“Montana Jones II” is a classic puzzle platformer developed and published by the Russian group Home Masters
in 1994 for the ZX Spectrum 48K home computer. It is the second part of the Montana Jones series
by this author (the first part also existed, but was less well-known).
The game is made in the best traditions of the 8-bit computer era: it is characterized by pixel graphics,
a bright but limited palette of colors of the ZX Spectrum, and gameplay that requires not so much reaction
as logical thinking and strategy.


Story or plot of the game

The plot component in the game is minimal and serves only as a conditional framework for the gameplay.
The protagonist, a cowboy named Montana Jones, finds himself trapped in a multi-level complex
resembling a labyrinth of platforms and stairs. His main goal is to find a way out of each level
in order to eventually gain freedom. Any deeper backstory (why he got trapped, who his opponent is)
is not revealed in the game itself or in known descriptions.

Objective: In each level, the player must guide Montana Jones from the starting point to the exit,
which is represented by a door or hatch.

Obstacles: The levels are filled with numerous platforms, ladders and, a key feature, movable blocks.
These blocks can be pushed to create a path to initially inaccessible parts of the level.

Puzzle: The main difficulty of the game lies in the strategic movement of these blocks.
A wrong move can block the passage and make the level impossible to complete, forcing the player to start the level over.

Controls: The controls, like in most Spectrum games, have been adapted for different interfaces. Standard used:

Keyboard: QAOP for movement, SPACE
Joystick: The game supported control via a joystick connected via the Kempston interface,
          which made the gameplay more arcade-like and convenient.


Interesting facts about the game

Russian author: Home Masters is one of the many Russian teams (artists, programmers, enthusiasts)
who actively created and distributed games for the ZX Spectrum in the first half of the 1990s,
often by non-commercial exchange on floppy disks and cassettes.

“Pirate” spirit: Despite the original name, the game has nothing to do with the famous animated series “Montana Jones” (1994),
which was just coming out at the time. This is a typical example of using a popular name to attract attention to one’s products,
which was a common practice at the time.

Technical simplicity: The graphics and sound of the game are typical for amateur projects of that period.
They are functional, but not as sophisticated as the commercial hits of the time.

Difficulty: The game is known for its high difficulty, due to the need to carefully plan each move.
It is a classic representative of the “think before you act” genre.


Recommendations and tips

Plan ahead: Before you start pushing blocks, study the level map. Try to mentally imagine the end goal of their placement.

Take your time: The game does not limit the player in time, so you can calmly think about each next step.
