Star Wars

The Good
I played it after the DOS versions and loved the sound - the intro music, laser shots sounds and off-screen voices of Luke, Han, Obi-Wan and Wedge. This is exactly what was missing from the PC version and killed the atmosphere there. The gameplay, like in other versions, consists of three stages - space fight against TIE-Fighters and occasionally appearing Vader's TIE-Interceptor, shooting towers while avoiding battery missiles flying over the Death Star's surface and finally the race through the exhaust shaft that gets more and more crowded with obstacles as you progress to the next level (called 'wave'); you get extra points here if you don't fire a single shot during the whole level (called 'using the force'). After firing at the exhaust port at the end of the corridor the battle station explodes and you move on to the next, tougher sequence of levels.

The Bad
It's MUCH more difficult than it should be. The enemy fighters stay on the screen for a relatively short time and fire almost immediately they appear; the Vader's vessel doesn't depart when shot (as in the DOS versions) but lingers on the screen as long as it pleases while constantly attacking you; the missiles and obstacles are far too hard to avoid and seem to hit you too early. All this would be bearable if not for the screwed up targeting system. The cross-hair movement appears to have less frames than in the PC version and so aiming can be a chore. Playing the DOS port I managed to shoot all the laser towers on the Death Star's surface every time - something I've never yet pulled off on the Amiga version. Not being able to shoot what you feel you are targeting properly is very frustrating. Consequently the game is not as much fun as labor to play.

The Bottom Line
I have mixed feelings about this one. It can only be recommended to expert arcade players. Other should choose the PC version which - although devoid of sound candy - provides more fun and less frustration.