Stellar 7

The Good
Wait a minute: The DOS version dates only to 1990? In the mid-Eighties, I coulda sworn I played this wireframe-graphics, 1st-person POV game called Stellar 7 on my Commodore 64, loaded from an original-label Dynamix 5-1/4" disk dated 1984 or so, at least well before their similar C64 Arcticfox! Maybe your DOS version's graphics look more like the solid-polygon Nova 9 which I remember playing on PC in the early 90's. Regardless, it was the gameplay lessons I learned from C64 Stellar 7 which got me to a comparable level in Nova 9. On the C64, Stellar 7 was unusually fast-paced for the kind of graphics crunched thru its 1 MHz CPU; the frame rate would put most Windows AutoCads to shame. In order to survive, one moment at a time, you must coordinate your reflexes/spider-senses with short-term strategy via your directional radar. Same graphics engine as Arctifox but enemy threats are more direct, relentless and numerous. Since it's 3-d there are infinite ways to get through any given level of the titular seven, but you will discover certain maneuvers which work best in their applicable tactical situation.

The Bad
C64's digital all-or-nothing joysticking for slew rate, plus absolutely no control over cannon elevation, which could've come in real handy for aerial targets. Don't even try to convince me that this game is a "tank"-simulator--there's no turret traverse! "Terrain" as well as enemy configurations only scroll over the span of one radar screen, so anything you run away from, you run into again on the other side, pac-man-style! However, that forces your tactical play to emphasize efficient, head-on kills, rather than avoidance or stealth. Also in the minus column, your cloaking function doesn't make you invisible enough to justify its exorbitant expenditure of your precious energy. However, in the C64 version I noticed no overabundance of power-ups, contrary to DOS reviews!

The Bottom Line
It makes a good Articfox trainer, but otherwise don't waste your time (at least on the C64 version).