Difference between revisions of "DragonStrike (C64)"

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This is probably the first fantasy-themed flight simulator. Unfortunately, the view port is small, and the controls take awhile to get used to. Having to maneuver your dragon, the position the DragonLance, and alter your speed is difficult to do on the keyboard. However, the full-screen graphics for each cut scene are very attractive.
 
This is probably the first fantasy-themed flight simulator. Unfortunately, the view port is small, and the controls take awhile to get used to. Having to maneuver your dragon, the position the DragonLance, and alter your speed is difficult to do on the keyboard. However, the full-screen graphics for each cut scene are very attractive.
  
The Commodore version was ported from the [[DragonStrike (DOS)|DOS]] release. Unlike the original, it does not render the area (not including the ground itself) as 3D polygons, although Commodore was capable of it (see [[Freescape games]]), probably due to the relatively weak CPU of that machine not allowing really fast render, so everything was designed with sprites.
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The Commodore version was ported from the [[DragonStrike (DOS)|DOS]] release. Unlike the original, it does not render the area (not including the ground itself) as 3D polygons, although Commodore was capable of it (see [[Freescape games]]), probably due to the relatively weak CPU of that machine not allowing really fast render, so everything was designed with sprites. It might be guessed that, due to the fact in 1990 Commodore 64 was becoming an outdated platform, the porting could have been done as afterthought.
  
 
==Screenshots==
 
==Screenshots==

Revision as of 08:17, 28 June 2020

DragonStrike
DragonStrike - C64 - USA.jpg
Platform: Commodore 64
Year: 1990
Developer: Westwood Associates
For other games in the series see DragonLance.

DragonStrike is a combat flight simulator based on the world of DragonLance. You play a dragon rider who must engage evil dragons and various other monsters of the DragonLance world. You battle your foes with your DragonLance and the breath weapon of your mount.

This is probably the first fantasy-themed flight simulator. Unfortunately, the view port is small, and the controls take awhile to get used to. Having to maneuver your dragon, the position the DragonLance, and alter your speed is difficult to do on the keyboard. However, the full-screen graphics for each cut scene are very attractive.

The Commodore version was ported from the DOS release. Unlike the original, it does not render the area (not including the ground itself) as 3D polygons, although Commodore was capable of it (see Freescape games), probably due to the relatively weak CPU of that machine not allowing really fast render, so everything was designed with sprites. It might be guessed that, due to the fact in 1990 Commodore 64 was becoming an outdated platform, the porting could have been done as afterthought.

Screenshots

DragonStrike - C64 - 1.png

The title screen.

DragonStrike - C64 - 2.png

Cut scene for the first battle.

DragonStrike - C64 - 3.png

Loading a saved game.

DragonStrike - C64 - 4.png

Making a dent on the enemy's territory.

Music

The Commodore 64 port of DragonStrike has the music inferior to all of the other ports. While there were many Commodore 64 games with decent usage of filters, three or even four channels, this game has a very basic instruments and music programming,

Game Over and the tracks playing at the beginning of each mission (Missions 1, Missions 2, Missions 3) were scrapped - after getting to the battlefield you won't hear anything but rare sound effects, including the case of your death. DS 5 and Promotion appear again, most probably, as highscore and mission ending tracks, however, it has not been verified.

Recording

The soundtrack sounds the same on every SID revision.

# Title Composer Length Listen Download
01 Introduction Paul Mudra 0:05
Download
02 Cut Scenes Paul Mudra 1:04
Download
03 Promotion Paul Mudra 0:08
Download
04 DS 5 Paul Mudra 0:41
-
Download

Credits

(Source: Game lacks credits)

The composer is recognizable due to the identical tracks. He could be also an arranger.

Game Rip

Format

Download

SID.png

Download

(Info)


In the only known available digital copy of the game the first track stops at 0:05, while it contains more. It's not known if it's a glitch or it's intended to be this way.

The game's background music doesn't loop.

Audio Devices

This game utilizes standard 6581 chip for music and sounds. During the gameplay itself, no music is heard.

Releases

  USA.svg   USA
DragonStrike - C64 - USA.jpg
Title: DragonStrike
Platform: Commodore 64
Released: 1990-12-2?
Publisher: Strategic Simulations, Inc.

Links