Ludography
Strike Force Harrier cover

1986 · Flight simulation · Shooter

Strike Force Harrier

Strike Force Harrier is a combat flight simulator developed by H&H Software and published by Mirrorsoft in 1986.

Released
1986
Platforms
Acorn ElectronAmigaAmstrad CPCAtari STAtari ST/STEBBC MicroBBC Microcomputer SystemCommodore 64Commodore C64/128/MAXMSXZX Spectrum
Genres
Flight simulationShooterSimulation
Developers
—
Publishers
Mirrorsoft
Modes
Single-player
Perspective
First person
Themes
Warfare

About

Strike Force Harrier is a 1986 combat flight simulation video game designed by Rod Hyde and published by Mirrorsoft for the 8-bit home computers. 16-bit ports were released later.

›Story

Your mission is to destroy the enemy HQ 125 miles NNE of your starting position as shown both on FOTRAC and on the grid map.

To reach enemy HQ, you will need first to destroy the enemy tanks threatening your ground sites. When you’ve done this, your next move is to set up a new ground site in an adjacent operational area. Unfortunately, these will also come under threat from enemy tanks which will in turn have to be destroyed—and so the process goes on. There are a total of 512 operational areas at your disposal, but obviously not all need to be taken to reach your goal.

Keywords

  • modern warfare
  • flight
  • tank
  • airplane
  • modern military

Media

Strike Force Harrier screenshot 1

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The game simulates the flying of the British attack aircraft Harrier jump jet, known for its vertical takeoff and landing. The objective is to attack an enemy base 250 miles away, filled with MiG fighters, SAM sites, and tanks. The game can't be cleared in one go, each sector must be cleared to establish landing, refuelling, and rearming bases for the land forces. A HUD displays essential information on the cockpit window.

A radar screen plots the position and any enemies nearby. Red traces warn of missiles requiring evasive action.

Reception

Amtix called the game better than Skyfox and Spitfire 40. They summarized the game as "[a] simply superb fight simulation with loads of potential". Crash said that "though by no means the best on the Spectrum, Strike Force Harrier is quite reasonable. As a flight sim, this is pretty good".

Computer and Video Games reviewed the BBC Micro version and concluded: "A classy, polished and highly addictive simulation, this is a game to keep". When reviewing the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum versions they said that "Strike Force Harrier is set to become a classic of its type on all formats". 64 summarized: "Not a brilliant flight simulator, but one of the more exciting on the market".

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

PlatformReleasedRegions
MSX31 December 1986Europe
Commodore C64/128/MAX31 December 1986Europe
ZX Spectrum31 December 1986Europe
Acorn Electron31 December 1986Europe
BBC Microcomputer System31 December 1986Europe
Amstrad CPC31 December 1986Europe
Amiga31 December 1988Europe
Atari ST/STE31 December 1988Europe

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Collections3 collections

Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.