Personal Computer Games


Terrahawks

Author: Bob Wade
Publisher: CRL
Machine: Spectrum 48K

 
Published in Personal Computer Games #12

Terrahawks

Some games have to be stuck at for a while in order to appreciate their merits and this is one of them.

The title is somewhat misleading as the game seems to have virtually no connection to the TV show. It is a 3D flying game in which you have to manouvre through a landscape peppered with crystal towers to reach the vortex tunnel. It is far from easy...!

You are given numerous aids to get you to the tunnel. Your ship is equipped with shields so you can survive five impacts with towers. Alternatively, you can lower the height of the columns by blasting them with one of your 80 antimat torpedoes.

Terrahawks

There is also an autopilot function which can lock you on a bearing and height, but I found manual flying easier.

Gauges show your height, compass direction, fuel level, ship angle, short distance radar and range from the vortex.

All of these are essential for a successful mission and the homing-in procedure follows a constant pattern. First, you need to home-in using the range finder which shows green when you are on the correct heading. Once vou are close enough, you have to drop height to below 40 feet and home-in on the vortex shown on the radar. Then, when it appears in visual range, you have to make a clean entry into the tunnel.

Terrahawks

Success takes you to another strata - there are nine in all. Flying high drains your fuel and it needs to be conserved if you are to cover all nine strata. Your score is increased by flying, hitting monoliths and completing levels.

Despite initial reservations, I found myself becoming more and more absorbed in this game, which presents a lasting challenge. However the first sight will put a lot of people off.

Chris Anderson

A lot of companies have tried to produce 3D games, few have succeeded. The computing power needed to work out 3D images usually means that the game has to proceed at a pretty low speed and that not an awful lot happens. That's the case with this one.

Terrahawks

The green, fine-line graphics are reasonably effective, but are redrawn every half-second or so, giving a slightly jerky look to the game. Sound is a continuous drone with a few zaps thrown in. There is a certain appeal in trying, over a period of several minutes to ensure that your craft is in the right position to enter a vortex. But this isn't a program I'd spend money on.

Samantha Hemens

This one's a real toughie. Keeping your range detector on green, you fight your way through the columns - which I must admit I found extremely difficult, since you have to keep your eye on about six things at once.

However, the game is quite well presented, and its overall effect is quite good. If you like to spend hours finally making it to the bottom of the high-score table, this could be for you!

Bob Wade

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