Fire Power (video game) explained

Fire Power
Developer:Silent Software
Publisher:MicroIllusions
Designer:Baron R. K. Von Wolfsheild
Released:1987, 1988
Genre:Action
Modes:Single, multiplayer
Platforms:Amiga, Apple IIGS, MS-DOS, Commodore 64

Fire Power (also Firepower) is a military tank action game developed by Silent Software for the Amiga. It was released in 1987 and published by MicroIllusions and Activision. Ports were released for the Apple IIGS, the Commodore 64[1] and for MS-DOS in 1988. An Atari Lynx version was planned but development never started due to internal conflict with Epyx.[2]

Summary

The gameplay consists of controlling a tank through an expansive, outdoor landscape. Each map has at least two bases - one for the green team, and one for the yellow (red in the PC version) team. Initially, the base locations were hidden from the players, so an extensive search of the landscape had to be conducted first.Nonetheless, many players chose to rampage around the map, simply blasting away. Obstacles included enemy turrets spread around the map, various fortifications and destructible buildings. If the player stood still for too long (to set up an ambush, for instance), a series of enemy helicopters would appear from off screen and attack. The helicopters could be shot down with the tank's main weapon.

Bases and tanks

Each base has several different types of buildings, such as armories, barracks, and bio-domes. The objective is to capture the flag from inside the enemy base by blasting through walls and destroying any defenses. You could also rescue prisoners of war by destroying the POW camps that were scattered throughout the enemy base. Destroying the camps would allow the captives to hop in your tank for a ride back to your base. An extra tank life is rewarded for each fifteen POWs rescued.[3]

Three different tanks are available: one is fast and fragile, one is slow but strong, and the third is rated in between the two. Each tank could carry a different amount of POWs. To capture the enemy flag, you had to carefully maneuver your tank into the flag building and drive over the enemy flag to pick it up. Your weapons could not destroy garages.

Features

The game includes the ability to run over enemy soldiers, crushing them with an accompanying "squish" sound effect and a bloody "splat" that remains on the battlefield for several minutes. A map editor allows creation of custom multiplayer experiences.

Fire Power can be played alone, against a human opponent on a split screen, or over a modem, which allowed players to chat with each other while playing.

Reception

Roy Wagner reviewed the game for Computer Gaming World, and stated that "I find Fire Power to be a fair priced design with exceptional presentation. In other words, it is a great shoot 'em up arcade wargame."[4]

Reviews

Legacy

Fire Power spawned two sequels, Return Fire and Return Fire 2.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chronology of the Commodore 64 Computer (1988) .
  2. Web site: Ash. Reichart Von Wolfshield - 3DO, Return Fire and the Video Game Industry: Interview. retrogamingblog.co.uk. May 14, 2015. 2019-04-21.
  3. http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/fire-power/screenshots/gameShotId,46234/ Screenshot
  4. Wagner . Roy . Fire Power . Computer Gaming World . December 1987 . 1 . 42 . 51.
  5. Web site: CVG Magazine Issue 080 . June 1988 .
  6. Web site: ACE Magazine Issue 25 . October 1989 .
  7. Web site: ACE Magazine Issue 10 . July 1988 .
  8. Web site: Fire Power review from Info 17 (Nov - Dec 1987) - Amiga Magazine Rack .
  9. Web site: The Games Machine Magazine Issue 07 .
  10. Web site: Amiga Reviews: Firepower .
  11. Web site: Games X Magazine 016 .
  12. https://archive.org/stream/commodore-format-magazine-09/Commodore_Format_Issue_09_1991_06#page/n57/mode/2up Commodore Format issue 9 1991
  13. https://archive.org/stream/ST_Amiga_Format_Issue_01_1988-07_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n53/mode/2up Amiga Format issue 1 1988
  14. Web site: Commodore User Magazine Issue 73 . October 1989 .
  15. Web site: The Games Machine Issue 24 .
  16. Web site: Australian Commodore and Amiga Review, the - Volume 7 Issue 4 (1990-04)(Saturday Magazine)(AU) . April 1990 .
  17. Web site: Firepower review from Your Amiga (Jun - Jul 1988) - Amiga Magazine Rack .