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Academy (video game)
Encyclopedia
Academy is an action
/simulation
computer game for the ZX Spectrum
, Amstrad CPC
and Amiga
It was released in 1987
by CRL
. It achieved critical success in the year it was released.
and written by the same author, Pete Cooke
. The gameplay is similar — the player pilots a 'skimmer' through a 3D world — but with many extra features. Instead of a single, large gameworld, the storyline is mission-based (but allowing the player some control over the order of play). The world physics of the original game are expanded on, as these missions take place on different planets under different suns; for example piloting under a dark red-dwarf provides a different play experience to a bright yellow sun.
In addition, the player may design their own skimmers; customising engine and weapon strengths, equipment payloads, and arranging the on-screen control panel.
The game's interface is the same distinctive cursor-and-menu system used in Pete Cooke's other creations, such as Micronaut One, A Whole New Ball Game and Tau Ceti.
awarded the game 9/10, with reviewer Phil South impressed with the skimmer design system and the difficulty level of the missions. CRASH
awarded the game 92%, praising its slick presentation, mission structure and 3D graphics rendering.
Action game
Action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes diverse subgenres such as fighting games, shooter games, and platform games, which are widely considered the most important action games, though some...
/simulation
Simulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
computer game for the ZX Spectrum
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
, Amstrad CPC
Amstrad CPC
The Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
and Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
It was released in 1987
1987 in video gaming
-Notable releases:* January 14, Nintendo releases Zelda II: The Adventure of Link in January for the Famicom Disk System in Japan only. The game would go unreleased in America for nearly two years afterwards.* February 20, Konami releases Contra...
by CRL
CRL Group PLC
CRL Group plc is a defunct British video game development and publishing company. Originally CRL stood for "Computer Rentals Ltd.". It was based in King's Yard, London and run by Clem Chambers....
. It achieved critical success in the year it was released.
Gameplay
It is the sequel to Tau CetiTau Ceti (computer game)
Tau Ceti is a science fiction themed computer game first published in 1985 by CRL for the ZX Spectrum and later converted to several other platforms. It was designed and programmed by Pete Cooke. It was groundbreaking at the time for its extensive use of 3D graphics, shadow effects and its large...
and written by the same author, Pete Cooke
Pete Cooke
Pete Cooke is a famous British computer games programmer, best known for his work published in the 1980s for the 8-bit home computers, especially the ZX Spectrum....
. The gameplay is similar — the player pilots a 'skimmer' through a 3D world — but with many extra features. Instead of a single, large gameworld, the storyline is mission-based (but allowing the player some control over the order of play). The world physics of the original game are expanded on, as these missions take place on different planets under different suns; for example piloting under a dark red-dwarf provides a different play experience to a bright yellow sun.
In addition, the player may design their own skimmers; customising engine and weapon strengths, equipment payloads, and arranging the on-screen control panel.
The game's interface is the same distinctive cursor-and-menu system used in Pete Cooke's other creations, such as Micronaut One, A Whole New Ball Game and Tau Ceti.
Storyline
From the game's instructions:After an incident on 61 Cygnus in 2197 when a rookie pilot selected the wrong
gear when docking with the main central reactor and reduced half the planet to
molten lava, Gal-Corp decided that a special training facility was needed to
provide an elite corps of pilots for the advanced military skimmers used in
colonisation and reconnaissance work.
The Galcorp Academy for Advanced Skimmer Pilots (GASP) was founded in 2213
to meet this requirement. With an intake of over a hundred would be skimmer
pilots a year, only a few meet the exacting requirement of flying and combat
skills.
In order to graduate from the Academy cadets must complete 20 missions, grouped
in five levels of four, successfully.
Critical response
Your SinclairYour Sinclair
Your Sinclair or YS as it was commonly abbreviated, was a British computer magazine for the Sinclair range of computers, mainly the ZX Spectrum.-History:...
awarded the game 9/10, with reviewer Phil South impressed with the skimmer design system and the difficulty level of the missions. CRASH
CRASH (magazine)
Crash was a magazine dedicated to the ZX Spectrum home computer. It was published from 1984 to 1991 by Newsfield Publications Ltd until their liquidation, and then until 1992 by Europress.-Development:...
awarded the game 92%, praising its slick presentation, mission structure and 3D graphics rendering.