Summary

• Release Year: 1981
• Genres: Arcade, Shooter
• Platforms: Apple II
• Developers: Sirius Software
• Publishers: Sirius Software

Borg (1981): A Retrospective

Borg is a multi-directional shooter game released in 1981 for the Apple II. It was developed by Dan Thompson and published by Sirius Software. The game is similar to Berzerk, another popular multi-directional shooter from the same era.

Gameplay

The player controls a spaceship that can move in eight directions. The goal of the game is to destroy all of the enemy robots while avoiding their fire. The robots move in predictable patterns, but they can be difficult to avoid, especially in the later levels.

The game is played on a maze-like grid. The player’s spaceship can move through any of the open spaces on the grid, but it cannot move through walls or other obstacles. The robots can also move through any of the open spaces on the grid, but they cannot move through walls.

The player’s spaceship is equipped with a laser cannon that can fire in any of the eight directions. The laser cannon can destroy robots with a single shot. However, the player’s spaceship can only fire one shot at a time.

The robots are equipped with a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs. The robots can fire their weapons in any of the eight directions. The player’s spaceship can be destroyed by a single shot from a robot’s weapon.

Levels

The game consists of 255 levels. The first few levels are relatively easy, but the later levels become increasingly difficult. As the player progresses through the levels, the robots become more numerous and more aggressive. The player must also contend with a variety of obstacles, such as walls, pits, and force fields.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics in Borg are simple but effective. The game’s world is rendered in a top-down perspective, and the sprites are small and blocky. However, the graphics are clear and easy to read, and the game’s overall aesthetic is charming.

The sound in Borg is also simple but effective. The game’s soundtrack consists of a single, repetitive melody that plays throughout the game. However, the sound effects are well-done, and they help to create a sense of atmosphere.

Reception

Borg was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its addictive gameplay, its challenging difficulty, and its charming graphics and sound. The game was also a popular choice for competitive play, and it was featured in several gaming tournaments.

Borg is still considered to be one of the best multi-directional shooters ever made. It is a challenging and rewarding game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

Legacy

Borg has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. It is credited with popularizing the multi-directional shooter genre, and it has inspired many other games, including Robotron: 2084 and Smash TV.

Borg is also a pioneer in the use of procedural generation. The game’s levels are procedurally generated, which means that they are created randomly each time the game is played. This makes the game more challenging and replayable, as players will never experience the same level twice.

Conclusion

Borg is a classic video game that deserves to be remembered. It is a challenging and rewarding game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. If you are a fan of retro gaming or shoot ’em ups, then you owe it to yourself to check out Borg.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

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