Fortress - The hottest thing since Killer Gorilla!

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I must admit that when the editor summoned me to his office today to see "this exciting new arcade game" I was rather worried I'd have to review just another boring version of Space Invaders, dressed up to suit the '80s.

I couldn't have been more mistaken - I was presented with a copy of the hottest thing out of a software house since Killer Gorilla!

I felt like John Wayne ready for the final shoot out. Would it beat me? The hell it would... At first sight, Fortress by Amcom would seem to be another space game. But as just a few minutes of play will reveal, it's something quite different. You are given command of a delta winged starfighter. Your task is to destroy the enemy headquarters and escape.

And that's no mean feat, as it's guarded by rocket launchers, gun turrets, enemy planes, force fields and so on.

Despite the opposition, it can be done, and the surprise at the end is both original and entertaining. (If I told you what it was then it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?)

However, what really puts Fortress in a class of its own is its unique 3D diagonal scrolling. It literally does make the game a new dimension in arcade games for the BBC Micro.

Accompanied by ear-crunching sound effects, the action is fast and furious enough to present a challenge to even the most hardened of video game sters.

Control is either by keyboard or joystick, and the key set may be redefined if you so desire.

My only criticism of the game is that it tends to be a little predictable. This doesn't mean it's easy - just that it's easy to predict you're not going to last too long in your first couple of goes!

To sum up, the game is thrilling, the diagonally scrolling graphics superb and the sound effects excellent.

In fact it's so good, the editor had to unplug my Beeb to get me to write the review. Highly recommended.

Mark Lewis