Zzap


Red Heat
By The Hit Squad
Commodore 64/128

 
Published in Zzap #75

Red Heat

There are only a couple of films that big Arnie hasn't played an 'ard man character in, and Red Heat is one of them. The film is a fast-faced and violent thriller where Ruskie copper Captain Ivan Danko is chasing drugs dealer Victor Rostavilli. The game starts with the unarmed Danko (you) in a Moscow sauna, defending himself against Rostavilli's henchmen.

As Ivan is hit an energy bar slowly diminishes, and if it reaches zero a life is lost. Extra energy can be picked up along the way or replenished by crushing the rock that occasionally appears in Ivan's hand between levels (weird joystick waggling sub-game).

Level two takes Ivan to a hospital to face another irate band of Rostavilli followers, although this time a gun is provided (with limited ammo), and so it goes on until he finally reaches Rostavilli.

Red Heat didn't receive the warmest of welcomes in Issue 53, scoring 65%. The graphics and sonics are good but it's the gameplay that lets the whole shooting match down.

The bad guys are too numerous and indeed too vicious for this reviewer's liking. The thing that really annoys me is almost reaching the end of a massive level... and snuffing it - you are sent right back to the beginning again (Arrrgh!). Red Heat is a game for more patient souls than me.