Deathchase
{{Short description|1983 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Deathchase
|image = 3D_Deathchase_cover_art.jpg
|developer =
|publisher = Micromega
Ventamatic (Spain)
Timex (US)
|designer = Mervyn Estcourt{{cite news | title=DEATHCHASE | date=February 1984 | publisher=Newsfield Publications Ltd | url =http://www.crashonline.org.uk/01/deathchase.htm | work =Crash | access-date = 2009-02-11}}
|released = 1983
|genre = Vehicular combat
|modes = Single-player
|platforms = ZX Spectrum
}}
Deathchase is a 1983 vehicular combat game written for the ZX Spectrum by Mervyn Estcourt and published by Micromega in the UK. In Spain it was published by Ventamatic. The "3D" designation on the box led to the game sometimes being misnamed "3D Deathchase", including in reviews. Timex USA published Deathchase for its range of computers in the US as Cyclepath.
Gameplay
Image:3D Deathchase screen.gif
The player controls a motorcycle-riding mercenary as he pursues two other motorcycles, one blue and one yellow, through a forest. Each enemy motorcycle destroyed is worth $1000 (i.e. points) to the player.{{cite web|url=https://worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/games-info/d/Deathchase.txt |title=DEATHCHASE by M J Estcourt |access-date=2021-04-06 |last=Estcourt |first=M J |year=1983 |work=Deathchase Instructions |publisher=Micromega}} The player's motorcycle is equipped with forward-firing guns with which to shoot its quarry. The projectiles can be controlled mid-flight simply by steering the bike. If both enemy motorcycles are destroyed, the player moves to a night version of the same level. If both enemy motorcycles on that level are destroyed, the player moves on to a daytime level of the next stage (with more trees to avoid). There are also tanks and helicopters which appear on the horizon and can be shot for bonus points.
The game takes place over eight stages. When stage eight is completed, the game returns to the start.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| award1Pub = Crash
| award1 = Smash!Game review, Crash issue 1, February 1984, page 18
}}
ZX Spectrum gaming magazine Crash described Deathchase as "an extremely simple idea for a game, and utterly compelling to play" and awarded it a rating of 92%. In 1992, it was nominated as the best Spectrum game of all time in the magazine Your Sinclair.{{cite news | title=The Your Sinclair Official All-Time Top 100 Spectrum Games | date=October 1991 | publisher=Future Publishing | url =http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=YourSinclair/Issue74/Pages/YourSinclair7400045.jpg | work =Your Sinclair | access-date = 2009-02-11}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821074640/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/ystop100_5.htm|url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/ystop100_5.htm|title=The YS Official Top 100 Part 5|date=February 1, 1992|archive-date=2015-08-21|access-date=1 September 2024|website=The Your Spectrum Rock 'n' Roll Years}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2012/apr/23/zx-spectrum-five-best-games|title=ZX Spectrum: the five best games|first=Keith|last=Stuart|website=The Guardian|date=23 April 2012|access-date=1 September 2024}} This status has been cemented by subsequent publications.{{cite web|url=https://www.timeextension.com/guides/best-zx-spectrum-games-of-all-time|title=Best ZX Spectrum Games Of All Time|first=Andrew|last=Fisher|date=3 August 2023|access-date=1 September 2024|website=Time Extension}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/your-favourite-sinclair-zx-spectrum-games/|title=Your favourite Sinclair ZX Spectrum games|first=Dave|last=Bradley|date=23 April 2012|access-date=1 September 2024|website=GamesRadar+}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/zx-spectrum-classics-article|title=ZX Spectrum Classics|website=Eurogamer|first=Kristan|last=Reed|date=6 February 2009|access-date=1 September 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-zx-spectrum-games-that-ought-to-be-on-steam|title=The ZX Spectrum games that ought to be on Steam|first=Stuart|last=Gipp|date=20 February 2023|access-date=1 September 2024|website=Rock Paper Shotgun}}{{cite web|url=https://gameslifer.com/features/best-zx-spectrum-games-and-emulators-to-play-them-on/|title=5 best ZX Spectrum games and how to play them now|first=Rik|last=Henderson|date=30 July 2023|access-date=1 September 2024|website=GamesLifer}} Both Crash and Your Sinclair referred to the game as "3D Deathchase".
Legacy
Andrew Leyden's remake, Death Chase 2002 was highlighted in Edge magazine's retro special.Edge presents: Retro, Future Publishing 2002, Friends Reunited article It was described as "pleasant enough" but lacking the feel of the original.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{WoS_game|id=0001303}}
- {{IAg|zx_Deathchase_1983_Micromega}}
- {{Internet Archive|id=deathchase-2002|name=Deathchase 2002}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Deathchase}}
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Vehicular combat games
Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom