QL Jabber

QL Jabber is a different game for the Sinclair QL where you play the role of an antibody protecting the body in which you live from various bugs and diseases. It was originally going to be called QL Jab, but Sinclair Research decided on changing the name to QL Jabber.

You are positioned in the middle of the screen and beed to move about as various bugs fly about above and below you. You can fire darts at them to destroy them as they move (although they then turn into the wall of a cell which makes other bugs turn around). On early levels, you are restricted to moving left and right, but on later levels, the game becomes harder, as you can move up and down too, whilst the attackers get more and more aggressive and sneaky.

In later screens, the bugs will mutate into something else when you hit it with a dart - some turn into stars, whereas others turn into more poisonous variants of the bugs. The author was particularly proud of the little hornets which accelerate directly towards your player. You need to side step them and force them into an oscillating orbit to get them.

The synopsis:

Welcome to the United Solar Spice Pilot Training and Disease Control Centre. So that you will graduate familiar with all the most common bacteria and viruses before embarking upon a mission, you are to complete your final examination on the disease simulator. You will take on the role of an antibiotic and anti-virus drug and be placed in a series of dangerous situations where you will be attacked by many different types of bacteria and virus. Sometimes, even your own body will prove fatal to you!

Title: QL Jabber
Language: 68000 Machine Code
Author: Arrakis - Steven Hollywood and Ian Williams
Publisher: Sinclair Research Ltd and RWAP Software
Year of Publication: 1984
Reviews: Sinclair QL World May 1986
Price as at September 1985: £14.95
Platforms Suitable for: All Sinclair QLs and emulators
Commercial Status: Commercial
Sources Available from: n/a
Latest Version available from: RWAP Software website