After rooting around in the dirt yesterday with Manic Miner it’s time to return to the inky black in the Your Sinclair Top 100, as No.#24 is Starstrike II from Realtime Games Software Ltd. As a young lad I loved this Star Wars clone and I’m hoping it’s lasted well over the past few decades.
Ian Oliver and Graeme Baird delivered Starstrike II to the gaming world in 1986 and both were masters at this genre, programming such titles as Tank Duel 3D, Starfox and Starglider; the original Amiga version of Starglider – programmed by Jez San – featured on the children’s Saturday morning TV Show Get Fresh starring Gareth Jones & Gilbert the Alien.
After the failed invasion from the “Outsiders” the aliens have retreated to their collective homeworlds, to rebuild both resources and strength. Now the Federation has seized the opportunity and launched a pre-emptive attack in their new starfighter – piloted by yourself – the Starstrike II. With over twenty-two planets to be destroyed, separated into Agricultural, Industrial and Military – each with their own defences – it’s up to you to plot your path throughout these worlds. With limited fuel and shields during battle you will need to keep a close eye on your ship if you want to complete your mission.
Starstrike II as a boy of eleven was – in my memory – possibly as close as I could get to Star Wars, not including Domark’s Star Wars conversion of course. Back then it had space battles all over the place, ship-to-ship dogfights and trench runs; this game was quite frankly the bee-knees back in 1986. However, I’m no longer eleven, I am big boy forty-one that can see everything that’s wrong with this game and it’s upsetting me. Yes the graphics are rather grand, but the gameplay is bordering on stagnant, there is nothing entertaining upon this roll of tape and I’ve depressed myself loading it up. You move from one dull section to the next and it not entertaining at all, especially when you enter the tunnels or trenches and for two – five minutes you’re slowly manoeuvring past objects with nothing but an occasion “NERR!” noise to indicate you’ve hit something; popping onto YouTube even the ending is something of a damp squib too!
If you loved Starstrike II – like I did – don’t load it up, sit there in your chair and call me an outright liar. I’m more than happy to take the insult to keep you memories intact.
Originally published August 4, 2016. Updated October 25, 2022.
