Retro Oddities 15: "Mission Fallout" (ZX Spectrum) - 12 July 2024

Tonight, I focus on a VERY obscure game called "Mission Fallout", an action/platform/semi-puzzle hybrid with a sci-fi paint job and a sense of humour that breaks the 4th wall.
This game was released exclusively on a magazine covertape (Crash, Issue 74: March 1990 - Side 2, Track 2). While made for 48K machines, a 128K version was apparently available from the game's developer for a small sum of £1 (about $2) and a self-addressed envelope. I cannot find any trace of the 128K version online, so I can only assume it is lost. Also, this game seems to have trouble with a Kempston joystick interface, despite supporting it in the main menu, so I have no choice but to play with the keyboard. Pressing BREAK (or Caps Shift & Space at the same time) allows the player to access a hidden cheat menu before the game starts (press a key at the "Get Ready" message to actually begin).
An interesting take on the platform/action genre, but this is desperately begging for a 128K version complete with AY music and minigames (as was promised on the loading screen). It's a shame that this was ever only available on a magazine covertape. It's got potential and promise, but its obscurity does it no favours.
The keys are not redefinable and are as follows:
Q - Up (jump forwards)
A - Down (build a platform beneath your current position)
O - Left
P - Right
M or Space Bar - Fire
1 to 4 - Use inventory items in that slot
V - Quit
H - Pause (press Fire to resume)
Recorded on 12 July 2024