Introduction to V Force
I’ll be honest: I first came across V Force digging through old Spectrum cartridges, and it caught me off guard with its straightforward, no-frills action. You pick from a squadron of six jets—everything from speedy fighters to heavier bombers—and punch into a scrolling landscape dotted with enemy outposts, SAM sites, and the occasional aerial ambush. There’s something almost zen about lining up your shot, dropping that payload, and skimming back across the desert before the flak gets too hot.
The missions are short but punchy, each one nudging you to master a different aspect of the game. Early runs are mostly about dodging surface-to-air missiles and laying down enough firepower to clear a path, but later levels throw in fast-moving interceptors that force you to juggle bombing runs with dogfights. You’ve also got to keep an eye on fuel, which sneaks in a hint of strategy—run too low, and it’s game over even if you’re sitting on a clear runway.
I’ll admit the graphics and sound aren’t going to blow anyone away today, but for its era, V Force felt crisp and responsive. The sprites are chunky but well-defined, and the scrolling background doesn’t stutter too badly once you get moving. The control scheme is intuitive enough—even on a clunky old joystick—so you spend more time pulling off tight turns than wrestling with the interface.
Looking back, V Force is exactly what you’d hope for from an ’80s budget shooter: it’s a little rough around the edges, but it has character and keeps you coming back just to beat your last high score. If you’re in the mood for a quick burst of retro aerial combat, it still holds up as a fun, bite-sized dive into classic arcade-style shooting.