Manic Miner: Neighbours
First appeared in ZXF issue 9 (Christmas 2004)
Author: Andrew Broad
Download: http://www.geocities.com/andrewbroad/spectrum/willy/
Ok. I admit it. I'm beginning to worry about Dr Andrew Broad. The obsession with Manic Miner and Jet Set Willy I could assimilate. The integration of Smithsonian and Tolkensian themes in Manic Miner: The Hobbit / Jet Set Willy: The Lord of the Rings I could manage. I could handle the fact that my life would have to be completely dedicated to the works of Broad if ever I was actually going to complete a single level of one of his games. But this release takes things just one step too far. Manic Miner: Neighbours - Allana Truman, the latest of Andrew's MM/JSW titles, is dedicated to sci-fi geek Allana Truman, Andrew's favourite Neighbours character of all time. In the game you play Allana's Boyfriend Lance Wilkinson and - just as it was in the 'real thing' - you have to perform seven labours in order to win Allana as your girlfriend and then sort a few extra head-scratchers in order to say ta-ta to aussieland and hot foot it the pair of you up to America. Yes.
As with all Broad MM/JSW games, MM:N-AT is difficult to a degree that makes you want to squeeze lemon juice in your eyes. This time round we do have an 'easy version,' however (you might complete it before you reach retirement age), and an infy lives poke in the README file. All I can say is bring back Madge Bishop.
