Computer Gamer


Sky Runner
By Cascade
Commodore 64

 
Published in Computer Gamer #24

Sky Runner

It took well into the twenty-fourth century before hard drugs were finally eliminated from the Earth. Colonisation of other worlds was taking place at this time and a period of economic expansion was expected. It didn't happen. Crime flourished on a grand scale and traditional methods of putting it down failed miserably. Some governments started to introduce control drugs to the population via the water supply. These so numbed the mind that although crime was effectively reduced, so was production as the workforce became apathetic.

The problems really started to arise when a colony of Vega 3 - Naibmoloc (it works better backwards) was found to have huge resources of the control drug Sky. The advantage with Sky was that there were no apathetic side effects. Sky Runners started to harvest and smuggle the drug in huge quantities. The governments who still opposed the use of drugs in any form set up a group of agents - Runner Squad was set up and this is where you come in.

Recruited to Runner Squad, you must destroy as much of the drug plantations as possible. Huge bonuses are paid for success but as the profits from Sky are enormous, you can expect some hefty opposition.

Sky Runner

The game is in three sections. In part one, you fly a skimmer through the trees, trying to take out the defence towers that are the first line of defence. You only have one skimmer, but can buy extra fuel and missiles if necessary. Take out enough towers and you are allowed to land three Skybikers in the forest. Here, a high speed battle takes place as you dodge through the trees trying to eliminate the enemy at the same time as making sure that you don't accidentally shoot other friendly bikers.

The final part is involved with the actual destruction of the Sky Harvesters themselves. Then it's on to the next eight levels the final one taking place in pitch darkness.

This is an excellent idea, well implemented with some superb 3D graphics but the gameplay itself is very limited and, once you have got past the initial thrill, tedium quickly sets in.