Product Reviews

Back in the early days, it wasn't impossible for a clever schoolkid to create a best-selling game single-handedly. These days it's a different kettle of fish. Today's top titles are created by squads of techie specialists proficient in 3D graphics and C++ programming.

But if you're a wannabe games developer, DarkBASIC helps you produce surprisingly good results by using a modified version of the beginners' programming language BASIC.

Although it runs under Windows, DarkBASIC's interface doesn't use the standard Windows look-and-feel, instead adopting a rather clunky-looking low-resolution approach. But this doesn't detract from the main business in hand - the DarkBASIC

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language itself, which you type into the main window. Anyone who remembers writing BASIC programs in school will quickly get to grips with this newer version. It uses the same syntax, but comes with a whole host of extra commands designed to manipulate 3D objects, textures and sounds, all of which are well-documented in the very decent manual.

If you're unfamiliar with BASIC (or any programming language, for that matter), this is a much more fun way to learn than the databases and catalogue projects usually inflicted on beginners. Plus it's packed with hand-holding tutorials and the source code is on the CD.

Of course, all this ease of use is wasted if the final results are crap, but our first project produced a brilliant surprise. The graphics won't compete with today's PC games, but they're smooth, playable and on a par with titles from a few years ago. What's more, you can create standalone programs to give to mates who don't even own a copy of DarkBASIC.

It's not often that something genuinely innovative comes along for £40, but if you're bored with the current crop of shooters and fancy your chances at doing something creative, DarkBASIC is an excellent buy. And you never know - you may also acquire a few handy job skills for the future!