Strike series
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Strike is the common name of a series of video games created by Mike Posehn, John Patrick Manley and Tony Barnes released between 1991 and 1997 by Electronic Arts for a number of video game systems. The games are Multi-directional shooters shown from an isometric perspective. In the game, the player controls a helicopter (although in the following titles some levels require the player to successfully control other vehicles such as a hovercraft, a Stealth bomber, a motorcycle and even on foot). The series is composed by five games, and were very popular during the 16-bit era.
The last two games released on the PlayStation features highly praised live-action cut-scenes which reflects what's going on in the game.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The player controls a helicopter - an AH-64 Apache or a similar type - equipped with three ammunition types, and limited fuel and defense capacity. While there are refits for all items scattered around the map, armor is more easily repaired by capturing and delivering POWs or allied soldiers to a drop point. If either armor or fuel reach zero, the aircraft crashes and a life is lost.
Levels are composed of several missions that must be completed sequentially, as the defenses of more advanced objectives are much stronger. A typical level starts by requiring the player to rescue a MIA soldier who carries information, then destroy a radar or power facility, followed by disabling the defenses that were serviced by the target of the previous mission, then capturing an enemy general for additional information and finally destroying another building. Between the levels, cut-scenes with the story developing take place.
There are several kinds of enemies, from foot soldiers armed with nothing more than a handgun to powerful Anti-aircraft artillery and enemy helicopters. Each enemy has its own damage per round and firing speed capacities, and the player must balance their ammo, fuel, the target's ability and decide if it's better to deploy a powerful missile (such as a Hellfire in Desert Strike) to destroy an opponent, or save them and use the chain gun or weaker missiles to disable it. Generally, other than the occasional (usually useless) soldier, the player has no backup, and must deal with the opponents on his own, though both Soviet Strike and Nuclear Strike incorporated missions involving large amounts of allies.
The player can lose a game in several ways; by losing all lives, destroying the main drop point, killing an important person (allied or enemy) or having a SNAFU.
The series was militaristic in nature, with each enemy sprite having a corresponding information section in the pause menu, relating details of the real world weapon (or a fictionalised version, in the case of non-existent weapons, such as the Mohican helicopter from Urban Strike). The next generation titles, Soviet Strike and Nuclear Strike, featured plots based heavily on present day geopolitics, such as the instability of post-USSR states, or tensions at the DMZ between North and South Korea. However, in contrast, the games often displayed a quirky sense of humour, featuring numerous appearances by Elvis and even Santa Claus, as well as wisecracks from the player character in the earlier games (in Urban Strike, the player's character, on being told the villain is an evil genius, comments: 'Great, another evil genius. Why can't I ever fight an evil idiot?') Although ostensibly serious in nature, the games were often quite tongue-in-cheek in their execution.
[edit] Games in the series
[edit] Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf
|
Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Developer(s) | EA | |
| Publisher(s) | EA | |
| Platform(s) | Amiga, MS DOS, Macintosh, Master System,Atari Lynx, Game Gear, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Super NES, PSP | |
| Release date | 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2006 | |
| Genre(s) | Shoot 'em up | |
| Mode(s) | Single player | |
 |
It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article entitled Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf. (Discuss) |
Released originally in 1992 for the Amiga, Mega Drive/Genesis, Master System and Super NES, and later (1994) for DOS Personal Computers. It was also released for most portable platforms; the Atari Lynx was the first, in 1993, followed by the Game Gear (1994), Game Boy (1995) and finally Game Boy Advance in 2002, developed by Budcat Creations.[1] In November 2006, Electronic Arts also ported Desert Strike to the PlayStation Portable as part of EA Replay.
The story follows the player, an AH-64 Apache (although the title screen for most versions seems to show a Comanche used in the game's sequel instead as the rear rotor of the helicopter used in the game was actually Comanche's rear rotor) pilot in a conflict inspired by the Gulf War. A year after the Gulf War, General Ibn Kilbaba takes over a small Arab Emirate and plans to start World War III, and the player must open way for ground troops by disabling most of his defense and offense, and finally take on the "Madman" himself.
[edit] Jungle Strike
|
|
It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article entitled Jungle Strike. (Discuss) |
|
Jungle Strike
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Developer(s) | High Score Productions | |
| Publisher(s) | EA | |
| Platform(s) | Amiga, Game Gear, Game Boy, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Super NES, Amiga CD32, PSP | |
| Release date | 1993 | |
| Genre(s) | Shoot 'em up | |
| Mode(s) | Single player | |
This time, the player is at the controls of a RAH-66 Comanche in a crusade against the son of General Kilbaba, who allies with a notable drug baron named Carlos Ortega to take his revenge on the United States.
Although called Jungle Strike, the first mission is played in Washington D.C., where the player must protect the presidential motorcade from terrorists infiltrated into the city. Later in the game, the player is also able to drive a hovercraft, a motorcycle and a stolen F-117 Nighthawk. In a double ending, the player returns to Washington to be decorated by Bill Clinton (who is actually credited in the ending sequence), and must deal with the threat inside the city for a second time.
