The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

COMMANDO

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

Game Type          : Arcade Shoot-'Em-Up

Authors            : Trevor Harwood & John Nixon

Standalone Release(s)  : 1985: COMMANDO, Elite, £9.95

                    1988: COMMANDO, CDS, £2.99

Compilation Release(s) : 1988: PLAY IT AGAIN SAM 3, Superior/Acornsoft, £9.95

Stated compatibility    : Electron Side A, BBC Side B

Actual compatibility    : As stated

Supplier            : ELITE, Anchor House, Anchor Road, Alridge, WALSALL

Disc compatibility     : CDFS E00, DFS E00

Instructions

You are Super Joe the crack combat soldier of the eighties battling against all odds to defeat the advancing rebel forces. Equipped with only an M60 machine gun and six hand-grenades, you carry out your lone crusade, forcing your way into hostile territory. Mortars, grenades and dynamite rain from the skies and explode around you. Enemy bullets fly past you in all directions and trenches, cliffs and lakes block your path. Rebel forces appear from caves, strong holds and troop carriers to

stop your progress. You must show no mercy. You must not retreat. You must keep pushing yourself further and further into enemy lines, collecting supplies of hand-grenades from defeated outposts, until you reach your final objective, the fortress.

Developed with the aid of Capcom to produce the closest possible home-computer simulation of the original arcade No. 1 hit game. Have you got the skill and stamina to defeat the enemy?

The object of the game is to advance as far as possible into enemy lines whilst destroying rebel forces, installations and vehicles. Along the way you should pick up as many boxes of hand grenades as possibles so as to replenish your stock.

Game Controls

Z - Left,   X - Right,   * - Up,   / - Down

<RETURN> - Fire,   <SHIFT> - Grenade

Joystick compatible. Press SPACE bar for grenade.

Instructions' Source   : COMMANDO (Elite) Inner Inlay

Review (Electron User)

This is a game for the red blooded macho man who catches bullets in his teeth and eats three shredded wheat for breakfast. Armed only with an M60 machine gun and six hand grenades, you must make your way far behind enemy lines, annihilate the enemy troops and destroy their fortress.

COMMANDO is a clone of the arcade hit of the same name, and it's not a bad effort. Using joystick or keyboard you can move the soldier in any of eight directions and your bullets are always fired in the direction in which you last travelled.

Hand grenades differ from bullets in that they are always thrown up the screen irrespective of which direction you are travelling. The action begins in a desert which is sparsely covered with trees and sand dunes. As soon as you appear you must start running forward while spraying bullets at anything which moves.

There's no chance of hitting any of your own troops as there are none - this is a suicide mission for which you drew the short straw. Having survived the desert you encounter your first obstacle, for your foes are guarding a road bridge under which you must travel. Not only must you beware of soldiers coming under the bridge towards you but you must also avoid the hand grenades thrown by the motorcyclist who rides to and fro across it.

Following another stretch of desert you arrive at a high wall with a huge gateway. As you approach the wall the gate opens and tens of troops rush out. These must all be killed before you are allowed to pass through the gate.

The next expanse of desert is riddled with trenches from which little men pop up and shoot at you. The game seems endless as you complete screen after screen of hectic action.

COMMANDO provides the same kind of excitement I felt when I first played ELITE many moons ago, and I shall go back to it time and time again.

Sound ........................... 6
Graphics ........................ 8
Playability ..................... 8
Value for money ................. 9
Overall ......................... 9

Jon Revis, ELECTRON USER 3. 9