The Great Escape (1986 Video Game): A Comprehensive Overview

The Great Escape is a video game that mirrors the title and plot of the film The Great Escape. Denton Designs, the developer, also known for the acclaimed Where Time Stood Still, programmed the game. Ocean Software published it in 1986 for various platforms, including ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and DOS. The Commodore 64 version was crafted by Trevor Inns.

Scenario

In the game, players assume control of an unnamed prisoner of war confined in a POW camp in northern Germany during 1942. The camp, resembling a small castle on a promontory, is surrounded by cliffs and the cold North Sea on three sides. The only access is through a narrow road with a gatehouse, requiring the correct papers. Fences, walls, guard dogs, and observation towers with searchlights prevent escape. Underneath the camp lies a complex maze of tunnels and drains, adding an extra layer of complexity to the escape plan.

Gameplay

Presented in isometric 2.5D, the player's character starts the day in bed, following a daily routine shared by all prisoners. Activities include roll call, exercising, mealtimes, and bedtime. If the player neglects control for too long, the character automatically joins the routine. Guards patrol the camp, and deviating from the routine may lead to apprehension (guards only arrest on touch and detect prisoners in their line of sight or indoors).

Reception

The ZX Spectrum version secured the 23rd spot in the Your Sinclair official top 100 and received a 9 out of 10 in the magazine's January 1987 issue. Its tense atmosphere and the protagonist's 'automatic daily routine' were praised. The game won awards for the best arcade adventure and best advert of the year in Crash magazine. It was also the runner-up for the best game and received nominations in various categories, including best graphics.

Legacy

In 2012, a reverse engineering project aimed at creating portable C source code from the game's binary commenced. By January 2016, the project reached a compiling state, showcasing the enduring interest and dedication of the gaming community toward The Great Escape.