┌──────────────────────────────┐
│ ─────── EXPERTISE ─────── │
└──────────────────────────────┘
Today we present to the readers of our magazine an expert analysis of the game "BATTLE COMMAND" (128K). This game is an excellent simulator of a super-modern tank.
Let us apologize to the owners of outdated machines with 48K of memory. Understand us correctly - we cannot ignore a whole layer of games that are written only for the 128K Speccy. Just a year ago, we could close our eyes to these games and pretend that the 128K mode had not taken root on our computers.
But agree: now, on the market of new programs for "ZX-Spectrum", games designed for at least 128K of RAM are appearing more and more frequently. Of course, we do not mean remakes of old 48K games for 128K. No, we will only talk about "pure" 128K games. The game "BATTLE COMMAND" (128K) belongs to this category.
But for now, let's take a look at the original version of this exciting game.
BATTLE COMMAND (128K)
OCEAN 1992
--------------------
The fantastic plot of "BATTLE COMMAND" is based on fictional hostilities between the North and the South. You, in the role of the commander of a powerful tank, are fighting on the side of the North.
To complete the game, you need to accomplish ten missions, each of which is completely unrelated to the others. The order of completing the missions is arbitrary. You just cannot start immediately with the last, tenth mission, called "GRAND FINAL". You can only start this mission after completing all the previous tasks.
GAME SETTINGS
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Immediately after loading, you enter the main menu of the program:
START GAME OPTIONS LOAD GAME
Using the keys Q, A, O, P, SPACE, you can select the OPTIONS option and customize the controls to your liking.
After setting up the game, you return to the main menu and can now start.
MISSION MENU
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The mission menu consists of three options:
BRIEFING
SELECT
STATUS
By selecting one of the missions in the upper window with the cursor, you can get information about the mission using the "BRIEFING" option. Besides the mission description (TEXT), you can view the map of the area (MAP) where you will carry out the task. The "CLOSE" option returns you to the mission menu.
Using the "STATUS" option, you can view your status: the number of completed missions and points scored. Here you will also find the "SAVE GAME" option. It should be noted right away that there are no disk saves in this game. To save the game, it is enough to write down the code from the screen, which can then be entered when prompted for the "LOAD GAME" option in the main menu. Returning from the "STATUS" submenu leads to "MISSION SELECTION".
MISSION DESCRIPTIONS
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1. BLAST EM MISSION
You are tasked with finding and destroying two major fuel depots located in the enemy territory in the northeast. This mission will disrupt the enemy's defensive orders for several weeks.
2. MISSILE BATTERY
You must destroy the enemy's air defense missile system. But first, you need to find and neutralize the radar installation located in the west. This will prevent the immediate launch of enemy missiles as soon as you detect them.
3. HOSTAGE RESCUE
One of our scientists has been captured by the Southerners and is being held at their base. Your task is to find the hostage and return him to the North. The future of tank construction in the North depends on your success in this operation.
4. RAILWAY AMBUSH
Your task is to divert an enemy freight train onto a siding so that partisans can seize its cargo. The train is heading east towards a complex that you must destroy, provided the first task is completed. Good luck and be careful.
5. NIGHT MOVES
The mission you are about to undertake is carried out under the cover of night. The command's order is to attack the enemy airfield. Use night vision devices - this will help you move quickly and unnoticed. Your task will be completed when you destroy the planes and the control tower.
6. ESCORT DUTY
Your task is to protect a vital supply convoy for the Northerners, which is heading towards the barracks located in the northwest. To successfully complete the mission, it is enough to get one truck to the destination.
7. SATELLITE SEARCH
Our reconnaissance satellite has gone off orbit and landed behind enemy lines in Southern territory. We need to retrieve the satellite before the South can send its special unit to it. The mission is in your hands. Good luck. Our scouts are confident in your success.
8. RIVER RAID
Your task is to infiltrate the Southern river system and, first of all, destroy four supply ships. You will find them on enemy waterways. After that, you must find and destroy the enemy energy complex located on the southwestern coast.
9. HIDEOUT
You are operating in enemy territory on a special assignment. Your task is to destroy the central hideout of the Southern high command. As a result, the enemy command structure will be shattered, and the Southern army will lose its strategic advantages.
10. GRAND FINAL
This mission will be the final task before everything ends. You need to destroy the enemy barracks. You will face the full might of the enemy's air and ground attacking forces. Good luck.
Now a little about the terrain map. It is oriented like any other geographical map. That is: north is at the top, south is at the bottom, west is on the left, and east is on the right. The letter T (target) marks the main objective of the mission. The letter P (pick up) marks the place where a helicopter will wait for you after completing the task.
