H.E.R.O. |
Atari 8-bit |
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Review by Review Contest 2003! |
Activision |
Action |
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Graphics: ? |
Sound: ? |
Gameplay: ? |
Overall: ? |
H.E.R.O. is gradually becoming one of my favorite home video
games. From what I can tell, all five versions of this game have the exact same map and
layout of the mine, at least up through level 12 or so. This is a tribute to the
Activision team and the quality products that they made back then, and still today. You are Roderick Hero, the H.E.R.O. (Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operator?). This is an action/adventure game where you explore the mine to find the trapped miners. With an unlimited power, lightweight, safe and easy to use jet-powered-propeller-pack, they probably could have called this game Miner 2049er. You must blast through the walls, and shoot at a handful of volcanic vermin, in search of the trapped miners. You get points for everything that you shoot, and bonus points for the seconds remaining on your timer. The timer is your energy supply meter, so don't run out, or you lose a life. Your only weapons are six sticks of dynamite and a micro-laser beam (which emits a ray from your helmet/visor). You have an unlimited energy supply for the laser, but use your dynamite wisely. You have just enough to get the job done on the higher levels. Any remaining sticks count as bonus points. The most challenging aspect of this game are the pits and walls of lava that you must avoid. You can fly and hover over and around them, but this does take some time to master - so be patient and practice. You will definitely lose lives learning how to master the jet pack, not to mention preparing for a few killer spots in the mine that often take away your life. The Atari 8-bit version offers a two-player game, and a pause button, which certainly can be useful. There are also modes to start the gameplay at higher levels, which is useful when practicing (learning) the higher levels. The 8-bit Atari, H.E.R.O. cart is uncommon, and I have yet to find one in the wild. Fortunately, I have it on disk. More specific evaluations are: Controls, Gameplay, Graphics, Sound, and Addictiveness. Control: Gameplay: Graphics: Sound: Addictiveness: Atari 8-bit Designer: John Van Ryzin, for Activision. |