THE LAST V8 Commodore 64 game

The Last V8 puts you in a pretty enthralling situation. The year is 2008, seven years after World War III, and the nuclear winter has just about passed. Civilization was destroyed by the devastating war, but you were working deep underground when it happened and therefore survived. During the time you've spent in the shelter, you worked on a project: The Last V8, which is based upon a car you owned. Over the years, it has been built up and customized to withstand the hostile environment that was once the world. Complete with radiation shielding, turbo engine, and a computer linked to its station, it's ready to take you out in your search for the remnants of mankind. However, on your first foray, a siren sounds, warning you of an imminent strike from delayed action warheads, which detonate periodically. You only have a tiny amount of time to get back to the base, and it's up to you to steer the last V8 back to the base. The screen is divided into two parts: the car's instrument panel and a scrolling aerial view of the track. The instrument panel has no real significance to the game; it just tells you the speed you're going. The upper half of the screen is the most important, since it is using this that you play the game.

The Last V8 has the same type of control as Paradroid - if you point the joystick in a direction, then the car goes that way. If you want the car to slow down, then you have to push the joystick in the opposite direction. The game starts with a spoken message: "V8, return to base immediately."

Despite beautiful graphics and a promising scenario, The Last V8 falls down because of its sheer unplayability. The control is almost impossible to handle. The only problem is the way the joystick is used to move the car; it just doesn't work. When it comes down to it, the only reason I played The Last V8 for the time I did was so I could see the graphics on the rest of the game. The music is very good, yet another Rob Hubbard classic. What really got on my nerves was the speech synthesis before the start of each game. Man, it really grated; too much of this and you'll be reaching for some downers. Though beautifully presented, The Last V8 didn't live up to the graphics it's been blessed with. Not a lot of cop, I'm afraid.

If you manage to get to the base within the time limit, then you are transported to a second, trickier landscape, and the return to the base again starts over again.

Presentation 58% Nice demo but no game options and annoying delays. Graphics 87% Excellent static display and very good, if flickery, scrolling window. Sound 91% Another rockin' Rob Hubbard classic. Hookability 42% Initial frustration appeal.. Lastability 29% That is soon quelled by total unplayability. Value For Money 45% Cheap, but there are cheaper and better games. Overall 37% Disappointing release from Mastertronic. ELITE This lady is deadly.