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Cholo (computer game)
Encyclopedia
Cholo is a classic wireframe 3D-style computer game with nonlinear gameplay, originally released in 1986
for the BBC Micro
computer but quickly ported to a number of other 8-Bit systems, such as the Sinclair Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
and Commodore 64
.
, but with wireframe graphics. The story is set out in a novella which was included in the game's packaging. Following a nuclear war, humanity is trapped underground by a robot defence system that rules the irradiated surface. Your character assumes control of a robot drone, transmitting to a terminal below ground, and is given the task of freeing the trapped humans.
The robot - "Rizzo the rat", a diagnostic model - is equipped with a single laser, computer/robot link capabilities and very limited armour. The player's first task is to explore the city and take over stronger robots in order to complete the mission. Gameplay consists of movement around a virtual 3D world, taking over other robots by shooting them until 'paralysed', running into them and entering a password to gain access.
Each robot has different properties. "Aviata" is an aircraft who can fly, and transport other robots; "Igor" is a hacker who can access computer systems. The player can only control one robot at a time. All robots have four slots for 'rampacks' which are essentially files, either text files or programs which add extra functionality to your robot. The gameplay often involves swapping between robots in order to complete a certain task. Ultimately the player must discover a hidden island, and abduct a dangerously unstable robot that can be used to blow open the nuclear dome.
This deliberately incomplete map showing the pre-war city shipped with the game in the form of an A3 size poster. The map also contains a partial robot identification chart.
.
1986 in video gaming
-Events:-Notable releases:*Namco releases Sky Kid Deluxe, Hopping Mappy, Toy Pop, The Return of Ishtar, which is the sequel to Tower of Druaga, Genpei Tōma Den, and Rolling Thunder....
for the BBC Micro
BBC Micro
The BBC Microcomputer System, or BBC Micro, was a series of microcomputers and associated peripherals designed and built by Acorn Computers for the BBC Computer Literacy Project, operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation...
computer but quickly ported to a number of other 8-Bit systems, such as the Sinclair Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
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,...
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...
.
Description
Cholo's gameplay is similar to that of ParadroidParadroid
Paradroid is a Commodore 64 computer game written by Andrew Braybrook and published by Hewson Consultants in 1985. It was also remade as Paradroid 90 for the Amiga and Atari ST home computers and as Paradroid 2000 for the Acorn Archimedes. There exist several fan-made remakes for modern PCs...
, but with wireframe graphics. The story is set out in a novella which was included in the game's packaging. Following a nuclear war, humanity is trapped underground by a robot defence system that rules the irradiated surface. Your character assumes control of a robot drone, transmitting to a terminal below ground, and is given the task of freeing the trapped humans.
The robot - "Rizzo the rat", a diagnostic model - is equipped with a single laser, computer/robot link capabilities and very limited armour. The player's first task is to explore the city and take over stronger robots in order to complete the mission. Gameplay consists of movement around a virtual 3D world, taking over other robots by shooting them until 'paralysed', running into them and entering a password to gain access.
Each robot has different properties. "Aviata" is an aircraft who can fly, and transport other robots; "Igor" is a hacker who can access computer systems. The player can only control one robot at a time. All robots have four slots for 'rampacks' which are essentially files, either text files or programs which add extra functionality to your robot. The gameplay often involves swapping between robots in order to complete a certain task. Ultimately the player must discover a hidden island, and abduct a dangerously unstable robot that can be used to blow open the nuclear dome.
Robot types
There are a number of different robot types in Cholo, nearly all of which can be controlled at some point in the game. These include:- Vidbot - Fixed position camera robot
- Leadcoat - Heavy duty radiation proof robot
- Ratdroid - Diagnostic robot
- Hacker - Hacker robot (unarmed)
- Flying Eye - Mobile camera robot
- Autodoc - Maintenance robot
- Guard - Police robot
- Grundon - Police tank robot
- Flyboy - Aircraft robot
- Ship - Ship robot
Map
PC remake
In 2005, a remake of this game was created by ovine by design for Windows-based PCs. While this version shares the same concepts and gameplay, it is not a straight port of the original. It features a very different interface, different passwords, music and much smoother 3D graphics, strongly influenced by the movie TronTron (film)
Tron is a 1982 American science fiction film written and directed by Steven Lisberger, and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It stars Jeff Bridges as the protagonist Kevin Flynn; Bruce Boxleitner in a dual role as security program Tron and Tron's "User", computer programmer Alan Bradley; Cindy...
.
See also
- Elite - A classic space trading and combat game with a similarly epic scope
- MercenaryMercenary (computer game)Mercenary is the first in a series of computer games, published on a number of 8-bit and 16-bit platforms from the mid 1980s to the early 1990s, by Novagen Software...
- A 3D wireframe adventure game
External links
- Full CHOLO novella text at ovine.net
- Windows PC remake by ovine by design