Nonterraqueous
Encyclopedia
Nonterraqueous is a computer game for the Amstrad CPC
, ZX Spectrum
and Commodore 64
, released by Mastertronic
in 1985
.
(which resembles an eyeball), whose mission is to destroy the central computer currently in control of the planet Nonterraqueous. The robot has a "psyche" value which is reduced every time contact is made with a surface, requiring fine control over the robots movements. Barring the way are enemies which can be shot with the robots lasers, "photon thrusters" (white barriers that pulsate and kill the robot instantly if they contact) and other obstacles, some of which can only be destroyed by finding a bomb and dropping it in the room.
Along the way there are stations at which the robot can "recharge" its psyche, although some are deadly to use and knowing which ones can only come from experience. There are also "swop" stations that allow the robot to transform into a form which doesn't allow shooting lasers but is invulnerable to some otherwise deadly obstacles. Also along the way is a long vertical corridor which is seemingly impassable until a rocket at the bottom of the vertical shaft is activated, catapulting the player up several dozens levels and through the barrier.
The overall size of the game was considered daunting for the time, consisting of 1004 separate locations.
, although the gameplay is quite different.
Amstrad CPC
The Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
, ZX Spectrum
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
and Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
, released by Mastertronic
Mastertronic
Mastertronic was originally a publisher and distributor of low-cost computer game software founded in 1983. Their first games were distributed in mid-1984. At its peak the label was the dominant software publisher in the UK, a position achieved by selling cassette-based software at the £1.99...
in 1985
1985 in video gaming
-Notable releases:* Brøderbund releases Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, the first game of the prolific Carmen Sandiego series* Nintendo releases Super Mario Bros. on September 13, 1985, which eventually sells 40 million copies making it the best-selling video game of all time until 2008.*...
.
Gameplay
The player controls a robotRobot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
(which resembles an eyeball), whose mission is to destroy the central computer currently in control of the planet Nonterraqueous. The robot has a "psyche" value which is reduced every time contact is made with a surface, requiring fine control over the robots movements. Barring the way are enemies which can be shot with the robots lasers, "photon thrusters" (white barriers that pulsate and kill the robot instantly if they contact) and other obstacles, some of which can only be destroyed by finding a bomb and dropping it in the room.
Along the way there are stations at which the robot can "recharge" its psyche, although some are deadly to use and knowing which ones can only come from experience. There are also "swop" stations that allow the robot to transform into a form which doesn't allow shooting lasers but is invulnerable to some otherwise deadly obstacles. Also along the way is a long vertical corridor which is seemingly impassable until a rocket at the bottom of the vertical shaft is activated, catapulting the player up several dozens levels and through the barrier.
The overall size of the game was considered daunting for the time, consisting of 1004 separate locations.
Sequel
A sequel to the game exists and is called Soul of a RobotSoul of a Robot
Soul of a Robot is a computer game sequel to Nonterraqueous for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and MSX, released by Mastertronic in 1985. It was sometimes called Nonterraqueous 2.- Plot :...
, although the gameplay is quite different.