Cruiser-X 79 [Commodore 64]

A Zzap 64! Micro Action C64 community-based covermount title (Issue #11 - November/December 2022). (Free download and web player version now available from this page).

The New Dimension, in collaboration with Saul Cross, is very proud to present Cruiser-X 79. A fast paced vertical scrolling shoot 'em up inspired by many top down 8-bit vertical scrolling classics. If you like classic 8-bit vertical scrolling shoot 'em ups where you don't have to fight big bosses  at the end of each level you might enjoy this one.  

Cruiser-X 79 features the following features:

- Various alien attack patterns
- Intro/loading bitmap (drawn by Ax!s/TND)
- Front end presentation with credits, hi score table, and in game options
- Progressive powerups (Increases the speed of your shooting) and smart bombs
- Hidden cheat mode for infinite lives 
- 16 challenging levels
- Plenty of great music
- Compatible with SD2IEC devices and theC64 mini and full size computer (Also compatible with theVIC20 in C64 mode). 
 -PAL and NTSC compatible (Although speed may be faster on NTSC)

Due to the size of the program, this game uses a multi-load system on both D64 and TAP versions. However, you can always continue playing the game if you have any continues available during play.

THE STORY 

It is the year 2072.  

A giant asteroid was heading towards planet earth. During that event, a special rescue operation was taking place. The Interspace Legion has transported good people to the neighboring planet “Mars”. People were able to live there as a temporary settlement until a new suitable planet was found. The remaining people, the bad people were all left to perish back on Earth. They were being punished for the crimes they committed towards humanity, the environment and animal cruelty. After the asteroid impact, Earth was now deemed to be uninhabitable. 

Inside a Space Lab down on mars, Scientists made an amazing discovery, a brand new green and blue planet. Intrigued to find out more about the planet, the scientists sent out a drone. It was discovered that the planet contained oxygen, gas and water and was a perfect match for humanity to evolve even further. The planet was named EarthX (Earth 10) 

The Interspace Legion trained many pilots and sent them to transport people from “Mars” to “EarthX” (Earth 10) via Cruiser-X starships. The special operation was becoming successful. That was until the ships were on their way back to Mars. Fleets of alien bases mysteriously appeared, and then shot the Interspace Legion’s Cruiser-X ships down.  

Nobody survived, except for you, the pilot of Cruiser-X 79. Instead, you get pulled into a prison base, where your ship was captured with you inside it. You attempt to hack into the alien base using the supercomputer on board your starship. It releases the cargo bay doors and you fly for freedom. - That was until the aliens spotted you. Now they are out to stop you. 

Not only do you have an escape mission. You also have a big battle for survival in your hands. 

PLAYING THE GAME

Your mission is to help guide your Cruiser-X 79 escape from being captured and destroyed by the aliens and reach safely to your headquarters base and send out a distress signal to the Interspace Legion. Unfortunately, your mission will not be all that easy. You have entered a war zone. The aliens accept nothing, unless you are destroyed.  

Fly through 16 levels, of alien territory, and fight the aliens.  

Warning... These aliens will fight back by dropping lasers downwards. Be very careful not to bump into the aliens, or high structures on each base. It will cost you destruction. After the ship gets destroyed, it will be repaired and working once again. If your ship is destroyed too many times, then you will be doomed forever. 

During your fight, there's cargo which you can steal, that will help you slightly through your battle. The cargo awards you different power ups. These are as follows: 

B = Smart bomb. You can only carry three of those, the bomb icon will appear on screen. Holding down the fire button for a short time will activate it.  

M = Master blaster - Powers up your fire power 

S = Shield - Gives you protection against the aliens for a temporary time 

Extra Lives are awarded on level completion. 

You can also attack the enemy bases by shooting at some of the buildings, which will destroy them. 

Can you save your people, by attacking all 16 alien bases and winning the war against the aliens. Or will you face death? 

Good luck. You will need it! 

CONTROLS 

Use a joystick in port 2.  (Use number pad keys if playing web version)

Keys CONTROL: Pause game 

Back Arrow (While paused): Abort game 

CREDITS 

Programming: Richard Bayliss
Tech support: Antonio Savona 
Graphics and design: Saul Cross and Richard Bayliss
Loading/Intro bitmap and score panel character set by Hugues (Ax!s) Poisseroux 
Covertbitops loader V2.28 source by Lasse Oorni 
Freeload Tape loader source by Paul Hughes 
Exomizer V2 (de)Cruncher source: Magnus Lind
Sound Effects and Music: by Richard Bayliss
Testing by: Richard Bayliss, Antonio Savona, Alf Yngve, Saul Cross, Hugues Poisseroux

(C) 2022 The New Dimension 

As with all of our productions. This  production is non-commercial and has been developed specially for the C64 / Commodore 64 community. Like with many of TND's/Blazon/The Power Shed game productions. You are welcome to copy, share and broadcast this production. However making physical/digital media sales of this production is not permitted - unless permission has been granted.