Amiga

Gunboat

Von der PC-Version wurde eigentlich nur die gute Steuerung unverändert übernommen; Tastatur und Stick sind möglich, der Knüppel ist aber fast überflüssig. Optisch wird man zwar nach wie vor mit einer sehr detailreichen Mischung aus Vektor- und Pixelgrafik bedient, aber leider ist der Ablauf spürbar langsamer geworden, und das selbst auf der niedrigsten Detailstufe. Auch bleibt beim Stationswechsel der Bildschirm jedesmal für ein, zwei Sekündchen dunkel – das reinste U-Boot-Felling! Die Musik hat sogar stark nachgelassen, dafür sind die Soundeffekte jetzt lebensechter als auf der MS-Dose. Wer also auf actionreiche Simulationen mit einer Extraportion Realismus abfährt, darf bedenkenlos auf so einem Gunboat anheuern – es sei denn, er erwartet sich das Tempo einer F-16...

Gunboat is a novel idea and one I have to admit to never having seen before. The game begins well and it succeeds in creating a suitable atmosphere. The various missions also ensure that long term interest remains. It's just unfortunate that the slow and cumbersome gameplay lets down a well designed game. For instance, the 3D graphics update slowly, the enemies approach at a similar rate of knots and when you switch battle stations it takes a while for the new screen to be drawn. An interesting idea, let down by the poor execution.

Graphically Gunboat is not outstanding. The 3D polygon graphics are good, but not that good (as they say). But this does not matter. The hook lies in the spirit of the adventure, and this is where Gunboat picks up points. A challenge worthy of addition to your collection.

If you're into simulations, Gunboat delivers the goods with originality and style. If you havent' tried sims yet, however, you'd be better off with a flight game - it'll have far more in the way of immediate appeal. One meg only too, which spoils it for a lot of you.

Hmm, this three-year-old Accolade sim is looking a little dated now. Compared to the likes of Gunship 2000 the blocky 3D is positively pedestrian, making the game seem more like a leisurely cruise down the local canal than steaming through a Vietnam war zone. Okay, so there's a time accelerator, but this doesn't compensate for the inherently limited action - with your course set by the river, you never have the freedom of a flight sim. Gunboat may appeal to simulation fans looking for something a bit different, but I'd rather fly a plane any day.