Back to Skool

Infobox VG|title = Back to Skool


developer = David Reidy
publisher = Microsphere
designer = David Reidy
engine =
released = 1985
genre =
modes = Single player
ratings =
platforms = ZX Spectrum
media = Cassette
requirements =
input = Keyboard, Joystick

"Back to Skool" is a computer game, sequel to the popular "Skool Daze", created by David Reidy for the ZX Spectrum and released by Microsphere in 1985. The gameplay was very similar to - if more advanced than - Skool Daze, even incorporating most of the same characters, gameplay elements and graphics.

The game is ranked 19th in the Your Sinclair official top 100 Spectrum games of all time.

Differences

The game differed from its predecesssor by an expansion of the playing area (including a neighbouring girls' school) and certain gameplay changes.

The girls' school incorporated its own new characters including nondescript girls with hockey sticks, Hayley (girlfriend of the main character Eric) and Miss Take (the headmistress). Only at break time and lunch times were the girls allowed to mingle with the boys, in the central grassy playground, separated at other times by a high fence. The opening and closing of the fence at certain times of day was controlled by the school caretaker Albert, a new character to the game. During the brief sessions when the girls and boys were allowed to mingle, or when Eric could sneak into the girls' school (either by leaping the fence from the saddle of the nearby chained-up bike or by using the water pistol to water the flower pot beside the fence and jumping on the flower) he was able to kiss Hayley, who would then agree to do some of his lines for him. However, even obtaining access to the bike's combination was a difficult task and then followed the tricky manoevure of riding the bike away from a teacher's view, standing on the saddle while it was in motion and leaping the fence just before it struck.

Extra elements to the game included stink bombs, water pistols, a frog that could be released in the girls' school causing widespread panic and sherry (which could be squirted into cups and "intoxicate" teachers who were splashed by any which spilled when Eric shot his catapult at the cups with correct timing).

Trivia

*The wife of the author, Helen Reidy, was herself a school teacher during the time the program was written. [cite web | url=http://crashonline.org.uk/25/msphere.htm | title=LITTLE AND ROUND, WITH NO SHARP EDGES | publisher=Crash Magazine | accessdate=2006-07-06]

References

External links

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* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2651105510952886158 A walkthrough video of "Back to Skool" on the ZX Spectrum]