Zzap


Fire Power
By Micro Illusions
Commodore 64

 
Published in Zzap #55

Fire Power

An enemy helicopter buzzes by as you enter the war zone in the tank of your choice.

Suddenly, bullets ricochet off the side of the tank. Tucked up inside, you're safe for now, but when the armour wears thin you're dead. With a deft three-point turn you aim and fire at the copter, destroying it with a single shot.

Now to explore the large, scrolling play area in search of the enemy flag which will win you the game, when brought back to your base.

Firepower

You have five lives, but there are plenty of gun turrets and helicopters to remove them. Giving your own injured soldiers a lift back to a hospital restores one life for every fifteen rescued.

Hate the ruthless computer enemy? Then play against a 'friend' on a split-screen display.

Stu

I remember playing this on the Amiga, about a year back, and the C64 replicates the gameplay precisely. Initially it seems quite good, hunting down another player's tank and squishing soldiers under your tracks!

Firepower

The ability to lay lots of mines soon proves a problem however; it's too easy to run over them before you see them. In any case, slowly rumbling through enemy territory, blowing up base after base, is extremely repetitive.

Phil

Yuk! This simple tank game is terribly presented with undetailed sprites and hardly any sound. One player games are especially dull, just trundling around the monotonous play area, searching endlessly for a flag.

Two-player games are fun for a while, but tend to be so long-winded (lives are infinite) that both opponents get fed up well before the game is won.

Verdict

Firepower

Presentation 31%
In-game instructions.

Graphics 35%
Dull an uninspired.

Sound 34%
Basic drone and a few explosions, soldier-squishing FX.

Hookability 43%
Two-player games are always fun to start with.

Lastability 32%
Lots of bases arranged in heavily defended mazes mean a tough, but repetitive, challenge.

Overall 36%
A severe lack of variety spoils a good idea.