Star Breaker

About

Star Breaker is a 1989 shooter that splits its action between two distinct playstyles. As the pilot of a high-tech cruiser, you blast through space combat levels filled with mines, droids, and massive Harvester ships. Use your ship’s four-way maneuverability to track enemies on radar while dodging hazards. Once you land, you switch to a walking/flying android to infiltrate underground bases. Here you hunt alien overlords and bizarre Space Clams, switching between walking and jetpack flight to navigate tunnels and use terminals for ammo, shields, and explosives. The game stands out for mixing Defender-like shooting with early 3D platform action. Players appreciate the seamless shift between aerial dogfights and claustrophobic base raids, a rare combo in 80s games. Its use of Atari ST/Amiga hardware gives the graphics a punch for the era, and the dual control schemes keep the pacing fresh. While not a modern classic, it earned a cult following for pushing genre boundaries before the 90s.

Storyline

The main section of each level takes place above the surface of one of the lifeless planets, and plays like a Defender-style shoot-'em-up. The Star Breaker can fly in four directions as it tracks down the Rrampon forces on its radar display - from mines and suicide droids to the dreaded Harvester command ships. The docking bays on the surface provide access to the underground bases. Here, control is transferred to the Light Trooper android, which heads down to the tunnels to hunt down the overlords and their Space Clams. The android can either fly through the rooms using its thrusters, or walk on the ground; computer terminals provide status reports, and can resupply the player with ammo, shields, thruster power and bombs.