Fort Apocalypse  (1982 - Synapse)
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
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Description 

Fort Apocalypse is an action packed game from the start. At the very beginning you see yourself in the position of a pilot whose helicopter has run out of fuel, indicated by an alarm. Fortunately, your helicopter hovers directly above a fuel platform, where you can fill up for the first time. Right after your fuel tank is full, you have to shoot your way through an aerial mine field, flying over enemy tanks and bomb the barrier to enter the underground fortress. Laser beams and hostile helicopters will also prevent you from rescueing the prisoners from the fortress. At the lowest level you'll have to destroy the reactor of the complex. After that, you'll have to return to the starting point. If you succeed, you have completed the game. When you start again, the enemies are faster and attack more frequently. The energy barriers move faster. The game is for both beginner and advanced players a challenge. 

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Design

Graphics and sound are good for its time, but of course no comparison at later C64 games. The game has two very large levels, which have good playability.
 A special feature of Fort Apocalypse is the "Navatron", here you can see the position of your enemies even before they appear on the screen. 

 Controls and menu 

Operations during the title screen and the game 
F7  Start/restart the game with selected options 
F5  Options menu 
 You can control the helicopter with the joystick 
 To bomb ground targets, make sure your helicopter windscreen faces you 
 Tanks can only be destroyed by shooting their tracks 

Controls in the options menu 
F3  Choose the menu option 
F5  Change the menu option 
F7  Start 

Options menu settings 
 Gravity Skill - Low / Medium / High 
 Pilot Skill - Beginner / Advanced / Expert 
 Robo Pilots - Three / Five / Seven 

 Basics 

There are many platforms to land your helicopter, which have a flat, white surface. When you land there, this also will be your new starting point when your helicopter crashes or you get shot. 

"Moving walls" will move into the opposite direction when you shoot them. 

There are two ways to reach the reactor, of which only one ALWAYS gives access to the reactor. After the destruction of the reactor, both ways are open. 

When you look at the map:
 When you approach the reactor from the left, you'll have to navigate your helicopter past the lasers, while the tanks below you try to shoot you - not easy, as there's barely room to avoid the threats.
 When you approach the reactor from the right, you have to shoot your way through an enormous mine field. There also will be quite some prisoners here you can rescue. When the barrier's open, you can destroy the reactor from this side, too. 

 Tips 
The barrier on the right of the reactor: Most of the time you're lucky and the passage which gives access to the reactor is open. Then you'll be able to approach the reactor from the right. (Worf) 
If I remember correctly, there was an event that triggered the barrier, if you fired too much shots while dismantling the bunker, the door closed. (84.58.174.244) 

 Miscellaneous 

Although this game is available a a ".CRT image", it was never sold as a cartridge. CRT is a "proof of concept hack."


http://www.c64-wiki.com/index.php/Fort_Apocalypse
