A downloadable game

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The Simple Story:

"The Earth is under an extraterrestrial threat. 
To defend the planet, you and your wingman must invade
alien star systems and eliminate all enemies.
The world is counting on you."



Star Warrior is a single and multiplayer shoot 'em up (SHMUP) game.
You can play solo, against others, or in co-op mode with another player.
You can even form teams and compete against each other.

Movement and shield usage consume energy. If your energy depletes, you lose the ability to use shields and your movement slows down.
A super bomb destroys all enemies on the screen, but use it wisely, as there's only one super bomb for both players.
You can refuel and get a new super bomb at space stations.

If you choose team mode and don't have a buddy nearby, the AI will control your wingman.
After your wingman was killed you can bring him back to life by collecting the revive item ("+1").

Background:

You can download 2 versions of the game:

1. A ZX Spectrum version (.sna, .tap file) that runs on a 48k or 128k Spectrum. 

2. A ZX Next version (nex file) that runs on a ZX Next. (The graphics shown here are from the Next version.)

Both versions feature voice output. The Spectrum version uses the Currah uSpeech, while the ZX Next version doesn't require additional hardware. Both versions can also be played on emulators. Various emulators are available for the Spectrum, and CSpect is likely the fastest for the ZX Next.

I started developing the Spectrum version around 1985. Decades later, with the release of the ZX Next, I decided to revive and complete the project. The result is a version for the ZX Next with enhanced graphics and a version that can still be played on the ZX Spectrum 48k/128k. I hope you enjoy playing as much as I enjoyed creating the game.

["Star Warrior" was made with DeZog, sjasmplus, z80asm, ZEsarUX and CSpect]

=== Features ===

- Speech output
- Couch Co-op
- AI for the computer controlled wingman

=== Menu Controls ===

SPACE = Start the game

C = Change the number of players. This will cycle to single player and team (co-op) games.

Up to 5 players/teams can play (depends on available memory).

=== In Game ===

S = Stop/Continue (pause game)

Q (if stopped) = Quit

The ZX Next version:

=== Controls ===

Joysticks. Can be played with any Joystick that fits the ZX Next. Best experience is a Sega MD joystick for all buttons (Fire, Shield and Super Bomb).

Both players: SPACE = Super Bomb

The ZX Spectrum version:

=== Controls ===

Interface II or:

Player 1: 6 = Left 7 = Right 8 = Down 9 = Up 0 = Fire P = Shield

Player 2: 1 = Left 2 = Right 3 = Down 4 = Up 5 = Fire Q = Shield

Both players: SPACE = Super Bomb

Download

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Click download now to get access to the following files:

starwarrior.nex 384 kB
starwarrior.sna 128 kB
starwarrior.tap 39 kB

Comments

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Great game on Currah uSpeech, thank you. I also included it in my new "Gameplay of New ZX Spectrum Games from July 2024" video, in addition to all the other ZX Spectrum games released in July.

Absolutely awesome retro style arcade game. Love it. Had a first play of it on my live twitch stream.

A promising game! But that Spectrum cursor layout, hmm. If an option to redefine keys isn't feasible at all, may I suggest an alternative .tap using O,P,Q,A,M,Z or O,P,Q,A,M,Space ?

Or, for two-player keyboard, it could be something like W,E,Q,A,Z,S for P1 and O,P,I,K,M,L or something similar (see the pattern for finger positions on all layouts I proposed ?).

Thanks for considering!

The layout is because of the Interface II support.
I honestly don't hink that it is really playable without joystick.

I didn't expect such a great response. Many thanks for that.

If you're interested, I could keep a hiscore table here on the site. Just add a photo of your score in the comments. If there are enough entries I assemble something.

(-1)

Really FUN game.  I gave it a whirl yesterday and also made a video.  Well done and so happy to see more Next games coming out.  I like how you finally finished the game for the older Speccy and now the Next addition.  Here is my go.  tj

Tranks for the video. I'm glad to see that you have fun with the game.
A tip: To revive your wingman you have to collect (touch) the "+1".

Ah yes, as you saw, I was afraid to touch that.  hahaha

Here after watching TJ's Video,  I look forward to playing it myself.

Cheers

That TJ guys is a nice man but crazy.  hahaha.  Glad you are going to check out the game.  It is a nice one!

fab game!  

ZX Spectrum version needs Kempston support. :)

I will look into it, but AFAIR the Kempston was 1 joy port only.
Give me some time...

Found no way to detect Kempston automatically and I don't want to add a UI. Furthermore there are Kempston interfaces with more than 1 button around, which are impossible to distinguish. So, also the buttons would require configuration from the UI.
So, not much hope for the Kempston unfortunately...

Nice game!