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Desert Falcon

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1987 video game 1987 video game
Desert Falcon
Developer(s)General Computer Corporation
Publisher(s)Atari Corporation
Designer(s)Bob Polaro
Programmer(s)Atari 7800
Mike Feinstein
Bob Kakura
John Mracek
Chris Fitch
Atari 2600
Bob Polaro
Atari 8-bit
Ken Rose
Platform(s)Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Atari 8-bit
Release1987: 2600, 7800
1988: Atari 8-bit
Genre(s)Scrolling shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Desert Falcon is a scrolling shooter developed by General Computer Corporation for the Atari 7800 and Atari 2600 and published by Atari Corporation in 1987. It was initially announced in 1984, prior to being named Desert Falcon, as one of the planned launch titles for the 7800. A cartridge version for Atari 8-bit computers, with XEGS-styled packaging, followed in 1988.

Designed by Bob Polaro, who also programmed the Atari 2600 version, Desert Falcon is loosely based on ancient Egyptian mythology. The diagonally-scrolling isometric graphics had reviewers comparing it to Zaxxon from 1982.

Plot

Players take on the role of a falcon, striving to collect the Pharaoh's scattered treasures in the desert to earn points.

Gameplay

The game uses a scrolling, isometric perspective. Vultures, warriors, flying fish, and other creatures guard treasures and try to stop the player. At the end of each level, the player faces a large, howling sphinx before moving forward. The falcon can shoot arrows to eliminate foes and defeat the sphinx.

Throughout the game are hieroglyphs in the sand. Landing and hopping over three hieroglyphs unlock what are labeled "super powers" in the manual. The specific combination of collected hieroglyphs determines the acquired ability, including invincibility, teleportation to a level's end, bonus points, a decoy to mislead enemies, and an air bomb that annihilates all airborne opponents.

Development

The game was revealed in 1984 as part of the Atari 7800 announcement. It was referred to as both Sphinx and Nile Flyer.

Reception

Reviewing the Atari 8-bit version for ANALOG Computing in 1989, Matthew J.W. Ratcliff wrote, "Desert Falcon has good graphics, cute sound effects, and a tired, boring theme." He cited Zaxxon several times, calling Desert Falcon a visually different spin on the same gameplay. New Atari User wrote, "The scrolling in Desert Falcon isn't quite as smooth as it could be," but complimented the animation of the falcon and the use of shadows. In Antic, David Plotkin wrote, "The manual describes a wide variety of enemies. Unfortunately, except for some flying triangles, they all looked pretty much alike". He still concluded with "It has excellent graphics and is very playable."

After playing the 7800 cartridge, Len Poggiali of Current Notes described it as "an average arcade game with a below average plot and above average visual appeal."

References

  1. "Desert Falcon". Atari Protos.
  2. ^ Hague, James. "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers".
  3. ^ Ratcliff, Matthew J.W. (June 1989). "Review: Desert Falcon". ANALOG Computing (73): 73.
  4. ^ Rixon, Paul (December 1989). "Fly Me to the Pyramids". New Atari User (41): 36.
  5. "Atari XE Desert Falcon Manual" (PDF). archive.org. Atari Corporation.
  6. "Desert Falcon". AtariOnline.org. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  7. Davidson, Steve (September 1984). "Introducing the Atari 7800". Electronic Games. 2 (14): 28–29.
  8. ^ Plotkin, David (April 1989). "Newest Game Cartridges from Atari". Antic. 7 (12): 10–11.
  9. Poggiali, Len (July 1989). "The 7800 Game Cart: Desert Falcon". Current Notes: 62–63.

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