Omega Run

Crash

Lloyd Mangram

Matthew Uffindell

Use of Computer: 78% Graphics: 90% Playability: 83% Getting Started: 96% Addictive Qualities: 82% Value for Money: 90% Overall: 87% We said of Omega Run (issue 2, 87% overall) that it hovered between being a flight simulation and a straightforward game. Since then a number of flight simulations have appeared and Omega Run tends to look more like a game than a simulation, with, oddly, more similarity to Zzoom than anything. The instructions are of a high standard, each item being very carefully explained. The idea behind it is still quite good although, looking back, it seems to lack a fair amount of content and variation, meaning its addictive qualities have dropped in comparison to later games. It's a shame the 3D effects couldn't have been improved, like a moving landscape. The graphics stand up as fairly detailed, but there aren't all that many of them, its still playable when you get it out again, but doesn't have much of an addictive quality. MU I thought Omega Run was a lot of fun when I first played it, although not so addictive as to keep me trying. I saw the Commodore version not long ago, expecting a vast graphic improvment, but it looked very similar, no attribute problems of course. Getting the Spectrum version out for a re-run, I left it feeling somewhat unimpressed because it does lack content, there's too much twisting and turning to shoot enemy planes down, and little else. LM (Matthew) It got 90% for graphics - no way! There aren't many graphics, and there really isn't any proper attempt at 3D as in later games. No, that would have to go down to about 59% now. I'd also drop the playability rating (it got 83%) to about 63%. It's addictive qualities were overrated too, not 82% anyway, more like 60%. (Lloyd) Well I'd go along with most of that. I don't think Omega Run has exactly stood the test of time as well as other similar flying games.

Crash

Overall 87%

Producer: CRL, 48K £5.95 (2) Author: Richard Brisbourne Fanatical elements have seized control of a doomsday bomb and it is timed to go off in 25 minutes. You must fly your fighter-bomber through heavy defences and destroy the building housing the bomb before it goes off and destroys the world. Your cockpit view shows the horizon, enemy fighters, laser beams and anti-aircraft explosions. Fighters get on your tail and you must alter course to bring them ahead and destroy them with your guns. This takes you off target line and the fuel tanker flying ahead of you with which you must rendezvous before completing the mission. Excellent on-screen instructions which demonstrate controls and instruments. This is a very busy game with 5 selectable skill levels and some customisation possible via a menu. Effective and colourful 3D graphics. Playable, addictive and recommended. Overall CRASH rating 87% m/c.

Read it at Crash - The Online Edition

Crash

Use of Computer 78%

Graphics 90%

Playability 83%

Getting Started 96%

Addictive Qualities 82%

Value For Money 90%

Overall 87%

Unknown

Unknown

Producer: C.R.L. Memory Required: 48K Retail Price: £5.95 Language: Machine code Author: Richard Brisbourne We're at war again and fanatical elements have seized control of a heavily defended complex containing the ultimate nuclear deterrent, a Doomsday device constructed to cause worldwide devastation. The timer on this bomb has already started and is set to explode in twenty-five minutes. You must pilot your fighter bomber to the building and destroy it. Omega Run hovers between being a flight simulation and a straightforward game, but in the end, due to the fantasy nature of the scenario and the fact that the instrumentation is not based on anything actual, we decided to slot this under a game heading. The screen displays a wide cockpit view with instruments below. The enemy's defences are prodigious and consist of laser fields, which shoot beams up into the sky, and which must be avoided by dodging around them; fighter aircraft, which may be dodged but should be shot down otherwise they just keep on your tail; anti-aircraft fire which homes in on you if you fly above 350 feet; and ground-to-air missiles, which are more frequent lower down. Another problem is that your aircraft carries insufficient fuel for the run, so you must rendezvous with a tanker for in-flight refueling. Your instrumentation provides a clock with minutes and seconds left before the Doomsday bomb explodes, a compass with your heading indicated, an altitude meter, a tanker/target locator, which is kept centred for an accurate heading, a miles-to-tanker/ target indicator, and three bar codes for fuel level, ammunition level and damages status. There is also a rear view screen warning of enemy fighters with message display. COMMENTS Control keys: cursors and zero to fire Joystick: Kempston, AGF, Protek Keyboard play: very responsive Colour very good Graphics: very good, with effective 3D Sound: good effects Skill levels: 5 selectable, with additional customisation Lives: percentage of damage allowed

Lining up a shot on an enemy fighter.