Released originally for the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1993, it was later ported to the Amiga (1994) and finally SNES, DOS, Game Gear and Game Boy in 1995.
As with Desert Strike, Jungle Strike is also included in the EA Replay compilation mentioned above. This is the first game in the Strike series to which allows the player to control different vehicles other than the Apache.
[edit] Urban Strike
|
Urban Strike
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Developer(s) | The Edge, Foley Hi-Tech | |
| Publisher(s) | EA | |
| Platform(s) | Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, SNES, Game Gear, Game Boy, | |
| Release date | 1994, 1996 | |
| Genre(s) | Shoot 'em up | |
| Mode(s) | Single player | |
|
|
It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article entitled Urban Strike. (Discuss) |
The final 2D title, it was released in 1994 for the Mega Drive/Genesis, one year later for SNES and the Game Gear, and finally in 1996 for the Game Boy.
[edit] Overview
In a fictional 2001, a millionaire, former presidential candidate, and fanatic cult leader named H. R. Malone plans on toppling the government using a super weapon he is constructing, and the player must deal with this threat. It soon turns out, however, that the villain is really Carlos Ortega, the drug lord who was thought dead after Jungle Strike.
[edit] Plot
[edit] Campaign #1
Location: Hawaii
The player starts out by watching Malone's propaganda while having his (The physique of the player on-screen is clearly male) vacation in Hawaii. After the viewing, Malone went to his Condominium, apparently, to send his Henchman/Undercover Strike C.O.R.E. Agent Ego to oversee his operations in Hawaii. Malone ordered Ego to go there using his limo. Little that he knew that the limo was rigged to explode upon the ignition. The event was overheard by the Strike C.O.R.E. and dispatches the player to Malone's field of operations, which, coincidentally, is where he is at that time. The player's first list of objectives is:
- Destroy the enemy bridge connecting your HQ to the enemy controlled island
- Rescue the Plastic Surgeon hiding in the Hawaiian jungle
- Rescue the Green Berets by using a bomb to clear out a portion of forest to let them ride to your chopper.
- Deliver 2 out of 4 mirrors to a friendly barge by destroying the armored trucks and hauling them.
- Destroy all four Sea Shadows (IX-529) that will carry the orbital mirrors.
- Destroy 2 radar sites mounted on Hawaii's visitors center that alert the northern part of the island
As a bonus, you can also rescue the co-pilot "Legal" Jill Fishbein to assist you in combat.
[edit] Campaign #2
Location: USA West Coast
The Plastic Surgeon now gives crucial information on who really Malone is. He reveals that Malone is actually Carlos Ortega, the drug lord seen in Jungle Strike, half-dead in the wreckage. Malone is now deploying his Private Airforce into USA airspace, controlled 3 oil rigs and garrisoned them with heavy air defenses. What's even worse, he also attacked a cruise ship and it's passengers with his submarines.
The list objectives are stated below:
- Destroy the Radar at a pumping station and its subordinate oil fields to keep Malone's men from knowing your location.
- Secure two small oil rigs by destroying any enemy presence on it. (Anti-air defenses, vehicles and infantry.)
- Save 20 or more passengers that got out of the Cruise ship. It's under attack by enemy submarines
- Destroy Malone's Destroyer that attacked the Russian Ballistic missile submarine. It also guards the third oil rig.
- Rescue the Russian Submarine's crew and carry the Repair cargo to its engineers before its reactor melts down.
- Destroy at least 7 of Malone's Jets before they take off the large oil rig.
- Go to the large oil rig and rescue the co-pilot "Stinger" Atsuko Matsumoto and destroy any remaining hostiles along the way.
As a bonus, you can now use the MR9,a 200 round clip Railgun equipped with a missile launcher (although it looks akin to a grenade launcher). during your mission to look for "Maverick".
Once you're inside, you'll need to find "Maverick" Keith Michaels so that you'll know how to set off the Air strike safely.
[edit] Campaign #3
Location: Mexico
Strike C.O.R.E. has found a factory that builds Malone's deadliest vehicles build by hiring out and kidnapping Defense contractors, Game Developers and weapon specialists.
The objectives are listed below:
- Rescue the Strike scouts but, the enemy camp is guarded by early warning towers. Destroy the towers.
- Destroy the enemy camp after you saved the scout team.
- Rescue the defense contractors. They can be executed at any moment by Malone's Paratroopers.
- Steal the Ground Assault Vehicle's blueprints from the Design & Drafting buildings to keep them from being built.
- Destroy all the GAV by taking out the GAV guard and destroying all of them using a hot-wired GAV.
- Destroy the shack containing three smart bombs to take out Malone's factory.
[edit] Campaign #4
Location: San Francisco, USA
Malone bought Alcatraz and all of Presidio as an armament and tank depot during the 90's. With that much firepower, he can take everything out. He placed bombs at the Golden Gate Bridge to cut the city off from the rest of the nearby states. His right-hand man also knew what you've been doing and will not hesitate to warn Malone's fanatic cult. As a counter-attack to what you did the last few campaigns, Malone will try to destroy your Headquarters.
