Apocalypse Archimedes 1990 Gordan J. Key

Apocalypse Acorn Archimedes 1990

Designed and coded by Gordan J. Key in 1990, Apocalypse is a 3D shoot 'em up notable for tapping the polygon-pushing power of the RISC-based Acorn Archimedes microcomputer. The Amiga could never handle the raw processing power demands of such a computer game; Apocalypse is on a whole other level in terms of fidelity and speed of real-time 3D rendering.

In addition, Apocalypse employs smooth, high-fidelity sprite-scaled presentation, projectiles and explosion effects.

In undertaking a series of missions, the object of Apocalypse is to steralize planets that have been colonized by The Rakonans, which developed from a computer technology into self-aware, mobile and reproducing exterminators of carbon-based lifeforms.

In first-person perspective players pilot a flying saucer known as the Llanerk against Rakonan forces. The Llanerk is equipped with a regenerating energy bank (its depletion governed by a planet's gravity levels), shields, a rapid-fire Photon cannon and a radar with four levels of magnification. In addition, the Llanerk has energy bombs (radar-wide nukes), an escape capsule and onboard auto-leveling and auto-stabilization systems.

Yes, the Llanerk is a well-equipped and powerful flying saucer, but it faces off against massive Rakonan forces and bombardments.

cf.:

• History of Shoot 'em ups
• History of Computer Games 1976-2024