Producer: Mirrorsoft
Memory Required: 48K
Retail Price: £6.95
Language: Machine code
Author: Andromeda Software

Caesar the Cat is a game designed with younger players in mind, but its graphics, content and playability lift it into the realm of original arcade games probably worth anyone having a look at. The larder comes with four shelves, well stocked with items of food and a few jars.

Caesar must prowl the shelves and catch the mice which are constantly nibbling away at the food. He can walk either way along any of the shelves as well as jump up or down. But knocking over a jar will cost a 1,000 points, and the red jar will end the game. However, Caesar may walk behind them without any harm, it's only if he jumps up or down where a jar stands, or when he's right beside one that he trouble happens.

Catching mice is not an easy task as they refuse to stay on the same shelf as Caesar, so the cat has to act in a cunning way. If he gets hold of a mouse, a door out of the larder opens. It may be at the end of any of the shelves. The object is to carry the mouse out and then return for the rest. There are three kinds of mice: black one's that earn 300 points, blue ones worth 500 points and red ones each worth 700 points. There are 10 of each kind and when you have caught the 10 an alarm clock rings and the blues appear, followed by the reds. As the game progresses the mice move quicker, nibble faster and it all gets harder.

Other problems are that Caesar must not be allowed to sit down or your score goes down rapidly to zero. The cat is also docked points for banging his head on walls or ceilings.

COMMENTS

Control keys: good positions, A/S left/right, P/L up/down
Joystick: Kempston
Keyboard play: responsive
Use of colour: very good
Graphics: very good, large, well animated and detailed
Sounds: good tunes, less during the game itself
Skill levels: progressive difficulty

This game contains some good, large graphics, the cat is well animated when considering its size. I personally found the game a little aimless after catching a few mice, but with its colourful graphics it should appear to the younger players, say 10 and under.

First seen on the Commodore 64, this Spectrum version has translated very faithfully. In fact, in common with some other games which are available on both machines, I found the graphics here clearer than in the 64 version. Caesar is excellently animated and characterful - so are the mice with their little tongues busily at work on the disappearing food. For kids it should come as a thrill to discover how to catch the tricky mice - it may even come as a surprise to adults! For the arcade player it is certainly worth half an hour's attention.

Caesar's played out against ever-decreasing points so sitting down on the lobs not allowed. It's a totally original idea that is quite easy to play but where some skill is needed. Very detailed graphics of food and a realistically animated cat (you) make this an enjoyable game to play. Very good use of colour and sound - ideal for the younger player - or perhaps even older?

You, as Caesar the Cat. must chase mice from the well-stocked larder before they start nibbling the food, and without knocking stuff off the shelf —especially the crockery.

Ian: This game makes excellent use of the Spectrum's graphics potential with huge sprites moving smoothly, without a trace of flicker. 9/10

Jon: The speed is entirely suited to the style of play, with the mice getting faster as the game progresses (although the cat's speed remains constant throughout). And the bright, colourful display is so good that the overall effect looks more like a photograph than a graphics display. 9/10

Simon: A highly original game for young and old alike, but it would have been nice if mews and squeaks could have been included. 9/10

Memory: 48K
Price: £8.95
Joystick: Kempston

Fancy yourself as a good mouser? If so, sharpen your computerised claws and get into the larder - the family has a plague of hungry mice and if you cannot move Caesar the Cat round the screen fast enough there will be no more fish for you.

Caesar is the guardian of four shelves of assorted food and its aim is not only to catch as many ravenous rodents as possible but also to beat the score clock counting down to zero at high speed.

Caesar must take the mice out of the larder door for the score to register. Easy? Not really, as there are jars around which, if knocked over, will reduce the score still further. There are three waves of mice. Items will disappear from the cupboard as the mice munch at them. Catch the full 30 and stores will be replenished - but only to attract more mice.

Caesar can be moved with convenient keys or there is a Kempston joystick option. The graphics are clear and in colourful cartoon style which may appeal to younger age groups. The game, from Mirrorsoft, is nevertheless likely to attract all the family.

The scene is a well-stocked larder which the player, as Caesar the Cat, must protect from the hungry mice. Caesar is the most attractive, cuddly cat you are likely to see on your computer screen. He bounds from shelf to shelf, pads along contentedly once he has caught a mouse, and sometimes whisks crockery from the shelf with his tail.

The object is to catch the mice one by one and deposit them outside the larder. The only way to gain points is by catching mice, otherwise your points decline rapidly, especially if you knock crockery from the shelf, stay still, or allow the mice to eat too much food.

The graphics are very unusual. The screen is cluttered with objects in the larder. Caesar is a large sprite graphic which winds around objects as he moves to left and right. The screen is full of colour and gives the impression of an animated cartoon.

Caesar the Cat is an excellent game and Caesar could well soon become one of the cult characters of the computer games world.

Caesar the Cat is produced for the 48K Spectrum by Mirrorsoft, PO Box 50, Bromley, Kent BR2 9TT and costs £8.95.