The objectives are listed below:
- Protect the Golden Gate Bridge from total destruction by dislodging all of the time bombs connected to them. The surrounding area is also guarded by Anti-helicopter Choppers.
- Destroy Malone's Radio Tower to stop his men from knowing your location.
- Destroy five of Malone's Corporate HQ buildings. That will stop his ability to command his army from the city
- Blast away all the Tanks and buildings in the Tank Depot. You can also use the Smart bombs lying around the area.
- Destroy Malone's Research center where his Superweapon prototypes are being made.
- Malone's forces are on to you. Clear your Landing Zone to secure your HQ.
- Eliminate Malone's Right-hand man before he escapes and warn the other cult leaders.
- Secure Alcatraz by destroying its guard towers and Rescue "Long Haul" Mark Douglas.
For the second time, you'll be able to use your MR9 once you got inside Alcatraz
Like Jungle Strike, Urban Strike starts on a completely different setting than the name suggests, this time all over the North American continent (beginning in Hawaii). The biggest new feature were on-foot missions, where the player was required to leave the helicopter at certain points and enter internal environments armed with the MR9.
[edit] Soviet Strike
|
Soviet Strike
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Developer(s) | EA | |
| Publisher(s) | EA | |
| Platform(s) | Playstation, Sega Saturn | |
| Release date | 1996, 1997 | |
| Genre(s) | Shoot 'em up | |
| Mode(s) | Single player | |
|
|
It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article entitled Soviet Strike. (Discuss) |
Released in 1996 for the Sega Saturn and the PlayStation.
The game is the first in the series to be set in a somewhat different set of circumstances, where the player is a Commander within a covert military organization called "STRIKE" rather than United States army special unit.
Upon the fall of the Soviet Union, the world is suddenly threatened by a fictional former chairman of the KGB whose name may be a play on "what's-his name," -- referred to as "Uri Vatsiznov," alias "The Shadowman" [2]. The villain gathers a large military force to attempt to start a nuclear war, capturing various territories along the former Communist Bloc, and setting up various military installations. The player must free these territories and destroy the increasingly more dangerous enemy weapons across five stages, ending with a climactic encounter with the villain in Moscow as he takes control of the May Day Parade and attempts to assassinate president Boris Yeltsin and the entire Russian cabinet, whilst at the same time launching nuclear weapons from the heart of the Kremlin.
This is the first Strike game to feature cinematic cut-scenes, introducing new characters such as General Earle (who leads the organization), "Hack" (who provides technical analysis), Andrea Grey (a STRIKE commando which doubles as a news reporter coordinating coverups of STRIKE involvements) and Nick Arnold, your co-pilot - who seems to get into more trouble than he stops. Some of the cut-scenes have an innuendo about the murder of President John F. Kennedy, hinting that he was killed by the military-industrial complex.
This is also the first game in the series to feature actual music whilst the player is flying a mission, rather than just at the end of a mission.
[edit] Nuclear Strike
|
|
It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article entitled Nuclear Strike. (Discuss) |
|
Strike series
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Developer(s) | EA | |
| Publisher(s) | EA | |
| Platform(s) | Playstation, Nintendo 64 | |
| Release date | 1997, 1999 | |
| Genre(s) | Shoot 'em up | |
| Mode(s) | Single player | |
Released in 1997 for the Sony PlayStation and personal computers, and in 1999 for the Nintendo 64.
An ex-CIA operative named Colonel LeMonde (played by Bo Hopkins) has stolen a nuclear warhead. It is up to the player to find the warhead before LeMonde uses it for nefarious purposes. Among the locations visited is the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. The playable vehicles include the Super Apache helicopter, a Harrier jet, tanks, and a hovercraft. Nuclear Strike also brought the RAH-66 Comanche back; this time it had a wing-tip system setup, unlike in Jungle Strike. Best of all, it allowed the player to pilot a fictional VTOL version mighty A10 'Thunderbolt' strike aircraft in the DMZ mission.
New features include an on-screen radar and a playback option to replay previous mission cut-scenes. It features several new characters as well as many returning from Soviet Strike, General Earl, "Hack", Andrea Grey, and a brief appearance by Nick Arnold (Found KIA in objective 2 of the first mission). The game also features two new characters: Southeast Asian rebel Naja and British mercenary Harding Cash.
The N64 version of the game is more like Nuclear Strike Remix, more than a port, with missions being rearranged and shorter. This was due to technical limitations of the N64 (notably the inability to play movies) versus the Playstation, as well as series co-Director Tony Barnes' return to lead the design and implementation of the N64 version.
[edit] Future Strike
The final cut-scene of Nuclear Strike includes a trailer for the next game in the series, Future Strike, including shots of a mech robot called 'Warrior'. Future Strike was never released, but that development of the game evolved into Future Cop: L.A.P.D., which features gameplay similar to the previous Strike games and a mech robot like the one seen in the Future Strike trailer.
