BEYOND THE BLACK HOLE

FAST LOOKS

The Software Toolworks has done the seemingly impossible: brought true stereoscopic graphics to PCs, even those with CGA graphics. The game is sort of a 3-D combination of Pong and Breakout. You have a paddle on each side of the screen that you use to bounce a space probe toward a variety of objects in the middle of the screen. However, the probe doesn't only move back and forth, but moves in and out of the screen, too. All in all, Beyond the Black Hole is heavy on packaging and special effects and light on gameplay.

The game includes a pair of GrenoVision goggles, which are similar to those 3-D glasses used for the 1989 SuperBowl halftime show. The effect is very noticeable, although the space probe is the only object that actually moves in three dimensions. Because the stereo effect relies on motion instead of on colors, the game looks fine without the glasses.

Beyond the Black Hole probably won't hold your interest for long, but The Software Toolworks should be lauded for creating an impressive 3-D effect. Hopefully it will use the technique in a more substantial game.

DENNY ATKIN