[{"TitleName":"Combat Lynx","Publisher":"Durell Software Ltd","Author":"Mike A. Richardson, Tim Hayward","YearOfRelease":"1984","ZxDbId":"0001026","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 10, Nov 1984","Price":"£0.85","ReleaseDate":"1984-10-25","Editor":"Roger Kean","TotalPages":160,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Roger Kean\r\nConsultant Editor: Franco Frey\r\nProduction Designer: David Western\r\nArt Editor: Oliver Frey\r\nAdventure Editor: Derek Brewster\r\nStaff Writer: Lloyd Mangram\r\nContributing Writers: Matthew Uffindel, Chris Passey\r\nClient Liaison: John Edwards\r\nSubscription Manager: Denise Roberts\r\nCirculation Manager: Tom Hamilton\r\nAll circulation enquiries should ring [redacted]\r\n\r\n©1984 Newsfield Limited.\r\nCrash Micro is published monthly by Newsfield Ltd. [redacted]\r\n\r\nGeneral correspondence to: [redacted]\r\n\r\nTelephone numbers\r\nGeneral office [redacted]\r\nEditorial/studio [redacted]\r\nAdvertising [redacted]\r\nHot Line [redacted]\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\n\r\nPhotosetting by SIOS [redacted]\r\nColour origination by Scan Studios, [redacted]\r\nPrinted in England by Carlisle Web Offset Ltd (Member of the BPCC Group), [redacted].\r\nDistribution by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: 12 issues £10.50 (UK Mainland post free)\r\nEurope: 12 issues £17.50 (post free).\r\n\r\nWe cannot undertake to return any written or photographic material sent to CRASH Magazine unless accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.\r\n\r\nCover by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Producer: Durell\r\nMemory Required: 48K\r\nRetail Price: £7.95\r\nLanguage: Machine code\r\n\r\nCombat Lynx is more of a simulation than a shoot em up, but it can certainly be played like a shoot em up (it has some ferocious battles) or as a game of stealthy strategy. It is also a fairly complicated program to get the hang of initially and comes complete with detailed instructions on the large inlay.\r\n\r\nThe Combat Lynx is a powerful, heavily armed helicopter, which you control in a game with 4 skill levels. As it says in the inlay, the most skilled players will be able to protect their bases with mines, support their forward bases under attack with air cover and fresh troops, and also intercept and destroy enemy vehicles (land and air) while in flight between bases. A game could last for five seconds or five hours depending on the dexterity and tactical skill of the player.\r\n\r\nDepending on the chosen skill level there are between three and six bases which you must support with fresh troops and air cover. Base zero has an endless supply of fuel and weapons and can instantly revitalise injured troops brought in from other bases. The first task is to arm the helicopter. The screen shows plans of the Lynx in three dimensions, front, side and top. Below are the prompts which show you what is being selected, how much of it and its weight. This includes able-bodied soldiers, injured soldiers, weapons and fuel. The load is carefully calculated and shown against the maximum weight possible, and planning is required since you must be able to take on the necessary weight of fuel for the trip. Weapons include strafing rockets, cannon and machine gun pods, all of which just fire in the direction the helicopter points in; and then there are the HOT weapons which are wire guided anti-tank weapons; heat seeking anti-aircraft missiles which can be fired without aiming; and finally the mines, which can be deposited around base perimeters.\r\n\r\nThe playing screen is split up into four prime areas; a main display window in which you can see the lynx flying over the landscape and the positions of enemy vehicles, bases, etc.; a height above ground indicator: message text display; and the instrument panel which shows engine temperature, speed of flight and fuel, weapon status and selection, navigation co-ordinates in the form of a compass and map grid reference, missile launch warning and finally the score line. Switching to map alters the main display from the 3D view to the very large map area. This indicates contour heights, shows enemy positions and friendly bases, Lynx's present position and is broken into grids for ease of reference. The objects shown on the map are last intelligence report positions - they may move and can be seen moving on an update basis. When flying, the joystick/keyboard may be used to alter the altitude and direction of the helicopter, whilst in map mode the joystick controls the scrolling of the map. It can be speeded up to scan reference blocks, block by block by using direction and fire button together. In map mode all the other instruments function and can be seen.\r\n\r\nThe message screen flashes when there is a communication for you. This may be along the lines of a request for transport, reinforcements or air cover. This screen can also be used to discover the locations of the other bases.\r\n\r\nThe landscape view is in 3D using white contour lines on a green ground to create the effect. Trees and houses are also clearly seen in white as well as enemy vehicles (in black) and base markers. In effect Combat Lynx uses a four-camera position display, so on making a right angled turn the screen blacks out momentarily to be replaced by the new view angle. The helicopter can fly both forwards and backwards at speed and may be landed on flat ground with care.