Acrojet

Acrojet is a flight simulator video game developed by MicroProse for the Commodore 64 and published in 1985. It was ported to Amstrad CPC, MSX, ZX Spectrum, NEC PC-8801, and NEC PC-9801. It emphasizes aerial acrobatic flying and maneuverability.

Acrojet
Developer(s)MicroProse
Publisher(s)U.S. Gold[1]
Programmer(s)William F. Denman Jr.
Edward N. Hill Jr.
Artist(s)Michael Haire
Platform(s)Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, MSX, ZX Spectrum, NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801
Release1985[1]
Genre(s)Flight simulator
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

The player flies a BD5J, a small agile jet using a joystick, while controlling the throttle, speed brakes, flaps and landing gear using keys. In addition to standard maneuvers such as nose up, bank left etc., the plane is also capable of complex movements like slips and rolls.[2]

The cockpit controls and dials are shown on the bottom of the screen to display altitude, artificial horizon, airspeed, vertical velocity and a radar readout. Unlike most flight simulators of the time, this cockpit view was couple with a 3D style "behind the plane" view, rather than the typical first-person view.[2][3]

Players can select whether they want to participate in a single event, a pentathlon event, a decathlon event or an unlimited event. The unlimited event allows for a custom aerobatics display or course.[2]

The player has to complete a series of events/maneuvers with the jet. For example, in one set, the player has to fly the plane around a series of pylons. In another, the player must fly a figure eight. Stunts get harder as play progresses. Some game parameters, such as weather, and "pylon lethality" are configurable.[4][2]

The game has a points system, with small number of points being awarded simply for taking off and flying, and a larger number of points for stringing together multiple stunts. While you are technically competing against other pilots you never see them on-screen, but only a summary point comparison after the events are completed.[3]

Events/Maneuvers

There are ten acrobatic events which can be played by up to four players at four levels of difficulty. In all ten events the player must fly over a series of obstacles.[2]

  • In the Pylon Race, the player has to fly around pylons and land safely.
  • In the Slalom Race, the player has to fly a 'figure 8'.
  • In the Ribbon Cut, the player has to break two ribbons.
  • In the Inverted Ribbon Cut, the player has to perform the same stunt, flying the plane upside down.
  • In the Ribbon Roll, there are two ribbons in a row and the player has to fly under one and complete a full roll and then fly under the second ribbon.
  • In the Under Ribbon Race, the player has to perform a slalom by flying in sequence under three ribbons.
  • In the Under Ribbon Loop, the player has to fly under a ribbon, which is then followed by a loop and a pass over the same ribbon upside down.
  • In the Spot Landing event, the player has to fly up to 2,000 feet (610 m) and land as close as possible to a marked spot on the runway.
  • In the Flame-Out Landing event, the player must perform the same stunt without the engines running.
  • In the tenth and final event, the Cuban Eight, the player needs to make a half-loop over a ribbon, followed by a half-role, a second half-loop, and must finish up by flying under the first ribbon again. An instrument panel at the bottom of the screen contains several read-outs, these include an altitude meter, a compass, an artificial horizon and a vertical velocity meter.

Development

The original Commodore 64 version was programmed by William "Mike" Denman and Edward Hill Jr.[4] Michael Haire is credited with the artwork.[1] The sound was done by Sid Meier, who also researched the science, along with Denman. "Stunts" were by Bill Stealey, actually a retired United States Air Force Lt. Colonel and Command Pilot.

Reception

Compute! called Acrojet "a realistic simulation that's also fun to play", stating that the game, like other MicroProse products, emphasized accurate details and controls.[5]

Zzap!64 praised the presentation of the game and also its lastability in terms of having many events and stunts to try out, however were not impressed with the sound, giving that particular metric only 29%. They summarised that it was "An exciting flight simulator which has plenty to offer", giving it an overall 83% rating.[2]

Commodore Format criticised the "jumpy" graphics and poor sound but overall stated that "it does what it sets out to do" and gave it a rating of 75%.[3]

References
  1. Acrojet at Lemon 64
  2. "Acrojet". Zzap!64. July 1986. p. 64.
  3. "Acrojet". Commodore Format. May 1993. p. 62.
  4. Hendrick, Arnold (September 1985). "Commodore 64 Acrojet Manual". archive.org. MicroProse.
  5. Bateman, Selby (October 1986). "A Great Year For Games". Compute!. p. 18. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
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