Summary
- Release Year: 1987
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Atari ST/STE
- Developers: Tim Moore
- Publishers: MicroValue, TDC Distributors
Liberator (1987)
Liberator is a vertically scrolling shoot-em-up game released in 1987 for the Atari ST. It was coded by Tim Moore, who also created the classic games Verminator and Beyond the Ice Palace, and published by MicroValue.
The player controls a spaceship that must fly through waves of enemy ships and asteroids. The ship can fire in eight directions, and can also drop bombs. The game features a variety of power-ups that can enhance the ship’s firepower, speed, and durability.
Liberator is known for its fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and catchy soundtrack. It was one of the most popular shoot-em-ups on the Atari ST, and is still enjoyed by fans of the genre today.
Gameplay
Liberator is a vertically scrolling shoot-em-up in which the player controls a spaceship that must fly through waves of enemy ships and asteroids. The ship can fire in eight directions, and can also drop bombs. The game features a variety of power-ups that can enhance the ship’s firepower, speed, and durability.
The game is divided into a series of levels, each with its own unique set of enemies and obstacles. The player must defeat all of the enemies in each level in order to progress to the next one.
As the player progresses through the game, they will encounter increasingly difficult enemies and obstacles. The game also features a number of boss battles, which are particularly challenging fights against large and powerful enemies.
Graphics and Sound
Liberator’s graphics are colorful and detailed, and the animation is smooth and fluid. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, and features a variety of catchy tunes that add to the excitement of the gameplay.
Controls
Liberator is controlled using a joystick or keyboard. The joystick controls the ship’s movement and firing, while the keyboard can be used to drop bombs and activate power-ups.
Power-Ups
Liberator features a variety of power-ups that can enhance the ship’s firepower, speed, and durability. These power-ups can be collected by flying over them.
Some of the most common power-ups include:
- Speed Up: Increases the ship’s speed.
- Fire Power Up: Increases the ship’s firepower.
- Shield: Grants the ship a temporary shield that protects it from enemy fire.
- Bomb: Gives the ship a limited number of bombs that can be dropped on enemies.
Enemies
Liberator features a variety of enemies, each with its own unique攻擊模式. Some of the most common enemies include:
- Grunts: Small, weak enemies that are easily destroyed.
- Fighters: More powerful than grunts, fighters can fire lasers and bombs.
- Bombers: Slow-moving enemies that drop bombs on the player.
- Bosses: Large, powerful enemies that require multiple hits to defeat.
Bosses
Liberator features a number of boss battles, which are particularly challenging fights against large and powerful enemies. Each boss has its own unique attack patterns and weaknesses.
Some of the most famous bosses in Liberator include:
- The Mothership: A giant spaceship that is the final boss of the game.
- The Kraken: A giant squid-like creature that attacks with its tentacles.
- The Dragon: A giant dragon that breathes fire and flies through the air.
Legacy
Liberator was one of the most popular shoot-em-ups on the Atari ST, and is still enjoyed by fans of the genre today. The game has been praised for its fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and catchy soundtrack.
Liberator has been ported to a number of other platforms, including the Amiga, MS-DOS, and Windows. The game has also been released on a number of compilation discs and digital storefronts.
In 2017, a remake of Liberator was released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. The remake features updated graphics and sound, as well as new gameplay modes and features.
Conclusion
Liberator is a classic shoot-em-up that still holds up today. With its fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and catchy soundtrack, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8/10