3D Deathchase
Encyclopedia
3D Deathchase is a 1983 computer game written for the ZX Spectrum
by Mervyn Estcourt and published by Micromega in the UK
and Ventamatic in Spain
.
The player controls a motorcycle
-riding mercenary as he pursues two other motorcycles, one blue and one yellow, through a forest
. Each enemy motorcycle destroyed is worth $1000 (i.e. points) to the player.The player's motorcycle is equipped with forward-firing guns with which to shoot its quarry. The projectiles can be controlled mid-flight simply by steering the bike. If both enemy motorcycles are destroyed, the player moves to a night version of the same level. If both enemy motorcycles on that level are destroyed, the player moves on to a daytime level of the next stage (with more trees to avoid). There are also tanks and helicopters which appear on the horizon and can be shot for bonus points.
The game takes place over eight stages. When stage eight is completed, the game returns to the start.
.
magazine's Retro special. It was described as 'pleasant enough' but lacking the feel of the original.
The 'PlayStation Home' Alternate Reality Game 'Xi' featured a minigame based on the premise of '3D Deathchase' in which a player controlled a motorbike to weave through a forest of trees and pursue a helicopter.
Kiyanov Evgeniy's remake, "Dark Rider" was released on iPhone.
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
by Mervyn Estcourt and published by Micromega in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Ventamatic in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
Gameplay
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
-riding mercenary as he pursues two other motorcycles, one blue and one yellow, through a forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
. Each enemy motorcycle destroyed is worth $1000 (i.e. points) to the player.The player's motorcycle is equipped with forward-firing guns with which to shoot its quarry. The projectiles can be controlled mid-flight simply by steering the bike. If both enemy motorcycles are destroyed, the player moves to a night version of the same level. If both enemy motorcycles on that level are destroyed, the player moves on to a daytime level of the next stage (with more trees to avoid). There are also tanks and helicopters which appear on the horizon and can be shot for bonus points.
The game takes place over eight stages. When stage eight is completed, the game returns to the start.
Critical response
It received a positive reaction from the gaming press, garnering praise for what was then an advanced form of 3D gameplay. A contemporary review in the ZX Spectrum gaming magazine CRASH described 3D Deathchase as "an extremely simple idea for a game, and utterly compelling to play" and awarded the game 92%. In 1992 it was nominated as the best Spectrum game ever in the magazine Your SinclairYour Sinclair
Your Sinclair or YS as it was commonly abbreviated, was a British computer magazine for the Sinclair range of computers, mainly the ZX Spectrum.-History:...
.
Remakes
Andrew Leyden's remake, Death Chase 2002 was highlighted in EdgeEdge (magazine)
Edge is a multi-format computer and video game magazine published by Future Publishing in the United Kingdom. It is known for its industry contacts, editorial stance, distinctive anonymous third-person writing style, yearly awards and longevity....
magazine's Retro special. It was described as 'pleasant enough' but lacking the feel of the original.
The 'PlayStation Home' Alternate Reality Game 'Xi' featured a minigame based on the premise of '3D Deathchase' in which a player controlled a motorbike to weave through a forest of trees and pursue a helicopter.
Kiyanov Evgeniy's remake, "Dark Rider" was released on iPhone.