Computer Gamer


Desert Fox
By U. S. Gold
Amstrad CPC464

 
Published in Computer Gamer #19

Desert Fox

A curious mixture of strategy and action in this World War II simulation of the North Africa campaign. The "Desert Fox" of the title is none other than Rommel and you, Lone Wolf, must attempt to outwit him as you try to capture all three supply depots.

The main screen shows a map of the area together with the position of the depots, Rommel and you. At the bottom of the screen are assorted indicators of how well you are doing - score, status of your tank and how long you have before a specified depot surrenders. On the right of the screen are four icons letting you call up an airstrike (one per game), zoom onto a depot to check its status, intercept the enemy's communications and move.

The object of the game is to liberate the bases, and you do this by listening in on your radio in a particular direction and then moving in the same direction. The radio informs you of what German hazards lie ahead and this is where the action screens come in. There are five possible hazards to overcome. Stuka sees you trying to knock five planes out of the sky using your radar to determine their location. Tiger tank puts you (surprise, surprise) into a tank battle. Minefield sees you trying to navigate a safe path through a mined area trying to combine a good speed with minimal damage. Ambush is the weakest of the five mini games as you drive through a canyon attempting to destroy the enemy mortar positions. The last of the action screens is convoy in which you must try to shoot the German aircraft before they can bomb your lorries, at the same time making sure that you do not shoot the protecting allied aircraft out of the sky.

Desert Fox is extremely well presented, with five skill levels and the facility to practise each of the action screens. The graphics are good and better than the original ones on the C64, but there is no speech in this version. Be warned, though. This game will appeal more to arcade players. There is very little strategy involved to interest the dedicated wargamer.