Arcticfox
DOS - 1987
Also available on: Amiga - Amstrad CPC - Apple II - Atari ST - Commodore 64 - PC-98 - ZX Spectrum
Description of Arcticfox
One of the true pioneers of real-time, first-person shooter (FPS) genre, Arctic Fox is a fun game that is also notable for being one of Damon Slye (Aces of Pacific)'s first designs at Dynamix.
There's even a decent plot, although that is hardly needed for this kind of game: you are pilot of the Arctic Fox advanced fighter, tasked with destroying the invading aliens' main fortress that lies deep behind their conquered territories in the arctic.
Although it is similar to classic Battlezone in style and concpet, Arctic Fox introduces many strategic elements that make a nice break from the typical shoot-everything-in-sight mentality of most shooters. For example, destroying communications buildings will lead to less alien fighter crafts, since their ability to communicate to their attack force about your location is curtailed. You must also keep a close eye on resources that can be depleted and acquired, such as fuel and missiles.
Overall, Arctic Fox is a fun and addictive shooter that paves the way to many games in the same vein, especially Dynamix' own Stellar 7 and Nova 9, and Spectre VR.
Review By HOTUD
External links
Captures and Snapshots
Comments and reviews
Charger 2020-04-18 3 points
I played this “back in the day”. One of the best shooters ever. Numerous, coordinated, powerful enemy.
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Weapons & Feature Commands are as follows:
q = select adjust cannon elevation: use up/down arrows
w = switch secondary display from radar view to aft view
e = release proximity mines
a = select relative reverse (reverses driving while firing – see manual)
s = launches missile. Make sure to pull up initially, as missile WILL not avoid obstacles. By the same token, the missile IS fire-and-forget(!): use left/right arrows to line-up on target, then press s a second time to set the missile’s guidance.
Note: missile will kill everything, but you only have a few, so use wisely.
d = dig: bury the Fox in the snow. This is probably the most important command; the Fox can take a punch, but the enemy is both powerful and VERY numerous. Keep your eye on the radar screen, and on the overhead warning indicator and be ready to Dig at a (strategic) moment’s notice!
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Driving Commands:
k = stop – remember this
u = Turn L while driving forward
o = Turn R while driving forward
I = drive forward
j = Turn L
k = stop
l = Turn R
m = Turn R while backing-up
, = back up
. = Turn L while backing-up
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Playing notes: Do study the orientations (F1 and F2) so that you know what you’re doing; your fingers will be flying on the keyboard in battle, so you want to have functions familiar to save your thinking time for strategy.
Ctrl-F11/F12 to adjust modern processor speed
The manual does not contain commands, but is a great overview.
It is here: http://www.pixelatedarcade.com/pdf/Game/352/ArcticFox-Instruction-Manual.pdf
Ben Da Notes 2019-10-17 0 point Amiga version
The 2nd ADF disk image in the archive has an unrecoverable read error. Couldn't get either ADF disk image to work in the most recent version of WinUAE regardless of RAM, ROM, Chipset, processor settings or Amiga model. Haven't tried FS-UAE yet. I'd bet it would run on a real Amiga. :)
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DOS Version
141 KBAmiga ROM
- Year: 1986
- Publisher: Electronic Arts, Inc.
- Developer: Dynamix, Inc.
Amstrad CPC Version
- Year: 1988
- Publisher: Electronic Arts, Inc.
- Developer: Dynamix, Inc.
Apple II Version
- Year: 1986
- Publisher: Electronic Arts, Inc.
- Developer: Dynamix, Inc.
Atari ST ROM
- Year: 1987
- Publisher: Electronic Arts, Inc.
- Developer: Dynamix, Inc.
Commodore 64 Version
- Year: 1986
- Publisher: Ariolasoft UK, Electronic Arts, Inc.
- Developer: Dynamix, Inc.
PC-98 Version
- Year: 1988
- Publisher: Electronic Arts, Inc.
- Developer: Dynamix, Inc.
ZX Spectrum Version
- Year: 1988
- Publisher: Electronic Arts Ltd.
- Developer: Dynamix, Inc.
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