Once I first heard about Missile Command Delta, turn-based gameplay was not what I anticipated. Altering the 1980 arcade traditional’s idea from a unending real-time rocket strike to a extra stress-free puzzle expertise appeared fairly the gamble, however a couple of minutes within the recreation’s tutorial room gained me over.
However as I left that tutorial, I didn’t stroll into the digital arcade parlor I had hoped for. Though Missile Command Delta introduced me with a lot extra puzzles, they weren’t solely of the tactical missile-defending sort. Though the sheer brilliance of the reimagined arcade gameplay saved me going, desires of an arcade-only mode have haunted me ever since.
Picture: 13AM Video games/Mighty Yell through Polygon
It’s no shock to see the long-lasting crimson, blue, and yellow coloration scheme return, nor did I ever doubt the inclusion of various missile varieties — these items are a given if you happen to resolve to reimagine Missile Command. However to maintain the suspense, regardless of the slower tempo, that’s spectacular.
Partially, this impact will be attributed to the flickering lights mixed with the eerie background music. Showing as a warning signal, the blinking missile tracks continuously remind me that my cities are about to get bombed, both by this missile wave or the subsequent. Make one error, and the subsequent group of missiles will hit you with disagreeable emotions of “Oh no, what have I accomplished?”
The fixed have to optimize my defenses had me calculating rocket pace, frantically scrolling via my arsenal, and making powerful choices, similar to ready for the subsequent flip in an try to destroy extra bombs utilizing the identical missile. Particularly in the course of the “select your arsenal” part, earlier than the true motion kicks off, the uncertainty hits laborious. This tactical freedom and strain to search out the optimum resolution make for a extremely compelling puzzle recreation, and I simply don’t need to cease taking part in.
It’s too dangerous, then, that Missile Command Delta doesn’t indulge my eager for the subsequent rocket storm. As Oli Welsh noticed, a first-person narrative about some teenagers caught in a bunker (don’t enter deserted bunkers – fiddle and discover out, guys!) continuously interferes with the cool stuff. Undoubtedly, the intention was to show this recreation right into a thriller, nevertheless it already has a thriller within the type of tactical dread.
Picture: 13AM Video games/Mighty Yell through Polygon
A Missile Command Delta arcade mode, out there from the beginning and accessible from the primary menu, could be the dream. Simply boot up the sport, enter the arcade, and begin an ongoing stream of Missile Command puzzles. I don’t anticipate an countless mode, however a big stack of handcrafted challenges would do.
Naturally, a bunch of various recreation modes could be magnificent. Think about the Atari 50 arcade assortment, however as a contemporary, missile-only version. I can’t assist however consider the chances: a 50-wave problem, a short-range missiles-only mode, a randomized arsenal, maybe even a bomb-’em-back variation (let’s see how they prefer it). That final one would have you ever firing again on the enemy — it breaks with the unique Missile Command’s vow to by no means let the participant turn into the aggressor, however you’ve received to confess, it will be enjoyable.
I understand my Missile Command desires are getting barely out of hand at this level, think about how pretty it’d be to see a couple of arcade machines in the midst of that dreary Missile Command Delta bunker. One stuffed with missile puzzles, and — I’m certain there’s room — a reproduction of the unique machine from 1980. Retro art work and cute buttons included.
Don’t get me improper, I am keen to undergo angsty teenagers with horrible survival instincts for the sake of the sensible tactical puzzle recreation that’s already core to this recreation, however Missile Command Delta has woke up a thirst for extra Missile Command, which it doesn’t fairly quench — but. If Mighty Yell and 13AM Video games ever resolve to develop a Missile Command arcade assortment with a wide range of modern spins on the present idea, which they already proved to be able to, I’ll be first in line to get bombed.
