Renegade

"Renegade - rebel without a cause? In the knife-edge world of the vigilante there is no place to rest, no time to think - but look sharp - there is always time to die! From the city subways to the gangland ghettos you will always encounter the disciples of evil who's mission it is to exterminate the only man on earth who dares to throw down the gauntlet in their path - the Renegade. PLAY RENEGADE.... PLAY MEAN!"

Based on the arcade and just as difficult if not more so than the original. The spectrum conversion is highly thought of due to its detailed gfx, gameplay and a control system that works. The C64 version, not so much. In the longplay I play through only 1 level (all 5 stages) as the game is difficult enough and the game constantly loops until you lose all lives , getting progressively more difficult as if it needed to. The control system is a pain to work with and I didn't want to go on with it. Oh the controls... The Joystick moves you around the screen but you have 3 keys on the keyboard '1-Jump 2-Attack Right and <- Attack left' then you are at the mercy of the collision detection.

The first 2 levels are normal enough. Just try to avoid getting flanked. Even with few enemies on screen they can easily overwhelm you. You only get one extra life, and the stage starts over when you use it. an extra life is only awarded if you finish all stages. On level 3, the difficulty ramps up with everyone having weapons but its the boss that causes the most problems as he can rush you and take of lots of health. Stage 4 and 5 introduces the stabbers. If they get close to you, its one hit and your dead! If you manage a punch or low kick, chances are they will recover and stab before you can get another move out so you have to land high kicks to knock em down.

I'm just glad its over and not a version I want to replay any time soon.