Vengeance

Vengeance is a sci-fi action game that blends vertical scrolling shoot-'em-up gameplay with first-person exploration. The player controls a lone starfighter on a desperate mission: to board and sabotage eight types of alien spacecraft threatening humanity. The main action takes place above a massive space station, where the ship moves freely in all directions, firing twin lasers at enemy fighters and surface defenses. Destroying enemies and fuel tanks builds up "energy," crucial to the game's strategy. By pausing, the player selects an enemy ship and teleports a droid aboard, consuming energy based on distance and target complexity. Inside, the view switches to first-person, navigating a labyrinthine corridor maze with a limited minimap to locate and destroy a vital engine component before the energy supply runs out. This clever mix of frenetic shooting and tense, strategic puzzle-solving sets Vengeance apart from standard shooters of its era.

Commodore 64

Released in 1987 by the UK-based CRL Group and programmed by Finlay Munro, Vengeance was a bold attempt to offer a more cerebral challenge than the typical "blast everything" formula. The game was a technical showcase, seamlessly integrating a fast-scrolling sprite-filled shooter with detailed first-person 3D maze sections. The music, composed by Jay Derrett, and the distinctive visual style were praised by critics. Reviews in Zzap!64 noted that beneath its "tacky scenario" lay a "smooth, velvety, tasteful little arcade adventure" demanding more than quick reflexes. The unique dual-genre gameplay offered depth rarely seen in shoot-'em-ups of the period. Vengeance remains a challenging and original title, remembered as a curious gem from the twilight years of the CRL Group.