REVIEWS COURTESY OF ZXSR

3D Starstrike
by Andrew Onions, Graeme Baird, Ian Oliver, Oliver Frey
Realtime Games Software Ltd
1984
Crash Issue 11, Dec 1984   page(s) 20,21

Producer: Realtime
Memory Required: 48K
Retail Price: £5.95
Language: Machine code
Author: Ian Oliver, Andrew Onions, Graeme Baird

Realtime's second game, following their popular Tank Duel is another wire frame 3D game, set in space. This is one of the new generation of wire frame games for the Spectrum with fast moving coloured graphics. There are basically three different screens to play through, linked with computer 'tacticals' and culminating in a grand 'finale' scene. In the first section you are in the furthest reaches of space, fighting numerous alien fighter craft which hurl powerful plasma bolts at you. The object is to destroy as many enemy as you can by firing at them with the twin lasers, but it is also essential to destroy the plasma bolts as well to survive.

The second screen takes place on a battle planet, covered with a variety of towers. Some of them are armed, indicated by their yellow tops, and these also fire plasma bolts at your craft. Surviving through this screen takes you onto the third, and down into the trench. The trench has laser blisters on its side, which fire at you. Again it is important to destroy the bolts as well as the blisters. The trench is criss-crossed with transverse bridges and side towers, which must be dodged by weaving in and out of them. At the end of the trench is a protective forcefield, through which you must fly. But to disable the field, the two rotating cubes to either side must be shot out of the way. Failure to do so, will result in your being forced back into the trench again. If you get through unharmed, then you are shot into space and you see the planet behind explode, before going onto the next difficulty level.

The screen shows the status panel of your craft with the view beyond. The instruments show shield status and laser status, levels and score. The lasers overheat rapidly and take time to recharge. Shields are damaged by hitting enemy craft, towers, trench walls etc. as well as the enemy plasma bolts.

COMMENTS

Control keys: Q-T/A-G climb/dive, Y-I and H-K left, O-P and L-ENTER right, any bottom row to fire
Joystick: Kempston, Sinclair 2, AGF, Protek
Keyboard play: responsive and well laid out
Use of colour: excellent
Graphics: excellent 3D wire frame, smooth and large
Sound: continuous
Skill levels: 4 selectable but progressive up to and beyond 25
Lives: 1 with percentage of damage


I was privileged to see the first ever 'tests' the programmers produced for this game, where you could see them 'playing' about with the ideas now contained in it. These were just space ships flying around in space. I was asked, at the time, whether I approved of this type of graphics. It looked as though it was going to be the beginning of a marvellous game. Seeing the finished product now, the graphics have come a long long way, maybe from the deepest, darkest depths of space itself. Although the game 'Star Wars' has been attempted to be copied many times in recent months on the Spectrum, none have really gone for the feeling and graphic presentation, instead they have added a gimmick to help sell the game, such as speed. This version definitely does have a great deal of graphic presentation, although wire frame, they are very detailed and well within the speed limits of a playable game. Colour has been used exceptionally well to add interest to the game with no tragic attribute problems. It must be pointed out that this game can be played quite easily by beginners with a skill level setting that increases with your skill, and does not just throw you in the deep end with a very difficult game to begin with. I think this is a big asset to any game. Starstrike is a very addictive, playable mindless shoot em up - what the majority of arcade freaks love!


This game is bound to be compared with Dark Star but they are two totally different games. Dark Star has its tremendous speed, but Starstrike goes in more for the graphical side of the game. It's the best 'Star Wars' type game to date, offering more playability than the arcade original with various extra screens and enemies added. It is very addictive and will offer hours of enjoyment to the arcade player, especially as it is a good hi-scoring game, more so than their earlier Tank Duel. It's instantly playable because it offers skill levels from total wally to arcade perfection.


