Saboteur II: Avenging Angel

Last updated
Saboteur II: Avenging Angel
Saboteur II Spectrum Inlay.jpg
Publisher(s) Durell Software
Designer(s) Clive Townsend
Composer(s) Rob Hubbard
Platform(s) Amstrad CPC, MS-DOS, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
Release1987
Genre(s) Action-adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

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.

Contents

Gameplay

The game starts with a drop into the building from a hang glider. Then, while watching out for pumas and robotic guards, the player has to search through the command center for boxes of supplies. Some of the boxes contain one of 14 pieces of punched tape, which on all but the first level must be collected and taken to the computer terminal. Once this has been achieved, the player must make their way to the bottom centre of the caves, and escape using the motorcycle which can be found there. [1] [2] In all, the site covers over 700 computer screens. [3] There are nine missions of increasing difficulty level (codenamed Rin, Kyo, Toh, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai and Zen), each with more objectives (such as collecting more pieces of punched tape, or having to disable an electrified perimeter fence protecting the tunnel).

Map of Saboteur II on the ZX Spectrum loading screen. Sab ii map.gif
Map of Saboteur II on the ZX Spectrum loading screen.

The game offers two subtle ways to assist the player. The loading screen shows the compound and a building in the background, which included a pixel dot map representing each screen. There is also a hidden screen containing a glowing crate which would reward the player with infinite energy. [4] This screen is so well hidden it was missed off several maps printed in computer magazines of the time. [5] [6] [7] [8]

Plot

The player takes control of a female ninja named Nina (a sister of Ninja, the deceased hero of the original Saboteur), who must break into a dictator's high-security compound to alter the course of a nuclear ballistic missile and then escape. The enemy's command centre and office complex is being built on top of a mountain filled with tunnels and caverns. An armoury building is on the top left of the mountain, a missile silo is on the top right, while the central top area is still being developed; there is only one way out of the mountain, which is the long entrance tunnel on the bottom left.

Development and release

Saboteur II was one of the first action-adventure games with a female protagonist. [9] According to Luke Plunkett of Kotaku, "for a serious game released in 1987, that was kind of a big deal, especially since she wasn't a princess or cartoon character. She was a ninja". [10] The game's designer Clive Townsend said it was a conscious decision: "I wanted something original, and it seemed quite different to most other games. It's become acceptable now after Tomb Raider , but at the time it was a bit strange. Why shouldn't ninja characters be female?" [11] Nevertheless, the PC version features a male ninja on the cover. [12] Townsend traced the character art for the game's loading screen from an erotic magazine. [11] Saboteur II itself was supposed to be followed by the cancelled Saboteur 3D for the ZX Spectrum, which would feature isometric perspective graphics. [11]

Despite the four released formats being different in hardware and programming (the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC notwithstanding), the different versions all looked and played almost identically. Usually, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between the Amstrad CPC, PC and Commodore 64 versions (colour clash being the giveaway for the ZX Spectrum version). The game was re-released by Hit-Pak in 1988 [13] and by Encore in 1989. [14] It was also released as a bonus with an issue of Zzap!64 in 1993. [15]

Reception

Initial reviews of the game were positive. For instance, Phil South from Your Sinclair opined that the game was "a fine sequel, but possibly more important, it's a fine game in its own right. Saboteur was an original twist on an old platform riff, so that makes Sab II a double twist with a backflip and a lager chaser!" [2] When the game was re-released in 1989, Your Sinclair's Marcus Berkmann wrote that "if it doesn't perhaps hold up too well now, it's still an entertaining enough chase-and-kick 'em up with the novelty of a female hero". [17]

Legacy

A remake of the game was released in 2019 (32 years after the release of the original game) on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One. It came with a few additions like new graphics, many remixes of the original music, and more information on the lore.

Deep Cover (a Saboteur 2 prequel for the ZX Spectrum 128) won Best Text Adventure at the Planeta Sinclair 'Game of the Year' awards 2021.

