Fort Apocalypse

Fort Apocalypse

Game No.	199
Voting	8.36 points, 66 votes
Developer	Steve Hales (C64 Port: Joe Vierra) Cover: Timothy Charles Boxell
Company	Synapse Software
Publisher	Synapse Software, U.S. Gold
Release	1982
Platform	Atari 400/800, C64
Genre	Shoot'em Up, Multi-Scrolling
Gamemode	Single player
Operation
Media
Language

Description[edit | edit source]

Fort Apocalypse is an action packed game from the start. At the very beginning you see yourself in the position of a pilot whose helicopter has run out of fuel, indicated by an alarm. Fortunately, your helicopter hovers directly above a fuel platform, where you can fill up for the first time. Right after your fuel tank is full, you have to shoot your way through an aerial mine field, flying over enemy tanks and bomb the barrier to enter the underground fortress. Laser beams and hostile helicopters will also prevent you from rescueing the prisoners from the fortress. At the lowest level you'll have to destroy the reactor of the complex. After that, you'll have to return to the starting point. If you succeed, you have completed the game. When you start again, the enemies are faster and attack more frequently. The energy barriers move faster. The game is for both beginner and advanced players a challenge.

Design[edit | edit source]

... the fuel pad - fill her up, please ...

... an animation from the game ...

Graphics and sound are good for its time, but of course no comparison at later C64 games. The game has two very large levels, which have good playability.
A special feature of Fort Apocalypse is the "Navatron", here you can see the position of your enemies even before they appear on the screen.

Hints[edit | edit source]

Controls and menu[edit | edit source]

Operations during the title screen and the game

F7 Start/restart the game with selected options
F5 Options menu
You can control the helicopter with the joystick
To bomb ground targets, make sure your helicopter windscreen faces you
Tanks can only be destroyed by shooting their tracks

Controls in the options menu

F3 Choose the menu option
F5 Change the menu option
F7 Start

Options menu settings

Gravity Skill - Low / Medium / High
Pilot Skill - Beginner / Advanced / Expert
Robo Pilots - Three / Five / Seven

Basics[edit | edit source]

There are many platforms to land your helicopter, which have a flat, white surface. When you land there, this also will be your new starting point when your helicopter crashes or you get shot.

"Moving walls" will move into the opposite direction when you shoot them.

There are two ways to reach the reactor, of which only one ALWAYS gives access to the reactor. After the destruction of the reactor, both ways are open.

... open barrier on the right ...

... a simplified map of the two ways ...

When you look at the map:
When you approach the reactor from the left, you'll have to navigate your helicopter past the lasers, while the tanks below you try to shoot you - not easy, as there's barely room to avoid the threats.
When you approach the reactor from the right, you have to shoot your way through an enormous mine field. There also will be quite some prisoners here you can rescue. When the barrier's open, you can destroy the reactor from this side, too.

Solution[edit | edit source]

Tips[edit | edit source]

The barrier on the right of the reactor: Most of the time you're lucky and the passage which gives access to the reactor is open. Then you'll be able to approach the reactor from the right. (Worf)
If I remember correctly, there was an event that triggered the barrier, if you fired too much shots while dismantling the bunker, the door closed. (84.58.174.244)

Map[edit | edit source]

Fort Apocalypse Map

Cheats[edit | edit source]

POKE 36339,153 (unlimited Helicopters)
POKE 36366,234 (unlimited Helicopters)

Voting[edit | edit source]

Voting of the C64-Wiki-User (10=the best vote):
8.36 points at 66 votes (rank 38). You need to be logged in to cast a vote.
C64Games	10	12. December 2006 - "highlight" 10563 downs
Lemon64	8,3	22. August 2007 - 85 votes
Rombachs C64-Spieleführer	10	1984 "Crème de la Crème"
Kultboy.com	8,67	15. Oktober 2010 - 15 votes

Reviews[edit | edit source]

Rombachs C64-Spieleführer: "Fort Apocalypse is a demanding game; flying skills, shooting accuracy and a confident approach are crucial. The game sometimes is so intense, you forget that it's only a game. Difficulty can be set by changing the gravity. A very good game which requires good control of the joystick."

Shakermaker303: "What a game *swarn* Expect everything that will be expected from pilots: you have to shoot and bomb, while you navigate your heli with caution. The controls are excellent, for the Stone Age's anno 1982 there's a lot of depth in the game. A successful mixture of H.E.R.O. and Choplifter I would say. Always fun, not too easy nor too difficult. Simple and iconic, 10 out of 10."