Fortress - the hottest thing since Killer Gorilla!
I MUST admit that when the editor summoned me to his office
today to see "this exciting new arcade game" I was rather
worried I'd have to review just another boring version of Space
Invaders, dressed up to suit the '80s.
I couldn't have been more mistaken — I was presented with a
copy of the hottest thing out of a software house since Killer
Gorilla!
I felt like John Wayne ready for the final shoot out. Would
it beat me? The hell it would ...
At first sight, Fortress by Amcom would seem to be another space
game. But as just a few minutes of play will reveal, it's something
quite different.
You are given command of a delta winged starfighter. Your task
is to destroy the enemy headquarters and escape.
And that's no mean feat, as it's guarded by rocket launchers,
gun turrets, enemy planes, force fields and so on.
Despite the opposition, it can be done, and the surprise at
the end is both original and entertaining. (If I told you what
it was then it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?)
However, what really puts Fortress in a class of its own is
its unique 3D diagonal scrolling. It literally does make the game
a new dimension in arcade games for the BBC Micro.
Accompanied by ear-crunching sound effects, the action is fast
and furious enough to present a challenge to even the most hardened
of video gamesters.
Control is either by keyboard or joystick, and the key set may
be redefined if you so desire.
My only criticism of the game is that it tends to be a little
predictable. This doesn't mean it's easy - just that it's easy
to predict you're not going to last too long in your first couple
of goes!
To sum up, the game is thrilling, the diagonally scrolling graphics
superb and the sound effects excellent.
In fact it's so good, the editor had to unplug my Beeb to get
me to write the review. Highly recommended.
Mark Lewis
