SAC Alert

"Good for its time"

It's not very often that I enjoy a video game I randomly decide to download of the internet. Past experiences include: Britney's Dance Beat, Nickelodeon GUTS, and Justice League: Injustice for All. As you can likely tell just from reading the names, these games are absolutely horrible. SAC Alert is one of the only exceptions. The other is some wacky fire fighter game I can't remember the title of.

''WHOOOSH! Put out another fire, Fireman Steve! WHOOOSH!''

Anyhow, back on subject. SAC Alert is an all around great game, and that means a lot coming from me. Also considering that it's an Atari game, SAC Alert must be gold.

Graphics

Coming late in that Atari's career, SAC Alert has surprisingly refreshing graphics. When you're flying your F-16 (or whatever it is), it's near life-like, at least for the Atari. And the explosions of the Russian Mothership are superbly done. I almost felt like I was actually flying . Forget those High-Class flight simulators that cost hundreds of dollars, find a copy of SAC Alert and you're ready to go.

8/10

Sound

If the Atari had one flaw (besides those ridiculous Sex games that pervs everywhere own), it was bad sound. Sadly, this game is no exception. Maybe the graphics made me expect too much, or maybe I'm just way too cynical when it comes to sound in Video Games. I don't know. All I do know is that this game could have had much better sound than it did. Perhaps just a little more effort could have been vested into the Sound Department instead of the glamorous Graphics Department. But what do I know? I've never designed a game in my life, nor do I even have a clue what I'm talking about.

3/10

Gameplay

This is where the game truly shines. Imagine an overhead flying game, much like 19XX (or whatever it was called, you know what I mean), only set in the Atari era. Throw in some mucho realistic physics, believable enemy patterns, and a near endless arsenal weapons, and you have SAC Alert. Seriously, this was the pinnacle of Atari achievement. None of that pansy Hockey junk that Polas plays, this is where the action is at. And trust me, folks, this is not the face of a liar.

10/10

Buy or Rent

If you can find this game anywhere, buy it. But I doubt you will be able to. Just save yourself the trouble and emulate it. I believe the company released this game to the public long ago, so ROMacize to your heart's content.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/20/03, Updated 01/20/03