Having selected one of the missions to complete (SELECT), you proceed to choose weapons for your tank. The total weight of all selected types must not exceed 1000 kg.
BRIEF CHARACTERISTICS
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OF WEAPONS
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┌──────────────────────────────┐
│ A T T A C K I N G W E A P O N S │
├─┬────────────────┬───┬───┬───┤
│N│ NAME │ 1 │ 2 │ 3 │
├─┴────────────────┴───┴───┴───┤
│1.TURRET 400 80 1 │
├──────────────────────────────┤
│2.BANSHEE RSSS 300 8 2 │
│ ("BANSHEE" - ROCKET │
│ MISSILE CLASS GROUND-GROUND │
│ WITH RADAR GUIDANCE SYSTEM) │
├──────────────────────────────┤
│3.BANSHEE IRSS 300 6 2 │
│ ("BANSHEE" - ROCKET │
│ MISSILE CLASS GROUND-GROUND │
│ WITH INFRARED GUIDANCE SYSTEM)│
├──────────────────────────────┤
│4.PHOENIX RRSA 250 8 2 │
│ ("PHOENIX" - ROCKET │
│ MISSILE CLASS GROUND-AIR │
│ WITH RADAR GUIDANCE SYSTEM) │
├──────────────────────────────┤
│5.PHOENIX IRSA 250 6 2 │
│ ("PHOENIX" - ROCKET │
│ MISSILE CLASS GROUND-AIR │
│ WITH INFRARED GUIDANCE SYSTEM)│
├──────────────────────────────┤
│6.K-40 MORTAR 250 20 2 │
│ (MORTAR K-40) │
├──────────────────────────────┤
│7.SLEEPER MINE 290 5 2 │
│ (DELAYED ACTION MINE) │
├──────────────────────────────┤
│8.DRAGONFLY 500 3 2 │
│ (REMOTE CONTROLLED CRUISE │
│ MISSILE "DRAGONFLY") │
├──────────────────────────────┤
│9.K-90 CLUSTER 250 20 4 │
│ (CLUSTER CHARGE) │
├──────────────────────────────┤
│ D E F E N S I V E W E A P O N S │
├──────────────────────────────┤
│10.SPECTRE 100 12 2 │
│ (ANTI-MISSILE SYSTEM │
│ "SPECTRE") │
├──────────────────────────────┤
│11.PHATASM 100 8 2 │
│ (ANTI-MISSILE SYSTEM │
│ "PHANTOM") │
├──────────────────────────────┤
│12.SKEET BOMB 200 12 2 │
│ (DEFENSIVE BOMB) │
├──────────────────────────────┤
│13.SLAM LASER 250 40 1 │
│ (AUTOMATIC DEFENSIVE │
│ LASER SYSTEM "HELMET") │
└──────────────────────────────┘
NOTES: 1 -WTG- WEIGHT OF WEAPON,
2 - AMMO - AMOUNT OF CHARGES,
3 - MAX - MAXIMUM NUMBER OF │
UNITS OF WEAPON THAT CAN BE │
INSTALLED ON THE TANK.
SOME COMMENTS
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The defensive systems "SPECTRE" and "PHANTOM" have two control modes: automatic and manual. In automatic mode, these systems respond sensitively to enemy attack salvos. The "SPECTRE" system deflects enemy radar missiles, while the "PHANTOM" deflects missiles with an infrared guidance system.
Ground-to-air missiles ("PHOENIX") can be successfully used against aerial targets: helicopters and planes.
The defensive laser (SLAM LASER) operates only in automatic mode and protects against all types of enemy weapons. It is a very effective laser system, but unfortunately, the number of charges is low due to high energy consumption. Usually, to save energy, the laser system is turned off from power and you must turn it on in difficult terrain when there is a large concentration of enemy equipment.
One of the most powerful types of weapons is the delayed action mine (SLEEPER MINE). It destroys all types of equipment. The range is small, but the effectiveness is one hundred percent.
"DRAGONFLY" is not the most powerful missile, but it can be controlled manually.
The K-40 mortar is extremely ineffective, as is the K-90 cluster charge. The effectiveness of the defensive bomb (SKEET BOMB) is also quite questionable.
In our opinion, in nine out of ten cases, the most optimal set will be: TURRET, BANSHEE RRSS, SLEEPER MINE. Or, which is also good: TURRET, SLEEPER MINE, SLEEPER MINE.
