Return Fire

PlayStation console exclusive

Return Fire is the spiritual successor to Fire Power and it fits in both the strategy and action genres. You can take control of one of 4 vehicles, a jeep, helicopter, tank and a missile launching vehicle (but actually called The Armoured Support Vehicle (ASV).

Released: 11 January 1995
Platforms: 3DO 3DO Interactive Multiplayer PlayStation Windows
Genres: Action Arcade Shooter Vehicular combat
Developers: —
Publishers: —
Series: Return Fire
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric
Themes: Action
Country: United States
Age ratings: ESRB E USK 16
Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish (Mexico)
Directors: Reichart Kurt von Wolfsheild

About

Return Fire is a 1995 video game developed by Silent Software, Inc. originally for the 3DO and later ported to Microsoft Windows and the PlayStation in 1996. It is a sequel to Fire Power (1987) and was followed by Return Fire 2 (1998). An expansion pack, Return Fire: Maps O' Death, was released for the 3DO in 1995.

Return Fire is a vehicular shooter from a 3D bird's eye view, in which the player's goal is to capture the enemy flag and return with it to their base. It was met with critical acclaim for its unusual gameplay concept, enjoyable multiplayer mode, and classical soundtrack.

Keywords

polygonal 3d

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Return Fire has four specialized vehicles, each one with unique abilities. Each vehicle can carry a limited quantity of fuel and ammo (which can be refilled at ammo tents and fuel depots) and can withstand varying amounts of damage. If a land vehicle runs out of fuel, it stops and the driver jumps out and flees.

The helicopter is rather fragile and cannot resupply itself with fuel and ammunition unless it returns to the base, but can strafe at an angle and destroy mines and bridges. The tank (M60) has a 360° rotating turret. The Armoured Support Vehicle (ASV — M270 MLRS) is the most durable vehicle, but the slowest moving. It has the ability to lay mines which can instantly destroy any land vehicle.

Development

The game featured licensed orchestral recordings of public domain music from EMI Classics, with the label's logo displayed prominently during the startup sequence. According to Wolfsheild, this type of major label licensing and branding arrangement was uncommon for video games at the time: "I told them I would advertise them, I would put 'EMI' first image full page... video games didn't really do that back then." Each piece is associated with a specific vehicle or game event, and the game dynamically adjusts which portion of the work is played based on gameplay.

Verdi's "Dies Irae" plays during the opening title screen as the logo appears engulfed in flames.

Reception

Return Fire on the 3DO received generally favorable reception from critics. GamePro's Manny LaMancha described it as "a combination of the best parts of playing Capture the flag, Desert Strike, and Micro Machines". LaMancha complimented the easy-to-master controls, the graphics, and the strong sense of humor. Electronic Gaming Monthly's four reviewers gave it their "Game of the Month" award, applauding the two-player mode, classical soundtrack, graphics, and general fun of the game.

Ed Semrad summarized "In an industry flooded with sports and fighting carts, this comes as a breath of fresh air". Next Generation praised the classical soundtrack and the two-player mode. They stated that the game is very fun even in single-player mode due to its large number of levels, and that the graphics and sound effects make causing destruction the in-game destruction more entertaining.