\r\n\r\nWeapons are fired first by selecting the weapon system you wish to fire. Guided weapons may simply be fired; aimed weapons must be fired after selecting cursor control, whereupon a black cross sight will appear to show where the weapon is aimed. Only one weapon system at a time may be used without reselection.\r\n\r\nThe skill levels reflect the number of bases you have to support, the number of enemy vehicles and flying craft up against you and the accuracy of their missiles.\r\n\r\nCOMMENTS\r\n\r\nControl keys: Cursors, but additionally there are a large amount of multi-use keys for control.\r\nJoystick: cursor\r\nKeyboard play: very responsive, and the other keys needed are kept to a minimum during flight or fight\r\nUse of colour: very good, although kept simple on maps and view, just a few small attribute problems\r\nGraphics: excellent and highly novel 3D\r\nSound: not very much for speed of graphics\r\nSkill levels: 4\r\nLives: 3","ReviewerComments":["I wondered when 3D graphics would be created with contour lines as on a map, and this seems to be the first action game to have done this to great effect. I feel that this type of 3D is more effective than an 'illusion' of 3D (i.e. things getting bigger or smaller). But it uses hidden objects like houses or enemies which cannot be seen when they're behind a hill. Such objects however, do grow or shrink in size as you approach and fly over them, using perspective properly. The 3D effect is not just randomly generated as you play through a game because the entire playing area is mapped and the contour (3D effect) references work from it. But for each game, a new landscape is created (very quickly too). The game itself is very difficult to play due to the speed of the enemy, although realistic, and due to the fact that you generally fly at full speed. This probably does mean that it has a great potential for a long term game. A nice point for beginners is that it is fun just to fly about and take pot-shots at things, although I didn't hit very many enemy craft! Overall, well worth its money just for sheer content.\r\r\nUnknown","Combat Lynx is both simulation and shoot em up games in one. The 3D effect created by using contour line graphics tends to give it a more technical feel, so more like a simulation, but on the other hand there are lots of jets and enemy helicopters whizzing around and ground forces shooting at you which gives the game its instant playability appeal. Once you get the hand of coping with everything, it's possible to play a game of high strategy which evolves not only arcade skills but those of forward planning. For people who enjoy strategical type games, Combat Lynx should provide hours and hours of fun, while for those who prefer something instant and fast - choose skill level 4 and hang onto your hats! Generally the graphics are most impressive, with a few attribute problems when objects are about to become hidden but these are minor in what is otherwise an engaging and challenging game.\r\r\nUnknown","The graphics in Combat Lynx are very good for a 3D simulation except it's a pity that you can't follow the landscape around when you turn through 90 degrees. This is very playable, but very hard to play and will give hours of enjoyment if you're willing to persevere with it. I think this is probably the best simulation I've seen to date. My only comment really, is that I think I would've liked it even more if you hadn't got the graphic of a helicopter in front of you, but instead saw the view as though you were in the cockpit. Overall, this is an excellent simulation.\r\nUnknown"],"OverallSummary":"General Rating: Excellent, challenging on a wide range of play options and represents excellent value for money.","Page":"94,95,96","Denied":false,"Award":"Crash Smash","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"The LYNX takes avoiding action as an enemy jet comes in to attack."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Use of Computer","Score":"80%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"88%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"90%","Text":""},{"Header":"Getting Started","Score":"91%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictive Qualities","Score":"89%","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"91%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"88%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 58, Nov 1988","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1988-10-20","Editor":"Dominic Handy","TotalPages":132,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Dominic Handy\r\nAssistant Editor: Stuart Wynne\r\nStaff Writers: Mark Caswell, Philip King, Lloyd Mangram, Nick Roberts\r\nPhotography: Cameron Pound, Michael Parkinson\r\nContributors: Jon Bates, Raffaele Cecco, Mel Croucher, Ian Cull, Simon Goodwin, Ian Lacey, Barnaby Page, Ian Philipson, Paul Sumner\r\n\r\nPRODUCTION\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nProduction Manager: Jonathan Rignall\r\nReprographics Supervisor: Matthew Uffindell\r\nArt Director: Mark Kendrick\r\nAssistant Art Director: Wayne Allen\r\nProduction Team: Ian Chubb, Melvin Fisher, Robert Hamilton, Robert Millichamp, Tim Morris, Yvonne Priest\r\n\r\nEditorial Director: Roger Kean\r\nPublisher: Geoff Grimes\r\nAdvertisement Director: Roger Bennett\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Neil Dyson\r\nSales Executives: Sarah Chapman, Andrew Smales\r\nAssistant: Jackie Morris, Lee Watkins [redacted]\r\n\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\nSubscriptions: Denise Roberts\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nTypeset by The Tortoise Shell Press, Ludlow. Colour origination by Scan Studios [redacted]. Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset, [redacted] - member of the BPCC Group. Distribution by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nCOMPETITION RULES\r\nThe Editor's decision is final in all matters relating to adjudication and while we offer prizes in good faith, believing them to be available, if something untoward happens (like a game that has been offered as a prize being scrapped) we reserve the right to substitute prizes of comparable value. We'll do our very best to despatch prizes as soon as possible after the published closing date. Winners names will appear in a later issue of CRASH. No correspondence can be entered into regarding the competitions (unless we've written to you stating that you have won a prize and it doesn't turn up, in which case drop the Sticky Solutions Department a line at the [redacted] address). No person who has any relationship, no matter how remote, to anyone who works for either Newsfield or any of the companies offering prizes, may enter one of our competitions. No material may be reproduced whole or in part without the written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return anything sent into CRASH including written and photographic material, software and hardware - unless it is accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. Unsolicited written or photo material is welcome, and if used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates.\r\n\r\nTotal: 96,590\r\nUK/EIRE: 90,822\r\n\r\n©CRASH Ltd, 1988\r\n\r\nCover Design & Illustration by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Combat Lynx\r\nProducer: Encore\r\nPrice: £1.99\r\nOriginal Rating: 88%\r\n\r\nDesigned with help from Westland Helicopters (the makers of the real Lynx), Combat Lynx originally appeared way back in November 1984 on the Durell label.\r\n\r\nThe player's helicopter has between three and six bases to land at, depending on the skill level chosen. After landing, the Lynx can be armed with a variety of lethal weapons such as HOT anti-tank weapons and heat-seeking anti-aircraft missiles. Also available are mines which can be laid to protect bases from attacking enemies.\r\n\r\nAlthough Base Zero has an infinite stock of weapons and fuel, other bases only have a limited supply. Also as most bases are miles away from HQ, quickly mining around them is essential for their protection. If a base does come under attack a message appears in a small window, giving details of casualties etc.\r\n\r\nFor ease of locating both bases and enemies, a scrolling map screen can be called up, showing a contoured plan of the massive landscape (which is different for each new game). These contours are also present on the main 3-D view, helping to create a more effective illusion of solidity.\r\n\r\nCombat Lynx is in no way a simple shoot-'em-up (even though it can be played that way), it involves much strategic planning to protect all the bases. For a game which can take many hours to play the lack of a save/ load function can be irritating, but the actual gameplay remains great. A game ahead of its time when it was released, it still looks pretty advanced even now.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"110","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Phil King","Score":"85","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"85%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 37, Jan 1989","Price":"£1.6","ReleaseDate":"1988-12-09","Editor":"Teresa Maughan","TotalPages":156,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Teresa Maughan\r\nArt Editor: Catherine Higgs\r\nProduction Editor: Jackie Ryan\r\nStaff Writer: Duncan MacDonald\r\nDesigner: Thor Goodall\r\nTechnical Consultant: David McCandless\r\nContributors: Marcus Berkmann, Guy Bennignton, Ciaran Brennan, Jason Daley, Mike Gerrard, Sean Kelly, Catherine Peters, Peter Shaw, Rachael Smith, Phil South\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Simon Stansfield\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Stephen Bloy\r\nAdvertisement Director: Alistair Ramsay\r\nProduction Manager: Judith Middleton\r\nMarketing Manager: Bryan Denyer\r\nPublisher: Terry Grimwood\r\nFinance Director: Colin Crawford\r\nManaging Director: Stephen England\r\nChairman: Felix Dennis\r\n\r\nPublished by Dennis Publishing Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England.\r\nTypesetters: Carlinpoint [redacted]\r\nReproduction: Graphic Ideas, London\r\nPrinters: Chase Web Offset [redacted]\r\nDistribution: Seymour Press [redacted]\r\n\r\nAll material in Your Sinclair ©1989 Felden Productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Sinclair is a monthly publication."},"MainText":"COMBAT LYNX\r\nEncore\r\n£1.99\r\nReviewer: Marcus Berkmann\r\n\r\nYet another Durrell oldie released by Elite on its Encore label (got all that?), this helicopter simulation is another that's looking its age (1984), but still plays relatively smoothly. Trouble is. Combat Lynx has long been superseded by the likes of Gunship which, if you're into this sort of game, should be at the top of your shopping list. If you're not a multi-millionaire, though, Combat Lynx is a just-about acceptable alternative.