB, and I want it back! Prime Minister ZUB tells me it’s been traced to the planet ZUB Ten. Apparently my brother who’s the King of the outfit wanted to add it to his little collection. He sent one agent, a junior officer in his second army, to steal it. I want you to send a similar ranking officer from our second glorious army to get it back. If he fails, believe me, you’ll be sorry!

Yours, The King P.S. Keep this to yourselves we don’t want this sort of thing to get out.” “Well ZUB, do you accept your mission?” “B… but I’m not an officer, Sir”. “Oh don’t worry about that, as from today you are promoted to Sergeant Fourth class… and if that’s your only objectionyou can prepare to leave right away. As it’s a top secret operation you’ll have to use the old teleport network whichhas been closed since the war began. Good Luck Sergeant ZUB”.

YOUR MISSION

Your mission is simple, make your way to the Planet Zub 10, steal the green eyeball of Zub and return to Zub 1. In order to travel undetected you must use the Zub Teleport Network which is no longer used due to the continuing ZubWars.

Each planet has three teleport units which are in orbit, a mile or so above the planet surface. To reach them, you must negotiate a series of floating platforms which can be moved left or right under your control. Each of the three units will transport you to a different planet within the Zub system. It is advisable to make a map of the teleport network.

Each planet is protected by its own fleet of security robots. Some of these are relatively harmless and will merely attempt to push you off the platforms. Others, however, are armed – these should be approached with extreme care. It isrumoured that before the war, at least one of the planets had perfected a prototype “ZIRK BOMB”. If you encounter anything which looks remotely “ZIRKISH” then avoid it at all costs. The effects of activating such a device could be disastrous. The mysterious Zub Zone awaits!

HINTS

You’re not getting any! Zub is a game of discovery. We’ve told you how to control it and that is quite enough. The programmers wanted it sent out with blank paper for instructions, so think yourself lucky that you got this much!Oh by the way, watch out for powerpills! They have a dramatic library of uses. Some good, some great, some very un-zub! Shoot to use.

CONTROLS

Keyboard controls are definable and several joystick types are catered for, follow the onscreen instructions.

KEY	FUNCTION
FIRE BUTTON	PLASMA BOLT
UP	JUMP
DOWN	CROUCH/CONTROL PLATFORM
LEFT	WALK LEFT/CONTROL PLATFORM
RIGHT	WALK RIGHT/CONTROL PLATFORM
FIRE STARTS THE GAME

To move a platform crouch and push in the direction you wish to go.

CLEVER BITS

• Parallax like you’ve never seen it
• 100 frames of animation* Hi-res attributes* Five skills levels* More alien types than you’d believe* Constant execution speed

Cheat Mode

Hints

• Press CTRL to activate a planet scanner

Multiface

POKE 4319,00 - Invulnerable to Droid Attack

Pokes

Trivia

• Known in development as 'Project Amoeba'
• Also available on
  • Commodore 64
  • ZX Spectrum

Resources

Cover

Manual

Media Scan

Reviews

(Amstrad Action 016 - January 87)



(Amtix 016 - February 87)

Magazine References

Magazine	Issue	Date	Page	Reference Type
Amstrad Action	015	Dec 1986	14	News/Note
Amstrad Action	016	Jan 1987	77	Review (reproduced above)
Amtix	016	Feb 1987	37	Hints (reproduced above)
Amtix	016	Feb 1987	100	Review (reproduced above)
Amstrad Action	017	Feb 1987	77	Hints (reproduced above)
Amtix	018	Apr 1987	41	Feature: The 1986 Amtix! Readers Awards
Amstrad Action	019	Apr 1987	69	Poke (reproduced above)
Amstrad Action	021	Jun 1987	65	Poke (reproduced above)
Amstrad Action	024	Jun 1987	37	Poke
CPC Computing (CWTA)	002	Oct 1988	47	Poke
Amstrad Action	068	May 1991	62	Multiface (reproduced above)
Amstrad Action	090	Mar 1993	16	Multiface (reproduced above)

Links

• Play Online at Java CPC-Games

For more info:

• ZUB at CPC-Power
• Game Reviews
• Game play on YouTube