Following the release of the remake, two sequels were planned: Saboteur SiO was released in 2020 and Saboteur ZERO was slated for a late 2022 release. [21]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Way of the Exploding Fist</i> 1985 video game

The Way of the Exploding Fist is a 1985 fighting game based on Japanese martial arts developed by Beam Software, by a team consisting of Gregg Barnett, Bruce Bayley, Neil Brennan and David Johnston. Originally developed on the Commodore 64 and published in May 1985 by Melbourne House, ports were made for Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron and Commodore 16.

<i>Game Over</i> (video game) 1987 video game

Game Over is an action video game developed by Dinamic Software and published by Imagine Software in 1987. It was released for the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, MSX, Thomson TO7, and ZX Spectrum. The game includes some adventure game elements. A prompted unrated sequel, Game Over II, was released in 1987.

<i>Trailblazer</i> (video game) 1986 video game

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.

<i>Kwik Snax</i> 1990 video game

Kwik Snax is an arcade style maze video game play developed by the Oliver Twins and was published in 1990 by Codemasters for the Amstrad CPC, Spectrum, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, and Amiga. It was the fifth game in the Dizzy series and is considered a sequel to Fast Food.

<i>Kikstart 2</i> 1987 video game

Kikstart 2 is a motorcycle trials racing videogame released for the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. It enjoyed more success than its predecessor, Kikstart. The game allowed 2-player simultaneous or 1-player, vs-computer play.

<i>War in Middle Earth</i> 1988 video game

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.

<i>Barbarian</i> (1987 video game) 1987 video game

Barbarian is a 1987 platform game by Psygnosis. It was first developed for the Atari ST, and was ported to the Amiga, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, MSX, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. The Amiga port was released in 1987; the others were released in 1988. The cover artwork is by fantasy artist Roger Dean.

<i>Aliens: The Computer Game</i> (US Version) 1986 video game

Aliens: The Computer Game is a 1986 video game developed and published by Activision for the Commodore 64, Apple II based on the film of the same title. As Activision's UK subsidiary Electric Dreams Software had independently released their own version of the game with the same title, the game was renamed for European release. Initially planned to be released as Aliens: The Second Part., it was finally published under the title Aliens: US Version with ports for the Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum produced by Mr Micro.

<i>Graphic Adventure Creator</i> Adventure game creation system released in 1985

Graphic Adventure Creator is a game creation system/programming language for adventure games published by Incentive Software, originally written on the Amstrad CPC by Sean Ellis, and then ported to other platforms by, amongst others, Brendan Kelly (Spectrum), Dave Kirby and "The Kid" (C64). The pictures in the demo adventure, Ransom, were made by Pete James and the box cover art by Pete Carter.

<i>Zub</i> 1986 video game

Zub is a 1986 platform video game designed by Ste and John Pickford, developed by Binary Design, and published by Mastertronic for the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. The game has the player control Zub, who has to travel to different planets to retrieve the Green Eyeball of Zub. A parody of the game Light Force, called Lightfarce, was added in as an easter egg. The music on all computers was composed by David Whittaker.

<i>Street Sports Basketball</i> 1987 video game

Street Sports Basketball is a 1987 computer basketball game for the IBM PC, Amstrad CPC, Amiga, Apple II, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. It was developed by Epyx and published by U.S. Gold.

<i>Colossus Chess</i> 1984 video game

Colossus Chess is a series of chess-playing computer programs developed by Martin Bryant, commercially released for various home computers in the 1980s.

<i>The Light Corridor</i> 1990 video game

The Light Corridor is a puzzle video game for the Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, MSX, and ZX Spectrum. It was published in 1990 by Infogrames. The game is played from a first-person perspective.

<i>Grand Prix Simulator</i> 1987 video game

Grand Prix Simulator is a racing game developed by The Oliver Twins and published by Codemasters for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and Atari 8-bit computers. The ZX Spectrum conversion was done by Serge Dosang. The game was endorsed by Ayrton Senna's 1986 Formula One teammate Johnny Dumfries.

