Apocalypse: The Game of Nuclear Devastation (video game)
{{Short description|1983 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| collapsible =
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| title = Apocalypse: The Game of Nuclear Devastation
| image = Apocalypse The Game of Nuclear Devestation cover.jpg
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| developer = Red Shift
| publisher = Games Workshop
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| platforms = ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro
| released = {{Video game release|WW|29 March 1983}}
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}}Apocalypse: The Game of Nuclear Devastation is a video game based on the board game Apocalypse: The Game of Nuclear Devastation by Games Workshop.
Gameplay
Apocalypse includes nine ways for the player to attack, instead of six like in the board game; the player is also able to use ships in addition to armies and missiles.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/home-computing-weekly-012/Home_Computing_Weekly_012#page/n13/mode/2up|title=Home Computing Weekly Magazine Issue 012|website=archive.org}}
Publication history
The computer game version was published by Red Shift under license from Games Workshop.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/Personal_Computer_Games_Issue09#page/n95/mode/2up/search/apocalypse+%22red+shift%22|title=Personal Computer Games Issue09|website=archive.org}} It was released in 1983 for the ZX Spectrum and BBC Micro.{{WoS game|name=Apocalypse|id=0000222}} Apocalypse was the first Spectrum game from Red Shift, and David Kelly from Popular Computing Weekly described the board game as "ideal material for conversion to the computer".{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/popular-computing-weekly-1984-03-29/PopularComputing_Weekly_Issue_1984-03-29#page/n11/mode/2up|title=Popular Computing Weekly (1984-03-29)|website=archive.org|date=29 March 1984 }}
Reception
Computer Answers #84 stated that Apocalypse "is not a game of mindless destruction like so many others, but rather one of tactics and strategy".{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Answers_Issue8404#page/n23/mode/2up/search/apocalypse+%22red+shift%22|title=Computer Answers Issue8404|website=archive.org}} Tony Bridge reviewed Apocalypse for Micro Adventurer #7 (May 1984), and described it as "a game system which should keep anyone happy for many months".{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/microadventurer-magazine-07/MicroAdventurer_07#page/n37/mode/2up/search/apocalypse+%22red+shift%22|title=MicroAdventurer Magazine Issue 07|website=archive.org}} Angus Ryall for Crash #9 (October 1984), complimented Red Shift as their games Apocalypse and Rebelstar Raiders were at the time "still far and away the best strategy games for the Spectrum".{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/Crash_No._09_1984-10_Newsfield_GB#page/n77/mode/2up/search/apocalypse+%22red+shift%22|title=Crash - No. 09 (1984-10)(Newsfield)(GB)|website=archive.org|date=October 1984 }}
Russell Clarke reviewed Apocalypse for White Dwarf #54, and stated that "Apocalypse is a good rendition of the tried and tested boardgame with some improvements (you buy the nuke instead of miraculously receiving one when you win a battle) and a few problems (speed of operation being the most serious). The BBC version offers the best value, I feel, as it has better graphics and is faster although the two versions are basically the same game."{{cite journal | last =Clarke | first =Russell | title =Microview | journal =White Dwarf | issue =54 | pages =18–19 | publisher =Games Workshop | date = June 1984 }}
Philippa Irving reviewed Apocalypse for Crash #43 (August 1987), calling the game "an odd blend of realism and fantasy" although it "lacks atmosphere", but concluding that she would "recommend Apocalypse as a good buy to those who are certain they'll have someone else to play with".{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/Crash_No._43_1987-08_Newsfield_GB#page/n49/mode/2up/search/apocalypse|title=Crash - No. 43 (1987-08)(Newsfield)(GB)|website=archive.org|date=August 1987 }}