Under our headings a Simulation Game is one which conforms to the definition that it attempts to simulate real situations of a mechanical nature, and that part of the game is to use instrument displays to control the game as well as usual visual guides.
ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE
Producer: Temptation, 48K £5.95 (1)
Author: Simon Mansfield
Set in the South Atlantic during the Second World War, this game recreates the
actions of the German pocket battleship Graf Spee. The aim is to sink allied
merchant shipping and survive attacks by allied battleships. 2 screens provide
you, as Captain, with a sea map of the Atlantic and indicate your position and
that of enemy shipping. You can direct your ship towards the enemy, and when
close enough, change to a sea level view ready to engage with either guns or
torpedoes. Instruments show you your speed, heading, enemy position and
distance in yards. On sighting the enemy, his ship appears gradually above the
horizon. If armed, it begins firing back. A serious drawback is that to keep
the enemy in your gun sights you actually have to come to a stop — not very
realistic. The option menu for controlling your ship is also extremely finicky.
Average block character graphics, good sound and use of colour, 7 skill levels.
Okay for its type. Overall CRASH rating 54%. BASIC.
AIRLINER
Producer: Protek, 16K £5.95
Take command of a modern BAC 1-11 jet airliner and land it safely at Edinburgh
airport. You can also take off and land at a second airport. The controls are
necessarily simplified from the real things, but they are complicated enough
and some knowledge of how big jets actually fly helps. There is no view through
the cockpit window unless you are on a correct flight approach path, when the
runway lights will appear. Extensive instructions look daunting, but are worth
digesting so that you don’t have to panic at the last minute. Operates in real
time, but things happen quickly when the airport is approached! Sensible, clear
graphics, reasonable control responses, all in all an absorbing game.
CHEQUERED FLAG
Producer: Psion, 48K £6.95 (3)
Not the definitive Spectrum version of ‘Pole Position’, as many hoped, but an
excellent simulation of motor racing, Here you may drive three different types
of car around ten different race tracks, There are no other cars on the road
however, so this really isn’t a game in the usual excitement sense. Very
reasonable 3D effect for the road and flattish landscape, which does include
mild hills as well. Hazards include bends, water and oil on the road and glass
which can cause blow outs. Instead of seeing the car in full perspective, ‘you’
are inside, your view looking out. The control keys are a little awkward, being
too far apart, and there was a general feeling that, while being an impressive
program, it was a little ‘cold’ in feeling. Overall CRASH rating 71%, Machine
code.
FIGHTER PILOT
Producer: Digital Integration, 48K £7.95 (2)
Author: Dave Marshall
One of the fastest simulation programs yet. You are in control of an F15 Eagle
capable of enormous speed and a cruising speed of 800 knots. The graphics of
the instrument panel are very impressive and allow the plane to be finely
controlled, just as well at those speeds! A menu offer options on Landing
Practice, Flying Training, Air-to-Air Combat Practice (and the real thing),
Blind Landing, Cross Winds and Turbulence, and all this on three skill levels.
An excellent MAP facility may be selected, which shows the locations of the
four air bases you are protecting in the Air-to-Air Combat mode. Enemy aircraft
are seen in very good 3D perspective and the dog fights are highly realistic.
Definitely one of the best flight simulation games for the Spectrum with easy
controls and an excellent flight manual. Overall CRASH rating 86%, machine
code. Highly recommended.
FLIGHT SIMULATION
Producer: Psion, 48K £7.95
An early Spectrum program, and always popular, this simulates the effects of
flying a single seater light aircraft, including landing and taking off. There
are 2 airfields (one very difficult and surrounded by hills), lakes, beacons
and a very good map of the whole area. It takes many minutes to fly over the
whole map. Instrument flying is essential to success and, as usual, there is a
lot of accompanying instruction to digest. The cockpit view is simple but oddly
realistic. If you enjoy contemplative games, then this is still one of the
best, although watch out for some oddities if you try looping the loop — the
program doesn’t seem to cope with that!