The first thing I liked about Starstrike was the plasma bolts, nice big solid things that look real mean, and they spin as they come towards you, getting bigger and bigger. The space ships are also big and well detailed, and the explosions are great, the ships breaking up into their constituent parts before sailing away into space. The trench effect is exceptionally good 3D, and has you swaying in your seat as you weave between the towers and up over the bridges. On the planet if you hit a tower, your craft goes into an 'out of control' spin momentarily, which just adds to the overall effect and realism. This is a pleasing and high-performing game.

Use of Computer
Graphics93%
Playability96%
Getting Started91%
Addictive Qualities94%
Value For Money94%
Overall93%
Summary: General Rating: Excellent, addictive, playable and good value.

Award: Crash Smash

Transcript by Chris Bourne

Your Sinclair Issue 10, Oct 1986   page(s) 76,77

Classics
£2.99

A re-release of a much loved oldie brings a tear to your eye, dunnit? It's like seeing old film of John Lennon, or Elvis (no, not Four-Eyes, the fat one!) or hearing that, although nearing geriatric age, Genesis is reforming to do a gig of all its old stuff... (Sniff!) it was with a sigh and a faraway look that I booted up this old wrinkly. O light! O joy! O de toilette! it hasn't aged a bit.

By far the best 3D cockpit game of all time (and I spit on Starion, Time Gate, 3D Lunattack and so forth when I say this) 3D Starstrike was a real breath of fresh air at the time it originally came out. Real Time Software has gone on to prove that it knows a thing or two about 3D effects recently, with the sequel. That little baby broke a few heads, as you may well recall.

It really is the closest thing to flying a real spacecraft, or so one imagines, and as a shoot'em up is really hard to beat for playability and excitement, even amongst the sophistication of today's games. Put it alongside anything new, and it stands up like a trooper. If you bought Starstrike II, but missed the first one, I advise you to patch this gap in your education. Well worth three quid of anyone's money!


REVIEW BY: Phil South

Graphics8/10
Playability9/10
Value For Money10/10
Addictiveness8/10
Overall8/10
Transcript by Chris Bourne

Your Spectrum Issue 12, Mar 1985   page(s) 30

Ross: About two years ago I first saw a game called Star Wars in the arcades and looked forward to the day when I'd be able to play such a game in the comfort of my own home. Well, that day's here as it's now available on the Spectrum.

Starstrike has three stages; the first finds you out in space in control of a fighter under attack from various alien craft; the second stage involves you shooting the gun emplacements and towers on the alien moon; and third stage is in a trench (a la Deathstar) where you must avoid the bridges that cross it and shoot out more gun emplacements.

Your fighter is protected by a shield which decreases in strength each time it gets hit by the alien. Like Dark Star this game pushes the Spectrum to the limits with some very fast line drawing routines. However, unlike Dark Star, Starstrike manages to maintain its playability. The speed sometimes suffers if you shoot a lot of things at once, but the 3D simulation and crisp response to any adjustments in your flightpath is superb. 4/5 HIT

Dave: At last, Star Wars on the Spectrum - and a pretty good version at that! The graphics are great, especially the alien moon trench, but they do slow down quite a bit when there's a lot going on. 3.5/5 HIT

Roger: Suddenly, it says here, there were the (gasp) Outsiders! Suddenly (yawn), I fell - completely and unsurprisingly - into a deep slumber for the duration of this game. 1/5 MISS


REVIEW BY: Dave Nicholls, Ross Holman, Roger Willis

Dave3.5/5
Ross4/5
Roger1/5
Transcript by Chris Bourne

Sinclair User Issue 37, Apr 1985   page(s) 22

3D STARSTRIKE
Realtime Software
Memory: 48K
Joystick: Sinclair, Kempston, Cursor
Price: £5.50

In the darkness of space the Outsiders gather to launch a final attack on the free galaxies. The only way in which you can save ensure their continuing freedom is to buy a copy of 3D Starstrike and track down these space cowboys who insist on zipping around the universe in X-wing fighters which look as though they have been high-jacked from Star Wars.

By that we imply no criticism of the program. Gamers who enjoy blasting space ships, and who probably still own a copy of Space Invaders, will enjoy it.

