Developer: Cheshire Engineering

The Dreadnaught Factor (1983)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

The Dreadnaught Factor (1983): A Classic Space Combat Game

The Dreadnaught Factor is a space combat game released in 1983 for the Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit family, and ZX Spectrum. The game was developed by CRL Group and published by Cinemaware.

The player takes control of a Stargate, a powerful space station, and must defend it from waves of enemy Dreadnaughts. The Dreadnaughts are large, heavily armored ships that are armed with a variety of weapons. The player must use the Stargate’s weapons and shields to defeat the Dreadnaughts and protect the space station.

The Dreadnaught Factor is a challenging game that requires quick reflexes and strategic thinking. The player must constantly monitor the battlefield and make quick decisions in order to survive. The game also features a variety of power-ups that can help the player defeat the Dreadnaughts, such as improved shields, weapons, and speed.

The Dreadnaught Factor was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, challenging difficulty, and impressive graphics. The game was also a pioneer in the use of cinematic cutscenes, which helped to create a more immersive experience for the player.

Gameplay

The Dreadnaught Factor is a top-down space combat game. The player controls a Stargate, a powerful space station, and must defend it from waves of enemy Dreadnaughts. The Dreadnaughts are large, heavily armored ships that are armed with a variety of weapons. The player must use the Stargate’s weapons and shields to defeat the Dreadnaughts and protect the space station.

The player’s Stargate is equipped with a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs. The player can also use the Stargate’s shields to protect it from enemy fire. The player must carefully manage the Stargate’s energy reserves in order to keep its weapons and shields powered.

The Dreadnaughts are armed with a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs. The Dreadnaughts are also protected by shields. The player must use a variety of tactics to defeat the Dreadnaughts, such as using the Stargate’s superior speed to outmaneuver them, or using the Stargate’s powerful weapons to overwhelm their shields.

The Dreadnaught Factor features a variety of power-ups that can help the player defeat the Dreadnaughts. These power-ups include improved shields, weapons, and speed. The player can collect power-ups by destroying enemy ships or by finding them hidden in the environment.

Development

The Dreadnaught Factor was developed by CRL Group, a small development team based in the United Kingdom. The game was designed by Chris Roberts, who would later go on to create the Wing Commander series.

The Dreadnaught Factor was one of the first games to use cinematic cutscenes. These cutscenes helped to create a more immersive experience for the player and set a new standard for space combat games.

Release

The Dreadnaught Factor was released in 1983 for the Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit family, and ZX Spectrum. The game was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish CRL Group as a leading developer of space combat games.

Legacy

The Dreadnaught Factor is considered to be one of the classic space combat games of all time. The game’s innovative gameplay, challenging difficulty, and impressive graphics helped to set a new standard for the genre. The game also pioneered the use of cinematic cutscenes, which helped to create a more immersive experience for the player.

The Dreadnaught Factor has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, including the Amiga, MS-DOS, and Windows. The game is still available for purchase on digital distribution platforms such as Steam and GOG.com.

Conclusion

The Dreadnaught Factor is a classic space combat game that still holds up today. Its simple but addictive gameplay and challenging difficulty make it a must-play for fans of the genre. The game’s impressive graphics and use of cinematic cutscenes also help to create a more immersive experience for the player. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding space combat game, then The Dreadnaught Factor is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

7/10

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Beamrider (1983)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Beamrider (1983): A Classic Arcade Shoot-‘Em-Up

Beamrider is a 1983 arcade game developed and published by Konami. It is a shoot-’em-up game in which the player controls a spaceship that flies through a web of iridescent blue beams. The player must shoot enemy spaceships and weapons while avoiding obstacles.

Beamrider was one of the first arcade games to use 3D graphics. The game’s graphics are simple but effective, and they create a sense of depth and immersion that was unlike anything else at the time. The game’s sound effects are also excellent, and they help to create a sense of atmosphere and excitement.

Beamrider is a challenging game, but it is also very rewarding. The game’s difficulty is perfectly balanced, and it provides a sense of accomplishment when the player finally completes it. Beamrider is a classic arcade game that still holds up today. Its innovative 3D graphics and intense action make it a must-play for fans of shoot-’em-ups.

Gameplay

The player controls a spaceship that flies through a web of iridescent blue beams. The player must shoot enemy spaceships and weapons while avoiding obstacles. The player’s spaceship can move left, right, up, and down, and it can also fire in any direction.

The game is divided into four stages, each with its own unique set of enemies and obstacles. The first stage is a relatively simple introduction to the game’s mechanics. The second stage is more challenging, and it introduces new enemy types and obstacles. The third stage is even more challenging, and it features a boss battle at the end. The fourth and final stage is the most challenging of all, and it features a final boss battle.

Enemies

Beamrider features a variety of different enemy types, each with its own unique攻擊模式. Some of the most common enemy types include:

  • Grunts: These are the most basic enemy type in the game. They are small and weak, and they can be easily destroyed with a few shots.
  • Fighters: These enemies are slightly larger and stronger than grunts. They can fire lasers, and they can also move more quickly.
  • Bombers: These enemies are large and slow, but they can drop bombs that can damage the player’s spaceship.
  • Turrets: These enemies are stationary, but they can fire lasers in all directions.
  • Bosses: Each stage of the game features a boss battle. Bosses are large and powerful, and they require the player to use all of their skills to defeat them.

Weapons

The player’s spaceship can be equipped with a variety of different weapons. Some of the most common weapons include:

  • Laser: This is the basic weapon in the game. It is a single shot that can be fired in any direction.
  • Spread shot: This weapon fires three shots at once, in a spread formation. It is more powerful than the laser, but it has a shorter range.
  • Homing missiles: These missiles lock onto enemy targets and automatically follow them. They are very powerful, but they are also slow and can be easily dodged.
  • Power-ups: The player can collect power-ups that give them temporary abilities, such as increased speed,火力, or invincibility.

Legacy

Beamrider was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its innovative 3D graphics, intense action, and catchy music. Beamrider has been ported to a number of different platforms, including the NES, the Commodore 64, and the Atari 2600. It is still considered to be one of the best arcade shoot-’em-ups of all time.

Beamrider has been cited as an influence on a number of later shoot-’em-ups, including Gradius, R-Type, and Thunder Force. The game’s innovative 3D graphics and intense action have helped to make it a classic of the genre.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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