''Airstrike II'' (shown on the box cover, but not the title screen, as ''Airstrike 2'') is a horizontally

scrolling shooter In computer displays, filmmaking, television production, and other kinetic displays, scrolling is sliding text, images or video across a monitor or display, vertically or horizontally. "Scrolling," as such, does not change the layout of the text ...

written by Steven A. Riding and published by

English Software The English Software Company, later shortened to English Software, was a Manchester, UK-based video game developer and publisher that operated from 1982 until 1987. Starting with its first release, the horizontally scrolling shooter ''Airstrike ...

for the

Atari 8-bit family The Atari 8-bit family is a series of 8-bit home computers introduced by Atari, Inc. in 1979 as the Atari 400 and Atari 800. The series was successively upgraded to Atari 1200XL , Atari 600XL, Atari 800XL, Atari 65XE, Atari 130XE, Atari 800XE, ...

in 1983. ''Airstrike II'' is a successor to the 1982 ''

Airstrike An airstrike, air strike or air raid is an offensive operation carried out by aircraft. Air strikes are delivered from aircraft such as blimps, balloons, fighters, heavy bombers, ground attack aircraft, attack helicopters and drones. The offic ...

'' which was also programmed by Riding. Both games have gameplay similar to the ''

Scramble Scramble, Scrambled, or Scrambling may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Games * ''Scramble'' (video game), a 1981 arcade game Music Albums * ''Scramble'' (album), an album by Atlanta-based band the Coathangers * ''Scrambles'' (album) ...

'' arcade game.

Gameplay

The goal of ''Airstrike II'' is to clear all five zones using a fighter ship armed with a laser gun and bombs. The ship's ammo and fuel are limited, but can be replenished by shooting a respective dump (F for fuel and A for ammo). The player's ship must navigate tight caverns and watch for enemy fighters and heat-sensitive missiles. The game is split in five zones, which have identical layout but increasing level of difficulty. Some improvements over the predecessor include addition of a scrolling map and a title screen music.

Reception

''Airstrike II'' was met with a mixed response. ''

Big K Big K may refer to: * Kuhn's-Big K, southeast American department store chain, sold out to Wal-Mart in 1981 * A larger store format of Kmart * A store brand used by Kroger The Kroger Company, or simply Kroger, is an American retail company th ...

'' magazine reviewed it twice, with the first reviewer concluding: "It may be very clever, but it's a terrible looking game, and I, for one, spend too much time in front of a VDU to want to have to look at something this ugly." while a second reviewer was more forgiving: "Excellent use has been made of the Atari 800's considerable graphics ..As it stands, probably English Software's best title". Bob Chappell writing for ''

Personal Computer News ''Personal Computer News'' (''PCN'') was a magazine publication which reviewed software and hardware for computers. It was published initially fortnightly, and during the boom period of home computing within the United Kingdom. It was published ...

'' also liked it: "The caverns are filled with defence systems, making the game possibly the toughest and most varied version of this classic to date." ''Home Computing Weekly'' covered ''Airstrike II'' in issue #054, concluding: "The graphics are nicely detailed and well complemented by colour. If you haven't tired of the idea, Airstrike 2 should satisfy your appetite for quite a while."

References

External links

* *{{Internet Archive game, id=a8b_Airstrike_II_1983_English_Software_GB_k_file 1983 video games Atari 8-bit family games Atari 8-bit family-only games Horizontally scrolling shooters Video games developed in the United Kingdom English Software games