Deflektor | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Vortex Software |
Publisher(s) | Gremlin Graphics |
Designer(s) | Costa Panayi |
Programmer(s) | Costa Panayi |
Composer(s) | Ben Daglish |
Platform(s) | Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Amiga, NEC PC-9800, X68000 |
Release | December 1987 |
Genre(s) | Puzzle |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Deflektor is a puzzle video game developed by Vortex Software and published by Gremlin Graphics in December 1987. The game was followed by a sequel in 1989 called Mindbender.
The game was also ported to the Japanese X68000 by Bullet-Proof Software and for the Atari 8-bit computers developed by Atari Corporation in 1988 but was not published. [1] According to the Deflektor X4 remake programmer Ignacio Pérez Gil, the Deflektor developer Costa Panayi endorsed the creation and distribution of the non-commercial open-source freeware in the 2000s. [2]
Deflektor has been well received by the criticism. Critics emphasized its high appeal and originality. The game also received positive feedback for its graphics, difficulty, and in-depth exploration.
Deflektor is a real-time puzzle game which set in an optical circuit. The player has to rotate mirrors to deflect a beam in order to destroy all the cells of each level. There are also other devices the player has to be careful not to touch with the beam for too much time because otherwise the system will overload. In each levels, the player will given a certain amount of time to complete each levels. [3] There also various other items on each levels which the player can collect and a practise mode. [3]
Costa Panayi was the principal programmer, game designer and artist for Vortex Software, when Panayi was programming primarily on the ZX Spectrum. He developed and released Revolution , which later influenced on creation of Deflektor. The game was based on a simple physical phenomenon which was further modified in terms of game mechanics. Panayi was inspired to create the game by observing scientific software that worked with lasers. The development was carried out in the key of being different from existing trends in the gaming industry.
The development of the original game for the ZX Spectrum was handled by Panayi himself and was published by Gremlin Graphics. A month before it release date, the game was announced in magazines. [4]
Publication | Score | ||
---|---|---|---|
Amiga | C64 | ZX | |
ACE | 94% | 91% | 91% |
Computer and Video Games | N/A | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Your Sinclair | N/A | N/A | 90% [5] |
Zzap! | N/A | 81% [6] | N/A |
Publication | Award |
---|---|
Amstrad Action | Mastergame [7] |
Writing for Zzap! magazine in February 1988, Julian Rignall wrote that "Deflektor is very enjoyable, and provides an original and worthwhile way to kill time". [6] According to Amstrad Action , Deflektor was the best game of March 1988. [8] In 1988, Deflektor was included in the 100 best games by ACE which the game was described as unique but easy because to pass the level, it is enough to test all the conditions of the mirror. In 1990, the author of an article in Your Sinclair ranked Deflektor seventh out of the nine best puzzles and describing it as distinctive and interesting. [9]
Laser Squad is a turn-based tactics video game, originally released for the ZX Spectrum and later for the Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Amiga, Sharp MZ-800 and Atari ST and PC computers between 1988 and 1992. It was designed by Julian Gollop and his team at Target Games and published by Blade Software, expanding on the ideas applied in their earlier Rebelstar series. Laser Squad originally came with five mission scenarios, with an expansion pack released for the 8-bit versions, containing a further two scenarios.
Vortex Software was a video game developer founded by Costa Panayi and Paul Canter in the early 1980s to sell the game Cosmos which Panayi had developed for the Sinclair ZX81. They converted the game to the ZX Spectrum, but due to the low sales of the ZX81 version they licensed the game to Abbex.
Trailblazer is a racing video game developed by Mr. Chip Software and published by Gremlin Graphics for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit computers, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 16 and Plus/4 in 1986. It was ported to the Amiga and Atari ST.
Tornado Low Level is a multidirectional flight game developed by Costa Panayi and published in 1984 by the company he co-founded, Vortex Software. The game was first released for the ZX Spectrum, and later ported to the Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64.
Spindizzy is an isometric video game released for several 8-bit home computers in 1986 by Electric Dreams Software. It combines action and puzzle video game elements. Players must navigate a series of screens to explore a landscape suspended in a three-dimensional space. Development was headed by Paul Shirley, who drew inspiration from Ultimate Play the Game games that feature an isometric projection.
