As a member of an elite military force you have to accomplish twelve missions in enemy territory, ranging from stealing some top secret plans to sabotaging an aircraft prototype.
However the actual gameplay is much simpler than it could be imagined by the complex presentation. It basically boils down to a clone of Commando. Graphics and sound are basic but funtional, and the game manages to keep your interest alive throughout the different missions.
With several weapons available and three different terrains, there's enough variety, although the game can be in the end considered as a shoot-em-up thinly disguised as a simulation.
by Canvas (John Gibson, Dawn Drake, Dave Worton)
Ok, I was intrigue by this game BITD, but never had the chance to play it. Crawling in dirty tranches trying to reach distant targets protected by hordes of troops and whatever's. A more sophisticated version of Commando, in which you could help the USA to keep their military supremacy over the world bullying it again and again. Now I've tried it and... yeah, it's just like I thought it was, a more sophisticated Commando game, in which you can multidirectionally walk, run, craw, use different weapons, you have missions to accomplish, maps to refer to, bunkers and cannons to avoid, routes and strategies to adopt, and other stuff. I like the small but detailed graphics, which the reviewer didn't seem to appreciate much, after all the Spectrum (and Amastrad) versions was put in the hands of veterans like John Gibson (Gift From The Gods, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, STONKERS) and Dawn Drake (graphics for Robocop, Target; Renegade, Batman: The Movie). So, not a hot shoot'em up, but a slower and slightly more thoughtful one and good at that.
4/5
1988 MicroProse Software (USA)
by John Gibson, Dawn Drake & Dave Worton
I was excited with the idea for this game. A sort of Commando clone, but with missions and strategy all around.
The excitement soon starting to fade, with the multi loading feature, which I particularly dislike, but what didn't do for me was the clumsy looking and clumsy movements you get to guide your ranger. Keys are not too responsive. Soon I felt was playing Rambo again.
The Commando fluidity is lost and firing seems both difficult and boring. And whats with the beeping? Wasn't there enough memory to create a credible shooting sound?
Still I forced myself into the game. And there is where the magic happened. The missions. There are plenty of missions to choose from, giving lots of longevity to the game. They are both interesting and fun to play. Making this a credible fun strategic action war game.
