C&VG


Jump Jet
By Anirog
Commodore 64

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #46

Jump Jet

This is it! Your chance to get your hands on the controls of a Sea Harrier - and take it on a seek and destroy mission.

Jump Jet was written by Vaughan Dow, who for many years was a jump jet pilot. It combines not only the challenge of coping with a flight simulation but also the thrill of combat.

There are four skill levels, plus one for practice, ranging from Flight Lieutenant, Squadron Leader, Wing Commander to Group Captain.

Jump Jet

The instrument panel is in view all the time, showing radar, altitude, fuel, time, compass, artificial horizon, power and warning lights.

Airspeed, missiles, angle of engine thrust, undercarriage and flap position are also displayed.

The initial screen is a bird's eye view of the jump jet positioned on an aircraft carrier.

Jump Jet

As the jet lifts off and gets above 50 feet, the view changes to a split screen; one showing a side view of the carrier and jet, the other a rear view.

Once the jet climbs to 200 feet, the screen changes again - this time to the view from the cockpit.

Enemy aircraft can be tracked on the radar and when the jey comes within five miles the screen changes again. The enemy disappears from the radar and then reappears within the pilot's view.

Jump Jet

Once visual contact is made, the pilot must fight, hopefully surviving to return to the carrier.

One disappointment is the way the enemy aircraft is destroyed. There's no great explosion. The plane just disappears in a reddish blur.

Speech is also incorporated in the Jump Jet program to convey vital messages and add extra realism - examples are "Prepare for take-off" and "Mayday".

Jump Jet

Jump Jet is a challenging and absorbing game. The graphics are nice and clear and the lay-out of the screen is also pleasing.

Although it's important to read the accompanying booklet, it's fairly easy to get airborne - unlike some other flight simulations - but the rest of the mission is very challenging.

For those who like flight simulations, Jump Jet is well worth buying. Conversions will also be available for the Amstrad, BBC, Spectrum, C16 and Vic 20.