Target: Renegade
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Target: Renegade is a scrolling beat'em up (or flip-screen on certain versions) computer game released on the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum systems in the late 1980s by Ocean Software on their "Imagine" label, as well as a Nintendo Entertainment System version published by Taito. The game is a sequel to Renegade and was followed by Renegade 3. When acquiring the license to convert the original arcade game Renegade to home computers, Ocean acquired the option to produce and release their own home-computer-only sequels to the game, and Target Renegade was the first of these sequels.
The game caters for one or two players, providing a "Co-operative Mode" (it was a 1-player game on the C64, though), and concerns itself with the adventures of a Streetfighter known only as "Renegade", who seeks revenge against a local Crime kingpin named "Mr. Big" for murdering his brother Matt. The player wears a white vest and sunglasses, apart from in the Spectrum original version, where, due to technical limitations, the player wears a Shaded Black vest.
The cover of the game portrayed a topless street fighter, clearly well versed in martial arts, performing a flying kick through a window. In keeping with videogame box art and advertising of the era, the character shown in this illustration bears no relation to any character in the game itself and is actually much more reminiscent of the Sylvester Stallone film character, John Rambo.
Clearly inspired by the success of Double Dragon - Ocean were outbid for the official license - which was in turn pre-figured by the original Renegade arcade game this side scolling "beat 'em up" was recognised at the time for its playability on the ZX Spectrum format. Though a multi-load game on most formats (the game would instruct you to "press play on tape" on completion of a level) the 128k Spectrum version made use of the machine's extra memory and loaded the whole game in one go.
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[edit] Levels
The game comprises five levels, though details of enemies / weapons vary from one version to another (the NES version in particular is more like Double Dragon than the home computer versions). The NES version of the game has no 2 player co-op.
[edit] The Multi-Story Car Park
This level takes place in what appears to be a disused car park in the city. The protagonists are attacked by several assailants and bikers trying to run them over. The only way to defeat the bikers is to perform a flying kick, removing the biker from his seat without being struck by the vehicle itself. The car park comprises three floors which are accessed through an elevator. Strangely the players begin the level at the top floor of the car park. On the Spectrum and Amstrad versions, some bikers carry sledgehammers which the player can retrieve and use.
[edit] The Sleazy Street at Night
The second level takes place in a run down, darkened street, and strangely for a game of such violence, the main antagonists are female and apparently prostitutes. Their main form of attack is a knee in the groin; some also carry a spiked club which the player can also use. Similarly to the bikers in the previous level, an added element of danger is added by a man (possibly a pimp) who enters the screen at the far left and fires a gun at the player. This character emerges to fight at close quarters after shooting a few times. It is interesting to note that completion of this level represents a "point of no return" for the player, as the game tape has to be played to allow the subsequent level to load. Owing to the completely linear programming of the game, there is no game menu that more modern gamers are now accustomed to, meaning that upon failure to complete a subsequent level meant that the player has to rewind the game tape completely and "reload" the entire game which can take up to ten minutes.
[edit] The Park
The third level takes place in an empty park, complete with background trees and benches. The antagonists for this level are skin headed thugs wearing vests. Spectrum and Amstrad versions also include punks and pushers. Unlike in previous levels, where one particular enemy appears holding that location's weapon and must be disarmed, the weapon for this area, which is an axe, can be found lying on the ground in the middle of the park, and no enemies are able to use it.
[edit] The Mall
The penultimate level of the game is located in a shopping mall. On some versions this is the first level in which ordinary antagonists carry weapons, in this case baseball bats. The Spectrum version has no weapons at all on this level, however in the Amstrad version the enemies carry a brick which they throw at you. If you manage to avoid it, you can pick up the brick and throw it back at them. To complete this level the player must fight through a street gang called the Beasty Boys (obviously based on hip-hop group The Beastie Boys, and wearing baseball caps and hip-hop style clothing). This is also the first level in the game where the antagonists can avoid your flying kick move by crouching. Also present on this level is the Beasty Boys' mascot, a Pit Bull terrier that runs onto the screen periodically and tries to savage the protagonist(s).
[edit] The Bar
The climactic level of the game takes place in a bar owned by Mr. Big, the game's final villain. To reach Mr. Big the player must fight through a number of burly staff / doormen / bouncers, some wielding snooker cues, dressed in waistcoats and bow ties. Their main offensive move is to grapple the player and deliver three head-butts. Once the player is grappled, he himself cannot break the hold. However, if a second player is present, his partner can be "rescued" by delivering a "back kick" to the bartender. Upon completing this stage, the player/s move on to a "back room" to fight Mr. Big. A fighter of large stature, Mr. Big can grapple a player and perform a bear hug which is impossible to break and ultimately fatal (again, the exception is that the second player can interrupt the bear hug). However, Mr. Big cannot perform this move on the player if he has his back turned to him. Therefore, the most effective strategy for defeating Mr. Big is to face away from him for the duration of the fight, attacking using only back kicks. Snooker cues are available on this level as weapons
[edit] Style and execution
The Spectrum and Amstrad versions were very similar in structure, enemy placement etc. The Commodore version used smaller, more stylised sprites.
