First Strike - C64

This game is a real poke in the eye for Activision.

With Sega's After Burner the arcade game of the moment, Activision, license in hand, released a sickeningly pathetic conversion to the 64. No doubt the kiddies lapped it up, as usual. Along comes Elite and springs First Strike, showing the license wielders and the public that it really was possible to create a great looking, playable After Burner style game on the 64

In place of the chaotic, blocky, clashing "scenery" that barely conveys a sense of 3D and movement in Activision's effort, First Strike opts for simplistic "bands" of repeating scenery represent the passing terrain, a similar technique used to good effect in many a driving game. Overlaying this are tanks, ships and towers all moving a great speed.

The enemy are easy to see and track, but not so easy to take out, making for an enjoyable air combat romp. This is a world apart from the C64's After Burner.

First Strike goes to show that there's no need to copy the arcade game as closely as possible, just make the game play similar and the player will be happy, as Chris Butler proved with his conversion of Sega's sprite-slinger, Power Drift. more