Fire Power (video game)
{{Short description|1987 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Fire Power
|image = Fire Power video game cover.jpg
|caption =
|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
|alt =
}}
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{{cite web | url=http://pctimeline.info/c64/c641988.htm | title=Chronology of the Commodore 64 Computer (1988) }} and for MS-DOS in 1988. An Atari Lynx version was planned but development never started due to internal conflict with Epyx.{{cite web|author=Ash|url=https://retrogamingblog.co.uk/2015/05/14/reichart-von-wolfsheild-3do-return-fire-and-the-industry/|title=Reichart Von Wolfshield - 3DO, Return Fire and the Video Game Industry: Interview|website=retrogamingblog.co.uk|date=May 14, 2015|accessdate=2019-04-21}}
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.[http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/fire-power/screenshots/gameShotId,46234/ Screenshot] at MobyGames.com showing pre-game instructions: "Lives: Each game starts with five tank lives. One additional life is added each time fifteen men are rescued (unloaded at a friendly first-aid station.)"
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."{{cite magazine |last=Wagner |first=Roy |title=Fire Power |magazine=Computer Gaming World |date=December 1987 |volume=1 |issue=42 |pages=51}}
Reviews
- Computer and Video Games (Jun, 1988){{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-080/page/n41/mode/2up | title=CVG Magazine Issue 080 | date=June 1988 }}
- ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment) (Oct, 1989){{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/ace-magazine-25/page/n81/mode/2up | title=ACE Magazine Issue 25 | date=October 1989 }}
- ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment) (Jul, 1988){{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/ace-magazine-10/page/n54/mode/2up | title=ACE Magazine Issue 10 | date=July 1988 }}
- Info (Nov, 1987){{cite web | url=http://amr.abime.net/review_7027 | title=Fire Power review from Info 17 (Nov - Dec 1987) - Amiga Magazine Rack }}
- The Games Machine (Jun, 1988){{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/thegamesmachine-magazine-07/page/n65/mode/2up | title=The Games Machine Magazine Issue 07 }}
- Commodore User (Jun, 1988){{cite web | url=https://amigareviews.leveluphost.com/firepowe.htm#firepowercu | title=Amiga Reviews: Firepower }}
- Games-X (Aug 08, 1991){{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/Games_X_Magazine_016/page/n10/mode/2up | title=Games X Magazine 016 }}
- Commodore Format (Jun, 1991)[https://archive.org/stream/commodore-format-magazine-09/Commodore_Format_Issue_09_1991_06#page/n57/mode/2up Commodore Format issue 9 1991] {{dead link|date=April 2024}}
- ST/Amiga Format (Jul, 1988)[https://archive.org/stream/ST_Amiga_Format_Issue_01_1988-07_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n53/mode/2up Amiga Format issue 1 1988] {{dead link|date=April 2024}}
- Commodore User (Oct, 1989){{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/commodore-user-magazine-73/page/n61/mode/2up | title=Commodore User Magazine Issue 73 | date=October 1989 }}
- The Games Machine (Nov, 1989){{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-24/page/n82/mode/2up | title=The Games Machine Issue 24 }}
- Australian Commodore and Amiga Review (Apr, 1990){{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/Australian_Commodore_and_Amiga_Review_The_Volume_7_Issue_4_1990-04_Saturday_Magazine_AU/page/n69/mode/2up | title=Australian Commodore and Amiga Review, the - Volume 7 Issue 4 (1990-04)(Saturday Magazine)(AU) | date=April 1990 }}
- Your Amiga (Jun, 1988){{cite web | url=http://amr.abime.net/review_4909 | title=Firepower review from Your Amiga (Jun - Jul 1988) - Amiga Magazine Rack }}
Legacy
Fire Power spawned two sequels, Return Fire and Return Fire 2.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{lemon64 game|id=926|name=Firepower}}
- {{Lemon Amiga game|id=411}}
- {{mobygames|/1640}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Cancelled Atari Lynx games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Silent Software games