Commodore User


Black Hawk
By Creative Sparks
Commodore 64

 
Published in Commodore User #11

Black Hawk

Imagine a birds-eye view of Skramble and you're part of the way towards visualising this game. Apparently there is some really sophisticated electronic hardware packed into a delta-winged bomber: as the onboard supremo you get to hog the computer's monitor - which either presents targets to bomb (attack mode) with rocket launcher and a moveable sight, or a refined depiction of avenging missiles, tanks, gunships and jets (defence mode) showing Black Hawk ready to spurt out cannon shells. If you let enemy craft slip off the edge of the screen while in attack mode, you are immediately switched to defence mode.

Accurate bouts of devastation are rewarded by enhanced weaponry and superior radar, which enables the detection of various enemy command posts. Eager beavers will no doubt seize the opportunity presented to smash their way through all eight levels.

Typical zap-and-dodge action (nowt wrong with that!) with more than a veneer of refinement. There is a surge of interest with each new level as new targets and defence paraphenalia present themselves. Graphics are par for the course: the sonics are Wagner and Kapows.

If it was felt necessary to produce an eight-page instruction manual, why not put a page or two in the program? After all, what happens when the dog chews it up and you can't recall what key works the smart bomb?