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Judge Dredd (1991 video game)

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Judge Dredd (1991 video game), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 202512 sources
Judge Dredd (video game)
Company typeVideo game
IndustryVideo games
PredecessorJudge Dredd (1986 video game)
Founded1991; 35 years ago (1991)
FounderRandom Access
Area served
Europe
ProductsJudge Dredd (video game)
ParentVirgin Mastertronic

Judge Dredd is a platform-based shoot 'em up video game released in 1991, inspired by the Judge Dredd comic character. Developed by Random Access and published by Virgin Mastertronic, it was made available across Europe for platforms including the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum. Critics frequently highlighted the game's repetitive nature.

Gameplay

Set within the fictional realm of Mega-City One, Judge Dredd comprises six distinct stages. Players assume the role of Judge Dredd, tasked with apprehending criminals and confronting formidable bosses such as Orlok and the Dark Judges. The main armament is Dredd’s Lawgiver firearm, which offers three different ammunition types. Throughout gameplay, the city’s crime level gradually escalates; if it reaches a critical point, the player fails. The Lawmaster motorcycle can be utilized for quicker movement, but using it causes a swift increase in crime rate and disables weapon use. Additionally, harming innocent civilians contributes to rising crime statistics. Each stage concludes with a bonus mini-game.

Development and release

In 1989, Virgin Mastertronic acquired rights to produce a Judge Dredd game, with Random Access—developers behind The Sales Curve—handling its creation. Simon Pick, serving as project manager, initially envisioned a title resembling Shinobi but tailored to fit the Judge Dredd universe. However, since Judge Dredd does not perform jumps, incorporating platform elements proved difficult. After several unsuccessful prototypes, the team shifted to using orthographic projection designs. The game's launch was postponed until early 1991.

The title was released in Europe on Amiga, Atari ST, C64, and ZX Spectrum systems, alongside an additional Amstrad CPC version. While the ZX Spectrum and CPC editions were once believed unreleased, copies later emerged.

Reception

Judge Dredd garnered mixed reactions from critics, with many pointing out monotonous gameplay.[1][2][3][4][5] Commodore Format described the gameplay as "atrocious" and "grossly unplayable," highlighting how quickly the crime rate escalates.[6] CU Amiga found the gameplay uninspiring and inconsistent, noting that the crime rate indicator "lacks any clear pattern."[2] Reviewers from Zzap!64 criticized the difficult crime rate management in the Amiga version but regarded the C64 variant as more manageable.[1] ACE echoed these gameplay complaints but acknowledged that some of the comic's dark humor was effectively represented.[7] Your Sinclair considered it a "decent effort to capture the character’s essence."[4] Conversely, CU Amiga felt it failed to embody the comic's atmosphere and excitement.[2]

Robert Swan of Computer and Video Games regarded this release as an improvement over the 1986 Judge Dredd title,[8] whereas CU Amiga judged both versions as below expectations.[2] Amiga Power dismissed it as "yet another Judge Dredd game completely mishandled."[9] Crash found it superior to its predecessor.[5] Garth Sumpter from Sinclair User observed that although it did not advance standards in visuals, audio, or gameplay, it contained authentic elements likely to appeal to fans.[10] Swan also pointed out inaccuracies such as missing weapons on the Lawmaster bike, which disappointed enthusiasts.[8]

Regarding graphics, Zzap!64 criticized the Amiga edition but praised the C64 version.[1] Both Commodore Format and Zero complimented graphics on C64 and Amiga platforms respectively.[6][3] Other critiques were less favorable toward Atari ST and ZX Spectrum visuals.[8][11][4] Andy Hutchinson of ST Format described Judge Dredd’s animation as "mediocre" with occasional awkward movements but praised smooth scrolling and visually appealing backgrounds.[11] John Taylor from Amstrad Computer User lauded the graphics and scrolling performance on the CPC release.[12]

Sound design received varied opinions; while Zzap!64 disapproved of the music,[1] Hutchinson criticized overall sound quality,[11] whereas Zero applauded both intro sequences and musical composition.[3]

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Zap
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CU
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Zero
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named YS
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Crash
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CF
  7. ↑ ...
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CVG
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AP
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SU
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named STF
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Taylor

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