The Lost Patrol
| Developer: Shadow Development | Graphics: |
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| Publisher: Ocean | Sound: |
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| Year: 1990 | Difficulty: |
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| Genre: Strategy-arcade | Lastability: |
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| Number of players: 1 | Rating: |
6/10 | |
War! Never been so much fun! Oh wait, that’s not it…
The Vietnam War. Your helicopter has just crashed in the middle of the jungle, deep in enemy territory. Seven survivors, practically unarmed, with no supplies and no radio. You must lead your squad to the American lines, a hundred kilometres away, on foot…
It’s a memorable game primarily for its atmosphere, but not of vertiginous depth. You move across the map trying not to attract the Viet Cong’s attention. Simultaneously, you manage your men’s fatigue and food rationing. The route choice doesn’t seem to bear great significance, given the random developments. Sometimes, you’ll encounter an enemy patrol or an isolated soldier, and you’ll face the question of fighting or fleeing. The marks on the map represent minefields or villages, which often contain precious resources. You’re free to interrogate the locals to attempt gathering intelligence, in the manner of Sergeant Elias or Sergeant Barnes, as you see fit!
Progression is extremely slow. I know they attempted to establish a tense climate, but it’s so drawn out! The rare events are merely pretexts for insipid mini-games … very pretty nonetheless, but if I had to choose, I prefer when things are ugly and moving.
And yet another half-baked French translation!
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