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[Luchsen]

Developer not existent anymore. [APPROVED]

[fluff995]

I do not have any screeenshots- sorry.

It is a game I have only played in its shareware version. The shareware version only included one battle, so I do not know anything about game features (If there are any.) outside of actual battle.

As I remember it, it was a turn-based, 2D space combat game. Viewed from straight above, you controlled a small green space ship. You had up to four similar ships on your side in battle, but they were controlled by the computer during combat. In the beginning of the battle, you start out in V-formation, with your ship in centre. You faced a number of enemy ships (I believe they were blue or similar colour.) and their "mothership" which did not fire back of participate in combat.

Each turn you would be allowed to move your ship, and choose whether to fire missiles or not. You could path your movement for the turn with a thin line extending from your ship at the beginning of the turn. You pulled it out to move faster thus travelling further that turn, and bent it left or right to turn- you could only turn so much each turn, and moving faster meant decreased turning arc. You could also only decrease your speed by a certain amount each turn, so slowing to a halt took a number of turns.

Once you had determined your movement for the turn, Your allied ships, as well as the enemy ships, would all move simultaneously in real-time during the "movement phase". Quite cool, actually. You would watch all decisions made by all participants unfold all at once.

The movement path of the past turn would be shown for each ship, so by looking at the line of movement behind the enemy ship, you could calculate its approximate movement in this turn.

The trick was move your ship into a position where you, at the start of the movement phase, could fire your missiles into the path of the enemy ship, hit it and either damage or destroy it. You could also fire seeking missiles that would alter their course to hit ships in their path. Missiles moved faster than ships but could still be "in play" by the end of the turn, meaning that eventually you would have a number of missiles to take into consideration when choosing movement. A certain movement might line you up nicely to fire at an enemy ship, but might at the same time take you into the path of an approaching missile.

You had a limited number of missiles and, if memory serves me, fuel. Combat damage would mean less speed and manouverability. Because of your limitations, you were dependent on your wingmen to pull their weight in battle since you did not have nearly enough ammo to destroy all enemy ships by yourself.

It is probably a fairly old game, from somewhere around the millenium shift or even older. Graphics were simple - think a souped-up version of "space invaders". But movement would still be fluid.

Sound was fairly simple but still nice, with explosions and jet engine sounds.

I believe the game is fairly obscure, as I would have found it already if it was not. But any suggestions are welcome.

I know this is is a long shot:embarassed:- information is very sketchy since it was several years since I last played it. But if anyone has any idea which game I am thinking about, I would really appreciate it. It was a really good game.

Thanks in advance
Patrik J, Sweden

[Eagle of Fire]

I never played it, but it sounds like a Win 3.11 game.

[Dave]

Never played it, sorry...

Perhaps Mobygames could help you, use Game Browser function:
http://www.mobygames.com/home

[fluff995]

Never mind found it myself. It´s a game called Critical Mass, although there seems to be newer versions of it out there now. Thanks anyway.

[Eagle of Fire]

Care to give us a link? Or if it is not ABW then maybe a link to a review?

That game actually sound interesting.

[Frodo]

Is this it?

[RRS]

Originally Posted by fluff995

It´s a game called Critical Mass,

Believe me or not, I did recognize it by your description from the first post

I like the "clean" vector graphics and gameplay that reminds a bit of "Flight Commander" games.

[fluff995]

Originally Posted by Frodo

Is this it?

Thats the one.

[Eagle of Fire]

Ah, yes... Another lame "hey buddy, buy my 20 years old games I made myself for 20$ each!" site.

Shame, some of the games looked interesting.