Summary
- Release Year: 1982
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Arcade, Atari 2600
- Developers: Sega Enterprises, Inc.
- Publishers: Sega Enterprises, Inc.
Tac-Scan (1982): A Retro Shoot-‘Em-Up Classic
Tac-Scan is a classic shoot-’em-up arcade game released in 1982 by Bally Midway. The game is notable for its simple but addictive gameplay, which involves flying a squadron of five ships around and shooting down enemy pilots. When you get hit, you simply lose one of your ships, and after each round, you’ll get a replacement ship which you have to maneuver into your formation or it’s lost forever.
Gameplay
Tac-Scan is played from a top-down perspective, and you control your squadron of five ships using a joystick and two buttons. The left button fires your main weapon, while the right button fires a special weapon. You can move your squadron in any direction, but your planes stay in the same location of the screen.
The goal of the game is to shoot down as many enemy pilots as possible. Enemy pilots will appear in waves, and they will attack you from all sides. You can shoot down enemy pilots by firing your main weapon or by using your special weapon.
When you shoot down an enemy pilot, you will earn points. You can also earn points by destroying enemy formations. Enemy formations are groups of three or more enemy pilots that fly in a specific pattern.
After each round, you will get a replacement ship. You have to maneuver the replacement ship into your formation or it will be lost forever.
Tactics
There are a few different strategies that you can use to succeed in Tac-Scan. One strategy is to focus on destroying enemy formations. Enemy formations are worth more points than individual enemy pilots, and they can also be more dangerous.
Another strategy is to use your special weapon wisely. Your special weapon is more powerful than your main weapon, but it can only be used a limited number of times. You should save your special weapon for when you are facing a large number of enemy pilots or when you are in danger of losing a ship.
Finally, it is important to stay aware of your surroundings. Enemy pilots can appear from anywhere on the screen, so you need to be constantly moving and shooting.
Legacy
Tac-Scan was a critical and commercial success when it was first released. The game was praised for its simple but addictive gameplay, and it quickly became a favorite among arcade gamers. Tac-Scan has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it remains popular with retro gaming fans today.
Tac-Scan is a classic shoot-’em-up that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay and challenging difficulty make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Tips for Playing Tac-Scan
Here are a few tips for playing Tac-Scan:
- Focus on destroying enemy formations. Formations are worth more points and can be more dangerous.
- Use your special weapon wisely. Your special weapon is more powerful, but it can only be used a limited number of times.
- Stay aware of your surroundings. Enemy pilots can appear from anywhere on the screen.
- Don’t be afraid to lose ships. You will get replacement ships after each round.
- Practice makes perfect. The more you play Tac-Scan, the better you will become at it.
Conclusion
Tac-Scan is a classic shoot-’em-up that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay and challenging difficulty make it a must-play for fans of the genre. If you are looking for a classic arcade game to play, then Tac-Scan is definitely worth checking out.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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