Number 4: Armalyte

Armalyte, Delta II, was the only game that the programming team Cyberdyne Systems ever released on the C64. Personally, I never thought much of its prequel, but it was popular and a tough act to follow. However, not only did they manage to improve on Delta, they blasted nearly all other shoot 'em ups to pieces!

The graphics are nothing but astonishing for the C64, and the in-game graphics are at least as good as on the title screen. The game has eight levels of beautiful backgrounds and incredibly well drawn enemies. The sound is adequate, with good FX and a nice title tune by Martin Walker - nothing could ever improve on Rob Hubbard's music for Delta.

Is it any fun to play, then? You bet! You can play two at the same time, and played with a friend/enemy, it is really something special. The way you can bump each other into obstacles and steal each other's weapons can turn fiends into foes in seconds. The action is set at a very fast pace, and the adrenaline begins to rush on level one already!

I really can't see how anyone could make a better space shoot 'em up with the technology of the 80's. Armalyte has wonderful graphics, hectic blasting action, a good set of weapons to kick alien butt with and plays like a dream. Oh, and when you die, you keep your weapons! This little thing is what makes most shoot 'em ups so annoying (The Gradius series being perhaps the worst offender) and this one so good. It's not easy, though. I've only got halfway though it without cheating. But what sets this game apart from the rest is that you never get the feeling that the game is being unfair - when you crash, it's your fault. That's how a game should be made.

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