Codename MAT

Codename MAT

Developer	Micromega
Company
Publisher	Amsoft
Musician	None
Release	1984
Platform(s)	CPC, ZX Spectrum
Genre	Shoot-em-up
OS
Game Modes	1 Player
Controls
Media
Language
Information

One of the first 'almost' 3D space games: Easily playable, with a dozen or so controls for flying a ship (the Centurian) against a fleet of Myon vessels (3 Types) which are invading the solar system.

Although not on a par with the likes of Elite, it was playable (and had an ending). There were a few very minor bugs in the programming but these had no effect on the playability.

Description

Codename MAT - MISSION: ALIEN TERMINATION - the desperate plan to place in the mind of a teenager the combined tactical skills of all the planetary leaders in the solar system. MAT is mankind's last hope.

For decades the Myons have sought to dominate the Solar System, whose fleets are now ragged and depleted. They have launched an all-or-nothing attack, knowing that Earth is developing revolutionary space-craft. Only the prototype - USS Centurion - has been built, and it must be pressed into immediate service as both battle-cruiser and tactical command centre.

Piloting the craft in battle and controlling the Planetary Defence Fleets is beyond any normal human... MAT is created.

Now your mind is MAT's mind. Take control of the Centurion and blast off on the greatest adventure of all...

Ratings

Generally well received by the CPC gaming press, Codename MAT received a fairly glowing review from the Amsoft owned Amstrad Computer User their reviewer speculating that "Originals of Code Name Mat may be changing hands in fifty years time in much the same way as the first editions of famous novels."

By the time Amstrad Action and Amtix came on the scene, the game was already a year old and the excitement wasn't quite as fever pitch.

Amstrad Action remarked that there was "Plenty of depth of control and game size but that lots of keyboard controls can be confusing" while Amtix suggested that while "the 3D graphics are only average, the game can prove so addictive that it doesn't matter."

ACU:	Issue 01 (Aug/Sep '84)	Page 16	no mark
ACU:	Issue 05 (Apr '85)	Page 41	4/5
AA:	Issue 01 (Oct '85)	Page 79-80	71%
Amtix:	Issue 01 (Nov '85)	Page 26	74%

Solution

None

Cheats

None

Prequels / Sequels

1. Codename MAT (1984)
2. Codename MAT II (1985)

Compilations

Appeared on 10 Computer Hits 2 from Beau Jolly in 1986.

Trivia

Originally released for the ZX Spectrum, author Derek Brewster had decided to name his game Invasion 2000, however, publishers Micromega were unhappy with the name as it didn't reflect the content of the game and made it sound like another space invaders knock-off, which the market was being flooded with at that time. Prior to settling on Codename MAT, the game was also known as Hank during the development stage.