\r\n\r\nThere are loads of things to do, but then this is a flightsim, and so suitable only for people with 23 fingers. Essentially you fizz around defending your bases from enemy attack (i.e. shooting things) before eventually dying horribly yourself. I remember this as being pretty hot four years ago, but now I find it very dry and uninteresting. Is it the game, or is it time? (It's you. Ed) Oh shut up.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"123","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Marcus Berkmann","Score":"5","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"5/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Spectrum Issue 10, Dec 1984","Price":"£0.85","ReleaseDate":"1984-11-15","Editor":"Roger Munford","TotalPages":106,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Roger Munford\r\nDeputy Editor: Tina Boylan\r\nTechnical Editor: Peter Shaw\r\nEditorial Consultant: Andrew Pennell\r\nSoftware Consultant: Gavin Monk\r\nContributors: John Torofex, Tony Samuels, Trevor Merchant, Ross Holman, Dave Nicholls, Roger Willis, Ian Beardsmore, Martin Evans, Robert Stockton, Max Phillips, Terry Bulfib, Mike Leaman, Toni Baker\r\nArt Editor: Hazel Bennington\r\nArt Assistant: Steve Broadhurst\r\nGroup Advertising Manager: Jill Harris\r\nAdvertising: Dave Baskerville\r\nTypesetters: Carlinpoint\r\nGroup Art Director: Perry Neville\r\nPublisher: Stephen England\r\n\r\nPublished by Sportscene Specialist Press Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England. Telephone (all departments): [redacted]\r\nReproduction: Graphic Ideas, London\r\nPrinters: Chase Web Offset [redacted]\r\nDistribution: Seymour Press [redacted]\r\n\r\nAll material in Your Spectrum ©1985 Felden productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Spectrum is a monthly publication."},"MainText":"COMBAT LYNX\r\nDurell Software\r\n£8.95\r\r\n\r\nDave: Combat Lynx is a battle simulation program that has you flying your Lynx helicopter around a three-dimensional battlefield (which is randomly created for each game); you have to perform the dual function of destroying enemy forces and supplying your bases.\r\n\r\nControlling your helicopter can be a bit of a nightmare, because there are four command modes and some keys are used in more than one mode to perform different functions. Even allowing for this, there are nearly 30 control keys (most are re-definable) although any keyboard reading joystick can be used for five of them.\r\n\r\nThe screen shows your flight instruments and a rather peculiar view of your helicopter. It's strange because, although you can fly in any direction, the view of the landscape is always North, South, East or West, with the helicopter graphic turning through up to 45 degrees. When you turn far enough, the screen blacks out and re-draws with the landscape turned through 90 degrees. These factors neatly conspire to turn what is basically a very good game into a mess.","ReviewerComments":["The representation of the hills and valleys is well performed and fast.\r\nRoss Holman\r\n2/5 MISS","Sorry Colonel, but it ain't simulator material for hackers with Falklands Factor aspirations and it ain't simple enough for all us conscientious objectors still hiding in arcades.\r\nRoger Willis\r\n2/5 MISS"],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"61","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Ross Holman","Score":"2","ScoreSuffix":"/5 MISS"},{"Name":"Roger Willis","Score":"2","ScoreSuffix":"/5 MISS"},{"Name":"Dave Nicholls","Score":"2","ScoreSuffix":"/5 MISS"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 38, Feb 1989","Price":"£1.6","ReleaseDate":"1989-01-10","Editor":"Teresa Maughan","TotalPages":108,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Teresa Maughan\r\nArt Editor: Catherine Higgs\r\nDeputy Editor: Matt Bielby\r\nProduction Editor: Jackie Ryan\r\nStaff Writer: Duncan MacDonald\r\nDesigner: Thor Goodall\r\nTechnical Consultant: David McCandless\r\nContributors: Marcus Berkmann, Guy Bennignton, Richard Blaine, Ciaran Brennan, Jonathan Davies, Mike 'Skippy' Dunn, Mike Gerrard, Sean Kelly, Catherine Peters, Peter Shaw, Rachael Smith, Phil South, Ben Stone\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Simon Stansfield\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Stephen Bloy\r\nAdvertisement Director: Alistair Ramsay\r\nProduction Manager: Judith Middleton\r\nAdvertisement Production: Katherine Balchin\r\nMarketing Manager: Bryan Denyer\r\nPublisher: Terry Grimwood\r\nFinance Director: Colin Crawford\r\nManaging Director: Stephen England\r\nChairman: Felix Dennis\r\n\r\nPublished by Dennis Publishing Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England.\r\nTypesetters: Carlinpoint [redacted]\r\nReproduction: Graphic Ideas, London\r\nPrinters: Chase Web Offset [redacted]\r\nDistribution: Seymour Press [redacted]\r\n\r\nAll material in Your Sinclair ©1989 Felden Productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Sinclair is a monthly publication."},"MainText":"COMBAT LYNX\r\nEncore\r\n£1.99\r\nReviewer: David McCandless\r\n\r\n3D unfolding landscape helicopter simulation game. Colourful, complex and compelling. Only for heli-buffs. First released: January '85.