Phoenix (1987 video game)

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Phoenix
Phoenix 1987 cover art.jpg
ERE Informatique cover
Publisher(s) ERE Informatique
Infogrames
Programmer(s) Patrick Guillemet
Paul Cuisset
Artist(s) Christophe Bonnet
Michel Rho
Writer(s) Patrick Guillemet
Paul Cuisset
Composer(s) Philippe Ulrich
Platform(s) Atari ST
Release1987
Genre(s) Space combat game
Mode(s)single-player

Phoenix is a single-player first-person space flight shooter released in 1987 by ERE Informatique for the Atari ST. [1] It was later published by Infogrames for the British market. [2] The game consists of piloting a spaceship across hyperspace routes represented by colored wireframe tiles created with vector graphics while shooting hostile gun turrets and black holes. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot showing the hyperspace route tiles, including a red tile Phoenix-1987-screenshot.png
Gameplay screenshot showing the hyperspace route tiles, including a red tile

The objective of Phoenix is to re-open 15 hyperspace routes which were closed by authorities, who also left gun turrets to guard the routes. [1] In order to re-open the hyperspace routes, the player must pilot a spaceship known as the "Phoenix AY 21" to the end of each route. The hyperspace routes are represented by colored vector wireframe tiles. As the joystick is moved left or right, the tiles move under the ship, representing strafing movement of the craft, while the craft moves forward at a constant speed. [2]

This movement is used to navigate the different colored sections and to dodge gun turrets and black holes. Red tiles increase the ship's energy level, which is slowly depleted as the game goes on, and is also used to fire the ship's guns. Light blue tiles and shots from gun turrets drain the ship's energy level. Green tiles cause the player to lose control of the ship. Purple tiles instantly destroy the ship, as do black holes (represented by two rotating yellow triangles) and flying off tiles into empty space. [1] [2] The Games Machine compared the gameplay to another game released in 1987: Cosmic Causeway: Trailblazer II, which also features colored tiles that affect the player as they move across them. Whether the Trailblazer series inspired Phoenix is unclear. [2]

The player can also press the R button to enter an instant replay mode which replays the last flight. [1] [2]

Reception

Infogrames cover Phoenix 1987 cover art 2.webp
Infogrames cover

In the months following its release, Phoenix received mixed reviews. ACE (magazine) in January 1988 gave it a 887/1000, then in November of the same year dropped the rating to a 780/1000, calling the game "a bit simple for full price now". The retail price at the time was £19.95. [3] [4] This is equivalent to £55.37 [5] or $69.92 [6] in 2024. The Games Machine similarly gave the game a 71% rating in 1988. [2] Happy Computer and Power Play rated the game at 58/100 and 4.5/10 respectively, both indicating the game is initially fun, but gets boring quickly. [7] [8]

Legacy

Phoenix was the first game developed and released by Paul Cuisset, who later went on to be the lead developer of Delphine Software International. This company has published games for many consoles, notably including well-received games such as Amy and Flashback. [9]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Phoenix (1987)". MobyGames. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The Games Machine Magazine Issue 03.
  3. 1 2 ACE Magazine Issue 04. January 1988.
  4. 1 2 ACE Magazine Issue 13. November 1988.
  5. ↑ "Inflation calculator". www.bankofengland.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  6. ↑ "Xe Currency Converter - Live Exchange Rates Today". www.xe.com. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  7. ↑ "Kultboy.com - DIE Kult-Seite über die alten Spiele-Magazine und Retro-Games!". www.kultboy.com. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  8. ↑ "Kultpower Archiv: Komplettscan Powerplay 3/1988". www.kultpower.de. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  9. ↑ "Delphine Software International". MobyGames. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
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