THE FOREST
Producer: Phipps Associates, 48K £9.95(1)
Author: Graham T. Relph
An amazing program which simulates the sport of orienteering — yet manages to
be much more than a sport simulation. An enormous area of geography is enclosed
in the program, only a tiny bit of it already mapped for you. Included is a 12
point orienteering course for you to complete in the shortest possible time,
checking each point in the correct sequence. The display shows you the terrain
six metres in front and uses symbols for the different terrain, trees, shrubs,
lakes, towns etc. Special point features are displayed as messages and an eye
level indicator tells you whether the ground is falling or rising, so you can
easily follow the contours. In addition you can go off and chart the unmapped
areas. The program will draw contour and terrain maps for you or make up 3D
views. A massive program, excellent value, recommended. Overall CRASH rating
88%. M/C and BASIC.
HEATHROW — ATC
Producer: Hewson Consultants, 16K £7.95
Author: Mike Male
If you get a little queasy flying, you could always have a go on the ground as
an air traffic controller — in this case at the busy Heathrow airport. You must
direct incoming flights from the holding stacks safely onto the runway. Your
instruments include radar, showing the aircraft call signs, blips and trails;
displays giving the altitude and bearing, heading and speed and size of the
aircraft. There are 7 levels of play including a demo mode, and you can
progress to handling mixed traffic, restricted airspace and outbound flights,
as well as cope with emergencies like unknown aircraft intruding, radio
failure, loss of runway and on board instrument failure. After this you’ll
never fly again! Recommended.
HUNTER-KILLER
Producer: Protek, 48K £7.95 (1)
Author: Rod Hopkins
This is a submarine simulation game set off the coast of German Helegoland
(North Sea) during the Second World War. You are commander of an ‘S’ type
submarine and your mission is to find an enemy sub in the same area and hunt it
down. Sailing too close to the coast may result in your hitting a mine or
running aground. 3 screens show you the control room, the chart room and the
periscope view of the surface. The instrumentation is quite complex, including
ballast indicator, hydroplanes, battery charge, engine speed, rudder angle,
heading, asdic, echo sounder and much more. In the periscope you may see enemy
shipping and enemy aircraft which will hunt you if you stay on the surface too
long. Under water you use electric engines and recharge the batteries on the
surface, when you use a diesel engine. The accompanying booklet is very
detailed and essential reading. Good graphics and realistic sound, real time
operation. Overall CRASH rating 61%. BASIC and M/C.
NIGHTFLITE 2
Producer: Hewson Consultants, 16K £7.95
Author: Mike Male
Drastically upgraded from their original ‘Nightflite’, this flying simulation
allows you to pilot a light aircraft at night, taking off and landing or do
acrobatics. New features are a shifting perspective which allows you to see the
correct view of the runway lights from whatever angle you approach the airport,
many more lights from surrounding hamlets, and a realistic changing engine
noise depending on speed. Instrumentation is complex and includes variable flap
controls. 7 modes of operation including two auto-pilot modes and a training
mode, and 6 difficulty levels. After-flight debrief feature and certificate
print-out. 100% M/C.
STRIKE ATTACK
Producer: Micromart, 48K £6.95
The scenario promises an excellent game — your mission as a Phantom pilot is to
penetrate enemy territory and bomb a specified target. Stacked against you are
AA artillery, SAM missiles and enemy fighters. Entry point is at 70 miles,
10,000 feet, 90% rpm, 400 knots and 90 degree heading. Chances of attack depend
on the flightpath — below 2,000 feet there’s only a 10% chance of attack, which
is still very frequent. The technique for avoiding total oblivion is to break
(hard turn) at 4 or 6 gees and change altitude rapidly to avoid missiles. If
you stick to the rules in the 12 page manual you will be able to escape every
attack. The display shows a ‘radar’ picture with you in the centre, target to
be bombed, and enemy positions. There are also details like speed, heading,
rate of climb, target distance and extra messages for enemy attack. The poor
variation of attack and slow display speed (BASIC) and the not too exciting
graphics are a bit of a let down considering the potential, but if you are an
enthusiast of RAF slang you may appreciate the extra messages as the program is
written by a Fl. Lt. J T F Dyer.