Deceptor (C64 Longplay)

Released by Avantage in 1986 for £9.99 on tape, and £14.99 on disk. A highly original creation whereby you must navigate assault courses and defeat guardians before time runs out. Lives are unlimited. The majority of the game requires transforming between the land vehicle and aircraft. Pressing fire transforms the land vehicle into the aircraft. Pressing fire as the aircraft gives altitude to reach higher areas. Landing automatically changes back to the land vehicle. Collecting ammunition boxes provides 10 seconds of additional time, and 1 bullet. The bullets are used for the guardians. Upon reaching them you'll automatically transform into the robot. There are no visible crosshairs so must carefully adjust your aim, based on where your previous shot landed. If you run out of bullets or time then it's game over. Some areas are no fly zones, and changing to an aircraft will cause an enemy to rapidly seek you out. Transforming back to a land vehicle must therefore be very quick. You also cannot fall very far as the land vehicle. Overall it's a good, playable game which deserves high praise for its concept and originality. The transformation sequence is very impressive. Just a shame it cannot be enabled/disabled on the fly, given the amount of transformations that occur - the novelty wears off after witnessing it for the 128th time! The sound is unusual, which encapsulates the game perfectly! There are also moments in the game where you are hidden and stuck, especially towards the end of level 4. I was just grateful to be visible again! After completing level 5 it resumes at level 5 again, so I let time run out..... Design: Rick Banks Coding: Jo Stuart Easterbrook, Paul Brownrigg Graphics: Grant Campbell, Reg Beatty, Scott Fiander Music / SFX: Paul Butler 00:00 Tape Contents 00:45 Title Screen 01:10 Intro / Options 03:01 Level 1 05:12 Level 2 08:40 Level 3 12:14 Level 4 17:02 Level 5 19:59 Level 5 (again) 20:12 Game Over 20:27 Hi-Score Entry