Space Ace 2101  (1984 - OziSoft)
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
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Hot on the heels of Elite and Bug-Byte's Space Trader comes another space strategy game requiring you to become the Arthur Daley or the Mhiyken Galaxy, and find yourself a nice little earner or two.

There are four planets in the system orbiting a sun; the fourth planet is beyond an asteroid belt "in the lonely depths of space". The galaxy is threatened by hostile, alien beings and your aim is to clock up the credits.

There are three main screens, plus others containing information that you access at various stages. You begin by choosing a difficulty level on the f1 to f8 keys, then you must choose to land on, or escape the orbit of the planet Mhiyken. As you've precious little fuel, landing seems a good idea. This screen is vaguely Defender-like, and the joystick allows you to zip around in either direction over the surface until you find a fuel supply. You choose how much of your $2000 to spend on fuel units, then take off again in search of a shop or a port. Shops sell a variety of weapons and defence systems, food, fuel (pricier here), while in ports you can find passengers looking for a one-way ticket to another planet. You can take only one at a time, and they sensibly insist on cash on safe delivery.

The planet surfaces are patrolled by hostile craft and you can collect bounty from shooting these down, although it's tricky to do so because you can gain height only when moving fast. To turn round you must slow down before being allowed to change direction. Best to head for the heavens.

Once on your way out of the orbit you can press M for a map of the solar system, allowing you to estimate the bearing you need, while S will give you a status report any time. Heading for the next planet sends you into a typical 3D arcade game, with meteors and ships coming out of the screen at you, and you firing away through your cross-hair sights.

Successful trading and brilliant blasting builds up your cash in hand, and maybe one day you'll be able to afford the $50,000 Zadron Bomb so temptingly displayed in the shop.
While the game's absorbing, the graphics could have been better; the scrolling landscape of the planet is simple and the hostile craft lack detail. They've certainly crammed a lot into the 64, though, and you'll certainly need the SAVE feature that's incorporated.


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