Velocity Incorporated both published and programmed this action driving-style game in the early nineties. It is a futuristic shooting game with elements of strategy built into the action. It features multiple perspectives as the game progresses. The user can choose to play against a very competent computer AI, or other people.
Basically, Spectre is a three-dimensional shooter that features a futuristic little red car, similar to a tank, in a Battlezone-inspired setting. There were three tanks the user had to pick from, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Velocity Incorporated both published and programmed this action driving-style game in the early nineties. It is a futuristic shooting game with elements of strategy built into the action. It features multiple perspectives as the game progresses. The user can choose to play against a very competent computer AI, or other people.
Basically, Spectre is a three-dimensional shooter that features a futuristic little red car, similar to a tank, in a Battlezone-inspired setting. There were three tanks the user had to pick from, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. There were three basic attributes on which each tank was rated: speed, firepower, and armor. Each of the three tanks had a definitive strength in one area, easily denoted by its name. Speedy, Tough Guy, and Balanced
were the three basic tanks. The user also had the option of customizing the variants to build his own tank.
The game play was consistent with most tank shooters. The user had a goal of either capturing all of the enemies’ flags and defend them, or taking part in a seek and destroy mission where all the enemy units had to be decimated. Each level had a unique theme, ranging from sand dunes to colorful blinking eyes. As the user succeeded in defeating each level, the enemy tanks grew stronger and smarter. Their tactical maneuvers improved, their firepower became stronger and more rapid, and their overall speed improved. They also became much more plentiful. The game featured an infinite number of randomly generated levels, but the later levels (eighty and above) can be mainly discredited for being impossible to defeat.
The user is dropped into each level with a limited ammunition supply. Fortunately, this can be replenished by driving the tank over the ammunition deposits found around the levels. The user could also gain additional shields by navigating the tank over shield icons on the map surface. While maneuvering the tank to positive areas on the map, the user had to take caution to avoid rotating windmills and other dangerous obstacles, besides the enemy tanks.
In summary, Spectre is a decent multi-perspective tank shooter. It features simplistic graphics and goals, but still provides a worthwhile challenge to most action gamers. The endless number of levels lend to its replay value, and the increasing prowess of the enemy tanks add to its excitement.
