Arcticfox (1986, Dynamix)

This is a video capture of the classic sci-fi tank simulation, Arcticfox, made by Dynamix in 1986. Its designers loved the arcade game Battlezone and wanted to bring something like it to personal computers. This game is more than just an arcade shooter. It is a simulation that has both strategic and tactical elements. This is the Tandy 1000 version, one of the best looking ports with its 16-color graphics. You are tasked with piloting the state of the art Arcticfox tank through the antarctic in an attempt to save Earth from aliens who are stealing the Earth's oxygen. The tank has various weapons and technologies. There is the main cannon, guided missles which you control through a camera, radar & camera systems, the ability to tunnel beneath the snow for cover, and mines to destroy tanks following behind you. The clock is ticking however, as the oxygen is being stolen as you play. You have to hunt down the alien HQ in a timely manner while at the same time outsmarting enemy forces. Terrain plays a major part in how you play the game. Among the snowy landscape are ridges, crevices, mud flats, rocks, and mountains. Weather can come into play with snowy whiteouts. The terrain affects your ability to see and detect enemies, it affects your speed, and it provides ways to outwit foes. You are attacked from ground and air by other tanks, automated mines, air fighters, and ground installations. Radar towers and recon vehicles will detect your presence and notify enemy reinforcements. Destroy them quickly or you will be surrounded and outmatched. Air converters can be destroyed to increase the time you have to find the enemy fortress. Arcticfox is a sequel to Stellar 7 and prequel for Nova 9. PC games such as the 1998 RTS/tank sim hybrid Battlezone share various aspects with this classic.