3D Deathchase

3D Deathchase is an arcade shooter game, where the player needs to chase two motorcycles in a wooded area and destroy them. It was released in 1983 for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum.

Gameplay


3D Deathchase may be controlled using the keyboard or a Kempston joystick. The controls for left and right will move the motorcycle to the left or right, but only when moving. Forward accelerates the motorcycle, while back will cause the motorcycle to slowdown or stop. You will need to destroy two target motorcycles, one yellow and one blue (with different colours shown if they are far away.)

The objective is to accelerate the motorcycle until you at least begin to gain points by moving forward. While you can accelerate even more, this is not technically necessary but can help approach the cycles more quickly. Dodge the trees that come into view, and when the range indicator in the bottom right corner starts blinking, press fire to attack. The bullet can be guided mid-shot by moving the joystick left or right. Note that the motorcycles move more quickly if you are travelling faster; however, you practically need to be at top speed (where you get 1 point every few frames) in order to hit the motorcycles. Destroying a motorcycle is worth 1000 points.

The player is given three lives. When all three are lost when colliding with trees, the game will end.

There are eight sectors within the game, both with a day-time and night-time level. Aside from the background colour of the sky, the day and night segments play identically. Advancing to the later sectors will increase the number of trees that you have to dodge, while the target motorcycles aren't impaired by these obstacles. When the last sector is cleared, the game starts at the beginning.