Final Assault
| Company type | Video game developer and publisher |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Lyon , France |
| Products | Final Assault (video game) |
Final Assault, initially released as Bivouac in French and marketed in Europe under the title Chamonix Challenge, is a mountaineering simulation game created and published by Infogrames in 1987. Distribution was handled by Infogrames across Europe and by Epyx in North America. The game was made available on multiple platforms such as Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Thomson MO6, Thomson TO8, and ZX Spectrum. The initial launch incorporated copy protection measures.
Gameplay
Taking place in the Alps mountain range, players are tasked with selecting routes, assembling climbing equipment, and deciding on departure times and seasonal conditions. The gameplay involves overcoming obstacles like crevasses, ice walls, and rocky cliffs while managing vital factors including hunger, fatigue, thirst, and cold exposure. Achieving success relies heavily on careful planning of gear and efficient resource allocation. Progress can be recorded by carrying a Save Game Disk within the player's backpack.
Reception
The MS-DOS edition earned a 4-star rating out of 5 from Dragon, which described it as "innovative," "exciting," and "captivating." The Games Machine assigned a 68% score to the PC version, acknowledging some monotony but emphasizing the rewarding nature of reaching summits; meanwhile, the Atari ST and Amstrad CPC releases received scores of 75% and 72%, respectively. Happy Magazine rated the Commodore 64 version at 65%, commending its strategic depth despite limited sound design. A retrospective evaluation by Jeuxvideo.com awarded the Amiga and Atari ST versions 17 out of 20 points for delivering a challenging yet engaging experience.
Reviews
- Atari ST User – March 1988
- Your Sinclair – February 1989
- The One – October 1988
- Computer and Video Games – December 1988
- ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment) – December 1988 and February 1988
- Jeux & Stratégie #48 (under the name "Bivouac")