AIR STRIKE


The enemy rarely attacks you on a nice day waiting for you to pick him off.
No, the enemy attacks from in the sun, out of the fog, and any other way 
that will give him the advantage. Air Strike gives you a taste of what it
is like trying to mount an air defense against an enemy that sometimes you
have to strain to see and is very, very deadly. 

What you need:

To run this game, you need a sound board, and you'll also need a 256 colour 
display... and it would really help if you have a good strong finger and 
good vision. 

Background:

So here's an arcade "shooter" that requires skill and strategy and moves at 
a fast pace. Heightening the frenetic pace is 5 unique MIDI background songs 
(at least in the shareware release) and plenty of sound effects. So here's a 
game for you all that runs at 465x400x256 just to prove that arcade stuff 
isn't limited to 320 x 240 (or DOS.)

How to play:

Start the game. 

Immediately, planes are coming at you. Use the mouse to position the 
crosshair cursor over the center of the plane (and it's not particularly 
easy to do on a moving target...) and press a button. If you get at least a 
couple of rounds into the engine, you'll destroy the plane.

Not much to it, is there? However, it's not quite as simple as it looks.


Strategy:

You only have a limited number of rounds to fire, so you don't want to 
waste shots. As planes come at you they will be firing, so the damage 
mounts up. The way to maximise your point total is to kill as many as 
possible as fast as you can. Accuracy helps... 

If you run out of rounds or the damage meter fills up, you'll get 
treated to a screen full of bullet holes through your plexiglass 
battlement shield, which means that... you die.

You get more points for the smaller planes. As the planes get bigger 
(i.e. closer) they are easier to target, but then again they're also 
worth less points.

In many scenarios the enemy is coming at you at his advantage, cloaked
in darkness, fog, or the glare of the sun. Sometimes it is very hard 
to get a bead on him. Aim for his engine.


Misc:

The Scope icon in the lower right corner will allow you to access the 
setup stuff. Just click on the sound or music icons to turn each off 
and on. 


The story:

The first level counts, but it's more like a practice mission. You are 
ostensibly defending the south of England against an invasion force that 
is strafing supply trucks... your job is to supply enough anti-aircraft 
fire so your own planes can get in the air.

After you complete this training, you're on your own on the coast... and 
the enemy learns quickly and becomes a little harder to hit. And then the
bastards come at you at night...It's enough to get you upset.

Playing Air Strike is an excellent way to relieve tension and kick some 
enemy butt. It's small and quick enough that you can squeeze in a few 
dozen dead Messerschmidts on your lunch break. 


To order Air Strike:

In short, it's $19.95 (plus shipping outside the USA)

In addition to this game, you also get episodes 2 and 3. 

In episode 2, The Pillbox, you control a 360 degree rotation turret
in a pillbox protecting a bridge (and other items in other levels.) 
Knock out enemy tanks and storm troopers if you can. Use your closeup
radar to detect enemy advances and see if you can stop him before he
gets close enough to really rock you. 

In episode 3, Sub Hunt, take command of a Destroyer to rid the seas of
U-Boats. And remember, U-boats fire back at you.

All three games feature intense arcade action, original MIDI music 
scores, and 256 colour graphics. 

In the USA, call 1-800-2424-PsL with your credit card (Visa, Mastercard, 
or American Express) handy and order product # 11369. You can also fax 
an order to 1-713-524-6390. For orders outside the USA call 713-524-6398
and remember you need to add $4 shipping and handling.

Also, you can order directly from us: (Cash/Check/Money Orders only)

Alston Software Labs
P.O. Box 581
Ruidoso, NM 88345

Tech support is at (209) 522-8666.

If you're in the UK or Europe, talk to our UK publisher:

The Thompson Partnership
Churchcroft, Bramshall
Uttoxter, Staffs ST145DE

Call (0)889-564601
Fax  (0)889-563219