Game Review: Rapid Fire (ZX Spectrum, Mastertronic)

The cops have been watching a notorious gang and have now decided that you must break into their warehouse.  The mission is to therefore destroy the warehouse and state-of-the-art equipment inside.

The gang have killed more cops than you’ve had hot dinners so need to be got rid of as soon as possible.  This sounds like the theme of a good game, but so does it live up to its hype?

Rapid – Oh No, It Isn’t…

Being that this game is called Rapid Fire, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this was going to a fast-moving game requiring plenty of shooting and fast reflexes.  Well, this is the impression that was given to me from reading the instructions.  To my sheer disappointment, it couldn’t be further from the truth than that.

Rapid Fire is a horizontal side-scrolling shooter and when you can move left and right, the scrolling is sluggish at best.  You can just tell its going to be bad after the first few seconds of playing it.

Playability

Rapid isn’t the greatest in responsiveness.  You find yourself running a few footsteps before being able to turnaround and taking a couple of shots.  This is a problem as when the flying balls arrive on the screen, you do find yourself struggling against the controls rather than the game itself.  There is nothing worse than dying in a game and them being replaced right back at the beginning of the level, which this game does.

The object is to run as far to the right of the level as possible to get to the escape.  Unfortunately, the game isn’t fun as the controls just aren’t up to it and makes it woefully frustrating.  Even with infinite lives on, I still couldn’t get past level 2 after an hour of trying to do so.

You can also aim diagonally at 45 degrees.  This can be used in later levels to shoot the enemy running along a platform at the top of the screen.

You can occasionally vertically jump as well

Don’t Just Run n’ Gun

Part of the game is using as few bullets in supersession as you can.  Firing your gun constantly will show your gun at the bottom of the screen turning white to red.  Luckily, if you don’t fire too much, it will start to reverse which is no doubt part of the strategy of progressing before the timer runs out from 999.

When your gun is really overheating, it will start to flash so extra caution is required.

If you run into an enemy, will result in your blood supply decreasing.  To get them off you, press up which will make them release you as they fall downwards of the screen.

Sound Effects

There is no music the game has minimal sound effects.  When firing your gun or being hit by the flying balls (maybe canon fire?) then that causes a slight explosion type sound.  Running into an the enemy running doesn’t make a sound whatsoever.

Graphics and Loading Screen

The loading screen is quite detailed and with good use of colour throughout.  It presents a humorous feel to it and effectively portraying what the game is like.  Clearly your cop must be undercover with a Mohican haircut to no doubt blend in with the gang.

During the game, the animation is a bit hit and miss.  When running along, the legs and gun holding motions move well.  If you run and shoot horizontally, you will flick back a square.

As you run along the ground, it is very flickery when scrolling.  In fact, I’d personally have preferred that it didn’t scroll and just have the main background playing area scroll instead.  It’s hard to take your eyes away as it affects around a quarter of the screen.

When you shoot the enemy, they’ll fall downwards (standing vertically!) and if you shoot a ball, it’ll explode.

Falling People

Strangely, people fall from the top of the screen sometimes without no apparent reason.  It made no sense to me.

Pretty much sums up the game really.

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