Phoenix rises yet again
FIREHAWKS is yet another version of Galaxians, the old arcade
game. A bunch of ravenous energy-consuming Firehawks drop from
the top of the screen. They are trying to get to the bottom where
they will regenerate into the legendary Phoenix. As they dive
they're delayed by a series of plasma fields through which they
have to weave their way.
Once past these there is only your spaceship's laser canon to
hold them off. This is easier said than done as there are some
225 levels of difficulty - how anyone can play the higher levels
defeats me. Yet I've seen it done.
While the noises it makes are the loudest I've ever heard on
the BBC Micro, the graphics aren't all that impressive and the
game itself appears simple and fairly standard at first. Not much
to write home about you might think.
Then you see someone playing it and immediately want to have
a go, convinced that you can do better. It can get quite compulsive
and, at the higher levels, exasperating. It may be simple but
it's fun. So, if you want a fast, action-packed version of an
old arcade favourite then this will probably meet your needs.
Eileen Young
