Retro Game Lookback: Space Adventure For BBC Micro

Space Adventure, by Pro Software, is a rare Classic for the BBC Micro released in 1983 and one that I have been looking forward to revisiting for some time.

Although the game is called “Space Adventure” it’s not so much an adventure as a collecting shooter style game and is one of those games that really has that “just one more go” factor about it.

The plot of the game is simple, you are on a mission to collect four power crystals hidden and locked away inside an alien ship. To unlock the rooms of the ship, containing each crystal, you need to find the correct key numbered 1 to 4 (which are spaced rectangles) – which are placed randomly for each game.

The novel thing about the game is that you have a limited supply of power (not so novel) and you have to balance this between life support and weapon control (very novel). A number of power packs are also placed randomly around the ship. You need to find and recover the four crystals before your power runs out (and your life support with it!) – think carefully about how to use your power – you will need it.

The ship you are heading into is set over three levels, and on each level are two transporter rooms (marked with a T), you simply enter the level you want to go to (1,2, or 3) – entering the same level as you are currently located on will take you to the other transporter on the same level.

Is life in gaming ever that easy? Did we mention the androids? In each room Androids will try and stop you – you have to dispatch them before you can leave a room. You may need to shoot an Android several times (and with different weapons) to take it down. Your two weapons are a blaster and a phaser – the blaster is more powerful but uses much more power. The game could be controlled through joystick or keyboard (up, down, left, right and diagonally), F0, F2, F4 recharge lift support, phaser and blaster respectively and F6 and F8 select phaser or blaster.

Once you have the four crystals you need to leg it, as quick as you can, back to your ship. There was never much pomp and circumstance in these kinds of games, at the time, for winning and once the game is completed you can increase the skill level to add further challenges to the game (3 skill levels).

Towards the end of the game it largely comes down to how well you have balanced and conserved your power supplies. It can be tempting in early rounds to take the hits from the Androids in order to get close enough to fire off a volley of shots – but think about the long term – there are only a limited number of power packs available – and when they’re gone – you’re on your own as you frantically try and hold on to your last breath as you head back to your ship.

In many ways the game is similar to the ZX Spectrum game Microbot (although Space Adventure came first) and is a highly enjoyable science fiction romp that had some unique and clever ideas – back in 1983.