Deathchase
| Deathchase | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publisher(s) | Micromega Ventamatic (Spain) Timex (US) |
| Designer(s) | Mervyn Estcourt[1] |
| Platform(s) | ZX Spectrum |
| Release | 1983 |
| Genre(s) | Vehicular combat |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Deathchase is a 1983 vehicular combat game written for the ZX Spectrum by Mervyn Estcourt and published by Micromega in the UK.[1] 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
[edit]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.[2] 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.[2]
Reception
[edit]| Publication | Award |
|---|---|
| Crash | Smash![3] |
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%.[1] In 1992, it was nominated as the best Spectrum game of all time in the magazine Your Sinclair.[4][5][6] This status has been cemented by subsequent publications.[7][8][9][10][11] Both Crash and Your Sinclair referred to the game as "3D Deathchase".
Legacy
[edit]Andrew Leyden's remake, Death Chase 2002 was highlighted in Edge magazine's retro special.[12] It was described as "pleasant enough" but lacking the feel of the original.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "DEATHCHASE". Crash. Newsfield Publications Ltd. February 1984. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
- ^ a b Estcourt, M J (1983). "DEATHCHASE by M J Estcourt". Deathchase Instructions. Micromega. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
- ^ Game review, Crash issue 1, February 1984, page 18
- ^ "The Your Sinclair Official All-Time Top 100 Spectrum Games". Your Sinclair. Future Publishing. October 1991. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
- ^ "The YS Official Top 100 Part 5". The Your Spectrum Rock 'n' Roll Years. February 1, 1992. Archived from the original on 2015-08-21. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ Stuart, Keith (23 April 2012). "ZX Spectrum: the five best games". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ Fisher, Andrew (3 August 2023). "Best ZX Spectrum Games Of All Time". Time Extension. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ Bradley, Dave (23 April 2012). "Your favourite Sinclair ZX Spectrum games". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ Reed, Kristan (6 February 2009). "ZX Spectrum Classics". Eurogamer. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ Gipp, Stuart (20 February 2023). "The ZX Spectrum games that ought to be on Steam". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ Henderson, Rik (30 July 2023). "5 best ZX Spectrum games and how to play them now". GamesLifer. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ Edge presents: Retro, Future Publishing 2002, Friends Reunited article
External links
[edit]- Deathchase at SpectrumComputing.co.uk
- Deathchase can be played for free in the browser at the Internet Archive
- Deathchase 2002 at the Internet Archive