S.W.I.V.

Top Secret (5 out of 5) (100%)

Gra jak na gatunek SHOOT'EM UP jest bardzo dobra, niektórzy sądzą, że najlepsza. Grafika jest szybka i urozmaicona co sprawia, że gra jest pasjonująca. Akcja gry rozgrywana jest na bardzo różnorodnym terenie, całe robactwo latająco-pełzająco-strzelające posiada wiele różnych, bardzo dobrze animowanych wcieleń. Gra technicznie zrobiona fenomenalnie. Wspaniała rozrywka dla maniaków dobrej strzelanki. Wszyscy amatorzy mocnych wrażeń chwyćcie mocniej joysticki i do boju, w obronie rodzimej planety!

One, The (93 out of 100) (93%)

Glorious graphics, sound that goes beyond the functional and that elusive 'one more try' factor makes SWIV an essential purchase for blasting fans.

Computer and Video Games (CVG) (93 out of 100) (93%)

The graphics on the Amiga version are absolutely stunning, using the Copper chip to the full - the backgrounds are all made up of separate sprites! The C64 doesn't lose out, either, with loads of craft nipping around the screen like there's no tomorrow! The sound on both games is also outstanding, with tons of loud and raucous explosions - when the going gets tough (which it invariably does), it sounds like a full-scale war! Add to that the automatic difficulty level (which takes into account how you're doing and if one or two players are taking part), and you've got yourself one of the most addictive and playable blasters in ages. Miss this and you'll never forgive yourself!

Amiga Format (92 out of 100) (92%)

Well presented vertically-scrolling shoot-em-ups are few and far between these days, so SWIV comes as a glorious return to the genre. It looks good, sounds wonderful and contains some of the most frantic action yet seen in a shoot-em-up. So get it and try pumping some lead!

Amiga Action (91 out of 100) (91%)

After seeing the beginning stages of SWIV at the ECES show I just couldn't wait to see the finished game, and now that it's here it's just as good as I thought it was going to be. When you first play the game, although the sound and graphics are superb the gameplay doesn't seem that great, but then you realise that the difficulty level gradually changes according to how well you're doing. This avoids you being put in a situation where the enemy is rock solid and all you've got is your initial gun. SWIV really is totally amazing and a must for any computer owner.

Zero (91 out of 100) (91%)

Right let's get things in the open. (Put that away! Ed.) This game has absolutely nothing -NOTHING- to do with Silkworm, but they could stand for other things as well. (Like what? Ed.) Well, like er, Soviet Willies for example, or Sausage Watch, or Seduction Wedge, or... or... lots of things. (What about the 'IV' part then? Ed.) Well, 'IV' stands for... for... intra-venous. So the game is not actually the sequel to Silkworm but in fact called 'Starch Wobbly In Vegetable'. Okay, so it has a helicopter and jeep working together, providing cover for each other, penetrating the vastness of enemy the terrain. But it's just sheer coincidence that Silkworm involved much the same thing. And yeah, they might be programmed by the same team who brought you Silkworm, but that is, as the Russians say, how the economy crumbles.

Computer and Video Games (CVG) (90 out of 100) (90%)

The graphics on the Amiga version are absolutely stunning, using the Copper chip to the full - the backgrounds are all made up of separate sprites! The C64 doesn't lose out, either, with loads of craft nipping around the screen like there's no tomorrow! The sound on both games is also outstanding, with tons of loud and raucous explosions - when the going gets tough (which it invariably does), it sounds like a full-scale war! Add to that the automatic difficulty level (which takes into account how you're doing and if one or two players are taking part), and you've got yourself one of the most addictive and playable blasters in ages. Miss this and you'll never forgive yourself!

Raze (90 out of 100) (90%)

It is definitely a game that was designed for two players and anyone who misses the chance to set up a deadly crossfire using both vehicles is clearly going to lead a very sheltered life. In fact the poor chap could miss out on the shoot-'em-up of 1991. (Whoops, now I've put my foot in it.)

Your Sinclair (90 out of 100) (90%)

Addictive and very good-looking 2-player shoot-'em-up. It's not perfect but it's still the biz.

Commodore Format (88 out of 100) (88%)

SWIV's graphics are excellent. The animation is smooth and the backdrops and sprites work well together. Sound is a funky groove thang as well. A juicy soundtrack with stonking explosions and gunfire increase the adrenalin factor no end. Above all it's hugely playable. The single player option is dead spiffy and the two player mode doubly so. A splendid shoot 'em up which no respecting gamester should overlook.

