Gumboot Software
1st February 1984
Author: Simon Griffin
Publisher: Ipswich Software Factory
Machine: Colour Genie
Published in Chewing Gum 8402
A10 Bomber is an addictive, fast action arcade game. A pretty picture is drawn on the screen for you to look at whilst the program loads and then auto-runs.
Your mission is to fight off the evil Zelen forces and stop them from launching an attack on the solar system. An option for one or two players is available.
There are seven levels of difficulty, each level adding an extra hazard (I only reached level four). The idea is to fly your ship above the planet and drop bombs on ground defences, ammo dumps and most important of all, fuel dumps since this is the only way to replenish your ever-decreasing fuel supply. If you run out of fuel, you lose control and crash to the ground!
You begin with four lives and receive a bonus life for every 10,000 points scored. The graphics and sound effects are very good indeed; bombs can be heard whining towards their targets and a satisfying explosion usually results. The first level pits you against ground-to-air missiles which must be destroyed to earn points and to stay alive.
The second level finds you moving through a subterranean cavern whilst fending off both ground-to-air missiles and enemy craft called Jojo fighters which have a tendency to dodge around the screen. On level three, indestructible asteroids are the main hazards and these make the job of refuelling very difficult. Level four gives you a city of ground-to-air missiles to beat. Levels five, six and seven remain a mystery to me... but not for long (I hope!).
Verdict: An excellent version of the arcade game Skramble which would produce hours of enjoyment for kids and adults alike. It is certainly a winner.
Price £8.00 from Ipswich Software Factory, 27 Old Foundry Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 2AH