Goldrunner#Legacy

{{Short description|1987 video game}}

{{more citations needed|date=January 2018}}

{{Infobox video game

| title = Goldrunner

| italic title =

| collapsible =

| state =

| image = Goldrunner_Amiga_Cover.jpg

| caption =

| developer = Microdeal

| publisher =

| series =

| engine =

| platforms = Atari ST, Amiga

| released = 1987

| genre = Scrolling shooter

| modes = 1-2 players alternating turns

| producer =

| designer =

| programmer = Steve Bak{{cite web|last1=Hague|first1=James|title=The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers|url=https://dadgum.com/giantlist/}}

| artist = Pete Lyon

| writer =

| composer = Rob Hubbard

| arcade system =

}}

Goldrunner is a vertically scrolling shooter developed by Steve Bak and Pete Lyon for the Atari ST and published by Microdeal in 1987. Rob Hubbard composed the music.{{cite web | url=https://www.karsmakers.nl/metal-e-zine/robb.htm | title=Interview with Rob Hubbard}} An Amiga version followed, as well as a 1988 sequel, Goldrunner II.{{cite web|title=Goldrunner II|url=http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-st-goldrunner-ii_9465.html|website=Atari Mania}}

Gameplay

Goldrunner is a freely vertically scrolling shooter game where it is possible to fly back and forth as in Defender. The player steers a golden spaceship equipped with two laser cannons, flying over huge ring worlds whose structures must be destroyed. The ship has a speed booster to accelerate.

Legacy

The immediate follow-on, Goldrunner II, offered a similar aesthetic to the original title. A third entry in the series was planned, entitled Goldrunner 3D. This was to mark a departure from the traditional 2D scrolling shooter format with a radical new look and gameplay. Trailed as early as 1989,{{Cite web|title=Goldrunner 3D preview from Zero 2 (Dec 1989) - Amiga Magazine Rack|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_39308|access-date=2020-07-27|website=amr.abime.net}}{{Cite web|title=Goldrunner 3D preview from CU Amiga-64 (Nov 1989) - Amiga Magazine Rack|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_17641|access-date=2020-07-27|website=amr.abime.net}} the project suffered significant delays however, finally seeing release under Ocean as Epic in 1992.

Reception

Rich Teverbaugh of Antic in November 1988 praised Goldrunner II{{'}}s "flawless execution" and "twist" unusual gameplay. While criticizing the skimpy documentation, he concluded that it "is a worthwhile addition to the library of any gamer who yearns for something different".{{Cite magazine |date=November 1988 |title=ST Games Gallery |url=https://www.atarimagazines.com/v7n7/StellarCrusade.php |access-date=2025-03-02 |magazine=Antic |volume=7 |issue=7}}

References