3D games 8 bit wars (video content)

[MacDeath]

Ok, i hope Youtube videos are working again.

let's start.

Fighter bomber :
I had this game on my PC EGA...so I suppose had the best version (faster and smooth thx to 12mhz...)
Anyway what we got here is :

C64 :
wide attributed pixels.
the 1mhz is not the best choice for 3D as often said.

But it doesn't seem that slowlier than the other versions...

Wider cockpit, but still reduced 3D window.
As told, wider pixels so the game can still be colourfull and get a bit rid of the Attribute clashes.
Don't know how they use the HardSprites.
The numerous greys are good for the cockpit though.

Speccy :
This looks like Speccy 48k version according to the sounds... ouch my ears are bleeding.
Clearly the same version As CPC, pixel wise, but less inks, as for C64... attribute clashes are pain in the ass when you deal with 3D/Isometric and a lot of diagonal lines.

Good old CPC :

As said, clearly a common engine with the speccy version.
Not a problem actually as the CPC version manage a real 4 colour display.
The cockpit is even more coloured than the speccy version.

I don't know if the game actually use the 128K RAM config.
but if it doesn't this mean such engine could even be better.
The reduced screen to match speccy specs (256x192)could perhaps be upgraded into a real 320x200..but as we are dealing with "plain faced" 3D... this may then be quite heavier CPUI wise too.
A PLUS version could surely use some bits of Hardsprites for the targetings (and extra colours) or some split screen/raster interrupts to have also extra colours for the cockpit.

Anyway the "briefing part" Mode0 graphics are completely awesome.


Gameplay wise, i think the extra colours from CPC (compaired to speccy) enable more readability, a mor ecomfortable experience.

The cockpits look different on the videos, perhaps (certainly) because those are not the same planes choosen here.


So some questions now.

=Do you know how such engine work ?
=how can it be improved ?
=Have you tried this on an overclocked CPC (6mhz, perhaps even 8mhz)... how does it performs ?

Being a speccy crossdev, not sure everything is quite optimised... Also judging by the video, not even sure speccy is quite faster there... having to deal with dithering to colour the 3D...This may be as heavy as colours on CPC.
But to be fair, the speccy version seems slightly faster.

[Gryzor]

Clearly the CPC version looks the part, and is quite 'fast' as well. I think it's a great port for all lowly 8bitters...

I used to play the ST/Amiga versions, loved the game: it was very accessible but with enough of a sim feeling.

Handy tip: when you're hunted, open throttle to the max, let the enemy fighter line up behind you, then engage the airbrakes. Almost always the enemy will appear in front of you - let those missiles fly!

[AMSDOS]

I remember AA being quite impressed with Fighter Bomber when they reviewed it in Issue 59 and gave it 89% and was nearly going to get it. I was only stopped I think when our Aussie Magazine ceased production! When I think of it now I probably wouldn't have appreciated it as much cause it seems like a complex game. Years after that I got Combat Lynx from the UK at budget cost which is a really nice game, though even that game is quite indept, though that has some nice 3D aspects in it - it's done in low-res though.