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MegaDisc 02 (1987)(MegaDisc Digital Publishing)(AU)[WB].zip
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MegaDisc 02 (1987)(MegaDisc Digital Publishing)(AU)[WB].adf
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REVIEWS
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arcticfox & skyfox
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1987-04-21
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7KB
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157 lines
ARCTICFOX
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Have you ever had an urgent need to take command of a 37-ton armoured
tank complete with guided missiles and hi-tech radar detection gear ?
Ever had a burning desire to blast away at a faceless, soul-less Enemy
that outguns you 1000 to 1 ?
How about a fierce hankering to erupt from ambush like the wrath-of-God to
strike at the Enemy's heart ?
You have ??? Well have I got a GAME FOR YOU !!!
ARCTICFOX is this and much more. The player takes the role of the
commander of this awesome fighting machine, and pits himself against enemy
aliens. The scenario encompasses an area 66 x 66 square miles of Arctic
wasteland, where the Enemy have established a beach-head, and are in the
process of converting the Earth's atmosphere, to one more suited to their
alien biology.
The creators of ARCTICFOX, Dynamix, an American software design
company, have actually produced a model of `ARCTICFOX WORLD' using a
proprietary graphics package called 3-SPACE. The end result is similar to
the 3-D perspective seen in Microsoft's Flight Simulator, and is just as
effective in conveying the impression of movement through 3 dimensions (see
GameReviews.pic in this drawer). True, it takes a little getting used to, but
only a few minutes' play is enough to get accustomed to the simulated
perspective views.
As commander of ARCTICFOX your job is to hunt down the Enemy's Main
Fortress and destroy it, before the nasties succeed in destroying Earth's
atmosphere. To assist you, you are provided with a number of missiles which
can be guided automatically or manually. In manual mode, you can use the
missile's on-board camera for reconnaissance; in effect this is like a
mini-flight-simulator, and it comes in very handy for deciding whether to
avoid, or attack enemy tanks, planes and installations.
As if the enemy wasn't enough, the creators of this game have included the
extra obstacles provided by the typically inclement Arctic climate. Violent
electrical storms wreak havoc with your radar systems, and lightning presents
a hazard to both enemy and defender alike. Fogs and snow drifts, come and go
so great care must be taken not to drive into the gaping crevices which dot
the desolate landscape.
There must be some fearsome strategy algorithms built into this program,
as the enemy's forces are far from mindless. Their tactics display an uncanny
intelligence, that often leaves one awed and defeated. They are quite capable
of setting-up ambushes and traps, so a suspicious disposition is a
definite advantage in playing this game.
The program utilizes the Amiga's sound processing chip to full advantage,
with digitized stereo sound-effects that are simply amazing! The tank's
engine labours or roars in accordance with the type of terrain you are
negotiating, missiles whoosh and cannon shells scream with startling
realism; the sound-effects during electrical storms are particularly
impressive.
As for the graphics themselves, the screen and control panel are well
presented, but the program is just a touch too slow. At times the animation
is somewhat jerky, usually when there are many enemies on the screen at the
same time. Not at all what one would expect from a program running
on the usually speedy Amiga.
Another criticism is that A/FOX comes on a self-booting, copy-protected
disk, an all-too-common practice which I find annoying and dangerous.
Granted that software authors need to protect their products and profits
from the unscrupulous, but some sort of backup facility would be
desirable, especially since the program accesses the disk during the
course of a game.
Generally speaking, the game represents excellent value for money, and is
well worth the hours necessary to master it. The sound and graphics are
stunning, and the game-play itself presents some interesting (and fun !)
opportunities to experiment with strategy and tactics.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAME: ArcticFox
WRITTEN BY: Dynamix Software
PUBLISHER: Electronic Arts
PRICE: $79.95
SYSTEM: AMIGA 512k & Joystick or Mouse
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SkyFox
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"Zero to Mach-4 in 4 seconds !"
.....at least that's what the blurb on the cover claims.
SkyFox is an action/strategy game in which you play the role of fighter
pilot. Your job is to protect your Home Base and one or more colonies, from
the onslaught of enemy tanks and planes.
The graphics are clean and quick - the terrain zooming past at great
speed is depicted in pseudo-3D fashion. Although not as authentic as the
3D graphics in ArcticFox or Flight Simulator II, the effect is nevertheless
convincing and exciting. The Computer and Radar displays are superbly done.
In addition to the slick graphics, the sound effects are superlative. As
in the other Electronic Arts releases, the Amiga version of SkyFox makes
extensive use of Digitized Sound Samples. The missile, jet engine and
machine-gun sounds are as realistic as you can get.
At your fingertips are the weapon and defence systems to enable you to
wreak havoc on the invaders; Laser Cannons, Radar Guided and Heat Seeking
Missiles, Deflector Shields and the invaluable on-board Computer.
Using the various Computer displays, you select your target and home-in
on it. Once you find it (or it finds you !) that's when the fun starts!
Keeping one eye on the Fuel and Energy guages, and the other on the outside
view, you must attempt to wipe out the enemy forces.
Blasting planes out of the sky, and zapping tanks on the ground is where
SkyFox shines. But watch out - these guys shoot back! Every hit on you takes
away some of your Deflector Shield power. It's then up to you to return to
the Home Base where you can refuel and repair damage. Once this is done, you
are ready to fight once more.
Knowing when to run and when to fight is the key to winning the battles.
Each campaign is fought in real-time so that while you are at home base
re-fueling, the enemy is still advancing toward your installations.
You get 3 "lives" per game at each skill level, of which there are 5
ranging from Cadet to Ace-Of-The-Base. There are 15 Scenarios to choose from
each presenting it's own different problems, and enemy configuration.
One minor quibble is that there is no High-Score feature to record those
monumental battles. Another complaint is that, once again, the game comes on
an auto-booting, copy-protected disk.
All-in-all, SkyFox is good value. Although the game is quick to learn,
there are enough skill-levels and scenarios to keep you hooked for a long
time. If you like action spiced with more than a pinch of strategy, then
this is the game for you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAME: SkyFox
WRITTEN BY: Ray Tobey
PUBLISHER: Electronic Arts
PRICE: $69.95
SYSTEM: AMIGA 256k & Joystick or Mouse
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Games Reviewed by Perry Papadopoulos
END OF "ARCTICFOX & SKYFOX"
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