“Harrier Attack” is a classic horizontally scrolling shooter game that was developed and published by Durell Software in 1983 for the ZX Spectrum and Oric 1, with subsequent ports for the Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64 released in 1984. The game’s premise is straightforward yet engaging, where players control a Sea Harrier fighter jet, navigating a scrolling seascape and landscape from right to left. The main objectives are to take off from an aircraft carrier, engage enemy ships and land targets, dodge missiles and enemy aircraft, and safely land back on the carrier.
Historical Inspiration for Harrier Attack
A notable aspect of “Harrier Attack” is its inspiration from the 1982 Falklands War, a conflict that saw the Sea Harrier in extensive action. This historical backdrop adds a layer of depth to the game, connecting it to real-world events. Despite being a work of fiction, the game captures the essence of aerial combat experienced during the conflict, emphasizing the Sea Harrier’s role.
One intriguing feature of the game is the possibility for players to bomb their own aircraft carrier during takeoff. Should they choose to do so, the carrier would be destroyed, leaving the player with no place to land at the end of the mission. This would result in the player’s aircraft eventually running out of fuel and crashing, adding a strategic element to the gameplay where actions have consequences.
“Harrier Attack” is also notable for its technical achievement. Durell Software managed to compress the game into just under 9 kilobytes, allowing for quick loading times from cassette tapes, a significant factor considering the technical limitations of the time. This efficiency contributed to the game’s popularity, leading to over 250,000 copies sold.
The game’s influence and success during the era of early home computing are a testament to its design and gameplay mechanics, offering a blend of historical inspiration and engaging gameplay that appealed to a wide audience
Similar Games
The 1980s was a golden era for arcade gaming, marked by the advent and popularity of side-scrolling shooters. These games were characterized by their horizontal movement across the screen, offering players a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience. Here’s a list of notable side-scrolling shooters from the 80s that left a significant mark on the gaming industry:
- Gradius (1986) – A seminal title by Konami, known for its challenging gameplay and innovative power-up system. Its success spawned several sequels and even a parody series called Parodius.
- R-Type (1987) – Created by Irem, this game was revolutionary for its time, introducing the “Force” mechanic, a detachable pod that adds a strategic layer to the shoot ’em up experience. R-Type was admired for its intricate level design and formidable bosses.
- Scramble (1981) – Another pioneering game in the genre, Scramble challenged players to navigate terrain, manage fuel levels, and battle enemies, all while continuously scrolling horizontally.
- Xevious (1982) – Although primarily a vertically scrolling shooter, Xevious was significant for its early use of detailed graphics and enemy patterns that would influence the development of side-scrolling shooters.
- Defender (1981) – Though it allows free movement left or right, Defender’s continuous world and rescue mechanic set a precedent for the depth and complexity possible in shooting games.
The list of side-scrolling shooters from the 80s also includes titles like Vulgus (1984) by Capcom, a vertically scrolling shooter, and Moon Patrol (1982) by Irem, which combines side-scrolling driving with shooting elements
(Wikipedia) (World of Spectrum) (Games Database).