Octopussy (1992) - Unofficial

 

Game Data
Released: 1992
Published By: Ultrasoft (Slovakia)
Developed By: Bytepack

Platforms
ZX Spectrum

Credits
Programming: Milan Blazicek
Graphics: Marek Forray

Thoughout the late 1980's, Domark published several James Bond games for 8-bit home computers, the last of which was the 1990 release of "The Spy Who Loved Me". But for ZX Spectrum owners, a little-known final 007 adventure was available before the series moved on to consoles and 16-bit platforms.

Bytepack programmer Milan Blazicek and artist Marek Forray, based out of Slovakia, created an unofficial computer game adaptation of "Octopussy" for the ZX in 1991, which was published by Bratislava-based Ultrasoft.


Above: Screenshots of the animated introduction which explains 009's murder and the Faberge link

The structure of the game was based around finding objects and solving puzzles to move the story along. Players could control Roger Moore, complete in white tuxedo, and use the 'Fire' button to display a menu to manipulate an object (pick it up, attempt to use it, or throw it away). The developers tried to stay true to the flow of the movie but adapted the details to suit the game mechanics.

For the first puzzle, players can find a flute and a coin on the streets of an Indian city. 007 faces certain death if he plays the flute near the cobra, but passing the coin to Vijay earns you a key.

Behind the locked door is a hotel room where you can steal the Faberge egg, and then take it to the casino where you can attract the attention of the Kamal Kahn, accept a drink, place a bet with the egg, roll the dice and win. The collected chips can then be exchanged for cash which pays for a taxi ride to the next location, which is where the game ends.

 

Despite the limited graphical prowess compared to the Commodore 64, the rogue game opened with an impressively animated introduction which sets the scene for the game with M sending 007 on his mission to find 009's killer. Character detail and animation is better than most of the official games from Domark on the Spectrum. Where the game suffers though, is the lack of any music and just the sparsest of sound effects.

Despite being unlicenced and not part of the official James Bond videogame canon, the game was released in Slovakia complete with cassette inlay and full instructions in 1992. Some time afterward, an English-language version was also made available.

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