Cyberun is a notorious release from Ultimate Play the Game and US Gold, first published in 1986.

It’s ‘notorious’ because it was not up to the quality of previous Ultimate releases, and also because it was practically impossible to complete. At least, the Spectrum version is, and since this MSX version is pretty much identical to the Spectrum version, I’m assuming that it’s the same in that regard.

In Cyberun you pilot a ship and must fly around a large scrolling landscape, shooting continually-respawning enemies, looking for lost pieces of your ship. And once you have those you then need to find eight parts of a rocket that will finally allow you to escape the planet.

On the face of it, Cyberun looks and play okay, but if you actually try to make some headway in the game, you’ll realise what a sizably difficult task it is. Impossible, in my opinion.

I wouldn’t put too much time into Cyberun, because it’s not really worth it. It’s okay for a short blast, but that’s about it.

More: Cyberun on Wikipedia

How to play Cyberun…

First you need to grab the essential components needed to enhance your ship. The Boosters and Thrusters are found near the start area and should be collected immediately. These will give you more manoeuvrability.

You then need to grab the remaining ship parts, before then building the rocket to escape the planet.

Next, find the Photon Beam (the two u-shaped dimples that look like boobs) which should be on a cloud to the right of the start area. The cloud is above a yellow ground-based refuelling pod. You can’t use the Photon Beam yet, though – unless you already collected the Laser.

Then get the homing missiles. This should be on a cloud not too far from the start area, above one of the two wide cave entrances (the one with a crystal in the middle of the cave entrance).

Contrary to some internet advice, the remaining parts DO move around. The Grab Arm and Laser can be located on the surface, or can spawn below in a cave. Finding them can be a real pain, though, unless you get lucky. If you get unlucky they might not spawn at all (happened to me at least once), in which case you’ll have no choice but to restart the game.

Pick up the Sail Connector if you find it. You can also collect the Sail if you like, but bear in mind that it will detach itself automatically from your ship if you enter the caves. You’ll then have to pick it back up from where you left it when you emerge from the caves. I do believe that it is required when leaving the planet.

When you have the extra weapons and Grab Arm you can then start assembling the escape rocket. Each piece is usually located on a random plinth in the caves below the planet, although sometimes pieces may spawn on the surface. There are eight pieces in total. The rocket must be assembled in a specific order and each piece should be dropped onto the white plinth (the one with two hovering fuel tanks either side of it), one at a time, until it is complete.

When it comes to rocket piece seven – the mesh box object – you need to pick it up and mine at least ten crystals (using the laser) while carrying it. As you continue to mine crystals you will see the mesh box becomes filled-up. It will have the letter ‘C’ in the middle. You’ll know when it’s ready because your craft will turn yellow, indicating that it’s full. Return it to the rocket and drop it on top.

Finally, after that tiresome process, you only need one more piece to complete it – the nose cone. Go find the nose cone and return to the rocket to escape the planet. Don’t forget to pick up the sail if you left it behind somewhere – you need all the ship’s parts attached to enter the rocket and escape. After it leaves the planet you’ll get a banal tune and brief congratulatory message. Punch the air if you see fit. And curse the programmer who made this insanely difficult and tiresome game…