ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN LIMA NEWSLETTER JANUARY 1992
 
          Game Review: SCUD Busters 
          By:  Andy Frueh, Lima UG 
 
     This is a review of a game that will be released at the Chicago TI fair in
1991.  It was produced by Harrison software, better known for their fantastic
music and new word processor.  I have mentioned before that their music
programs are nothing but exceptional. 
 
     With the success of the Americans in the Persian Gulf, it isn't surprising
that a game has come along to glorify our victory.  Naturally, you expect this
game to be full of flash.  Unfortunately, this game fell a little short of my
expectations. 
 
     The documentation is well written and makes the game very easy to
understand and play.  The musice in the introduction is excellent.  But that
doesn't make for an engrossing game. 
 
     The scenario sounds facsinating.  You are in the Saudi area.  Saddam is
hurling SCUD missiles at you.  Your only defense are your Patriot missiles of
which you have an unlimited supply.  The catch is, you can only fire one round
per SCUD attack. 
 
     My biggest complaint is the graphics.  Frankly, they aren't great.  The
SCUDs are represented by a black lopsided rectangle.  Your "sights" are a
single white dot, which is hard to see against the stars in the background.
The screen is composed of a blue field with white stars.  That's it.  When you
hit a SCUD or it falls to the ground, you hear an explosion and see a little
orange and yellow explosion. 
 
     For me to be really interested in a game, graphics are a must.  They
aren't really present here.  My second big criteria is either exciting game
play or a really original concept.  Even a twist on an old theme is nice.  But
there isn't really anything new.  No objects to protect.  A SCUD falls and
explodes if it hits the ground.  You can't see or tell what is damaged.  True,
you're in a desert, but can't I at least get a few tents? 
 
     As far as the style of play, it is very similar to the Missile Command or
Barrage.  Except Barrage for the TI is, in this reviewer's opinion, the best of
the games.  This game seems to be more akin to the older Assembly games, not
like what people are developing now (such as Karate and Rock Runner by Asgard).
$14.95 is probably too much for a game which has been done before, and better
as well.  This is unfortunate for Harrison Software, which has such an
excellent reputation for quality music programs. 
Available from HARRISON SOFTWARE 
5705 40th Place 
Hyattsville MD 20781 
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