Rule Britannia!!
A couple of years ago, I managed to buy myself a mint copy of D-Day by US Gold. This is a war game on four disks, so it's a pain to someone (like me) who's been spoiled by the luxury of an Ultrasatan. However, I couldn't find a hard disk version anywhere, so I did what any sane person would do - I asked Peter Putnik.
Later, during the World Cup (and after a couple of beers), I had myself the hard disk adaptation of this wonky war game. Launching it from my Satan is a dream compared to the floppies, and I'm really grateful for Peter's commitment to the ST scene. So, what did I think of US Gold's take on this historic moment?
Before we begin, June 6th 1944 is a moment in time that we are unable to comprehend but will never forget. This video recording and game review is just my humble way to say thank you to those who have served.
We need to see a screenshot, so let's kick it off with the topography of this historic area...
Overlord offers a crude yet incredible insight into the situation on the day. Quite frightening!
Operation Neptune
A map of Normandy during D-Day illustrates enemy positions and planned missions, enabling their execution. This is like a campaign mode for the entire Overlord Operation, and each event features by time as it unfolded. However, it's confusing to newcomers, and even the manual recommends you start by playing the individual missions first. I love their honesty, so I did exactly that and began each part in turn.
The idea of these mini-games is great. They are broken up into four categories: Tank, Bomb (the most sluggish planes ever!), Paratrooper, and Infantry soldiers. Splitting them up is brilliant and allows you to skip directly to your favourite. Also, no matter the game, there are always several missions to choose from.
Wanna hear more? Good! So let's take a look at each of the mini-games right now...
There is a wealth of information and statistical detail to check out in the main game.
Mission #1 - Tank
The first game is Tank, a WWII twist on the Battlezone format, and looks like another ST title, possibly because they share the same programmer, Pascal Jarry! There are lots of missions, and the first instructs us to destroy every bunker on the beach - a lot harder than it sounds! There are loads of missions, but it's quite buggy, and I suffered a few crashes. At one point, I even managed to get myself stuck in a tree!
Performance is poor and lacks engine noise (which is weird), but I have to admit that I had a bunch of fun driving the little tank. Make sure you hit the function keys for the different modes of operation, and also a cool outside perspective. Overall, it's worth playing a couple of missions, but sadly, it feels like a rushed add-on.
An average game that could have been far better, so I rate this 5.5/10.
The big boys are here, and we're taking no prisoners!
We're out roaming the countryside - looking for a fight.
Mission #2 - Bomb
This next game is truly eye-opening. How did it manage to slip past the US Gold Quality and Control debt? (lol). Again, there are lots of different missions, and I chose to fly at night to bomb a bridge. Well, that was theory, anyhow, but I literally had not even the slightest chance of hitting it. Not in a million years!
Controlling the plane is strange. There are basic instruments to help with your noble adventure, but it's all a bit rubbish. It's nothing like I would expect, so you're left feeling blind, which makes completing any mission nigh on impossible. Calling it a sluggish 3D engine is a massive understatement; I reckon an Oric 1 could perform better. It’s definitely the weakest game, so I won’t be playing it again.
I am really struggling not to be too cruel here, but I must rate Bomb at 2/10.
Wow, I really don't know how to describe this part of the game... So poor.
Mission #3 - Paratrooper
We parachute in, either solo or with troops, into a dangerous warzone. Firstly, getting them safely on the ground is crucial, but be mindful of the challenging wind conditions. Despite the ludicrously bad gameplay, guiding your men to safety is surprisingly rewarding. My daughter enjoyed it and thought it was good - bonus!
Unlike the Bomb game, this game is so bad that you need to play it. Weird, right?
I don't know why I enjoyed this game so much. I have no answer, and rate it at 6/10.
Weeee, one man gets tangled and falls to his death, but the others land safely!
Mission #4 - Infantry
I enjoy overhead action/strategy games, and this is styled similarly to the likes of Cannon Fodder or Rebellion. However, don’t be fooled; it’s more of a slower-paced tactical game where stealth is key to survival.
Many missions involve guiding stickmen through fields, avoiding enemy bunkers, tanks, and more. The gameplay is crude, and the enemy AI is like a robotic turret (ie, not very good, but deadly!). Each enemy unit has a specific position on the screen, and once spotted, they relentlessly bombard that area. It’s your job to sneakily find an alternative route and pick them off with your machine gun, grenades, or mortar.
The controls are surprisingly imprecise, and getting the soldiers to stand exactly where you need them is half the battle. It’s also annoying when they take the long route around an obstacle, often putting them in the line of fire and causing them to die. The graphics are quite Cannon Fodder-ish, but of a very crude type. I might be a terrible pixel artist, but I honestly think I could have done better. The sound effects are made from crunchy samples and add to the atmosphere, but the constant noise might give you a headache.
I should stop complaining because, despite its flaws, this game is incredible. It reminded me of what I'd call (a lite) Stonkers on the ZX Spectrum. Infantry is nothing more than finding a safe route through the map and picking off the enemy one by one. It’s very simple and not much more, but I genuinely enjoyed myself more than I can explain. I played the game for several hours. Yes, I know, I’m mad!
It's crude and ridiculously unrealistic, but I loved it!!! So I'm giving Infantry a 9/10.
We're on the beach in one mission, and raising everything to the ground on another!
The enemy won't move, but they're sure out in great numbers. Can you kill everyone and escape?
The CryptO'pinion?
If there was ever a mixed bag of goodies, then this is it. The Operation Overlord sections are rich in depth and provide a unique historical perspective for eager gamers. However, D-Day feels like it was hastily programmed, which is odd considering the credits. Technically, it fails to utilise the Atari ST hardware effectively and is riddled with sluggish, buggy code. Very surprising. While D-Day is somewhat tacky, I thoroughly enjoyed playing Infantry. Therefore, I recommend it just for that, especially on such a significant historical day.
Looks pretty good, right? Well, this was recorded using my beefy Mega STe.I'll say no more...
