Cholo (computer game)

Infobox VG|title = CHOLO


developer = Solid Image Ltd
publisher = Firebird
released = 1986
genre = First-person shooter, Vehicle simulation game
modes = Single player
platforms = Amstrad CPC,
BBC Micro,
Commodore 64,
ZX Spectrum
media = Cassette
Floppy disk
input = Keyboard, Joystick

"CHOLO" is a classic wireframe 3D computer game, originally released in 1986 for the BBC Micro computer but quickly ported to a number of other 8-Bit systems (Namely the Sinclair Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64).

Description

The concept behind CHOLO was revolutionary at the time due to its use of 3D wireframe graphics and complex gameplay, it was also one of only a small number of games to come with a novella setting the scene for the player (see external links)

Your eventual aim (spelled out only in the BBC version) is to free the bunker dwellers by destroying the cap preventing them from leaving the nuclear shelter where what remains of the human race is living.

Your only link to the outside world is via a diagnostic (Rat) robot. This robot (the only one still controlled by the humans) is equipped with a single laser, computer/robot link capabilities and very limited armour, your first task is to explore the city and take over stronger robots in order to complete your mission.

You start the game in a building in the old city with no programs or information on what to do next.

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 but all have four slots for 'rampacks' which are essentially files, either text files (passl.txt) or programs which add extra functionality to your robot (radar.prg)

To make this a little harder, the robots in the city above who once served man are now running amok killing anyone they don't recognise...

Robot types

There were a large number of different classes of robot in CHOLO, all of which you can control at some point in the game, Here is a partial list of them:
*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

This deliberately incomplete map showing the pre-war city shipped with the game in the form of a small (A3 size) poster which also contained a partial robot identification chart (not replicated here).

PC Remake

In 2005, a [http://cholo.ovine.net/ remake] of this game was created by [http://www.ovine.net/ ovine by design] for Windows-based PCs. However, 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 real-time 3D graphics (strongly influenced by the movie "Tron").

See also

*"Elite" - Classic space trading and combat game
*"Mercenary" - 3D wireframe adventure game

External links

*WoS game|id=0000942|name=Cholo
* [http://cholo.ovine.net/terminal/cholo-novella.php Full CHOLO novella text at ovine.net]
* [http://cholo.ovine.net/terminal/index.php 2005 Windows PC remake at ovine.net]