Strike Force Harrier
{{Short description|1986 video game}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Strike Force Harrier
| image = Strike Force Harrier cover.jpg
| developer =
| publisher = Mirrorsoft
| producer =
| designer = Rod Hyde{{cite journal |title=Front of the game box |journal=Strike Force Harrier |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/18415/strike-force-harrier/cover/group-24430/cover-61976/ |publisher=Mirrorsoft |quote=Program designed by Rod Hyde}}
| programmer =
| artist =
| writer =
| composer =
| engine =
| series =
| platforms = BBC Micro, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Amiga, Atari ST
| released = 1986{{cite video game |title=Strike Force Harrier |developer=Rod Hyde |publisher=Mirrorsoft |platform=ZX Spectrum |level=Title screen |quote=©1986 Mirrorsoft Ltd. ©1986 Rod Hyde}}
| genre = Combat flight simulation
| modes = Single-player
}}
Strike Force Harrier is a 1986 combat flight simulation video game designed by Rod Hyde and published by Mirrorsoft for the 8-bit home computers. 16-bit ports were released later.
Gameplay
The game simulates the flying of the British attack aircraft Harrier jump jet, known for its vertical takeoff and landing. The objective is to attack an enemy base 250 miles away, filled with MiG fighters, SAM sites, and tanks. The game can't be cleared in one go, each sector must be cleared to establish landing, refuelling, and rearming bases for the land forces. A HUD displays essential information on the cockpit window. A radar screen plots the position and any enemies nearby. Red traces warn of missiles requiring evasive action.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| ACE = 6/10 (ST){{cite magazine |title=Flight Simulators - Strike Force Harrier |journal=ACE |date=February 1988 |issue=5 |page=72 |url=https://archive.org/details/ace-magazine-05/page/n71/mode/2up |publisher=Future plc}}
| Amtix = 90%{{cite magazine |title=Reviews - Strike Force Harrier |journal=Amtix |date=April 1986 |issue=6 |pages=30–31 |url=https://archive.org/details/amtix-magazine-06/page/n29/mode/2up |publisher=Newsfield Publications Ltd}}
| ASM = 36/48 (C64){{cite magazine |last1=Strack |first1=Martina |title=Denk(-)mal! - Senkrechtstarter |journal=Aktueller Software Markt |date=November 1986 |issue=9/86 |page=66 |url=https://archive.org/details/asm_magazine-1986-09/page/n65/mode/2up |publisher=Tronic-Verlag |language=de |quote=Grafik: 9/12, Handhabung: 7/12, Technik/Strategie: 10/12, Spielwert: 10/12}}
| CRASH = 83% (ZX){{cite magazine |title=Reviews - Strike Force Harrier |journal=Crash |date=October 1986 |issue=33 |pages=120–121 |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-magazine-33/page/n119/mode/2up |publisher=Newsfield Publications Ltd}}
| CVG = 37/40 (BBC){{cite magazine |title=Software Reviews - Strike Force Harrier [BBC Micro] |journal=Computer and Video Games |date=February 1986 |issue=52 |page=23 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_052_1986-02_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n21/mode/2up |publisher=Future plc |quote=Graphics: 9, Sound: 8, Value: 10, Playability: 10}}
31/40 (C64){{cite magazine |last1=Metcalfe |first1=Tim |title=Software Reviews - Strike Force Harrier [C64, Spectrum] |journal=Computer and Video Games |date=October 1986 |issue=60 |page=38 |url=https://archive.org/details/ComputerAndVideoGamesIssue060Oct86/page/n37/mode/2up |publisher=Future plc |quote=Graphics: 8 (C64) 7 (Spec), Sound: 7 (C64) 6 (Spec), Value: 8, Playability: 8}}
29/40 (ZX)
| Z64 = 68% (C64){{cite magazine |title=Test - Strike Force Harrier |journal=Zzap!64 |date=November 1986 |issue=19 |page=138 |url=https://archive.org/details/zzap64-magazine-019/page/n137/mode/2up |publisher=Newsfield Publications Ltd}}
| rev1 = Commodore User
| rev1Score = 8/10 (C64, Amiga){{cite magazine |last1=Hutchinson |first1=John |title=Screen Scene - Strike Force Harrier [C64] |journal=Commodore User |date=November 1986 |issue=38 |pages=26–27 |url=https://archive.org/details/commodore-user-magazine-38/page/n25/mode/2up |publisher=EMAP}}{{cite magazine |last1=Frogsac |first1=Ian J. |title=Screen Scene - Strike Force Harrier [Amiga] |journal=Commodore User |date=April 1988 |issue=55 |pages=26–27 |url=https://archive.org/details/commodore-user-magazine-55/page/n69/mode/2up |publisher=EMAP}}
| rev2 = Computer Gamer
| rev2Score = 80% (ZX){{cite magazine |title=High Flyers - Strike Force Harrier (Mirrorsoft) |journal=Computer Gamer |date=January 1987 |issue=22 |pages=22–23 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gamer_Issue_22_1987-01_Argus_Press_GB/page/n21/mode/2up |publisher=Argus Specialist Publications}}
| award1Pub = Sinclair User
| award1 = SU ClassicGame review, Sinclair User magazine, EMAP, issue 55, October 1986, page 43
}}
Amtix called the game better than Skyfox and Spitfire 40. They summarized the game as "[a] simply superb fight simulation with loads of potential". Crash said that "though by no means the best on the Spectrum, Strike Force Harrier is quite reasonable. As a flight sim, this is pretty good". Computer and Video Games reviewed the BBC Micro version and concluded: "A classy, polished and highly addictive simulation, this is a game to keep". When reviewing the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum versions they said that "Strike Force Harrier is set to become a classic of its type on all formats". Zzap!64 summarized: "Not a brilliant flight simulator, but one of the more exciting on the market".
See also
- Harrier Combat Simulator, a 1987 video game by the same designer and publisher, simulating the same aircraft
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/18415/strike-force-harrier}}
- [https://www.lemon64.com/game/strike-force-harrier Strike Force Harrier] at Lemon64
- [https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/4949/ZX-Spectrum/Strike_Force_Harrier Strike Force Harrier] at Spectrum Computing
- {{abime|id=2146}}
- {{atarimania|id=24769}}
Category:BBC Micro and Acorn Electron games
Category:Combat flight simulators