Summary
- Release Year: 1985
- Genres: Puzzle, Strategy, Tactical
- Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Commodore C64/128/MAX, MSX, ZX Spectrum
- Developers: Vortex Software
- Publishers: Gremlin Graphics Software Ltd.
Highway Encounter: A Unique Strategy/Action Classic from 1985
Highway Encounter is a strategy/action game released in 1985 for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC. The game is played from a 3D isometric perspective and tasks the player with escorting a bomb along a long, straight stretch of highway and into an alien base at the end of it.
One of the things that makes Highway Encounter unique is that the bomb is constantly being pushed onwards by the player’s extra lives – four more Vortons, who accompany the player character along the highway. This creates a unique strategic element to the game, as the player must constantly balance the need to clear a safe path for the bomb with the need to protect their extra lives.
The highway is divided into thirty screens, and each screen is filled with hazards that can block the bomb’s progress or destroy the player character. These hazards include barrels, aliens, and explosive mines. The player character can use a variety of weapons to destroy these hazards, including a laser, a grenade launcher, and a flamethrower.
In addition to the hazards on the highway, the player character must also contend with the alien base at the end of the level. The alien base is heavily defended, and the player character must use all of their skills and resources to destroy it and complete the level.
Highway Encounter is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a unique blend of strategy and action. The game’s isometric perspective and innovative use of extra lives make it a truly unique experience.
Gameplay
The player controls a robotic “Vorton” (resembling a dalek from Doctor Who) and must successfully chaperone a bomb along a long, straight stretch of highway and into the alien base at the end of it. There are thirty screens to pass through and most are filled with hazards that threaten to block the player’s progress (such as barrels) or destroy the player character (aliens and explosive mines).
Players control a robotic “Vorton” (resembling a dalek from Doctor Who) and one of the things that provides Highway Encounter with its unique appeal is that the bomb is constantly being pushed onwards by your extra lives – four more Vortons, who accompany you along the highway. A key strategic element to the game is for the player character to travel several screens ahead of the bomb to clear a safe path for it; normally this would be done by temporarily blocking the bomb’s forward motion. However, if the bomb is left in an unsafe location, it is possible for all your extra lives to be lost without the player character being destroyed once. Once all spare lives are lost, the player character must manually push the bomb.
The player character can use a variety of weapons to destroy the hazards on the highway, including a laser, a grenade launcher, and a flamethrower. The player character can also use a shield to protect themselves from enemy fire.
Development
Highway Encounter was developed by Chris Butler and published by Gremlin Graphics. The game was released in 1985 for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC.
Reception
Highway Encounter was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, challenging difficulty, and impressive graphics. Highway Encounter was one of the best-selling games of 1985 and helped to establish Gremlin Graphics as a major force in the video game industry.
Legacy
Highway Encounter is considered to be a classic video game and is still enjoyed by many gamers today. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the PC, Mac, and mobile devices. Highway Encounter has also been featured in several video game compilations.
Tips for Playing Highway Encounter
Here are a few tips for playing Highway Encounter:
- Use your extra lives to your advantage. The extra lives are constantly pushing the bomb forward, so use them to clear a path for the bomb and to protect it from enemy fire.
- Be careful not to leave the bomb in an unsafe location. If the bomb is left in an unsafe location, it is possible for all your extra lives to be lost without the player character being destroyed once.
- Use the environment to your advantage. The environment can be used to protect the player character and the bomb from enemy fire. For example, the player character can use barrels to block enemy fire or to create a safe path for the bomb.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. There is no one right way to play Highway Encounter. Experiment with different strategies and weapons to find what works best for you.
Conclusion
Highway Encounter is a classic video game that offers a unique blend of strategy and action. The game’s isometric perspective and innovative use of extra lives make it a truly unique experience. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding game to play, then Highway Encounter is definitely worth checking out.
Review Score
8/10
