Hostages (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Hostages


developer = Infogrames
publisher = Infogrames, Superior Software
distributor =
designer =
engine =
version =
released = 1988
genre =
modes = Single player
ratings =
platforms = Acorn Electron, Acorn Archimedes, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, NES, ZX Spectrum
media = Floppy disk, Compact audio cassette
requirements =
input = Joystick, keyboard

"Hostages" is a computer game developed by Infogrames in 1988. The game was called "Hostage: Rescue Mission" in the United States, and "Operation Jupiter" in France. The Nintendo Entertainment System port was called "Rescue: The Embassy Mission".

It was released for Acorn Electron, Archimedes, Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, BBC Micro, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, NES and ZX Spectrum platforms.

Description

Terrorists have overrun an embassy and hold the people inside as hostages. You control six counter-terrorists whose mission is to eliminate the terrorists. The game is split into two or three (depending on platform) distinct sections. In the first part of the game, you have to bring three men into position so they can snipe the building. You must avoid the searchlight by hiding in doorways as well as rolling, crawling and running. The second part involves entering the building with the other three men. In some versions of the game, this section is linked to the first part. You abseil down the side of the building to choose which room you will enter. You can also use the snipers (positioned earlier) to shoot the terrorists through the windows. You must search the building, shooting the terrorists and finding the hostages. In some versions of the game, hostages must be taken to a safe room.

Game sections

The game consists of four parts, each presenting the action in a different way.

In the first part, three of the characters are taken to various spots in buildings surrounding the building that must be infiltrated. Along the way, though, the player must avoid the ever-moving spotlights by ducking behind scenery, crawling, rolling, and jumping into open windows. Failure to do so results in immediate death. Once the three characters are brought to their appointed spots, each in a progressively farther location from the start, part two begins. At least one character must reach their destination. Failure in part one results in a game over.

In part two, the same characters now act as snipers, watching the windows of the building for movement and shooting the terrorists' profiles in the windows if and when they appear. Doing well in part two means that part three is easier, but part two also takes a lot of patience and time, and the longer the player takes means he/she will have less time to complete the third part.

Part three is the shortest. Three characters on the roof must simply rappel down into the building from one of the sides, avoiding the windows that have sillouettes in them and crashing through on one of the three floors. Failure to time one's movements though results in the character falling and, presumably, dying.

Once inside, the player guides the character in a first-person perspective block-by-block movement around the building, looking for terrorists and shooting them before they can open fire, and finding the hostages inside. Once all the hostages have been rescued, and all the terrorists have been killed, the game ends. On harder difficulty settings, one must also be careful not to shoot hostages. The first person block-by-block method of play is similar to some of Kemco's other games, including Shadowgate.

Difficulty settings

There are varying degrees of difficulty, the easier settings giving the player more time to complete the tasks at hand, as well as the ability to see where the enemies are in the final part of the game. The harder settings give the player substantially less time, and the character lacks the aforementioned ability.

External links

*WoS game|id=0002354|name=Hostages
*moby game|id=/c64/hostage-rescue-mission|name="Hostage: Rescue Mission"
* [http://gaming.goeszen.com/hostages-revisited-aka-hostage-rescue-mission.html "Hostages"] blog post celebrating the game