Times played: 62

H.A.T.E.

Year of release: 1989
Publisher: Gremlin Graphics Software Ltd
Producer/Author(s): Vortex Software (Costa Panayi, Benn Daglish)

Listed on: WorldOfSpectrum

Controls:

ATTENTION: IN THIS GAME WE SAVE MAX SCORE (NOT SCORE AT THE MOMENT)!
ВНИМАНИЕ: В ЭТОЙ ИГРЕ СОХРАНЯЕТСЯ MAX СЧЕТ, А НЕ ТЕКУЩИЙ!

The scenario is, of course, the usual tosh, 'Galaxy in turmoil... lack of experienced assault personnel... you are needed to repel the hostile alien forces... Go to Stripworld...' you know the sort of thing. But Stripworld here is nothing like the Stripworld you know where! It's a giant runway, where potential Star Fighters must complete their training.

Training consists of travelling along strips, collecting plasma cells which will enable progression to the next level. The cells must first be exposed by blasting their protective shell, and then flown or driven over to collect them. Upon collection, the plasma cell will join the chain of cells already trailing behind your vehicle.

Each time the vehicle is hit, a plasma cell will be destroyed, or a life will be lost if none are being carried. It is important to get as many cells as possible to the end of a level, as the number carried will determine the number of lives with which the next level will be fought. If the end of a level is reached without any being carried, then it's back to the start for another go.

If the final vehicle is destroyed, you'll be moved back to the last strip you completed with lives in hand. For example, if you complete level two with three lives remaining and carrying two cells, you'll begin level three with two lives. If you then lose both lives without completing level three, you'll go back to level two, to use the three lives you had in hand for that level. All clear? Good. It's a bit confusing, but it does mean each game will last longer, and there's no reaching level nine only to have to go back to level one on losing the last man. So it's dead addictive.