Epic (video game)

Digital Image Design

Industry	Video game development
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Epic (video game)

Epic (also known as Epic: The Adventure Begins) is a space combat simulator created by Digital Image Design and distributed by Ocean Software for the Amiga and Atari ST platforms in early 1992. Subsequent versions were developed for MS-DOS and the PC-9800 series, followed by a sequel titled Inferno released in 1994 for personal computers.

Gameplay

Epic offers an action-driven space flight simulation experience, comprising eight unique missions that take place either in outer space or above planetary landscapes. Each mission imposes a strict time constraint to eliminate designated targets; failure results in the loss of a ship and may influence future gameplay progression.

Plot

The storyline is heavily inspired by Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek, and Star Wars. It follows a human fleet fleeing a planet facing destruction from a supernova. Their escape route leads them through the hostile Rexxon Empire's territory, which denies their request for safe passage, igniting conflict. Although Rexxon scientists verify the humans’ dire situation, the military escalates efforts to prevent their passage. Players assume control of one of three experimental Epic-class fighters, with the final mission requiring deployment of a cobalt bomb.

Development

The development process spanned three years and encountered several delays. Initially named Goldrunner 3D, it was announced as a spiritual successor to the Goldrunner series under Microdeal before Ocean Software acquired publishing rights in 1989.

Utilizing technology derived from F29 Retaliator, the game showcases 3D graphics that blend polygonal models with bitmap images—displaying 16 colors on Atari ST and 32 on Amiga, mainly in grey tones. Cutscenes differ depending on the platform: the Amiga and Atari ST versions combine pre-rendered 3D artwork with animated ships, whereas the PC edition features enhanced cutscenes and more detailed visuals, including smoother ship designs such as less angular Rexxon fighters.

Musical accompaniment varies between versions; the Atari ST and PC releases feature selections from Gustav Holst's The Planets, while the Amiga version contains an original soundtrack. The box art, created by Bob Wakelin in one of his final projects for Ocean, was approved by management but met with disapproval from developers; the pilot character’s appearance drew inspiration from actors Harrison Ford and Mel Gibson.

Release

Ocean launched Epic in spring 1992 for home computer systems at a retail price of £25.99 in the UK. Certain editions included an anaglyphic 3D poster along with branded glasses as a promotional bonus. The initial launch was marred by a critical bug causing frequent crashes, resulting in numerous product returns.

Later that year, it became the primary pack-in game for Commodore UK's Amiga 600 Epic bundle, which also included Rome: Pathway to Power and Myth: History in the Making, targeting holiday shoppers. This version was designed to run exclusively from the Amiga 600’s hard drive.

In 1994, Ocean reissued the title under its budget Hit Squad label. In December 2019, the PC edition saw a digital re-release bundled together with its sequel Inferno.

Reception

The critical response to Epic was varied. Several publications awarded it high marks: Mega Zone gave the PC version a 92% rating, while both CU Amiga and Amiga User International scored it at 91%, and Amiga Action rated it 90%. The magazine ACE assigned scores of 839 out of 1000 for the Amiga and ST editions, commending the rapid 3D visuals and impressive scale but noting limited replay value and depth. Meanwhile, ST Format rated it 91%, describing it as "the best blaster that the ST has seen in some time."

On the other hand, Amiga Power gave a low score of 34%, criticizing the presence of bugs, strict mission timers, and an overall "rushed" impression that favored graphics over gameplay. Similarly, Maff Evans from Amiga Format also rated it 34%, pointing out its brief duration despite a delayed launch. Player reviews often mentioned that the game could be completed quickly and noted the inclusion of a cheat mode detailed in the manual.

Early previews generated some inaccurate expectations; for instance, CU Amiga referenced music from The Planets, which did not appear in the final release. Additionally, Amiga Power reproached other magazines for evaluating incomplete versions, cautioning readers about misleading early assessments with the following statement:

"Other reviews...which appeared up to six or seven months ago were based on early demos...reviewing unfinished games does the reader no service...you should either make their lives hell or simply stop buying their mag."

Upon re-release, ratings declined further: Amiga Power lowered its score to 30%, asserting that the game had not aged well, while CU Amiga remained more favorable at 70%, though it remarked on the lack of complexity and noted improved performance on the faster Amiga 1200 model.

Expansion pack

An expansion titled Epic Extra Missions was distributed via the cover disk of issue 47 of The One, exclusively for the Amiga platform. Although the magazine suggested additional expansions might follow, no official commercial add-ons were ever launched.