HOW ABOUT THIS STRATEGY BASED SEQUEL?

[keedor]

How about this for a strategy based sequel?

The object is to defend an Aircraft Carrier positioned in the centre of the screen from enemy planes which approach from the edges. Clicking on the Carrier launches planes which circle around it until given flight paths. Choosing a flight path is identical to FLIGHT CONTROL HD.

Enemy planes attempt to hit the Carrier and each collision does damage until the vessel eventually sinks and the game is over. Plane types include:


FIGHTER - Fast speed and Low damage per hit.

TORPEDO BOMBER - Slow speed and Medium damage per hit.

DIVE BOMBER - Medium speed and Medium damage per hit.

HEAVY BOMBER - Very slow speed and Heavy damage per hit.


When an allied plane collides with an enemy, both take damage and may be destroyed. Strength is on a colour coded basis:

BLACK - The plane is undamaged.

BROWN - The plane has suffered some damage.

ORANGE - The plane has suffered medium damage.

RED - The plane has suffered extensive damage. One more hit will destroy it.

The Carrier is similarly colour coded and will sink when struck by an enemy when Red. Different planes will do different amounts of damage, for example several Fighter hits may do the same as one Heavy Bomber.


Destroying enemy planes may release power-up icons which can be collected by allied planes including:

RADAR - Limited period, showing where the next enemy aircraft will appear on the edges of the screen.

HEALTH - Carrier and allied planes gain lost health.

BULLETS - Allied planes temporarily gain better attacking power.

ACE - Select an enemy plane which is immediately destroyed whatever its condition.


As the game continues new features could be incorporated for a greater challenge including:

CLOUD COVER - Planes within clouds are hidden but can still take and receive damage.

FOG BANK - Unlike clouds, planes cannot penetrate the fog.

SUDDEN HIGH WINDS - All planes have their speed reduced.


Each level would end when a set number of enemy planes are destroyed. Harder levels would limit the number of allied planes allowed in the air at any one time and increase the aggressiveness of attacking enemy planes.

[keedor]

In addition to the above, other features could include:


RUNWAY

Certain levels, rather than defending a Carrier, use an island base instead which must be protected in the same way. Enemy hits on the Runway will damage and ultimately destroy it, but while still serviceable Allied planes can be flown off in the usual way.


ACK-ACK GUN

Stationary Anti-Aircraft emplacements which can damage enemy planes which fly within range. These guns, too, can be damaged and destroyed by enemy aircraft hits.


SUPPLY SHIP

These Allied vessels move towards the Carrier and when within a (limited) range will resupply it with additional health (if any has been lost) as well as a small boost to the number of aircraft that can be flown. Supply Ships are unarmed and are vulnerable to enemy attack.


CONVOY

An Allied Lorry, similar to the Supply Ship, travels to the Runway in order to supply it with additional health (if required) and a small boost to the number of aircraft it can fly. Allied Lorries are unarmed and are vulnerable to enemy attack.



A couple of enemy units on later levels would include the danger:


KAMIKAZE

Suicide planes with the intention of destroying the Carrier or Runway. They will ignore all other Allied targets.


SUBMARINE

Out in the vast ocean, enemy Submarines hunt. They are detected by their moving periscopes and will temporarily rise to the surface, when they are vulnerable to attack by Allied planes. Submerged craft are safe from harm. When close to the Carrier they will fire a single torpedo at it and then escape off the screen.


Each unit has a strength rating:

ACK-ACK GUN - Low damage inflicted but high armour.

SUPPLY SHIP - Low speed and medium armour.

CONVOY - Low speed and medium armour.

SUBMARINE - Low speed, low damage inflicted and low armour.

KAMIKAZE - Fast speed, heavy damage inflicted but low armour.