Amiga Joker (86 out of 100) (86%)

Ballerorgien gibt’s bekanntlich viele, aber nur sehr wenige können den Action-Freak wirklich zur Extase treiben. “Silkworm” war so ein Fall, und Storms neue Game fällt ebenfalls in diese Kategorie! Der Vergleich mit der altehrwürdigen Seidenraupe drängt sich förmlich auf, denn bei SWIV handelt es sich um einen inoffiziellen Nachfolger des Action-Klassikers. Aber ob nun „Silkworm IV“ oder SWIV (habt Ihr die Namensverwandschaft bemerkt?), hier wartet ein Shoot 'em up der Sonderklasse.

CPC Attack! (86 out of 100) (86%)

It's not the fastest game about, but there's always plenty happening, with gunships, turrets, and battle-stations in abundance. At first glance, I was disappointed with SWIV, but I soon came round after a few games. True, it's slower and less challenging that the 16-bit version, but it gets harder into the later levels and is still the best vertical scrolling shoot-'em-up on the CPC.

Play Time (85 out of 100) (85%)

Der Archimedes meistert die Anforderungen des Spiels mühelos: Auch wenn es durch die vielen Sprites und Schüsse auf dem Bildschirm manchmal fast schon etwas unübersichtlich ist, wird der Spielverlauf dennoch nicht langsamer - nur selten merkt man eine kleine Verzögerung, wenn das Laden von Diskette (nicht bei Festplatte!) zuviel Zeit verbraucht. Durch das recht sanfte Scrollen, die gute Spielbarkeit und die gute Grafik ergibt sich ein Spiel, das auf dem Archimedes zu den besten Ballerspielen gehört, die bisher umgesetzt wurden und die Herzen von Action-Fans höher schlagen läßt.

Atari ST User (85 out of 100) (85%)

Yes, it's a mean game of soldiers, this one, but unlikely to have the same impact as its possible "relative", Silkworm, a previous Storm offering. SWIV is compulsive and best played with a partner. Graphics are of arcade quality and the sound effects are crisp and convincing.

Good Old Days, The (staff reviews only) (5 out of 6) (83%)

Without a doubt SWIV offers an arcade perfect experience on a home system which was unheard of at the time. Unfortunately, arcade standards have also been applied to the difficulty level. Although enemies don't generally zip across the screen, their sheer numbers (plus their bullets) make finding a semi-safe spot to move to often close to impossible. Though at least it never fully crosses that line of impossibility. The shoot 'em up genre surely never was one for newcomers.

Amiga Power (5 out of 6) (83%)

Looks good, sounds good, comes with a neat two-player option - and all in one (massive) level too! There aren't any bad things (unless you find all those drab military-style colours a bit depressing). Frantic - one of the best shoot-'em-ups we've seen.

Crash! (83 out of 100) (83%)

A spectacular two-player blaster (if you've got a chum), not so sizzling as a one-player game.

Zzap! (83 out of 100) (83%)

After going down a storm following their first victory against a group of mad generals, all seemed well for Hot Wheels Hooliha, Armoured Jeep commander extraordinaire and his Helicopter Gunship buddy, Rotor Head Ralph. Together they're the Special Weapons Interdiction Vehicles team and they'd just begun to take in some R and R when an alert came in. Looks like another bunch of mad generals is on the loose with secret factories producing new weapons by the ton load. So start the rotors up, Ralph, jump-start that Jeep, Hoolihan and kick some mad ass! (Nothing like a quick start to the mayhem, don't you think!)

Amiga User International (81 out of 100) (81%)

The combination of speed, clear but highly detailed graphics, sound and visual effects made Silkworm a surprise classic. SWIV is almost there, but just misses out on "hall of fame" status, partly due to the slight lack of urgency, which is linked to the very slow moving backgrounds. It never quite feels as if you're really motoring, even though the screen is filled with explosions, missiles and swirling waves of aircraft. It's not bad though, far from it. SWIV is definitely one of the best zappers seen this year, and will more than satisfy those suffering from the recent shoot 'em up drought.

64'er (8 out of 10) (80%)

Die Grafik ist leider ein wenig schwach, denn das Schlachtfeld und die Sprites sind nur mittelmäßig gestaltet. Dies tut aber dem Spiel keinen größeren Abbruch, da man ja eh nur auf feindliche Objekte und Geschosse achtet. Eine feine Ballerei für den, der es mag.

