Space Hawks

by Nish June 23, 2024

written by Nish June 23, 2024 4 minutes read

Summary

Platforms: Amstrad CPC

Space Hawks: A Detailed Retrospective

Introduction

Space Hawks is a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up arcade game developed by Alpha Denshi and released in 1983. The game is set in outer space, and the player controls a spaceship that must destroy waves of enemy ships and other obstacles in order to progress. Space Hawks was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered to be one of the best shoot ’em ups of all time.

Gameplay

Space Hawks is a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up in which the player controls a spaceship that must destroy waves of enemy ships and other obstacles in order to progress. The player’s ship can fire both forward and backward, and it can also drop bombs. The game features a variety of different enemy ships, each with its own unique attack patterns. The player must also avoid obstacles such as asteroids and space mines.

Space Hawks is known for its fast-paced gameplay and challenging difficulty. The game requires quick reflexes and strategic thinking in order to succeed. The player must constantly be aware of their surroundings and be prepared to react to any threat.

Graphics and Sound

Space Hawks features colorful and detailed graphics for its time. The game’s backgrounds are filled with stars and nebulae, and the enemy ships are all unique and well-designed. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, with catchy tunes that perfectly capture the fast-paced action.

Legacy

Space Hawks was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered to be one of the best shoot ’em ups of all time. The game has been ported to a variety of home platforms, and it has also been included in several arcade compilations. Space Hawks has also been cited as an influence on many other shoot ’em ups, including the Gradius series.

Conclusion

Space Hawks is a classic shoot ’em up that is still a blast to play today. With its fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and beautiful graphics, it is a must-play for fans of the genre.

Additional Information

Developer: Alpha Denshi
Publisher: Alpha Denshi
Release Date: 1983
Genre: Shoot ’em up
Platforms: Arcade, Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Commodore 64, MSX, NES, PC Engine, Sega Master System, ZX Spectrum
Arcade Controls: Joystick, buttons

Tips and Tricks

Use the bombs wisely. Bombs are a powerful weapon that can clear the screen of enemies. However, they are also limited in number, so use them sparingly.
Stay away from the edges of the screen. The edges of the screen are where the enemy ships spawn. If you stay too close to the edges, you will be more likely to get hit.
Memorize the enemy patterns. Each type of enemy ship has its own unique attack pattern. If you can memorize these patterns, you will be better able to avoid getting hit.
Don’t be afraid to use the continue feature. If you die, you can continue the game from the beginning of the current level. However, you will lose all of your power-ups.

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