C&VG


Commando

Categories: Review: Software
Publisher: Elite
Machine: Spectrum 48K

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #51

Commando

Go totally over the top as Super Joe, Crack Commando, who takes on the world in this explosive rescue mission. Forget Rambo - old Joe's in a class of his own on this battlefield.

Basically, what you have to do is reach the enemy fortress and rescue the prisoners held there. You have to be fast on your feet and quick on the trigger to defeat the massed forces of the enemy. They come at you on foot, shoot at you with mortars and bazookas, try and run you down with troop carriers and motorcycles. All decidedly unfriendly.

Still, you've got your trusty machine gun and a handful of grenades to help you get through. And you can pick up more grenades as you dash across the battlefields, under the tunnels and through enemy strongholds. We played the Spectrum version for this review - and the graphics, sound, animation and gameplay are all excellent. Better, we're afraid to say, than the Commodore version. We've yet to see the game on the Amstrad or the Beeb.

Commando

The Spectrum Super Joe is a big, well animated character. The backgrounds and enemy soldiers are also well drawn. The choice of colours is good. Scrolling is smooth and colour clash problems are kept to a minimum.

Commando is really a pretty straightforward shoot-out. But the game is difficult enough to keep your interest and addictive enough to keep you coming back for more. There's only one hint really worth giving for beginners - keep moving fast and keep blasting everything in sight!

Spectrum owners shouldn't miss this Elite version of the classic arcade game. Commodore owners have more of a choice with Alligata's Who Dares Wins II and the soon-to-be-released Rambo game from Ocean.

You pays your money and takes your choice. Commando isn't a bad choice.