ADG Episode 37 - Major Stryker

Channel:

Pixelmusement

Subscribers:

22,900

Published on August 31, 2013 3:57:49 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug_-N9N7h2c

Game:

Major Stryker (1993)

Category:

Show

Duration: 11:48

8,730 views

191

Episode Originally Released: March 5th, 2011

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There weren't a lot of scrolling 2D shooters in the late 80s and early 90s on DOS computers because the fundamental differences in hardware between computers and consoles didn't make smooth scrolling an easy thing to do. Heck, figuring out how to accomplish this was a major part of what drove the formation of Id Software when they made Commander Keen.

This game is a good example of why smooth scrolling was such a big deal, because this came out in 1993 yet still used a reduced framerate and large scrolling jumps to give the impression of faster-paced gameplay.

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Additional Information and Corrections:

* Here's a quick link to the downloads section of the 3D Realms website where you can get the full version of Major Stryker: https://3drealms.com/catalog/major-stryker_47/

* One thing I forgot to mention is that the Lava Zones each have special areas that go dark for a moment while a headlight of sorts lights up the area in front of you. This effect was later used in the 2D shooter Tyrian, which I reviewed very early in the ADG series in Episode 3.

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Alphabetical Index of ADG Episodes: http://www.pixelships.com/adg/index2.html