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==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
The game consisted of several missions, in which the player controlled a sole Ranger whose objectives included killing an enemy officer, destroying an enemy [[bunker]], and even taking out a [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM-site]].
The game consisted of several missions, in which the player controlled a sole Ranger whose objectives include killing an enemy officer, destroying an enemy [[bunker]], and taking out a [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] site.


At the start of each mission, the player was presented with a short overview of the mission, and could select a ranger from a roster of soldiers. The player was then in control of an aircraft, described as a [[Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey|V-22 Osprey]] and was allowed to drop three [[ammunition|ammo]] crates over the enemy territory. Once the three containers were dropped, the ranger was [[parachute]]d into the area. Upon touch-down, the player would have to overcome several obstacles, including enemy soldiers and officers, [[land mine|mine fields]], [[foxhole]]s and [[bunkers]]. Due to limited ammunition, the player needed to plan his path through the territory. The dropped ammo crates provided the soldier with fresh [[hand grenade]]s and ammo. After completing the mission, the ranger had to navigate to a pick-up point without being killed. The ranger had to reach the pick-up point within a time limit.
At the start of each mission, the player is presented with a short overview of the mission, and can select a ranger from a roster of soldiers. The player is then in control of an aircraft, described as a [[Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey|V-22 Osprey]] and is allowed to drop three [[ammunition|ammo]] crates over the enemy territory. Once the three containers were dropped, the ranger is [[parachute]]d into the area. Upon touch-down, the player has to overcome several obstacles, including enemy soldiers and officers, [[land mine|mine fields]], [[foxhole]]s and bunkers. Due to limited ammunition, the player needs to plan his path through the territory. The dropped ammo crates provided the soldier with fresh [[hand grenade]]s and ammo. A player is even able actually change the color of his uniform to match the enemy and thereby not be attacked by them. After completing the mission, the Ranger has to navigate to a pick-up point within a time limit.


The game created the maps and objective locations randomly, so the player was required to plan each mission carefully, because no mission was the same. If a player could find a suitable hiding spot on the map, such as a bunker, guard tower, or hangar, he could actually change the color of his uniform to match the enemy (and thereby not be attacked by them. He would have to knife (since it's silent) a random enemy as they passed by the entrance where the player was hiding, and he would emerge with that color uniform on. The uniform lasted until the player attacked the enemy. It was a great tactic to use when needing to place time bombs on gun turrets (anything up close and heavily guarded).
The game created the maps and objective locations randomly, so the player is required to plan each mission carefully, because no mission was the same. If the Ranger was captured (but not killed), the player could start an optional rescue mission using another soldier from the roster. Each successful mission increased the rank of the individual ranger, up to [[colonel]].

If the Ranger was captured (but not killed), the player could start an optional rescue mission using another soldier from the roster. Each successful mission increased the rank of the individual ranger, up to [[colonel]].


==Manual==
==Manual==

Revision as of 19:50, 26 March 2011

For U.S. military use of this term, see United States Army Rangers.
Airborne Ranger
Developer(s)MicroProse
Publisher(s)MicroProse
Designer(s)Lawrence Schick
Platform(s)Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, PC (DOS), ZX Spectrum
Release1987-1989
Genre(s)Stealth
Mode(s)Single player

Airborne Ranger is a video game developed and released by MicroProse in 1987. The game is a relatively (for its era) realistic action game in which a sole U.S. Army Ranger is sent to infiltrate the enemy territory to complete various objectives.

Gameplay

The game consisted of several missions, in which the player controlled a sole Ranger whose objectives include killing an enemy officer, destroying an enemy bunker, and taking out a SAM site.

At the start of each mission, the player is presented with a short overview of the mission, and can select a ranger from a roster of soldiers. The player is then in control of an aircraft, described as a V-22 Osprey and is allowed to drop three ammo crates over the enemy territory. Once the three containers were dropped, the ranger is parachuted into the area. Upon touch-down, the player has to overcome several obstacles, including enemy soldiers and officers, mine fields, foxholes and bunkers. Due to limited ammunition, the player needs to plan his path through the territory. The dropped ammo crates provided the soldier with fresh hand grenades and ammo. A player is even able actually change the color of his uniform to match the enemy and thereby not be attacked by them. After completing the mission, the Ranger has to navigate to a pick-up point within a time limit.

The game created the maps and objective locations randomly, so the player is required to plan each mission carefully, because no mission was the same. If the Ranger was captured (but not killed), the player could start an optional rescue mission using another soldier from the roster. Each successful mission increased the rank of the individual ranger, up to colonel.

Manual

File:Airborne ranger.field manual.jpg
Field manual

The manual mimics a Field Manual[1] of the U.S. Army, and brings the number of code FM75-041, non-existent outside the fiction of the game. The manual includes 40 pages in black and white, plus the color cover of thin cardboard. It is divided into two parts with 11 chapters in all: in the first part we talk about the choice of the Rangers, the selection of the mission, the recognition test ribbons, a transport plane, the indicators of combat, the ranger of the movements' use of arms, wounds care, the map, how to complete the mission, the instructions on the operation to be performed (briefing) and promotions from private to colonel. In the second part talks about the true story of U.S. Rangers from 1759 to the American Revolution to World War II, the Korean War, until today, with the Vietnam War, the invasion of Grenada in 1983, their training and equipment, operations mountains, desert and jungle, consisting of a paraglider, a Colt CAR-15 rifle, on the hand fragmentation M26 grenade, a grenade launcher M72 LAW, the M18 Claymore anti-personnel mine and the ranger knife F7.

Reception

A review in Computer Gaming World felt Airborne Ranger was reminiscent of the earlier arcade game Commando, but much deeper and more versatile. The graphics and sound were praised, noting gunfire sounds different when shot from inside fortifications than it does outside fortifications.[2] The game received 4½ out of 5 stars in Dragon.[3]

Legacy

The game was followed by Special Forces in 1991.

In 2007, Atari announced a game called Airborne Rangers for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC to be released between April 2008 and March 2009, but the game was never mentioned again after the original press release.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ US Field Manual Index
  2. ^ Rohrer, Kevin (January 1988). "Airborne Ranger". Computer Gaming World. p. 18.
  3. ^ Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk (July 1988). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (135): 82–89.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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