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Falcon (video game)

From Alfawiki
Spectrum HoloByte
Company typePrivate
IndustryVideo games
Headquarters
United States
ProductsFalcon (video game series)

Falcon is a combat flight simulator and marks the first official installment (excluding the 1984 title F-16 Fighting Falcon) in the Falcon franchise of F-16 fighter jet simulators developed by Spectrum HoloByte. Created by Sphere for the Macintosh and MS-DOS platforms in 1987, it was subsequently adapted for various systems up until 1992, garnering both commercial success and critical praise.

Gameplay and development history

Initially produced by Sphere, Inc. for Macintosh and PC in 1987, Falcon was later converted by Rowan Software to the Atari ST in 1988 and the Amiga in 1989. The Commodore CDTV edition was published in 1992 through a collaboration between Spectrum HoloByte and Mirrorsoft.

A Sega Genesis version designed to function with the unreleased TeleGenesis Modem never reached the market. In 1992, an enhanced Macintosh edition named Falcon MC introduced color graphics but retained most of the original gameplay. Turbo Technologies developed a streamlined variant for the TurboGrafx-16, which Spectrum HoloByte released in 1992. Planned but canceled versions included a Super NES release slated for early 1993 and an Atari Jaguar version expected in 1994.

The PC-98 platform received a version titled F-16 Fighting Falcon 2 in 1988.

Players can choose from twelve different missions, with performance-based awards recognizing higher proficiency. The game features a variety of air-to-air and ground attack weaponry, constrained by factors like missile dependability; for instance, older AIM-9J missiles are less reliable than AIM-9L models. Guided AGM-65 missiles simplify target acquisition compared to unguided bombs but are less effective against heavily fortified positions. An ECM pod offers missile countermeasures but occupies a hardpoint that could otherwise be used for additional weaponry or fuel tanks. Enemy forces control western sectors on the map with static ground installations; air defenses include MiG-21 fighters and surface-to-air missile systems such as SA-2s and portable SA-7 launchers.

In 1989, Spectrum HoloByte issued an update that enhanced control responsiveness and landing procedures, addressing earlier criticisms about the game's challenging difficulty.

The Atari ST and Amiga editions incorporate a semi-dynamic campaign system enabling players to patrol airspace, engage enemy aircraft, and strike ground targets. Destroyed structures and SAM sites remain inactive temporarily, while ongoing ground battles between opposing forces continue. These versions also received two expansion packs: Falcon Operation: Counterstrike and Falcon Operation: Firefight (known in Europe as Falcon Mission Disk Volume 2), released between 1989 and 1990.

Reception

Falcon was widely praised for its detailed and authentic flight simulation, especially within the microcomputer gaming sector. In 1987, Computer Gaming World lauded its realism, citing commendations from an F-16 pilot of the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing. The MS-DOS edition achieved a flawless 5 out of 5 stars rating from Dragon magazine, while Compute! magazine highlighted its impressive graphics, authenticity, and thorough documentation.

The title earned several distinguished accolades including the 1987 Software Publishers Association awards for Best Action/Strategy Program, Best Technical Achievement, and Best Simulation. It was also recognized as Best 16-bit Simulation Game of the Year at the 1989 Golden Joystick Awards and ranked eighth among Amiga games by Amiga Power magazine in 1991.

Conversely, the TurboGrafx-16 adaptation received mixed feedback; Electronic Gaming Monthly gave it a score of 4.5 out of 10, criticizing its limited gameplay action and challenging controls attributed to constraints imposed by fitting the game onto a 4 MB cartridge.

In contrast, Atari ST User regarded Falcon as one of the most refined flight simulators accessible at the time, emphasizing its polished presentation and high-quality gameplay experience.

Reviews

External links

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