When people question whether there is any validity in war, maybe in the form of a song, you could respond with, “Gaming on the ZX Spectrum!”, for just the other day – at No.12 – we had Carrier Command and though yesterday’s Sim City may not have been war like it did end in tears. Today in the Your Sinclair Top 100, at No. 10 we have – from Vortex Software – T.L.L. or to give it its Sunday name, Tornado Low Level.
T.L.L. swooped in onto the ZX Spectrum back in 1984 from Costa Panayi who is also the wizard behind the excellent game Highway Encounter, which sits at No.#40 in the Your Sinclair Top 100. Taking control of the latest swing-wing fighter bomber, you’re given free reign to travel the varied landscape around you. Watching your fuel you need to take you aircraft to almost ground level and destroy multiple targets, whilst travelling at supersonic speeds.
Here is a game that looks truly fantastic; the speed and also the brilliant use of colour from Costa makes this another great piece of work from this programming genius. However, don’t expect to pick up T.L.L. and love it straight away – yes the graphics will make you, “Coooo!”, yes you’ll be whizzing around like you’re Biggles on speed, but it’ll suddenly hit you there’s a game to played here and you don’t know what you’re actually doing. This is where the initially hate comes in, and all I can say to this is patience. After a few tries trust me T.L.L. really comes into its own and may become one of the most enjoyable games you’ve played in a while, as not only is it graphically extremely pleasing, but the gameplay is just the right side of taxing to make you return as you whisper to yourself, “One more go”.
T.L.L. is another ZX Spectrum games that deserves your attention today.
Originally published August 18, 2016. Updated October 24, 2022.
