Desert Falcon

''Desert Falcon'' is a scrolling shooter developed by General Computer Corporation for the Atari 7800 and Atari 2600 and published by Atari Corporation in 1987. It was initially announced in 1984, prior to being named ''Desert Falcon'', as one of the planned launch titles for the 7800. A cartridge version for Atari 8-bit computers, with XEGS-styled packaging, followed in 1988.

Designed by Bob Polaro, who also programmed the Atari 2600 version, ''Desert Falcon'' is loosely based on ancient Egyptian mythology. The diagonally-scrolling isometric graphics had reviewers comparing it to '' Zaxxon'' from 1982.

Plot

Players take on the role of a falcon, striving to collect the Pharaoh's scattered treasures in the desert to earn points.

Gameplay

The game uses a scrolling, isometric perspective. Vultures, warriors, flying fish, and other creatures guard treasures and try to stop the player. At the end of each level, the player faces a large, howling sphinx before moving forward. The falcon can shoot arrows to eliminate foes and defeat the sphinx.

Throughout the game are hieroglyphs in the sand. Landing and hopping over three hieroglyphs unlock what are labeled "super powers" in the manual. The specific combination of collected hieroglyphs determines the acquired ability, including invincibility, teleportation to a level's end, bonus points, a decoy to mislead enemies, and an air bomb that annihilates all airborne opponents.

Development

The game was revealed in 1984 as part of the Atari 7800 announcement. It was referred to as both ''Sphinx'' and ''Nile Flyer''.

Reception

Reviewing the Atari 8-bit version for '' ANALOG Computing'' in 1989, Matthew J.W. Ratcliff wrote, "''Desert Falcon'' has good graphics, cute sound effects, and a tired, boring theme." He cited ''Zaxxon'' several times, calling ''Desert Falcon'' a visually different spin on the same gameplay. '' New Atari User'' wrote, "The scrolling in ''Desert Falcon'' isn't quite as smooth as it could be," but complimented the animation of the falcon and the use of shadows. In '' Antic'', David Plotkin wrote, "The manual describes a wide variety of enemies. Unfortunately, except for some flying triangles, they all looked pretty much alike". He still concluded with "It has excellent graphics and is very playable."

After playing the 7800 cartridge, Len Poggiali of ''Current Notes'' described it as "an average arcade game with a below average plot and above average visual appeal."

References

External links

*
*{{atarimania, id=1590
Review
of the 7800 version from ''GamePro'' issue 1
Review
in Power Play (German)

1987 video games
Atari 2600 games
Atari 7800 games
Atari 8-bit computer games
General Computer Corporation games
Scrolling shooters
Single-player video games
Video games about birds
Video games based on Egyptian mythology
Video games developed in the United States
Video games set in ancient Egypt
Video games with isometric graphics