The choice of such a modest set of weapons is dictated by one significant drawback that disrupts the overall balance of the game - on the battlefield, the most dangerous for you will not be the enemy's shells and missiles (not counting laser turrets), but ordinary collisions (COLLISION) with enemy armored vehicles.
As a result, the panacea for this trouble becomes a light and unobtrusive retreat from the slow enemy. Of course, it is hard to call this cowardice, but still...
DASHBOARD
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In the center of the dashboard is an information display, which comments on the operation of some devices, as well as unpleasant moments of collisions with enemy armored vehicles (COLLISION) and direct hits from enemy shells (TANK HIT).
Directly under the display are three indicators (from left to right): binocular activation indicator, night vision device operation indicator, and rearview camera activation indicator.
The sign of the operation of these devices is the red glow of the indicators.
To the right of the display is the radar, and below it is the compass. Even further to the right is the helicopter call indicator.
To the left of the display are the speedometer and the fuel gauge.
To the left of the speedometer is a compass-radar set to the main objective of the mission. If the vertical line is positioned exactly in the middle - you are moving towards the target.
Above the main screen are icons of the types of weapons available on your tank.
CONTROL KEYS
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1,2,3,4 - weapon selection.
K,J - control of some types of weapons:
SLAM LASER - ON/OFF
SLEEPER MINE - Mine trigger time (increase/decrease).
SPECTRE, PHANTASM - AUTO/MANUAL.
PHOENIX - adjustment of the aiming height.
K-40 MORTAR - raise/lower the mortar barrel.
B - BINOCLE - Turn on/off binoculars.
Z - ZOOM - change the zoom of the binoculars (from x2 to x8).
N - INFRARED - Turn on/off the infrared night vision device.
R - REAR VIEW - Turn on/off the rear view.
M - MAP - Turn on the terrain map, while the B key - BRIEFING - calls the mission text.
C - CABIN - return to the cabin.
D - DAMAGE - call information on tank damage. Data is provided for each unit of your combat vehicle, from engines to binoculars. The most damaged areas are highlighted in color on the tank image - YELLOW - moderate damage, RED - severe damage. BLACK - critical damage.
H - HOME - Call the helicopter at the end of the mission. The call indicator starts to flash.
S - STOP - stop the engines.
E - EXIT - abort the mission (Y/N).
USEFUL TIPS
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Call the helicopter only when you arrive in the PICK UP area. Otherwise, the search for the helicopter may take a long time.
Do not engage in useless shooting at enemy equipment - you will run out of ammunition. Better start completing the mission right away.
After completing the task, a message will appear at the top of the screen: "mission completed, return to the PICK UP area." Do not delay - return, there is nothing more for you to do here. Moreover, fuel may run out.
When possible, drive the tank on the road - it’s faster.
Do not try to blow up mountains - your tank cannot handle that.
Do not waste ammunition on destroying trees - collisions with trees are practically safe for your tank.
Beware of collisions with enemy armored vehicles - use any opportunity to make a getaway or, more nobly, use SLEEPER MINE.
GOOD LUCK!
Contents of the publication: Spectrofon #07
- Экспертиза
In-depth analysis of the game "BATTLE COMMAND" (128K) for ZX Spectrum, focusing on its unique gameplay and mission objectives. The article discusses the advantages of playing on a 128K machine and offers strategies for weapon selection and mission success. Includes detailed mission descriptions and practical gameplay advice.
- Дебют - Matthias
Description of the debut for the game 'The Sentinel' by FIREBIRD, blending a novella, a sci-fi story, and game instructions.
- Экзамен
The article presents a challenge related to 'THE SENTINEL' game, asking readers for the eight-digit password of the sixtieth landscape. The successful participant will receive a fresh issue of the magazine. Readers are encouraged to send their answers to the provided address.
- Обзор
Call to programmers to submit their software for publication in Spectrofon. Offers guidelines on submission, publication, and payment details. Focus on original programs, modifications, translations, and disk versions.
- С миру по биту
Discussion of is-DOS system issues, user experiences, and developer policies.
- Тайник - Эльдар Агаев
Guide on hidden cheats in ZX Spectrum games, sharing immortality and level skipping codes.
- Горячий привет - Сергей Симонович
Humorous story explores the impact of virtual reality on society, contrasting real and virtual worlds through whimsical scenarios. Characters grapple with the concept and implications of virtual realism, leading to comedic misunderstandings. A fictional committee humorously debates the societal effects of virtual environments.
- Реклама
Advertisement section listing places to buy 'Spectrofon' magazine and collaboration invitations for developers and artists.
