Summary
- Release Year: 1980
- Genres: Shooter, Simulator
- Platforms: Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST/STE
- Developers: Atari
- Publishers: Atari, Atari Corporation
Star Raiders: A Space Combat Classic
Released in 1980 for the Atari 8-bit family of computers, Star Raiders is a first-person space combat simulator that was groundbreaking for its time. It was one of the first games to feature 3D graphics, and its immersive gameplay and realistic graphics made it a huge hit with gamers. Star Raiders was also a critical success, winning numerous awards and accolades.
The game is set in the year 2380, and the player takes on the role of a starship captain tasked with defending the galaxy from an invading fleet of alien “Zylon” vessels. The player’s ship is equipped with a variety of weapons and systems, and they must use all of their skills to survive and defeat the enemy.
Star Raiders is played from a first-person perspective, and the player has a 360-degree view of their surroundings. The game’s graphics are simple but effective, and they create a convincing illusion of depth and space. The player’s ship is represented by a wireframe model, and the enemy ships are represented by simple sprites. The game’s starfield is also procedurally generated, which means that it is different every time the player plays.
The gameplay in Star Raiders is fast-paced and exciting. The player must constantly maneuver their ship to avoid enemy fire and line up their own shots. The game also features a variety of different enemy ships, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. The player must learn to identify each type of enemy ship and develop strategies to defeat them.
In addition to the main campaign, Star Raiders also features a number of bonus missions and challenges. These missions can be played solo or with a friend in co-op mode. The game also features a built-in mission editor, which allows players to create their own custom missions.
Star Raiders was a huge critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the most important video games of all time. It was one of the first games to truly capture the excitement of space combat, and it set the standard for future space combat simulators. Star Raiders is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it is considered to be a classic of the genre.
Gameplay
Star Raiders is a first-person space combat simulator. The player controls a starship and must defend the galaxy from an invading fleet of alien Zylon vessels. The player’s ship is equipped with a variety of weapons and systems, including lasers, missiles, and shields. The player must use all of their skills to survive and defeat the enemy.
The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the player has a 360-degree view of their surroundings. The game’s graphics are simple but effective, and they create a convincing illusion of depth and space. The player’s ship is represented by a wireframe model, and the enemy ships are represented by simple sprites. The game’s starfield is also procedurally generated, which means that it is different every time the player plays.
The gameplay in Star Raiders is fast-paced and exciting. The player must constantly maneuver their ship to avoid enemy fire and line up their own shots. The game also features a variety of different enemy ships, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. The player must learn to identify each type of enemy ship and develop strategies to defeat them.
In addition to the main campaign, Star Raiders also features a number of bonus missions and challenges. These missions can be played solo or with a friend in co-op mode. The game also features a built-in mission editor, which allows players to create their own custom missions.
Development
Star Raiders was developed by Doug Neubauer, an Atari employee. Neubauer was inspired to create the game after playing Spacewar!, one of the first video games ever created. Neubauer wanted to create a more realistic and immersive space combat game, and he spent several years developing Star Raiders.
The game was originally released for the Atari 8-bit family of computers in 1980. It was later ported to the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, and Atari ST. Star Raiders was also released for the Apple II, Commodore 64, and IBM PC.
Reception
Star Raiders was a huge critical and commercial success. It was one of the first games to truly capture the excitement of space combat, and it set the standard for future space combat simulators. The game was praised for its realistic graphics, immersive gameplay, and challenging difficulty.
Star Raiders won numerous awards and accolades, including the Golden Joystick Award for Game of the Year in 1981. The game was also inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2015.
Legacy
Star Raiders is considered to be one of the most important video games of all time. It was one of the first games to feature 3D graphics, and it set the standard for future space combat simulators. Star Raiders inspired a number of imitators, including Elite, Wing Commander, and Star Wars: X-Wing.
The game is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it is considered to be a classic of the genre. Star Raiders has been re-released several times over the years, and it is available on a variety of platforms, including the Atari Flashback and the Nintendo Switch.
Conclusion
Star Raiders is a classic space combat simulator that was groundbreaking for its time. The game’s realistic graphics, immersive gameplay, and challenging difficulty made it a huge hit with gamers. Star Raiders is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it is considered to be one of the most important video games of all time.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
