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The gameplay is divided into two main phases: space combat and planetary assault. In space, the player's battle computer generates a real-time display of the immediate vicinity, showing enemy ships, missiles, energy concentrations, and Warp Gates. The LIAR's weaponry is fixed and aimed by maneuvering
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Despite these criticisms, many reviewers found the game compelling. Personal
Computer Games described it as "exciting" and "compelling," stating that reviewer "kept wanting to have just one more go." Computer and Video Games concluded that the game was "well worth the wait" and expressed interest in
145:
On planets, the player must destroy enemy towers and bases to liberate the planet. Towers provide anti-aircraft fire and collapse when hit. Some areas are protected by force shields with navigable holes to avoid damage. Once all bases on a planet are destroyed, it is liberated, and the player can
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Some reviewers expressed concerns about repetitiveness. Your
Spectrum stated that the game "becomes rather repetitive" and "loses most of its appeal" over time, though noted that turning off alien missiles could make the game more enjoyable. Popular Computing Weekly similarly suggested that some
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Reviewers appreciated the game's customization options. Computer and Video Games praised the "user-definable menu" as "the real joy of this game," while Home
Computing Weekly noted features such as user-definable keys, joystick options, and selectable sound effects. Personal Computer Games and
164:. The game features a Tactical Sector Map that displays enemy bases, the player's ship position, and includes humorous comments. Dark Star also offers an extensive user-definable menu for customizing screen display, sound effects, skill levels, and keyboard controls.
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The difficulty of the game was a point of contention. Crash noted that the game was "difficult to play at first" and "takes quite a bit of time to master," while
Personal Computer Games described it as "very difficult" and demanding high skills.
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received generally positive reviews from contemporary gaming magazines, with praise for its graphics and customization options, but some criticism for its difficulty and potential repetitiveness.
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The game includes a humorous hall of fame with various names and references. Players can adjust the difficulty setting, which affects the Empire's sphere of influence.
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galaxy from the tyranny of the Evil Lord. The game takes place in a 16x16 sector grid, where the player must navigate through space, hop between planets, and use
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also praised the game's "spectacular graphics," with the latter emphasizing how they created a strong sensation of three-dimensional space.
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called the graphics "breathtakingly fast" and "smooth," though noting they were not very detailed. Home
Computing Weekly and
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might find the game "repetitive" or "boring." Amstrad Action also mentioned that "attacking bases may get a bit samey."
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the ship, with plasma bolts fired in the direction of flight. Energy can be replenished by flying through blue squares.
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191:, required password to access. Clues to these password were hidden within the game's high-score table, referencing the
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also features a colorful high-resolution title page and offers various customization options for controls and sound.
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The game's speed was frequently highlighted. Crash claimed it must be "the fastest
Spectrum graphics," while
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echoed these sentiments, describing the graphics as "spectacular" and noting the use of colored lines.
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the planned sequel. Amstrad User wrote that the game "deserves considerable success."
203:, one of the game's developers, working on Spectacle helped keep the team sane during
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Amstrad Action also mentioned the numerous options available to players.
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described the 3D star field as "very pretty" and a "visual treat," while
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found the game "not easy to control" but "easy to get into".
704:. Vol. 3, no. 42. October 18, 1984. p. 68.
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also noted the "fast, exciting movement" of the game.
187:on the reverse side. This program, which resembled
160:displays, reminiscent of classic arcade games like
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195:song "Just Another Nervous Wreck" from the album "
495:described the game as "fast" and "astonishing."
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179:The original ZX Spectrum cassette release of
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729:. No. 87. November 6, 1984. p. 39.
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1035:Video games developed in the United Kingdom
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677:. No. 13. December 1984. p. 52.
644:. No. 11. December 1984. p. 97.
582:. No. 40. February 1985. p. 44.
551:. No. 11. February 1985. p. 51.
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801:. No. 14. March 1985. p. 62.
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812:Jenkins, Charlie (December 1987).
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183:contained a hidden program called
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146:leave to continue their mission.
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983:The Warlock of Firetop Mountain
138:gates to jump between sectors.
102:. It was later ported to other
962:Invasion of the Body Snatchas!
872:Dark Star original source code
601:"Dark Star Instruction Manual"
1:
793:"Spectacle — The Passwords!"
1020:TRS-80 Color Computer games
976:Dark Star (1984 video game)
98:developed and published by
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867:at SpectrumComputing.co.uk
822:. No. 69. p. 57.
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701:Popular Computing Weekly
579:Computer and Video Games
493:Popular Computing Weekly
474:Computer and Video Games
271:Computer and Video Games
106:platforms including the
674:Personal Computer Games
482:Personal Computer Games
346:Personal Computer Games
753:Amstrad Computer User
727:Home Computing Weekly
406:Amstrad Computer User
357:Home Computing Weekly
112:TRS-80 Color Computer
53:TRS-80 Color Computer
197:Breakfast in America
929:Halls of the Things
445:
221:
943:The Dungeon Master
878:2008-09-22 at the
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1015:Amstrad CPC games
1010:ZX Spectrum games
992:
991:
917:Crystal Computing
605:World of Spectrum
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84:
83:
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1005:1984 video games
936:Rommel's Revenge
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882:at Design Design
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955:Cosmic Guerilla
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154:vector graphics
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16:1984 video game
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857:External links
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846:Amstrad Action
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497:Amstrad Action
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175:Hidden content
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1030:Shoot 'em ups
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819:Sinclair User
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548:Your Spectrum
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220:Review scores
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201:Simon Brattel
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100:Design Design
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33:Design Design
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696:"No Sprites"
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486:Amstrad User
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152:utilizes 3D
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116:Dragon 32/64
96:shoot 'em up
87:
86:
85:
79:Shoot 'em up
57:Dragon 32/64
28:Publisher(s)
841:"Dark Star"
773:"Dark Star"
748:"Dark Star"
723:"Dark Star"
669:"Dark Star"
636:"Dark Star"
574:"Dark Star"
543:"Dark Star"
449:Publication
225:Publication
205:Dark Star's
108:Amstrad CPC
93:ZX Spectrum
49:Amstrad CPC
45:ZX Spectrum
40:Platform(s)
999:Categories
969:The Island
814:"Twilight"
523:References
193:Supertramp
136:hyperspace
91:is a 1984
864:Dark Star
468:Dark Star
216:Reception
211:Reception
185:Spectacle
181:Dark Star
169:Dark Star
162:Asteroids
158:wireframe
150:Dark Star
132:Dark Star
128:Dark Star
118:in 1985.
88:Dark Star
22:Dark Star
876:Archived
189:teletext
122:Gameplay
74:Genre(s)
63:Release
460:Smash!
114:, and
55:, and
798:Crash
778:Amtix
641:Crash
509:Amtix
478:Crash
457:Crash
452:Award
444:Award
276:33/40
259:Crash
247:Amtix
228:Score
399:8/15
351:8/10
156:and
67:1984
264:89%
252:74%
240:84%
126:In
1001::
843:.
828:^
816:.
795:.
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762:^
750:.
735:^
725:.
710:^
698:.
683:^
671:.
650:^
638:.
613:^
603:.
588:^
576:.
557:^
545:.
530:^
110:,
51:,
47:,
909:e
902:t
895:v
607:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.