Lost Patrol
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| Lost Patrol | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Shadow Development |
| Publisher(s) | Ocean Software Ltd |
| Designer(s) | Simon Cooke, Ian G.Harling |
| Release date(s) | 1991 |
| Genre(s) | Action / Strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | 70% Zzap!64 |
| Platform(s) | Amiga, Atari ST, DOS |
| Input | Joystick, Keyboard, Mouse |
Lost Patrol is an action / strategy computer game developed by Shadow Development and published by Ocean Software Ltd, released for Amiga computers in 1990 and the Atari ST in 1991. A DOS version was later released by Astros Productions. Despite appearances, all graphical cut scenes except the black and white in-game animations are hand drawn, not digitised.
Contents |
[edit] Storyline
The game is set during the Vietnam War, where on June 7, 1966, a U.S. helicopter, returning troops from a rest and relaxation break in Saigon crashes in remote highlands of Vietnam. Seven U.S. soldiers, survivors of the crash, face the task of trekking across 58 miles of harsh terrain infested with booby traps and enemy soldiers and make their way to Du Hoc, the nearest U.S. military base. The team has little food or ammunition and their chances of making it home are slim.
[edit] Gameplay
You player assumes the role of Sgt. Weaver, the only officer left to take charge of the surviving crew. The player must learn the characteristics of the team, as completing the mission may hinge upon character reactions to your decisions.
Whilst being primarily a strategy game, Lost Patrol featured several action sequences which the player must complete in order to progress the journey of the surviving soldiers.
[edit] Minefields
The squad would at times encounter minefields laid by Viet Cong forces. To successfully navaigate the minefield, the player must choose a member of the squad to crawl through the minefield, stabbing at the ground along the way to check for explosives. Stabbing or crawling directly onto a mine would result in the player being killed. At times mines would disappear from view due to the soft nature of the ground, making the task of backtracking through the minefield difficult and requring the player to remember where mines were located.
[edit] Battles
[edit] Hand to hand combat
Scouts would at times encounter roaming Viet Cong patrols. The player must defeat the opponent using hand to hand combat, using a choice of keyboard or joystick controls. If the player fails to defeat the opponent before a timer expires, that soldier is assumed missing in action and is no longer available, assumed dead.
[edit] Sniper fire
The squad is pinned down by enemy sniper fire, requiring the sniper to be located and disposed of. The player can chose which member of the team will assume the role of the shooter, with skill levels varying.
To locate the position of the sniper, a magnified view of the terrain is visible through the scope of the players rifle, which he must use to locate the flashpoint of the enemy fire.
[edit] Characters
- Sgt Charlie Weaver
- U.S Residence; Springfield, Illinois. Status; 5'9" ; 153 pounds
- 29 years old, single. 2 years army service - 10 months active service in Vietnam on W.H.A.M. mission, intelligence. Decorated for valour during action in the An Loc Province during October 1964.
- PTE William Blom
- U.S. Residence; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Status; 6'1" ; 168 pounds
- 24 years old, married, one child. Six months active service in Vietnam. Aikido 2nd dan.
- PTE Robert Case
- U.S. Residence; Columbus, Ohio. Status; 5'11" ; 147 pounds
- 31 years old, married, 2 children. Nine months active service in Vietnam.
- PTE Harvey Moore
- U.S. Residence; Fayetteville, North Carolina. Status; 5'8" ; 162 pounds
- 22 years old, single. Six months active service in Vietnam.
- PTE Richard Bachman
- U.S. Residence; Bangor, Maine. Status; 5'10" ; 161 pounds
- 28 years old, single. Fourteen months army service, six months active service in Vietnam. Highly proficient marksman.
- PTE David Cain
- U.S. Residence; West Liberty, Kentucky. Status; 6'0" ; 163 pounds
- 27 years old, single. Seven months active service in Vietnam.
- PTE Juan Gomez
- U.S. Residence; Montgomery, Texas. Status; 5'6" ; 132 pounds
- 24 years old, married, two children. Nine months active service in Vietnam.
[edit] Trivia
- Game Manual uses PTE acronym for Private rank. However, US Army uses "PVT" for describing Privates. PTE is used by commonwealth countries.
[edit] External links
- Lost Patrol at MobyGames
- Lost Patrol entry at Lemon Amiga
