''Mutant Herd'' is an

action game An action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction time. The genre includes a large variety of sub-genres, such as fighting games, beat 'em ups, shooter games, rhythm games and ...

written by Jeremy Smith and Grahame Hampton-Matthews for the

VIC-20 The VIC-20 (known as the VC-20 in Germany and the VIC-1001 in Japan) is an 8-bit entry level home computer that was sold by Commodore International, Commodore Business Machines. The VIC-20 was announced in 1980, roughly three years after Commod ...

and published by

Thorn EMI Thorn EMI was a major British company involved in consumer electronics, music, defence and retail. Created when Thorn Electrical Industries merged with EMI in October 1979, it was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituen ...

in 1983.

Gameplay

''Mutant Herd'' involves protecting a powerhouse from a mutant invasion. The mutants crawl towards the player from multiple burrows located at each corner of the screen. Using laser beams, the player must prevent the mutant herds from destroying the powerhouse. It is possible to enter the ''burrows'' and to shut them down. After entering a burrow, another phase of the game begins. A queen mutant and her eggs are hiding in each burrow. The eggs must be destroyed using an explosive charge, while avoiding the queen mutant. After blowing up the eggs, the burrow is sealed and is no longer a threat. After each burrow is sealed, the player's lasers weakern and the next burrow has more eggs and is more challenging. Victory requires sealing all the burrows.

Reception

COMPUTE! ''Compute!'' (), often stylized as ''COMPUTE!'', is an American home computer magazine that was published from 1979 to 1994. Its origins can be traced to 1978 in Len Lindsay's ''PET Gazette'', one of the first magazines for the Commodore PET. ...

'' wrote that "There are enough little problems to always keep you thinking about what you'll have to do next". ''

Electronic Games ''Electronic Games'' was the first dedicated video game magazine published in the United States and ran from October 15, 1981, to 1997 under different titles. It was co-founded by Bill Kunkel, Joyce Worley, and Arnie Katz. History The h ...

'' stated that ''Mutant Herd'' "may not be the ultimate VIC-20 game, but the graphics are fun, the action is challenging, and it takes at least one step off the beaten game-track". ''

Ahoy! ''Ahoy!'' was a computer magazine published between January 1984 and January 1989 in the US, covering on all Commodore color computers, primarily Commodore 64 and Amiga. History The first issue of ''Ahoy!'' was published in January 1984. The ...

'' called it "a two-part arcade game with a unique twist", favorably reviewing the graphics, sound, animation, and gameplay.

References

{{reflist VIC-20 games VIC-20-only games 1983 video games Video games developed in the United Kingdom Thorn EMI video games