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### Zub [PC]

#### http://retrospec.sgn.net/

#### Reviewed By SirClive

Anyone who hasn't heard of or played Zub, the Pickford Brothers masterpiece, has missed a rare treat. The game was the first collaboration between the brothers and (despite claims to the contrary from some Amstrad owners) the definitive version is the Spectrum 128K effort, released by Mastertronic Added Dimension in 1986.

Zub is a 2D platform shoot 'em up that owes its success to the charm and character of the game, rather than exceptional mechanics or outstanding game-play. Richard Jordan's remake (with graphics by Peter Jovanovich) is a stunning remake of the classic that makes the slightest tweaks to the game, ensuring that the look and feel of the 8-Bit original are not altered.

The game's title screen has received a lick of paint, but that is all. Zub Net is perfectly recreated and allows you to choose from 5 skill levels and alter the controls, music and video settings. James Redfern has also managed to reproduce the brilliant but irritating music on the title screen.

The game is simplicity itself and feels like a slower, remixed version of Ultimate's Jetpac. You must navigate to the top of the screen by jumping on the platforms scattered vertically across the game arena. The platforms need to be moved into position underneath the next by crouching whilst you move left and right. Each of the 10 levels has a single enemy type whose aim is to push you off your platform or drain the energy from your single life.

So what has Jordan done to improve of the Pickford's hit? Well not a lot really (and that is a good thing). The radar is improved and now you have an idea of when you are going to hit the force fields. If you are unlucky (or unskilful) enough to be knocked off your platform, you can now guide Zub as he falls which is a godsend when you fall from a height and can now land on another platform instead of falling all the way to the bottom. The graphics are obviously improved, but only through a little smoothing and a nice use of colour, all of the original sprites are used. In game music is a great little rendition of the Speccy 128K tune and, in keeping with everything else in this marvellous remake, it is tastefully updated without losing its 8-Bit feel. The addition of an online high score table gives the game more longevity, even if I could only get to 144th position.

It is hard to find fault with what the guys have done here, so I am going to be picky and moan about what they haven't done. The 128K Spectrum version includes a great little James Bond tribute intro sequence, but that isn't included. Also missing (as far as I am aware) is the other reason that the Speccy 128K version was the best; the hidden game Lightfarce. But unfortunately, that really is all I can slag it off for (and I really like slagging things off).

Zub is a superbly executed remake that takes no liberties and pulls it all off with maximum style. I wholeheartedly recommend this to all of you and would also suggest that you don't just play it from this disk, instead head over to www.retrospec.sgn.net and have a look at the wonderfully designed site that includes many more remakes of 8-Bit classics. Now I'm off to have a mind-wipe in the hope that the title music can be surgically removed from my temporal lobes.

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Graphics: | 85%
Sound: | 86%
Game Concept: | 80%
Gameplay: | 86%
Lasting Appeal: | 82%

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