War in Middle Earth is a real-time strategy game released for the ZX Spectrum, MSX, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, MS-DOS, Amiga, Apple IIGS, and Atari ST in 1988 by Virgin Mastertronic on the Melbourne House label.
Cybernoid: The Fighting Machine is a shoot 'em up developed and published in 1988 by Hewson Consultants for the ZX Spectrum. It was ported to the Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, and Nintendo Entertainment System. It was programmed by Raffaele Cecco. The ZX Spectrum, Amstrad, and Atari ST versions have a main theme by Dave Rogers, while the Commodore C64 version has a different theme by Jeroen Tel.
Highway Encounter is a video game published for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Commodore 64, Sharp MZ, and Tatung Einstein by Vortex Software in 1985. It was written by Costa Panayi who also coded Android, Android Two, TLL, Cyclone, and Revolution.
Deactivators is a 1986 puzzle video game designed by David Bishop and Chris Palmer, developed by Tigress Marketing and System Software, and published by Ariolasoft's action game imprint Reaktor. The player controls bomb disposal robots known as deactivators and must use them to deactivate bombs planted by terrorists in five research complexes. The concept for the game came from a brainstorming session between Bishop and Palmer; its design and development took five to six months to complete. It was released for the Amstrad CPC 464, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum platforms in October 1986.
Back to the Future Part II is a 1990 action game based on the 1989 film of the same name. It was developed and published by Image Works for Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Master System, and ZX Spectrum. The game has five levels based on scenes from the film, and was criticized as a poor conversion of the film. It was followed by Back to the Future Part III.
Costa Panayi is a former computer game programmer active during the 1980s. He founded Vortex Software with Paul Canter, publishing games for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC.
Saboteur II: Avenging Angel, also known as Saboteur 2, is an action-adventure game created by Clive Townsend and released by Durell Software in 1987 for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS compatible operating systems. A sequel to 1985's Saboteur, the player controls a sister of Ninja from the first game on a mission to avenge his death. Saboteur II was one of the first action-adventure games with a female protagonist and was well received by critics.
Revolution is an isometric 3D puzzle video game released by U.S. Gold in 1986 for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC. It was programmed by Costa Panayi and is a development of the earlier 3D games Highway Encounter and Alien Highway.
Boulder Dash Construction Kit is the fourth game in the Boulder Dash series. It was published for the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit computers in 1986 by Epyx. Ports were released for the Apple II, Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, and MS-DOS. The Spectrum version was rereleased as Boulder Dash IV: The Game. Boulder Dash Construction Kit includes new levels and a level editor.
Survivors is a puzzle video game published by Atlantis Software in 1986 for the ZX Spectrum. It was ported to the MSX, Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, Commodore 16, Acorn Electron, and BBC Micro and the Amstrad CPC (1988). It is based on the "rocks and diamonds" mechanics of Boulder Dash.
Ghostbusters II is a 1989 action game based on the film of the same name. It was published by Activision for various computer platforms. British studio Foursfield developed a version for Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum, which also got ported to the MSX by New Frontier. It features three levels based on scenes from the film. Dynamix developed a separate version for the DOS, also based on the film. The non-DOS versions were praised for the graphics and audio, but criticized for long loading times, disk swapping, and the final level. The DOS, Commodore 64 and Amiga versions were the only versions released in North America.
The Running Man is a 1989 beat 'em up video game based on the 1987 film of the same name. It was developed by Emerald Software and published by Grandslam Entertainments for Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum.
Judge Dredd is a 1991 platform shoot 'em up video game based on the character of the same name. It was developed by Random Access and published by Virgin Mastertronic. It was released in Europe in 1991, for the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum. Critics found the gameplay repetitive.
Pink Panther is a 1988 video game based on the character of the same name. It was developed by German company Magic Bytes and published by Gremlin Graphics. It was released in Europe for Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum. Pink Panther was criticized for its control and difficulty, although the Amiga and Atari ST versions received praise for their graphics.