Zzap


Deep Strike
By Encore
Commodore 64/128

 
Published in Zzap #52

Deep Strike

World Wars do seem to be the 'in' thing at the moment, what with Codemasters' flight 'sim' and now this offering from Elite's budget label. What's this one about?

A fleet of four bombers are on their way to execute a raid on Germany, and, well someone had to be around to keep the vultures off their backs. Armed in the latest in bi-plane technology, it's up, up, up you go, to meet the invading hordes, hoping against hope that you're the one who gets out of it without a sting in his tail, if you know what I mean.

Previously released under the Durell banner, the action in Deep Strike is displayed as though you were sitting in the cockpit, with a view of one of the four bombers just outside. A contoured 3D ground surface lurches up hills and down dales as you do your best to take out those 'Geermins' (Stan Boardman Impressions Inc.) using the two side-mounted Gatling guns at your disposal.

I'm not at all sure about Deep Strike. On the one hand, it's a well-presented product, with fast, albeit jerky, 3D, and a tuneful wartime ditty. On the other hand, there's Spectrum-style colour clash and the player tends to become seriously bogged down by the sheer amount of attackers, who all appear to train their weapons on you at exactly the same moment. These guys had walkie-talkies before their time!

I'm convinced that there must be some strategy to survive, it's just that I couldn't find it. Great if you can though, as otherwise Deep Strike makes for a worthwhile budget release.