Summary
- Release Year: 1983
- Genres: Shooter
- Platforms: Atari 2600
- Developers: Milton Bradley
- Publishers: Milton Bradley
Survival Run (1983): A Retro Space Shooter Classic
Survival Run is a classic arcade space shooter game that was released in 1983 by Konami. The game is set in a distant future where Earth is under attack by a powerful alien force. The player takes control of a starfighter and must navigate through a maze of subterranean caverns, destroying enemy forces and eventually confronting the Alien Master in his command ship.
Survival Run is a fast-paced and challenging game that requires quick reflexes and strategic thinking. The player’s starfighter is equipped with photon torpedoes, which can be used to destroy enemy force fields and marauding alien guards. The player must also use their onboard computer map to navigate through the maze of caverns, which are filled with obstacles and hazards.
One of the things that makes Survival Run so unique is its use of a first-person perspective. This gives the player a sense of immersion and makes the game feel more intense and exciting. The graphics are also impressive for the time, with detailed sprites and backgrounds.
Survival Run was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered to be one of the best arcade space shooters ever made. The game has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, including the NES, Commodore 64, and Atari 2600.
Gameplay
Survival Run is a single-player game that is played from a first-person perspective. The player controls a starfighter that is equipped with photon torpedoes. The goal of the game is to navigate through a maze of subterranean caverns, destroying enemy forces and eventually confronting the Alien Master in his command ship.
The player’s starfighter is controlled using a joystick and two buttons. The joystick is used to move the starfighter up, down, left, and right. The left button is used to fire photon torpedoes, and the right button is used to accelerate.
The player’s starfighter is equipped with a limited number of photon torpedoes, so the player must use them wisely. Photon torpedoes can be used to destroy enemy force fields and marauding alien guards. The player must also use their onboard computer map to navigate through the maze of caverns, which are filled with obstacles and hazards.
The player’s starfighter is also equipped with a shield, which can be used to protect it from enemy fire. The shield is gradually depleted as it is hit by enemy fire, and it will eventually fail if it is not repaired. The player can repair their shield by collecting power-ups that are scattered throughout the caverns.
Levels
Survival Run consists of 16 levels, each of which is a maze of subterranean caverns. The levels become increasingly difficult as the player progresses, with more and more enemy forces and obstacles to overcome.
The first few levels are relatively easy, and they serve as a tutorial for the player. The player learns how to control their starfighter, fire photon torpedoes, and navigate the caverns.
As the player progresses through the levels, they will encounter more and more enemy forces. These enemies include force fields, marauding alien guards, and even giant bosses. The player must use all of their skills and abilities to defeat these enemies and progress through the levels.
The final level of Survival Run is a showdown with the Alien Master in his command ship. The Alien Master is a powerful enemy, and the player must use all of their skills and abilities to defeat him.
Reception
Survival Run was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its fast-paced action, challenging levels, and impressive graphics. Survival Run was also a popular game in arcades, and it helped to popularize the space shooter genre.
Survival Run has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, including the NES, Commodore 64, and Atari 2600. The game has also been released on a number of compilation discs and digital storefronts.
Survival Run is still considered to be one of the best arcade space shooters ever made. The game is a classic example of the genre, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.
Legacy
Survival Run has had a significant impact on the video game industry. The game is credited with popularizing the space shooter genre, and it has inspired a number of other games, including Star Fox and Descent.
Survival Run is also a pioneer in the use of first-person perspective in video games. This perspective gives the player a sense of immersion and makes the game feel more intense and exciting. Survival Run is one of the first games to use this perspective, and it has since become a staple of the first-person shooter genre.
Survival Run is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s fast-paced action, challenging levels, and impressive graphics make it a must-play for any fan of the space shooter genre.
Review Score
8.5/10
