Fort Apocalypse
Encyclopedia
Fort Apocalypse is a 1982
computer game for the Atari 8-bit
series created by Steve Hales and distributed by Synapse Software
. Joe Vierra wrote the Commodore 64
version the same year. Combining features of the arcade game
hit Scramble
& Super Cobra
with the Apple II
game Choplifter
, Fort Apocalypse is a 2-D side-scroller
that requires the player to navigate an underground Kralthan prison in their Rocket Copter, destroying or avoiding enemies while rescuing the prisoners.
As in Scramble & Super Cobra the player has two weapons, a gun and bombs, but only one button on the joystick. Fort Apocalypse solves this problem by having a brief time when the helicopter is turning around where it faces directly forward, at which point the button drops bombs (similar to the interface in the classic Choplifter). Enemies are similar to scramble, but add a number of twists. Missiles will track the player's movements for a short time before running out of fuel and dropping back to earth, and the map is populated by a number of enemy helicopters similar to the player's own.
1982 in video gaming
-Events:* December 27 - Starcade, a video game television game show, debuts on TBS in the United States.-Notable releases:*October 13 - Mystique releases the Custer's Revenge adult video game for the Atari 2600 home console....
computer game for the Atari 8-bit
Atari 8-bit family
The Atari 8-bit family is a series of 8-bit home computers manufactured from 1979 to 1992. All are based on the MOS Technology 6502 CPU and were the first home computers designed with custom coprocessor chips...
series created by Steve Hales and distributed by Synapse Software
Synapse Software
Synapse Software Corporation was an American computer game development and publishing company active during the early-1980s. They developed primarily for the Atari 400 and 800 computers, and the Commodore 64 and IBM PCjr...
. Joe Vierra wrote the Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
version the same year. Combining features of the arcade game
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
hit Scramble
Scramble (arcade game)
Scramble is a 1981 horizontally scrolling shoot 'em up, arcade game. It was developed by Konami, and manufactured and distributed by Stern in North America. It was the first side-scrolling shooter with forced scrolling and multiple distinct levels...
& Super Cobra
Super Cobra
Super Cobra is a 1981 horizontally-scrolling shooter, arcade game. It was developed by Konami from the engine of the popular Scramble , and manufactured and distributed by Stern in the U.S..-Gameplay:...
with the Apple II
Apple II
The Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977...
game Choplifter
Choplifter
Choplifter is a 1982 Apple II game developed by Dan Gorlin and published by Brøderbund. It was ported to other home computers and, in 1985, Sega released a coin-operated arcade game remake, which in turn received several home ports of its own...
, Fort Apocalypse is a 2-D side-scroller
Side-scrolling video game
A side-scrolling game or side-scroller is a video game in which the gameplay action is viewed from a side-view camera angle, and the onscreen characters generally move from the left side of the screen to the right. These games make use of scrolling computer display technology...
that requires the player to navigate an underground Kralthan prison in their Rocket Copter, destroying or avoiding enemies while rescuing the prisoners.
Gameplay
Like Scramble & Super Cobra, Fort Apocalypse is played within a side-scrolling "cave", and the player's helicopter will be destroyed if it touches the walls. Unlike Scramble & Super Cobra, in Fort Apocalypse the player is free to move in any direction they want, and are not dragged along as the map scrolls, beyond player control. The map is divided into sections by walls that can be broken open by firing on them. Other sections of the map include moving walls and other traps.As in Scramble & Super Cobra the player has two weapons, a gun and bombs, but only one button on the joystick. Fort Apocalypse solves this problem by having a brief time when the helicopter is turning around where it faces directly forward, at which point the button drops bombs (similar to the interface in the classic Choplifter). Enemies are similar to scramble, but add a number of twists. Missiles will track the player's movements for a short time before running out of fuel and dropping back to earth, and the map is populated by a number of enemy helicopters similar to the player's own.
External links
- Fort Apocalypse, C64-wiki page (in German)