Take your position in the cockpit of a Starstriker and battle through the hoardes of Outsiders, all shown in line-construction 3D which has become statutory in such games, to the star base from which they launch their sudden attacks.

Once you have entered the base you must take your ship through a narrow passsage, avoiding the ground defences and destroying the tops of towers which block your way. Once past the first stage it's on to the second where you must give a repeat performance.

The only aspect of the game which changes to any notable degree is the score. Thousands of points can be achieved, even on the higher levels, in a matter of minutes using the ultra- manoeuvrable cannons. The enemy, totally incompetent and probably blind, if the accuracy of their lazer bolts is anything to go by, happily shoot on and off the screen until they are shot down in a collection of little 3D pieces.

If 3D Starstrike had been brought onto the market a year ago it might have taken it by storm. Unfortunately it combines elements of other turkeys such as Terrahawks. That is a bad selling point especially since success is usually gauged by originality or programming prowess.


REVIEW BY: John Gilbert

Gilbert Factor7/10
Transcript by Chris Bourne

ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment) Issue 7, Apr 1988   page(s) 69

Spectrum, £7.95cs
Amstrad, £7.95cs, £14.95dk

A shameless rip-off of the Atari coin-op Star Wars, this three-year old wire-framer can still show the recent official (Domark) licence a clean pair of heels. Shoot the fighters in deep space, blast the towers on the battle-station's surface and dodge the flak in the trench as you head for that elusive exhaust duct. Terrific for its time, and great value nowadays if you can track it down.


Transcript by Chris Bourne

C&VG (Computer & Video Games) Issue 41, Mar 1985   page(s) 23

MACHINE: Spectrum/keyboard or joystick
SUPPLIER: Realtime
PRICE: £5.95

Realtime's Starstrike is simply the best translation of the Star Wars-style arcade game seen on the Spectrum - with some new twists.

Its a no-holds-barred space shoot out with excellent graphics and a playability rating that goes off C&VG's scale - well it does if you're a fan of the arcade machine like me!

The scenario for the game goes like this. You are the pilot of a Starstrike spacefighter on a do-or-die mission to destroy the massive bases of an alien race known only as The Outsiders.

These bases inside hollowed out moons are protected by squadrons of Outsider fighters - and the surface of the huge moons are covered in laser towers and other defence systems.

The only way to destroy the bases is to fly down the equatorial trench and fire a well-aimed shot into the reactor chamber.

Your Starstrike fighter is armed with lasers and protected by force shields - but these are depleted by enemy fire or collisions with the catwalks which span the trench. A read-out on screen tells you the condition of these shields - if it reaches red, then you're in big trouble.

If you manage to dodge through catwalks and avoid enemy laser fire without being wiped out then you get a crack at the reactor. This is actually more difficult than the arcade machine version, believe me!

If you destroy the base, you progress to the next difficulty level - where different features, like the big laser towers, appear.

Starstrike's 3D vector-style line graphics are excellent and so is the presentation of the game. You get a brief pause in the action between screens as a battle-computer read-out flashes up telling you what's going to happen next. A pause that you need at the higher levels!

If you've ever wanted one of those Star Wars arcade games at home then you'll love Starstrike. It's a brilliant game destined to become a classic - and a C&VG Hall of Fame game!


Graphics10/10
Sound7/10
Value10/10
Playability10/10
Award: C+VG Game of the Month

Transcript by Chris Bourne

Your Computer Issue 2, Feb 1985   page(s) 40

Spectrum 48K
Real Time Software
£5.95
Arcade

Following up their successful version of the arcade classic 3D Tank Duel, this is an excellent version of the current arcade hit. There are four screens to battle through: a space battle with the Tie fighters, a low level run over the ground defences, the trench, and finally a shot at the reactor.

There are many difficulty levels running from the turkey shoot to the suicide run. All stages are in 3D with your cockpit controls in the foreground. The controls are nice and responsive with climb, dive, roll and fire; a variety of joysticks can be used.

Good meat-and-potatoes arcade action.


REVIEW BY: Lee Paddon

Overall3/5
Transcript by Chris Bourne

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