From: lthompsn@polari.com
Subject: Review: DESERT STRIKE (Genesis/MD)
Summary: New Release 
Organization: Seattle Online Public Access Unix (206) 328-4944
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1992 17:16:30 GMT


Fact File:

Manufacturer: Electronic Arts
              Coding: Mike Posehn (Amiga: Deluxe Video, Deluxe Video III)
              Graphics: Paul Vernon (Road Rash), Gary Martin, Amy Henning
              Playtesting: Jeff Glazier, Randy Delucchi
Genre:        Shooter/RPG (has a goal)
Size:         1024k (1 MB/8 Megabits)
Saves:        Password (8 characters, large easy to read font)
Distributor:  Electronic Arts
Sound:        Stereo Music + SFX (Rob Hubbard, Brian Schmidt)

Description:

I wasn't originally going to buy this, since I have an 80486 with VGA and
a Soundblaster Pro I generally avoid simulators on the SEGA (for obvious
reasons).    What made me pick it up was the back cover of the box.  It's
NOT a simulator, not a polygon in the bunch.   There were also explosions
which is generally a draw for me. (:) )    Second it was only $49.95 which 
seems to be a new trend with some of the 8-megabit software.    Also it 
wasn't an EA port which seems to be a little less bug-ridden than the software
coming from the Amiga.   (EA has never supported machines with  high-piracy
rates very well, they tend to do an 'half assed' job intentionally)

The game is basically a second DESERT STORM scenario, hence the title
"DESERT STRIKE: Return to the Gulf".  Although IRAQ, KUWAIT and good ol'
Saddam are not directly mentioned there are *AMAZING* similarities.   :)

(Two smileys at 10 am?  That's rare)

Onto the good stuff: There are (as far as I can tell) four campaigns, each
campaign has xx number of missions (the first one has 4 main missions and
some other stuff you can do for extra points).     The game is simple yet
has a broad range.  For instance operating the winch (to pick up MIAs, 
Enemy Commanders, Ammo, Fuel, etc) and aiming the hellfires and hydras at
a target you are not actually pointing the nose of the Apache at is controlled
by your co-pilot.  The BESt one of course is an MIA, so you have to rescue
him and take him back to the frigate to be able to use his skills.    There
are several others to choose from however, one has an annoying tendancy to
shoot the MIAs.  (The MIAs can run around and shoot all by themselves, and
are generally under seize from the enemy soldiers - since like in the Gulf
War most of the MIAs are shot-down fighter pilots).

The controls, while take a bit of time (20 minutes maybe) to get really used
to are responsive.   (There are two other control modes that may be a bit
easier for beginners or people who don't like pilot-style controls).  There
are no real simulation-type things to worry about.   No real altitude (it's
automatic), or even simulation-style damage. (You have 600 armor points, when
it's gone, you're gone.    An enemy missile does about 100 points of 
damage, a tank 40 points, etc.)  This makes the game easy to play and FUN
(I love blowing things up).    

There is some slowdown, mostly when you use the chain gun with MEGAFIRE
on or the fire button being held down.    While it might annoy some (and I
will say it is not as bad as the slowdown on the SNES game "Gradius III" where
three enemy shots and half-speed time), I kind of use it as a "slow mo" since
if there are THAT many bullets flying around you need all the help you can get.

I've purposely left a lot of details left, if you have a specific question
about the game, we can just start a tread on it.   After all it would be
a lot more entertaining than flame wars and "my system is better than you
system" (ad nauseum).

The Score:
          Graphics:  8 (Good, could be a bit better I suppose but sacrificing
                        map size, etc)
          Sound SFX: 8 (I really like the effect for the hellfire missiles)
          Music:     6 (A bit annoying but you don't hear it in the game)
          Gameplay:  9 (Well I like to blow stuff up and this delivers)
          Difficulty: MEDIUM to HARD.   A lot of challenge here, especially
                                        if you go for the extra point stuff.
          
          Overall:   8 (Recommended).  If it was $69.95 I would have given
                                       it a "7", but at the price it's good
                                       entertainment.

The game is kind of a mix of some old games that I use to enjoy immensely:
Choplifter, Raid on Bungeling Bay, and F-15 Strike Eagle (the original one
in terms of: GO, BLOW IT UP, COME BACK)   


-- 
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
|Lee Thompson                   | "Marvin?"                                  |
|uunet!polari!lthompsn          | "I'm all right... still very bad though."  |
|Alternate: lthompsn@polari.com |                                            |