Searching For The Unknown: Tunnel Striker ver.1.5 by INT Software, 1998

Written by Lachie D(July, 2006)

Introduction

Yes, I'm back with another article. Since I'm practically done with my exams(wee!) and will be online few days after starting this article, I thought it wouldn't be bad to whip something up before my summer exile, which will probably last till the very end of August.

As you already see, I'm bringing you another issue of "Searching For The Unknown" column, featuring a 3D target shooting game entitled Tunnel Striker. I must admit that even after so long time since the last issue of the column I'm not sure if this game is right for it or if any other on my list would do too. I simply fail to find another game for which I'm sure it can result in an interesting and average sized article.

Nevertheless, the cake is already bitten(I'm making this up :P) so let's hope I can make the article worthwhile my trouble and your attention.

The Review

By simply being a finished 3D QBasic game, Tunnel Striker is already interesting enough. Of course, there are quite few superior 3D QBasic games to Tunnel Striker but let's not ask too much here.

The gameplay of Tunnel Striker is rather simple. Each level is a rectangle tunnel through which you fly forward. I can only assume it's in some flying craft but that's nowhere specified. The goal of each level is to hit a set number of targets with a set amount of ammo(number of shots). The game is mouse controlled and you steer the craft by moving the target mark. This is kind of awkward since steering and aiming is connected, but I guess that's how the designer imagined it. A really nice thing is that you can't slam into the tunnel walls. 

As you fly forward cyan targets shaped like sticks pass by, together with the red obstacles you need to avoid. Aiming is very tricky since every movement of the target mark causes the movement of the craft. The safest method to make a hit is to wait for targets placed in the corners while being in the very same position, since the tunnel walls stop the sideway movements of the craft. This can take a lot of time so you will most likely be tempted to hit the targets on other positions. That, however, usually ends up with nothing but it's a nice way to spend time until a target placed in a corner arrives. A smart feature in targeting is the fact that the target mark lights up when it's on a target. That helps a lot. Each time you shoot you need to wait for some 2 seconds for the weapon to reload. This prevents you to make double or triple shots in case the first or the second was really close to hit.

The game features 10 levels and already on the 5th or 6th level you are given just enough ammo to hit the required number of targets and no more, which is really challenging.  

The simplicity of the gameplay has its positive aspects but also causes few undesired effects. In other words, the game is quite addictive and fun but also repetitive and sometimes frustrating. In the execution of the gameplay I would only like to complain on the fact that the game doesn't end when the remaining number of targets to hit exceeds the remaining ammo. You need to shoot out the remaining ammo for the game to end or just press ESC.

You can already see that the graphics are nothing spectacular. Simple vector-based graphics featuring single color surfaces. I don't have much complaints on this very fact but I would have liked if the game colors(of walls, targets and obstacles) changed with levels. It's something that could have been easily done so I assume the designer didn't think of it.

The graphical design also could have been better. It looks incoherent and unpolished while many places in the game(like the level starting message) look like last minute work done in a hurry. And the usage of the PRINT statement is a big minus. Still, a cool thing one the main menu are the 3D effects featuring rotating options or the entire main menu disappearing into the screen when you exit the game. The designer obviously knows his 3D.

Tunnel Striker allows you to play the game in two graphical modes. They are referred to as "full screen" and "non-full screen" mode but that's not a really good way to describe them. The full screen mode basically means playing without a "cockpit" drawn on the edges of the screen. The non-full screen mode features this cockpit but it's really ugly(third screenshot in this article) and I don't recommend playing with it. Luckily, the default mode is full screen.

While talking about the game graphics and design I almost forgot the feature I liked the most in Tunnel Striker - music. The game features several tracks for different parts of it(main menu, level starting, level track) but the most memorable is the level(in-game) track, which is the same for all the levels. It's really brilliant but I'm not sure if it's original. If it is, great work, if it is not, excellent pick. It has that specific "computer game sound", creates an atmosphere of suspension and also has a sort of mystic travel/whatever feel. Well, just hear if for yourself. The game also includes Sound Blaster sound effects which are ok. No complaints there. 

Like I said before, the game is relatively addictive and fun to play but not really on a long run. Well, not in my case. The game kept me hooked on the screen for some 3-4 hours, first time I played it. I managed to reach 6th or 7th level. I forgot. But on the second try, which was done for the purpose of this article, the game lost that initial lure and I just didn't have enough will to play it more than to 4th level.

Despite all the complaints, I highly recommend this game to everyone. I think most of you will like it for an hour or two. For collectors interested in the history of 3D game design in QBasic this is, of course, a must have.

The game package comes with the source code so Tunnel Striker is also suitable for a FB port. I'm personally not very motivated since I just ported Vector X, but perhaps some of you might be. The game has space for improvements, mostly in graphical design but also few in gameplay too(like adding a game mode with time limited levels or something).

Final score: 5.2/10 (I can't help it! :P)

A note: You will probably need VDMSound to hear the music. Also, if you run the game without VDMSound, the sound effects might give you problems(slowdown the game) so you will probably have to disable them. The game is compiled and works fine on my PC with Windows XP installed(if we forget the sound problems).

Wow! This was short, hope nobody minds(stop rolling with your eyes SJ!). I will definitely do one or more articles/reviews during the summer. Many things on my todo list, one of which includes porting LONG to FB. 

Until next time, stay among the living(or I will kill you). :P




