Previous Next

Excuse me while I abort this mission. There, that's better. Can I have another game to play now please? And before you ask, it is that dull!

Alpha Mission isn't quite a flight simulation, not quite a shoot-'em-up. In fact it falls uncomfortably between the two. It reminds me of that other Activision game based on the Space Shuttle - if you can remember that far back.

The game puts you in charge of an X-15 space-jet. Your mission is to terminate a terrorist controlled space station using remote controlled robots.

Load up the game and you see a host of jet-style instrumentation surrounding a relatively small real-time front view from the X-15.

Then you have to take off - which isn't as easy as it sounds. You see a small box with two white brs in the centre of the game window. You have to match the computer controlled bar at the top of the box with your joystick-controlled bar at the bottom of the box.

If you don't, the mission terminates then and there in a big stall and crash. Boring after the first few times. And you have to go through it all over again if you blow out later in the game.

An unnecessary edition to this already fairly complicated game. You must remain airborne through the next three levels of the mission in order to reach the space station.

The joystick handle controls your aim as well as your heading and altitude.

During combat, use the joystick to aim your missiles but be alert - move directly to the edges of the window and you will alter your course as displayed on the N.T.C. Grid.

With the crosshair at the edge of the window, gain altitude by moving the joystick and lower altitude by pulling back.

There are three zones you must pass through. Once boosters are engaged at each atmospheric boundary, you must increase altitude in order to break through to the next zone.

Each zone has a unique aircraft you must defend yourself against - helicopters, jets and killer satellites.

Reach the space station and you must centre the station in your combat window and align the crosshairs to its centre.

Here you are prompted to enter the secret access code given at the start of each game.

The terrorists have strategically placed the space station in the path of a deadly asteroid belt which must be passed through in order to land the module on the station's surface.

On landing, a fleet of remote control robots exit your ship. These robots are programmed with various functions for defence; including a self-destruct mode. Joystick forward will release a robot. You must guide each robot around the station, avoiding obstacles until it can connect with a weapons system and self-destruct.

A mish-mash of game ideas which doesn't come off. There's nothing about the early stages of the game that encourages you to reach that elusive space station.