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"55","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"David McCandless","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 33, Dec 1984","Price":"£0.85","ReleaseDate":"1984-11-15","Editor":"Bill Scolding","TotalPages":244,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Bill Scolding\r\nDeputy Editor: John Gilbert\r\nConsultant Editor: Mike Johnston\r\nStaff Writer: Chris Bourne\r\nIllustrator/Designer: Craig Kennedy\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Rob Cameron\r\nDeputy Advertisement Manager: Louise Fanthorpe\r\nProduction Assistant: James McClure\r\nAdvertisement Secretary: Claudia Viertel\r\nEditorial Assistant: Colette McDermott\r\nSubscriptions Manager: Carl Dunne\r\nAssistant Publisher: Neil Wood\r\nPublisher: Gerry Murray\r\n\r\nSinclair User is published monthly by EMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n\r\n96,271 Jan-June 1984\r\n\r\nTelephone\r\nEditorial and advertising departments\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nIf you would like to contribute to Sinclair User please send programs or articles:\r\nSinclair User\r\nEMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nOriginal programs should be on cassette and articles should be typed. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included.\r\n\r\nWe pay £10 for the copyright of each program published and £50 per 1,000 words for each article used.\r\n\r\nAll subscription enquiries to\r\nMagazine Services,\r\nEMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1984\r\nSinclair User\r\nISSN NO. 0262-5458\r\n\r\nPrinted and typeset by Cradley Print PLC, [redacted]\r\n\r\nDistributed by EMAP Publications Ltd."},"MainText":"WHIRLYBIRD WARFARE\r\n\r\nMemory: 48K\r\nPrice: £8.95\r\nJoystick: Any programmable\r\n\r\nYou may have experienced any number of flight simulation programs in which you take a single-seater bi-plane up into the wild blue yonder. Now for something completely different.\r\n\r\nCombat Lynx, from Durrell, is not as tame as the programs from Psion or Protek. You can hover, dip and rise in a battle-worthy helicopter, bombing the enemy aircraft gliding like sitting ducks into the range-finder and which can be despatched quickly with an air-to-air missile or rapid fire from one of your machine guns.\r\n\r\nDespite what you might be led to believe the game is about defence and not offence. You must defend three of six ground bases, making sure that the enemy does not get to them on foot or in the air.\r\n\r\nOnce you have equipped your machine with something from the choice of missiles and guns, using the educational schematic plans of the helicopter, you can start the game and launch into a combat zone represented in 3D. The helicopter representation is only adequate but the shifting hills and dales over which it flies give the necessary realism to what is a relatively true-to-life battle simulation.\r\n\r\nThe game is too much of a simulation. Beginners will find it difficult to get anything within their sights and flying the helicopter without an enemy to hound you will prove that Combat Lynx is for the dedicated performer who likes to impress friends with displays of dexterity at the keyboard. Arcade gamers might find it tedious because of the lack of immediate excitement. If, however, you are a level-headed player who likes to take time in developing skills Combat Lynx will pay off.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"35","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"John Gilbert","Score":"8","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Gilbert Factor","Score":"8/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Personal Computer Games Issue 12, Nov 1984","Price":"£0.75","ReleaseDate":"1984-10-18","Editor":"Chris Anderson","TotalPages":156,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Chris Anderson\r\nDeputy Editor: Steve Cooke\r\nProduction Editor: Roderick George\r\nArt Editor: Ian Findlay\r\nStaff Writers: Peter Connor, Bob Wade\r\nEditorial Assistant: Samantha Hemens\r\nSoftware Consultant: Tony Takoushi\r\nCartoons: Kipper Williams\r\nScreenshots: Chris Bell\r\nGame-of-the-month poster: Jeff Riddle\r\nArt Director: Jim Dansie\r\nGroup Publisher: John Cade\r\nPublisher: Tony Harris\r\nAssistant Publishing Manager: Jenny Dunne\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Sarah Barron\r\nAssistant Advertisement Manager: Phil Pratt\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Susie Cooper\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Peter Goldstein\r\nAdvertisement Production: Noel O'Sullivan\r\nSales Executives: Ian Cross, Marion O'Neill\r\n\r\nPublished by VNU Business Publications, [redacted]. Typesetting by Spectrum Typesetting, [redacted] Origination by Fourmost Colour [redacted]. Printed and bound by Chase Web Offset [redacted]. © VNU Business Publications 1984."},"MainText":"MACHINE: Spectrum 48K\r\nCONTROL: Keys\r\nFROM: Durell, £8.95\r\n\r\nLYNX ZOOMS INTO 3D ACTION\r\n\r\n'Not another helicopter game' I hear you all cry. Cheer up, because this isn't just another chopper game.\r\n\r\nIn your Combat Lynx helicopter you must protect your army's land bases from the hostile ground attacks and yourself from the enemy's helicopters and jets.\r\n\r\nYou need to start by getting used to the numerous key controls of the game all of which can be redefined. Your copter starts at base zero which is one of three to six bases depending on the skill level. At base 0 you need to arm yourself with the weapon systems that the Lynx can carry.\r\n\r\nThis is done in a separate mode where the craft and systems are shown in marvellous detail. Once armed you can take off in search of hostiles and this is where the excellence of the program literally displays itself.