Summary
- Platforms: BBC Microcomputer System
Blocker (1984)
Blocker is a classic arcade shoot-’em-up released in 1984 by Sega. The game is set in a futuristic space environment, and the player controls a lone spaceship that must defend itself against waves of enemy ships. Blocker is known for its simple but addictive gameplay, and its challenging difficulty.
Gameplay
The player controls their spaceship with a joystick and two buttons: one to fire and one to drop bombs. The goal of the game is to destroy all of the enemy ships on each level while avoiding being hit by their fire. The player’s ship can be destroyed by a single hit from an enemy ship or bomb, so the player must be careful to avoid getting hit.
There are a total of 32 levels in Blocker, each with its own unique layout and enemy formations. The levels become increasingly difficult as the player progresses, and the later levels require quick reflexes and strategic thinking to complete.
Power-ups
There are a variety of power-ups that can help the player to defeat the enemy ships. These power-ups include:
- Speed: Increases the speed of the player’s ship.
- Fire: Increases the rate of fire of the player’s ship.
- Bomb: Gives the player a limited number of bombs that can be dropped on the enemy ships.
- Shield: Gives the player a temporary shield that protects them from enemy fire.
The power-ups are scattered throughout the levels, and the player must collect them to use them. The power-ups can be very helpful in completing the later levels of the game.
Enemies
There are a variety of enemy ships in Blocker, each with its own unique attack patterns. The most common enemy ships are the small, blue ships that fire a single shot at a time. There are also larger, red ships that fire three shots at a time, and even larger, green ships that fire five shots at a time.
In addition to the regular enemy ships, there are also a number of boss ships that appear at the end of each level. The boss ships are much larger and more powerful than the regular enemy ships, and they require a different strategy to defeat.
Legacy
Blocker was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, and its challenging difficulty. Blocker has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it remains a popular game among retro gaming enthusiasts.
Blocker is considered to be one of the classic arcade shoot-’em-ups, and it has influenced the development of many other games in the genre. The game’s simple but effective gameplay has stood the test of time, and it remains a fun and challenging game to play today.
Conclusion
Blocker is a classic arcade shoot-’em-up that is still a blast to play today. With its simple but addictive gameplay and challenging difficulty, it’s a game that will keep you coming back for more. If you’re a fan of retro gaming, or if you’re just looking for a fun and challenging game to play, then I highly recommend checking out Blocker.
Review Score
8/10
