Sophistry

Sophistry takes place in a complex of 21 levels, each comprises several interconnected 3D game boards consisting of marked blocks. To start with only 20% of the structure is 'opened up'. Your objective is to obtain the 64 keys scattered throughout the game which will unlock the gates leading to the 21st level and open the construction to a full 100%. This can be achieved by retrieving the keys in person or by amassing points to trade for them.

You take control of a small pod-like hopper, capable of moving in all four directions. As it jumps across the blocks their different attributes are activated: scoring blocks and target blocks increase points. Landing on blocks and jokers, in various sequences of ascending/descending order, gains you bonus points. Missing a block or attempting to leave the board at an unmarked exit results in the loss of one of your five lives.

The basic concept of 'search and find' is complicated by the properties peculiar to each block. A status panel to the left of the screen indicates whether certain restrictions are in operation or not. On some boards exits are locked and cannot be opened until a certain number of points have been scored or a specified period of time has been spent on the current board. Conversely, other boards must be cleared before a count-down reaches zero.

There are mystery blocks (with a variety of beneficial and adverse effects), false exits and seekers (contact with these means instant death). Tracking status determines how much strategic thinking is necessary to negotiate each board. A random chain reaction which creates fatal low blocks, a force which keeps the pod moving until it hits a target and sudden count-downs are just a few of the problems to be encountered. In trickier situations one of your 50 uppers may be activated. These increase the value of all scoring blocks by one and occasionally recover blocks which have disappeared.

In between boards, you can exchange points for extra uppers, eliminate seekers, open locks or even obtain bonus lives. A map and selective instructions can also be consulted. On-screen displays indicate: current level, number of lives and uppers remaining, game time and score. There are many ways to play the game, it is up to you to experiment and find the best way to achieve your goal.