<i>Gary Linekers Superstar Soccer</i> 1987 video game

Gary Lineker's Superstar Soccer is a computer game released in 1987 for the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum, published by Gremlin Interactive in Europe, and by Mindscape as Superstar Soccer in the USA.

<i>Batman</i> (1989 video game) 1989 video game

Batman is an action video game developed and published by Ocean Software based on the 1989 film of the same name. It was released on 11 September 1989 for the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum with Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, MS-DOS and MSX versions following soon after.

<i>Monty Pythons Flying Circus: The Computer Game</i> 1990 video game

Monty Python's Flying Circus: The Computer Game is a 1990 scrolling shoot 'em up video game developed by Core Design. It was released by Virgin Games the Amiga, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and the ZX Spectrum. It is loosely based on material and characters from the 1970s British comedy series Monty Python's Flying Circus, in particular the Gumby character.

<i>Ninja</i> (1986 video game) 1986 video game

Ninja is a beat 'em up game developed by Sculptured Software and released by Mastertronic in 1986 for the Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum, then in 1987 for the Amstrad CPC, Amiga, Atari ST, and MS-DOS. An arcade version of the game was released in 1987 for Mastertronic's Arcadia Systems which is based on Amiga hardware. The Amiga, Atari ST, and Arcade versions were released as Ninja Mission. As a Ninja, the player attacks a fortress made of individual fixed screens which can be explored non-linearly.

<i>Ghostbusters II</i> (computer video game) 1989 video game

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.

<i>Joe Blade</i> 1987 video game

Joe Blade is a video game published by Interceptor Micros on their Players budget label for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC in 1987. It reached the top of the UK game charts, replacing Renegade. In Germany, the game peaked at number 7. It was ported to the Acorn Electron, BBC Micro, Atari 8-bit computers, MSX, Amiga, and Atari ST. A sequel, Joe Blade 2, was published in 1988. Another sequel, Joe Blade 3, was released in 1989.

References

  1. 1 2 "Crash - No. 41 (1987-06) (Newsfield) (GB)". June 1987. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  2. 1 2 3 "Dark Side: Your Sinclair Magazine: Issue 17". May 1987. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  3. ↑ Saboteur II inlay.
  4. ↑ "Owner modified Sinclair User map showing secret screen" (JPG). Ftp.worldofspectrum.org. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  5. ↑ "CRASH map showing secret screen" (JPG). Ftp.worldofspectrum.org. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  6. ↑ "Sinclair User map missing secret screen" (JPG). Ftp.worldofspectrum.org. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  7. ↑ "Your Sinclair map missing secret screen" (JPG). Ftp.worldofspectrum.org. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  8. ↑ "Contemporary (2002) map showing secret screen" (PNG). Ftp.worldofspectrum.org. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  9. ↑ "ZZap!64 Magazine Issue 93 (Commodore Force Issue 03)". March 1993. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
  10. ↑ Luke Plunkett (9 November 2011). "What's Cooler Than Sam Fisher? Lady Ninjas, Motorbikes and Pumas". Kotaku.com. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
  11. 1 2 3 Retro Gamer 11, pages 92-93.
  12. ↑ "Page 4 - Totally '80s box art!". GamesRadar. 2009-05-07. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
  13. ↑ "Computer and Videogames Magazine Issue 077". March 1988. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
  14. ↑ "ZZap!64 Magazine Issue 052". August 1989. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
  15. ↑ "ZZap!64 Magazine Issue 93 (Commodore Force Issue 03)". March 1993. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  16. ↑ "CVG Magazine Issue 069". July 1987. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  17. 1 2 Berkmann, Marcus (September 1989), "Saboteur II Re-release Review", Your Sinclair
  18. ↑ "Saboteur 2 review from CU Amiga-64 (Oct 1989) - Amiga Magazine Rack". Amr.abime.net. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  19. ↑ "Saboteur 2 review from Zzap 52 (Aug 1989) - Amiga Magazine Rack". Amr.abime.net. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  20. ↑ "Aktueller Software Markt (ASM) Magazine (67 1987)" . Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  21. ↑ "Home". clivetownsend.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.