Academy (video game)

Infobox VG
width=
title= Academy


caption=
developer= CRL Group PLC
publisher= CRL Group PLC
distributor=
designer= Pete Cooke
series= Tau Ceti
engine=
version=
released= 1987
genre= Action game / simulation
modes= Single player
ratings=
platforms= ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS
media= Cassette tape
requirements=
input= Computer keyboard

"Academy" is an action/simulation computer game for the ZX Spectrum, [WoS_game|id=0005156|name=Academy] Amstrad CPC and Amiga.Fact|date=July 2008 It was released in 1987 by CRL. It achieved critical success in the year it was released.

Gameplay

It is the sequel to "Tau Ceti" and written by the same author, Pete Cooke. The gameplay is similar – the player pilots a 'skimmer' through a 3D world – but with many extra features. Instead of a single, large gameworld, the storyline is mission-based (but allowing the player some control over the order of play). The world physics of the original game are expanded on, as these missions take place on different planets under different suns; for example piloting under a dark red-dwarf provides a different play experience to a bright yellow sun.

In addition, the player may design their own skimmers; customising engine and weapon strengths, equipment payloads, and arranging the on-screen control panel.

The game's interface is the same distinctive cursor-and-menu system used in Pete Cooke's other creations, such as "Micronaut One", "A Whole New Ball Game" and "Tau Ceti".

toryline

From the game's instructions: [ftp://ftp.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/games-info/a/Academy.txt]

After an incident on 61 Cygnus in 2197 when a rookie pilot selected the wrong gear when docking with the main central reactor and reduced half the planet to molten lava, Gal-Corp decided that a special training facility was needed to provide an elite corps of pilots for the advanced military skimmers used in colonisation and reconnaissance work.

The Galcorp Academy for Advanced Skimmer Pilots (GASP) was founded in 2213 to meet this requirement. With an intake of over a hundred would be skimmer pilots a year, only a few meet the exacting requirement of flying and combat skills.

In order to graduate from the Academy cadets must complete 20 missions, grouped in five levels of four, successfully.

Critical response

Your Sinclair awarded the game 9/10, [ [http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/academy.htm Academy ] ] with reviewer Phil South impressed with the skimmer design system and the difficulty level of the missions. CRASH awarded the game 92%, [ [http://www.crashonline.org.uk/36/academy.htm CRASH 36 - Academy ] ] praising it's slick presentation, mission structure and 3D graphics rendering.

References