The Trap Door (video game)

The Trap Door
Developer(s)	Don Priestley
Publisher(s)	Piranha Games
Platform(s)	Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
Release date(s)	1986
Genre(s)	Arcade adventure
Mode(s)	Single player
Distribution	Cassette

The Trap Door is a computer game published for several 8-bit formats in 1986 by Piranha Games. It was written by Don Priestley and based on the British children's television show of the same name.

Gameplay

Gameplay

In The Trap Door, the player takes control of Berk, who must perform tasks for "The Thing Upstairs" a never-seen entity who lives in the upper floors of the castle where Berk works. In order to help him complete his task, Berk must make use of the many objects lying around his part of the castle as well as the creatures that emerge from the trap door. Berk is assisted by Boni, a talking skull, who provides hints when picked up. He is also somewhat hindered by Drutt, a spider who loves eating worms.

Gameplay is largely based around puzzle-solving and the use and manipulation of the many objects littered around Berk's chambers. Berk will also need help from some of the strange creatures that lurk in the caverns under the trap door and these creatures can often be as much a hindrance as a help (as well as downright dangerous). Once Berk has finished taking advantage of a creature's "assistance" he also has to find a way of making sure it goes back down the trap door.

The game has two different skill levels: "Learner Berk" and "Super Berk". The difference is that "Super Berk" mode includes flying ghosts that appear a set time after each task is announced. The ghosts hinder the player's progress by attacking Berk, sending him spinning into another room if he doesn't manage to avoid them. The game can only be completed in "Super Berk" mode.

It was followed by a sequel in 1987 called Through The Trap Door, also written by Priestley and published by Piranha.

Critical reaction

Reception
Review scores Publication Score Computer and Video Games 35/40[1] Crash 88%[2] Sinclair User [3] Your Sinclair 9/10[4] Computer Gamer 19/20[5]
Awards Publication Award ZX Computing Monster Hit[6] Sinclair User SU Classic C+VG C+VG Hit

The game was runner up for best original game of the year at the Golden Joystick Awards.

See also

• Flunky

References

External links

• Review of the ZX Spectrum version in Your Sinclair.
• Review of Through the Trap Door for the Spectrum
• Review in Crash
• The Trap Door at World of Spectrum
• The Trap Door at Lemon 64