DAN DARE II_ALS Commodore 64 game

Prepare for a cosmic showdown as Colonel Dan Dare faces off against his arch-nemesis, the Mekon, once again. Over a year has passed since the Mekon's last assault on Earth, but now he's back with a diabolical plan: to create an army of Supertreens set on dominating our planet.

Gameplay: In Dan Dare II, you have the choice of playing as either Dan or the Mekon. Dan's mission is to infiltrate the Mekon's spaceship, locate the Supertreens trapped in plexiglass bubbles, and disable their life support systems before the self-destruct sequence activates.

Dan must shoot the control boxes on each life support bubble, with a tight 10 Mekonian minutes to eliminate them all. The countdown starts as soon as the first Supertreen is dispatched.

Review: Dan Dare II doesn't disappoint as a worthy sequel to the original. It's a thrilling shoot 'em up game that demands precise navigation due to the unforgiving timer and limited room for error in neutralizing the Supertreens while securing Dan behind blast doors.

The game dazzles with top-notch graphics, featuring intricate sprites and immersive backdrops that pay homage to the original comic strip. However, the sound effects fall short, reminiscent of those found in Strangeloop.

Despite having only four levels, Dan Dare II offers boundless excitement, promising relentless blasting action.

Outcome: In this high-stakes game, Dan must eliminate the Supertreens and safeguard himself behind blast doors before the spaceship meets its explosive end. Failing to reach the blast doors in time or leaving any Supertreens unscathed results in mission failure.

Throughout the mission, Dan must fend off attacks from the Mekon and his henchmen, with each hit sapping Dan's energy, represented as a depleting bar.

The Mekon, known for his oversized cranium, is determined to obliterate Earth using his genetically engineered Super Treens. You must heed this warning: Avoid attempting to land at Mekonta; it's under the Mekon's control. Head for Theron Territory!

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The game comprises four levels, each housing six genetically cloned Super Treens. The final level introduces seven. Dan zips around on his jet scooter, dismantling the life support machines nurturing these malevolent creatures. But beware the relentless time limit! The real challenge begins when you transform these green Super Treens into a sickly red hue by targeting their fetuses. Navigating Dan's space moped proves tricky due to the Mekon's unconventional gravity, especially around tunnels that pull you in unwanted directions, akin to garbage chutes.

Unlike conventional games, this one allows you to step into the shoes of both the hero and the villain. You can even become the Mekon himself. When playing as the Mekon, your goal is to release the Super Treen fetuses before Dan can obliterate your genetically perfect creations.

Discover hidden shortcuts and extra firepower icons by exploring the levels. Shoot anything that seems destructible to uncover them.

Be cautious of Mekon guards who sap Dan's energy and chip away at his six lives. However, the most perilous challenge is the unforgiving time limit. Once you eliminate one Super Treen infant, you have ten "Mekon" minutes (equivalent to about three human minutes) to eliminate the rest of the sinister embryos. Another danger lies in the garbage room, where the walls threaten to crush you.

Dan Dare II offers an enjoyable gaming experience that presents a fresh challenge compared to the original, making it a welcome sequel. While the original holds a special place, this one is a straightforward and equally entertaining adventure on the 64. - Ferdy Hamilton