Fire Power (video game)
| Industry | Video game development |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 |
| Products | Fire Power |
Fire Power (also known as Firepower) is a tank-based military action game created by Silent Software for the Amiga. Initially released in 1987, it was published by MicroIllusions and Activision. The title was subsequently adapted for the Apple IIGS, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS platforms in 1988. A version for the Atari Lynx was planned but ultimately canceled due to internal complications at Epyx.
Summary
In this game, players operate a tank across large outdoor environments containing at least two opposing bases—green and yellow teams (with red replacing yellow on the PC version). At the start, base positions are concealed, requiring players to explore the map. Gameplay centers around engaging enemy turrets, defensive structures, and destructible buildings. Remaining still makes the tank vulnerable to attacks from enemy helicopters, which can be eliminated using the tank’s primary cannon.
Bases and tanks
Bases feature various buildings such as armories, barracks, and bio-domes. The main goal is to seize the adversary’s flag by breaking through walls and defensive installations. Additionally, players can free prisoners of war by destroying POW camps located within enemy territory; each rescued POW joins the player's tank crew, with every fifteen freed prisoners granting an additional life.
Players can select from three types of tanks offering different tactical advantages: a fast but fragile option, a slow yet heavily armored model, and a balanced version. Tanks differ in their capacity to carry POWs. To capture the flag, players must physically enter the flag building to retrieve it; notably, garages cannot be destroyed by weapons.
Features
The game includes a unique mechanic where running over enemy soldiers produces a characteristic "squish" sound effect and leaves a persistent bloody "splat" on the battlefield. A built-in map editor allows users to design custom multiplayer scenarios.
Fire Power supports single-player mode, split-screen multiplayer, and modem-based play with chat functionality during matches.
Reception
Roy Wagner from Computer Gaming World commended Fire Power as an affordably priced title with outstanding presentation qualities, describing it as "a great shoot 'em up arcade wargame."
Reviews
- Computer and Video Games (Jun 1988)
- ACE (Advanced Computer Entertainment) (Jul 1988, Oct 1989)
- Info (Nov 1987)
- The Games Machine (Jun 1988, Nov 1989)
- Commodore User (Jun 1988, Oct 1989)
- Games-X (Aug 1991)
- Commodore Format (Jun 1991)
- ST/Amiga Format (Jul 1988)
- Australian Commodore and Amiga Review (Apr 1990)
- Your Amiga (Jun 1988)
Legacy
The success of Fire Power spawned two follow-up titles: Return Fire and Return Fire 2, further establishing the series within the action and tank simulation genres.