traz _twr Commodore 64 game

Introducing the latest addition to the real Breakout tradition, Cascade brings you TRAZ (the Transformable Arcade Zone) at £9.95 for cassette and £14.95 for the disk, complete with a joystick featuring keys for enhanced control. With three initial options—Pro-player modes, entry into the construction set, or the kernel options—participants dive into the game aiming to escape from TRAZ, an electronic prison with 84 cells to break through.

Since TRAZ arrived at ZZAP! Towers, 'oohs' and 'aahs' have echoed as team members engage in two-player mode. While some may argue that new Breakout variants have exhausted the genre, TRAZ stands out with its innovative twists. Juggling nine balls with two horizontal and two vertical bats becomes a real laugh, especially when a question mark power-up transforms the game—balls become invisible, spiral, or zip off at MACH 4. The creativity in designing screens, coupled with the idea of combining levels into a maze, adds an extra dimension to the gameplay. Moreover, TRAZ boasts one of the most comprehensive screen editors, making it a must-have for enthusiasts.

The game unfolds within the electronic prison, with each cell housing more than one bat, controlled via the joystick and board. Cells vary in difficulty and feature indestructible blocks, traps, monster generators, and other fundamental components. Two-player mode introduces dynamic control swaps, adding an extra layer of challenge.

TRAZ proves to be an addictive game, demanding mental agility as players defend multiple "goals" simultaneously, especially with nine balls on the screen. Additional features like refractive glass and mystery pills contribute to the excitement, creating unbelievably hectic moments that stretch reflexes to the limit. The presentation is top-notch, featuring clever and imaginative screen designs that are frustratingly compulsive. Graphically, TRAZ impresses with large, bright, and colorful backdrops and well-animated spinet. The sound is inventive, with a strong title tune and decent in-game effects. The package also includes the definitive Breakout construction set. TRAZ isn't just a customized clone; it stands as a superb game in its own right.