\r\n\r\nAs you move across the attractive green scenery it undulates in hills and valleys, scrolling beneath you in stunning 3D. On this background appear houses, trees, ground vehicles and aircraft and the occasional crashed helicopter if you don't watch your height.\r\n\r\nThe area of land you can fly around is so large that you won't even find the edges of the map in a normal game. A larger area of the map can be viewed and shows any friendly or hostile force nearby and the contour of the land. You can also scroll around display to find the nearest enemy or base.\r\n\r\nThe instrument panel below the display provides information on the status of your craft and its weapons. This includes height, temperature, speed and status of each of six weapons. The weapon you wish to use is selected by moving a cursor above the one required. Also shown are various messages on the status of your bases and warnings of imminent missile attack.\r\n\r\nDespite all this detail and information your task is a straightforward one and once familiarised with the controls you can buzz around the battle zone hunting down tanks, guns, lorries, helicopters and jets.\r\n\r\nIt still takes perseverance to get to grips with the program though, so the less determined may find it a hard game to get into. My initial doubts over the games playability were completely overcome - I now find rocketing tanks is a great pastime when you want to relax.","ReviewerComments":["The view of the scrolling landscape is remarkable. It's done by drawing a series of lines against a green background and then moving them forward. The effect is of hills and valleys rolling toward you - quite different from anything achieved before.\r\r\n\r\r\nAlthough it's not claimed to be a fully authentic flight simulator, the range of controls and weapons open to you do give it a realistic feel.\r\r\n\r\r\nThe scope of the game is as ambitious as the graphics. There's so much for the player to do - choose weapons, explore the landscape, use map coordinates, decide tactics, track down enemy targets. Some people won't be single-minded enough to ever get to grips with all this - or with the huge number of control keys - some 30 in all. If you don't like complex games steer well clear.\r\r\n\r\r\nFor those who've got the time to get involved, i think it'll prove very special.\r\nChris Anderson","I wasn't too happy with the display on this game. The landscape is a bit repetitive and the targets you set out to destroy don't look all that impressive. However, it's hard to complain when you consider the enormous amount of programming that must have gone into providing 3D scrolling on a Spectrum, and the effect is certainly impressive.\r\r\n\r\r\nI think that the scope of the game is tremendous, although it took me quite a time to get the hang of the controls. Normally with a game this difficult to play I would tend to give up in disgust, but the challenges you have to face were sufficient incentive for me to keep going. Definitely a game that needs - and rewards - practice.\r\nSteve Cooke"],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"75","Denied":false,"Award":"PCG Hit","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Bob Wade","Score":"8","ScoreSuffix":"/10"},{"Name":"Chris Anderson","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Steve Cooke","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Brilliantly original graphics in the latest Durell hit!"},{"Text":"Selecting your weapons."},{"Text":"The real Lynx in action."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"9/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"6/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Originality","Score":"8/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Lasting Interest","Score":"8/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"8/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"ZX Computing Issue 16, Dec 1984","Price":"£1.95","ReleaseDate":"1984-11-29","Editor":"Ray Elder","TotalPages":164,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Ray Elder\r\nEditorial Assistant: Jamie Clary\r\nGroup Editor: Wendy J Palmer\r\nSales Executive: Jonathan McGary\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Barry Bingham\r\nDivisional Advertising Manager: Chris Northam\r\nCopy Controller: Sue Couchman\r\nChief Executive: T J Connell\r\n\r\nOrigination and design by MM Design & Print, [redacted]\r\nPublished by Argus Specialist Publications Ltd, [redacted]\r\n\r\nZX Computing is published bi-monthly on the fourth Friday of the month. Distributed by: Argus Press Sales & Distribution Ltd. [redacted]. Printed by: Garnett Print, Rotherham and London.\r\n\r\nThe contents of this publication including all articles, designs, plans, drawings and programs and all copyright and other intellectual property rights therein belong to Argus Specialist Publications Limited. All rights conferred by the Law of Copyright and other intellectual property rights and by virtue of international copyright conventions are specifically reserved to Argus Specialist Publications Limited and any reproduction requires the prior written consent of Argus Specialist Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\n©Argus Specialist Publications Limited 1984"},"MainText":"Having unwrapped my bundle of tapes and glancing through, I thought that I would start off with the best of the bunch. Combat Lynx by Durell for the 48K Spectrum, comes in a smart plastic case, which is more like a video cassette case than a software box, with a battle picture on the front, which should attract the punters.