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F-14 Tomcat

F-14 Tomcat
Developer(s) Dynamix
Publisher(s) Activision
Director(s) Jeff Tunnell
Producer(s) Terry Ishida
Designer(s) Kevin Ryan, Jeff Tunnell
Lead Programmer(s) Kevin Ryan, Nick Skrepetos
Lead Artist(s) John Burton
Composer(s) Bryce Morcello
Platform(s) Commodore 64
Release(s) February 1989
Genre(s) Action, simulation
Mode(s) Single-player

F-14 Tomcat is a naval flight simulation game developed by Dynamix, and it was published by Activision on February 1989 for the Commodore 64. A year later, Activision had the game ported onto MS-DOS without Dynamix's involvement.

Gameplay

F-14 has a choice between career mode and a quick mode, with the latter assigning eighty missions at random.

Career mode starts with three training trips that include basic flight, combat maneuvers, and mock dogfights versus flight instructors. Having a good performance is needed order to progress. It also impacts whether the player's pilot receives a favorable or unfavorable call-sign, as well as the player's final tour of duty assignment. The player is assigned to the aircraft carrier Nimitz, where one will fly combat sorties against Soviet-made fighters such as the MiG-21, MiG-25, and MiG-29, as well as American-built F-4s.

The game is played from a cockpit perspective that is based on the real thing. Phoenix, AMRAAM, and Sidewinder missiles, as well as the Vulcan gun, are among the weaponry available.

There are two types of missions. The first is the eruption of war, in which all enemy planes are deemed hostile and can be shot down. Other orders involves self-defense whenever the enemy attacks. However, it is possible to use radio to warn enemy aircrafts away or to request authorization to fire from headquarters during such operations. Being killed in action is a game over.

Many career pathways are available depending on mission performance. Promotions and medals will be awarded to those who have a good mission record. Violations of orders, ejections without justification, and poor performance may result in reprimands or even flight privileges being revoked. Bailing out runs the risk of getting taken by the enemy, although there's a chance of being rescued. There are also R&R intervals, however returning to duty necessitates a refresher course. Having a strong performance record at a young age may lead to a call to Top Gun School, where you will compete against the greatest of the Navy's pilots.

The best result is to end with honorary retirement.

Credits

  • Director: Jeff Tunnell
  • Producer: Terry Ishida
  • Design: Kevin Ryan, Jeff Tunnell
  • Programming: Kevin Ryan, Nick Skrepetos
  • Art Director: John Burton
  • Production Art: Tom Collie, Dariusz Lukaszuk
  • Music & Sound: Bryce Morcello
  • Special Thanks: Michael Giron, David Selle

Reception

On March 1989, F-14 Tomcat was rewarded 4 stars out of 5 for Info Magazine. Benn Dunnington wrote in his review, "Here the simulation gets very good, with multi-range, multi-function Tactical Information Display, great real-time HUD displays, choice of 3 missile types and cannon Data Detail Display, and full-screen overview map which can be brought up to show you the big picture in real time. While the sound is nothing to write home about, the total effect is quite good. A very playable game."[1] German magazine ASM (Aktueller Software Markt) would give the game a 62% for their review, stating that it was more action than strategy. They criticized the in-game graphics while also praising the controls and the illustrations.[2]

A month later, French magazine Tilt rated F-14 an 80%, stating that it was a well designed flight simulator with a variety of missions. It concludes that, "The production is of excellent quality and the aircraft reacts particularly well to controls."[3] The Games Machine (UK) would give the game a 73% for their May issue, describing it as "Top Gun action with a moderate amount of depth."[4] F-14 would then get an overall score of 67% from Zzap! magazine, calling its presentation excellent for variety of screens to showcase different actions and citing the manual as easy to understand. The review criticizes the controls, sound design, enemy plane animation, and lack of challenge.[5]

External Link

References

  1. ↑ Internet Archive, Info Magazine, Issue #25, pg. 59 March/April 1989
  2. ↑ Internet Archive, Aktueller Software Markt (ASM), pg. 56-57, April 1989
  3. ↑ Tilt Magazine, Issue #65, pg. 48, April 1989
  4. ↑ Internet Archive, The Games Machine (UK), Issue #18, pg. 62, May 1989
  5. ↑ Internet Archive, Zzap64 Magazine Issue #49, pg. 83, May 1989