[★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆] Gnasher — 391.980p on Commodore C16 / C116 / Plus/4

Playing Commodore C16 / C116 / Plus/4 games using "Commodore" Forever 11.2 by Cloanto and the VICE emulator.

Game: Gnasher
Date: 260114
Score: 391.980p

Gnasher (Commodore Plus/4) — A stylish but shallow Pac-Man clone with weak gameplay balance and little lasting appeal.

Game Rating: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5 of 10)

Review: Gnasher (Yes! Software, 1986) for the Commodore C16 is a straightforward Pac-Man clone, featuring a smaller maze than the original but offering little in the way of fresh ideas.

Aside from the frequent crashes — the game's graphics glitched nine times during play before finally crashing outright with seven lives remaining, possibly an emulator-related issue, though the problem occurs in both Yape and VICE — the game’s biggest weakness is its poorly balanced gameplay. The lack of tension and challenge makes it far too easy.

A major frustration is the ghosts’ behavior since they spend an excessive amount of time lingering in their nest before entering the maze. This turns what should be fast-paced action into a dull routine of waiting for the ghosts to emerge, grabbing the power square, and chasing them for bonus points — a form of “controlled” waiting rather than active play.

The sound effects do little to help matters, quickly becoming irritating and further reinforcing the impression that the game lacks polish. Joystick responsiveness is unreliable, with inputs occasionally “hanging” or failing to register with precision. In a maze game where accurate movement is essential, this flaw proves especially frustrating, leading to unnecessary deaths and a disrupted flow of play.

On the positive side, the graphics are clean, crisp and appealing, especially by Commodore C16 standards. They are arguably the game’s strongest feature, alongside a well-designed scoring system. The inclusion of a high score gives players a clear incentive to keep playing and strive for better results.

Overall, Gnasher is a visually appealing but ultimately shallow Pac-Man clone. Weak gameplay balance, unresponsive controls, and irritating sound effects prevent it from being more than a brief curiosity. Most players will find little reason to stay engaged beyond a handful of sessions.

Released Year: 1986
Released By: Yes! Software
Code By: Robert W. Kent

Link: https://plus4world.powweb.com/softwar...