\r\n\r\nI was more attracted to the note on the back of the case. \"£100 Reward\", if my copy of the game did not have a blue plastic cassette body with the word 'DURELL' embossed on it. Well folks, I haven't moved so fast in all my life, but alas, my tape was not forgery and no £100. I think that this is a brilliant idea to beat software piracy, which is bringing some firms down under and I seriously hope that many other companies will follow suit.\r\n\r\nCombat Lynx is described as an air-to-ground battle simulation game and is written in pure, 100% machine code. The manual reads '....probably the most comprehensive 'real time' battle simulation ever written' (does this remind you of a lager advert?).\r\n\r\nThe idea of the game is to protect your bases from being attacked by the enemy and also to stop yourself being blown-up in mid-air.\r\n\r\nAt the beginning of the game the user has the option to redefine they keys and save or load score and key definitions. The skill level then needs to be selected between one and four, with four being the hardest and with more bases to look after. Your base 0 has luckily got an endless supply of fuel, weapons and the magical touch of revitalising injured 'troops.\r\n\r\nEnemy vehicles will slowly attack all your bases, unless stopped by allied vehicles or yourself. As all you supplies are at base '0', the enemy will eventually arrive there and completely wipe it out in one fell swoop, leaving you totally disarmed as weapon supplies an injured persons cannot be recuperated.\r\n\r\nYou control the helicopter, which at the start of the game is hovering above base 0 and by gently tapping the 'down' key, you land at Base 0 and are presented with a set of screens in order to select weapons and troops. Passing through the screens, personnel may be picked up, injured personnel dropped and various weapons collected. There are six types of weapons at your disposal, each having different technicalities. The more weapons and personnel that are carried the more fuel is automatically dropped as there is a maximum weight allowed on board.\r\n\r\nThere are mines, which can be strategically placed around your bases to prevent a land attack on them: there are heat-seeking missiles, wire-guided missiles and three unguided missiles.\r\n\r\nThe intelligence map is a map of the battlefield with the lower ground in different colour to the higher ground and all the bases and vehicles, both allied and enemy, are represented by symbols. It is advised that you do not blow up the allied vehicles as you will definitely need all the help that you can get.\r\n\r\nAt any time the co-ordinates of all bases can be found out, thus by using the map the general direction may be formed. The map is examined by using the cursor keys with North always pointing upwards.\r\n\r\nAs well as all this there is also a message screen. The informer of when your bases are under attack and also when they have been totally wiped out, as well as any other appropriate messages. Fuel, speed, temperature gauges and a compass are all present in order for you, the helicopter pilot, to survive and win this war.\r\n\r\nThe helicopter, seen from behind, is easily controlled although a flicking of the flight screen occurs when you turn more than 45 degrees in order to put you at the rear of the helicopter again. This can put you off at first, but in no way does it hinder your game as there isn't any delay in restoring the flight image. The weapons are fired first of all selecting the desired system, pressing the weapon's sight key, lining up the black cross and finally pressing the fire button. This process can be too long if the enemy is in sight, by the time this weaponry process has been affected, the enemy has disappeared. This is why I found the heat-seeking and wire-guided missiles most useful, as there is no real need to activate and line up the weapons sight.\r\n\r\nAn excellent game, which kept me (moderately) awake till the early hours of the morning, that can be enjoyed by all. You are placed in the centre of a real-time battle situation and are your own boss as to how you may win the battle.\r\n\r\nThe game is not for the very young or the elderly, but even if you come in the middle of the above range, I am sure that you will find this simulation no easy task; The icing on the cake I suppose was the sound, which can be turned off and on, and is as close as any micro can get to a realistic helicopter's noise.\r\n\r\nSo, all in all brilliant graphics, outstanding simulation - an excellent game.\r\n\r\n(Where the ZXC Factor is a mark out of ten whether I would buy the game.)","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"40","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"David Harwood","Score":"10","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Instructions","Score":"85%","Text":""},{"Header":"Presentation","Score":"95%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictability","Score":"95%","Text":""},{"Header":"Value","Score":"95%","Text":""},{"Header":"ZXC Factor","Score":"10/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Personal Computer News Issue 91, Dec 1984","Price":"","ReleaseDate":"1984-12-07","Editor":"Peter Worlock","TotalPages":74,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editorial\r\nEditor: Peter Worlock\r\nDeputy Editor: David Guest\r\nProduction Editor: Lauraine Turner\r\nSub Editor: Harriet Arnold\r\nEditor's Assistant: Karen Isaac\r\nNews Writer: Ralph Bancroft, Sandra Grandison\r\nFeatures Editor: John Lettice\r\nSoftware