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From the opening dramatic music and the images of Hitler shaking his fist in front of the hated Swastika, you know you are in for a game playing experience.
Make no mistake about it, Rocket Ranger is a masterpiece of programming. This is all about stepping into the shoe's of a Superhero - you can forget your Spider & Superman's because what you have here is the REAL DEAL! No underpants over tights, no spinning weedy webs, what we have here is a ROCKET PACK strapped to your back! Eat dirt!
Get ready for take off...........
Rocket Ranger is all about the 1950's style of Saturday morning matinee flicks - ala Flash Gordon - and it captures the atmosphere perfectly. From the great opening sequence setting out the scene to the introductory sequence of grabbing your pack and flying out to save the Professor. The Nazi tide is spreading across the Globe, only you can stop it by putting a dent in their plans. There is no time to waste - you gotta go............ NOW!!!
Anybody who has played Rocket Ranger will always remember the take off sequence. It was Frustration (notice the capital F) tapping your joystick button in sync with your hero's footsteps and waiting for the beep to push your stick up for take off. Every time you thought you had it sussed you were proven wrong and ended up falling on your face!
This made you more determined to get it right the next time and the physics were pretty spot on. The heavier your rocket pack with fuel - the harder it was to take off. This sequence was brilliantly done - there was no better sight than Rocket Ranger launching himself into the air, scaring the odd bird out of the sky!
In proper movie fashion, the scene then cuts to the classic Rocket Ranger shadow over the map sequence - with great fitting music depending on where you are heading. I can hear those jungle beats now as I head to the Amazon.
The action sequences were brilliantly done. 3D dog fight sections which are so good they could have been a game on their own (no lie when the awful Afterburner was released around the same time) there were also fighting sections, interrogation scenes and classic shooting the bad guys stages.
Rocket Ranger even has a bit of strategy thrown in for good measure, with the option of sending out agents across the globe to try and infiltrate the evil Nazi regime.
This game really has it all and I have to admit I have never completed it. I don't want to read any cheats or hints, I want to do it on my OWN - it's that sort of game. I purchased it at full price and still play the emulated version today (and am still no nearer to completing it!). The feeling of closing in on that final rocket part - then realising you don't have enough fuel to get home... the injustice of it all!
The graphics are outstanding and stand the test of time, especially the smooth 3D sections. The static graphics are just as good and the music sets the scene brilliantly - speech is also used to great affect. I really am trying to find a downside to this game. If there was one (and it's a teeny weeny one) it would be the de-coder wheel which came with the original game. You could not fly anywhere without looking at where you were and turning the wheel, loading up your rocket pack and matching the numbers on the screen to the wheel. It was a bit of a pain and slowed the game down a bit. On the other hand, it would be a bit un-realistic to expect to have the correct amount of fuel, at any time, to fly anywhere in the World wouldn't it?
If for any reason you have never tried this game I demand that you do... NOW! You won't regret it and in no time at all you will be strapping a helmet under your chin and putting your best flying pants on........ or is that just me?
A triumph for Cinemaware and the Amiga. Not to be missed. For ANY reason!
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Superb. They have stood the test of time. Lovely 3D action sequences which are a joy to behold.
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Whilst not Rocket Rangers best feature, there is certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Fitting music for certain scenes build up the atmosphere and great use of speech.
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The Daddy. This game won't leave you. It's addictive. Even if it's just to perfect that damn take off sequence!
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| Rightly thought of as an Amiga classic. This is the REAL Superhero for the Amiga. |
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Get Amiga Forever with pre-installed Workbench, games, applications, and much more.
It also contains the original Amiga ROM-files, 100% legally!
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