This weekend will see the release of a new game for the Commode XStation94.
SMASHH – The Game sees players take on the role as a member of Smalltown Area Ship, Hovercraft and Helicopter (SMASHH) rescue crew, pitting their wits against errant holidaymakers, and SomersetClive was given an exclusive chance to play.
The game first requires you to create your avatar and choose from an extensive wardrobe of hi-viz jackets, waders and overalls to clothe your figure. As you struggle to don your personal protective equipment you may find yourself challenged to a ‘Biscuit Dash’, by another online player. Quick! You need to get to the supermarket and stock up the biscuit tin before they do.
On return to SMASHH HQ you’ll continue to battle as you try to fill the biscuit tin before the other volunteers empty it.
Game play moves on when the telephone rings. It’s the Coastguard and they need assistance. You’ll need to select the right equipment from the shelves and stock the Hovercraft depending on the mission.
Will you be tasked to rescue a sheep from a rhyne or extract a holidaymaker from the mud?
As you progress through the game the tasks become increasingly more difficult as you find yourself searching for missing people on the beach in the dark, hauling dogs up the side of a cliff (careful you don’t get close to the edge, because the game ends if you fall off) and issuing plenty of beach safety advice to beach users.
Sometimes you may struggle to get to the scene of the emergency before the members of the Really Needy Lifeboat Association (RNLA) and, on occasion, you’ll find yourself stood down before you’ve even hit the road.
After each round of the game you will need to head back to SMASHH headquarters and hose down your equipment – this is a somewhat tedious bit of play but has to be completed before the next challenge.
Whenever you complete a task you’ll pick up rewards in the form of donations to the biscuit fund – but be careful – those sneaky blighters from the RNLA will try to take it from you!
All-in-all it’s an enjoyable game, although a bit slow at times. Sometimes the only thing going on is an opportunity to show holidaymakers around SMASHH headquarters and the lull between challenges, which you spend eating biscuits and polishing helmets, can get a bit boring.
The game will be available to purchase from the SMASHH HQ during the Annual Rescue Service Event (ARSE) as well as G.W. Hurlings in Smalltown’s Main Street.