Editor: Bryan Skinner\r\nPeripherals Editor: Kenn Garroch\r\nHardware Editor: Stuart Cooke\r\nPrograms Editor: Nickie Robinson\r\nArt Director: Jim Dansie\r\nArt Editor: Dave Alexander\r\nAssistant Art Editor: Tim Brown\r\nLayout Artist: Bruce Preston\r\nPublisher: Cyndy Miles\r\nPublishing Assistant: Tobe Bendeth\r\n\r\nAdvertising\r\nGroup Advertising Manager: Peter Goldstein\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Bettina Williams\r\nAssistant Advertisement Managers: Laura Cade, Claire Rowbottom\r\nSales Executives: Claire Barnes, Phil Benson, Mike Blackman, Steve Corrick, Tony Keefe, Andrew Flint, Christian McCarthy, Isabel Middleton, Sarah Musgrave, Tony O'Reilly, Anita Stokes\r\nProduction: Richard Gaffrey\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Jan Moore\r\nSubscription Enquiries: Gill Stevens\r\nSubscription Address: [redacted]\r\nEditorial Address: [redacted]\r\nAdvertising Address: [redacted]\r\n\r\nPublished by VNU Business Publications, [redacted]\r\n© VNU 1983. No material maybe reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\nPhotoset by Quickset, [redacted]\r\nPrinted by Chase Web Offset, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by Seymour Press, [redacted]\r\nRegistered at the PO as a newspaper"},"MainText":"PRICE: £7.95\r\nPUBLISHER: Durrell Software, [redacted]\r\n\r\nHow do people cram quite so much programming into the Spectrum?\r\n\r\nThere's enough in Combat Lynx to take you hours just to master the controls, let alone the strategic planning.\r\n\r\nThe game is a real-time battle simulation, so there's something for nearly all tastes - shoot-em-up, flight navigation and strategy. The game is fairly straightforward - you pilot a helicopter, the only air support for your bases. There are four skill levels; at the highest you must maintain and defend six bases and enemy pressure is much higher.\r\n\r\nOn arrival at a base, fuel and ammo can be picked up, personnel delivered and injured combatants collected for treatment at Base zero. When arming the chopper you can select from cannon, mines, rockets etc, up to your maximum payload. But the more heavily armed you are, the less fuel you can carry.\r\n\r\nThere are so many different keys to press that it's very confusing at first. Flying the whirlybird is easy enough, though the display shifts alarmingly between the compass quarters. There's plenty to keep you occupied in the cockpit. You have to keep an eye on the compass, your coordinates, an altimeter, flight control instrument gauges, weapons and message screen.\r\n\r\nThe best part is the main view which shows the Lynx in the centre, above a 3D scrolling landscape. The Lynx is rather small, and there are attribute problems, but it's very nicely done, twisting and turning convincingly.\r\n\r\nThe background is also very good. There are green fields with white contour outlines against a blue sky. Enemy forces like gun emplacements are wire frame, and it's quite something to hunt down and pursue a tank. The hilly landscape is dotted with trees and houses which drift past underneath the copter as you search for the enemy. The perspective isn't perfect, but the effect is very good, all the same.\r\n\r\nPressing M takes you to the navigation map. This is a window on the battlefield, with the Lynx in the middle. You can scroll the window to check for enemy movements. Symbols show the bases, tanks, lorries etc, which are circled if they belong to allied forces. These are a bit indistinct and it's difficult to tell what's what.\r\n\r\nAnother M and you're back in the pilot's seat. If you're lost you can always request base coordinates via the micro screen, but you'll have to be quick writing them down. It's through the micro-screen, which flashes when a message has been received, that information about attacks on bases is relayed.\r\n\r\nOnce Base zero has been knocked out you're in trouble, as that's the only place personnel can be regenerated.\r\n\r\nEnemy troops can be destroyed by the advanced weaponry system on board the Lynx. There are rockets, cannon, machine guns, tanks missiles, Sidewinders and mines. A good ploy to kick off with is to make a few trial sorties from Base zero, laying a heavy minefield and getting in some flying practice. Then you can pick up some personnel and head off for the nearest base. Weapons systems have to be primed before you can use them, and some have sights to help your aim.\r\n\r\nIt's not just a question of knocking out a few tanks or guns. The enemy has substantial air power and fast jets are likely to make mincemeat out of you. Flying too high, particularly at the higher skill levels makes you open to missile attack, while flying low demands the utmost attention.\r\n\r\nThere are a few quibbles; the sound fits monotonous, the regular at of the blades never changes and is only interrupted by rather poor firing noises or the sound of your demise. Another chance was missed here - there's no crash, no flames, just a disappointing sort of hiss and a broken-up shape. The graphics are a bit jerky; a smoother scroll would improve matters.\r\n\r\nBut these are minor points and don't really detract from the addiction of the game. Combat Lynx is one of the new breed of games that really gets you working hard, grabs your attention and gets harder as you get better. A winner.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"53","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Bryan Skinner","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]