THE SPECTRUM GAMES DATABASE

3D DEATHCHASE

PUBLISHER
Micromega

AUTHOR(s)
M.J. Estcourt

YEAR
1983

DESCRIPTION
This was basicaly a racing game/shoot em up. You are one of an
elite group of mercenaries and you had to patrol various forests
during the day and night. There are 2 enemt bikers you have to
chase and kill for a bounty of $1000, there were also helecopters
and tanks to shoot as well. It was set over 8 levels where each
forest getting more and more dense. When you get past level 8
it's back to the start again.

KEYS
1 - steer left
0 - steer right
8 - decelerate
9 - accelerate
Any key on bottom row - fire photon bolt

Also you can use Kempston joystick

INSTRUCTIONS
You have to chase the enemy bikers until you are in range (the
range indicator will then flash), then you can use your photon
bolts to shoot them. While doing this you have to doge the
oncoming trees. Helecopters and tanks appear on the horizon and
these can also be shot for more money. You also get money if you
survive at high speeds. As soon as you have done a day patrol
(when you have killed the 2 bikers) you proceed to the night
stage which is similar to the day except the trees are harder to
spot. The intructions say that the greatest reward is left to
those who penetrate 8 sectors but I can't tell you what this is
as I never got that far!


INLAY CARD TEXT

3D Deathchase by M J Estcourt

*The greatest 3D graphics ever!
*Race ever deeper into the forest.
*Chase and destroy enemy Riders, tanks, helecopters.
*100% superfast machine code
*Kempston joystick compatable

To load press the 'J' key and, holding down the red symbol shift
press 'P' key twice. Screen should show LOAD "".
Press ENTER key and start tape-let tape run to end.

CONTROLS: When loaded, press '1' for keyboard. The keys for play
are then

'1' - steer left
'0' - steer right
'8' - decelerate
'9' - accelerate
any key on bottom road - fire photon bolt

Kempston joystick control is selected by pressing '2' instead of
'1' when loaded.

THE STORY SO FAR

It is 2501, 100 years after the Great War. The North American
continent is ruled by mighty warlords in constant conflict over
forest teritory.  You are one of the elite mercenaries, Riders
of the Big Bikes. It's a quick way to get rich - and a quicker
way to die. You patrol your forest day and night, chasing enemy
Riders and destroying them with your guided photon bolts for
$1000 a time. You may find helecopters and tanks too - your
masters reward you particulary well if you destroy these.

You can only fire at the other Riders when at top speed and
cannot hit them unless you are close enougth - your range
indicator will flash when you are in range and your purse
increases as long as you are in such hot pursuit.

It is said that the greatest reward is kept for the Rider who can
penetrate 8 sectors - you will need every ounce of skill to find
out ...


CHEATS
Just enter this program, play deathchase past the header, typ RUN
and press play. Gives you invincibility.

5 REM DEATHCHASE
6 REM TIM DEILY
7 REM CRASH MAY 1987
10 FOR G=32740 TO 32758: READ A : POKE G,A : NEXT G
20 RANDOMIZE USR 32740
30 DATA 62,255,55,17,72,63
40 DATA 221,33,0,64,205,86
50 DATA 5,62,0,50,95,103,201

or you can try POKE 26463,0 for infinite lives.


RE-RELEASES
1986 - 299 Classics (where it was called just Deathchase)
1989 - Zeppelin

URL
ftp.nvg.unit.no/pub/sinclair/snaps/games/arcade/deathchase.zip

NOTABLE FEATURES
The most notable feature is the fact that 3D Deatchase is only
16k long.  It is a very simple game but is highly addictive,
don't play this game as you will not want to play anything again
for weeks! It is also very hard on the later levels, you spend
most of your time avoiding the trees let alone try to shoot the
bikers.  The games blurb boasted about the fact that it was 100%
machine code, Kempston joystick compatable and had the greatest
3d graphics ever!