Games-X ( ) (80%)

Although SWIV is a well presented and playable shoot 'em up it is far from original. There is very little here to make SWIV really stand out among the numerous other shoot 'em ups available in the marketplace. If you like a good blast and especially if you like two player games SWIV is a quality product with well animated and slick graphics, silky smooth scrolling and some fairly respectable sound. ON top of this it is also remarkably playable!

ST Format (78 out of 100) (78%)

SWIV certainly isn't the most original game ever to be conceived for the ST - it "borrows" ideas from many other similar kinds of games. Even so, these ideas are combined together quite well, and while SWIV isn't the state-of-the-art in computer gaming, fans of the quick blast are going to have heaps of fun. It's even better when there are two of you. Double the players and you more than double your blasting fun.

Retro Archives (15.5 out of 20) (78%)

Proposant une réalisation réellement impressionnante pour la machine, avec des dizaines de sprites constamment à l'écran, le titre conserve également le gameplay asymétrique de son aîné et propose à n'en pas douter un des tout meilleurs shoot-them-up à deux joueurs de la ludothèque de l'Amiga. Mieux vaudra être préparé, cependant: SWIV est un titre difficile dont le faux rythme qui vire au marathon exige une concentration de tous les instants, à tel point que même la frénésie ambiante n'empêche pas qu'on finisse fatalement par décrocher sur le long terme. Une difficulté mieux équilibrée et un peu plus de variété dans les adversaires n'auraient clairement pas fait de tort, et en l'état, en dépit de qualités indéniables, on se surprend à penser qu'on s'amusait peut-être plus sur Battle Squadron. Un très bon représentant des shoot-them-up sur ordinateur avec leurs forces et leurs faiblesses.

ASM (Aktueller Software Markt) (9 out of 12) (75%)

Dadurch, daß alles schon mal dagewesen ist und die Motivation im Ein-Spieler-Modus nicht gar so lang anhalten kann, halte ich einen Hit-Stern für nicht gerechtfertigt. Nun, SWIV ist ein sehr gutes Programm, doch leider gleicht es einer Frühlingssuppe: Man nimmt ein bißchen davon, ein wenig hiervon und schon ist sie fertig .

Retro Archives (15 out of 20) (75%)

Si SWIV fait sur ST très légèrement moins bien que sur Amiga, cela ne concerne finalement que des détails assez négligeables, et le plaisir de jeu est quasiment le même. Un très bon shoot-them-up à deux joueurs pour la machine.

Retro Archives (14.75 out of 20) (74%)

Il y a vraiment de quoi être impressionné par la sorcellerie dont semblaient capable certains développeurs avec une machine comme le C64. SWIV n’est pas seulement un des meilleurs shoot-them-up de la machine, il se permet de rivaliser avec les versions 16 bits grâce à une maniabilité et un équilibrage sans faille. Si vous voulez découvrir à quoi peut ressembler un excellent shoot-them-up sur ordinateur 8 bits, ne cherchez pas plus loin!

Power Play (70 out of 100) (70%)

Nach dem enttäuschenden "Saint Dragon" haben die Random-Access-Programmierer wieder zugelegt. Swiv ist ein stimmungsvolles Ballerspiel, das für handfeste Action auf dem Bildschirm sorgt. Da man sich die Art der Extras kurzfristig aussuchen kann, kommt sogar eine strategische Note ins Spiel. Technisch fällt Swiv sowohl positiv (nachladen während des Spiels, viele Objekte gleichzeitig), als auch negativ (gelegentliches Ruckeln, relativ langsam) auf. Wenn man sich das Unterangebot an guten Actionspielen auf dem Amiga ansieht, dann steht dem Erfolg von Swiv (bis auf das erstklassige "Turrican II") wenig im Weg. Wer auf kernige Action mit leichtem Touch zur Unübersichtlichkeit und Hektik steht, der wird prima bedient.

Retro Archives (9.5 out of 20) (48%)

Le ZX Spectrum aura su composer avec ses limites pour proposer une version de SWIV tout à fait décente à défaut d’être une bombe vidéoludique. On peut toujours s’amuser, on peut toujours jouer à deux, le rythme comme la maniabilité sont bons, mais on sent bien que l’action a baissé d’un cran. Un bel effort, cependant.

Retro Archives (8 out of 20) (40%)

Le CPC n’était peut-être pas au sommet de sa forme en 1991, mais il eut sans doute mieux valu le laisser mourir en paix plutôt que de salir sa mémoire avec des portages minables effectués directement depuis un ordinateur qui allait sur ses dix ans. SWIV est ici une expérience pénible et ennuyeuse où on regarde le temps passer lentement, trop lentement, en attendant qu’il se passe quelque chose.