Witchfinder's Gaming Vault: Action Service (Commodore 64)

[@merman1974]

The Software On Demand kiosks were later known as EDOS - Electronic Distribution Of Software. They were large machines located in John Menzies stores (used to be a newsagent similar to WH Smiths, who they later merged with). The machines could duplicate cassettes and disks, and later versions also printed out inlays. I have a large catalogue from 1991/2 when they tried to turn it into a mail-order service. I have a couple of EDOS titles as disks in my collection. It's less Action Service and more Confused Soldier Simulator. I did have it on the potential list for C64 Nightmares, my recent book on terrible games. Having seen this I'm glad I didn't bother playing it! I get the feeling the instructions were cut down for the smaller budget inlay, and I wonder like another comment if the construction set is actually recorded on the other side.

[@witchfinder1976]

Yes, I do feel the instructions were crammed in somewhat. Thanks for the info about the Software on Demand service! 🙂

[@mrscruffy8045]

As a none-native english speaker i find the use of the term "negotiate" at 2:00 amusing. I am sure that high wall and i can chisel out a compromise.... 3:16 - "Number 2 - leave game" - cause the c64 aint no handheld.

[@witchfinder1976]

Haha, the English language is funny like that!

[@gamingtonight1526]

I went with more strategic games, like Airborne Ranger, rather than these arcade equivalents!

[@witchfinder1976]

I'm not sure I'd call this an arcade game. Or any kind of game to be honest 😆

[@Technossomy]

I bought fist 2 as a budget title and came on the same cassette but when I tried the training levels they where missing which was on the reverse side of the the original cassette so would be interesting to know if they included the construction set on your tape or didn’t bother like with fist 2

[@witchfinder1976]

Maybe one day I'll try loading the other side... but probably not tbh 😂

[@OperationPhantom]

Almost looks like a more serious Combat School attempt but buggy (?), awkward and not fun. Well, it is fun to watch how strange it is.

[@witchfinder1976]

Glad you enjoyed watching me suffer through it! 😂

[@shinyphil87]

If I'd bought that as a budget release, I'd have thought it was a shame that it was such a let-down. If i'd paid full price for it, I'd have turned the air blue and taken it back to the shop, claiming it didn't work... If I hadn't thrown it against the wall first! 😖

[@witchfinder1976]

Yep, at full price this would have been a big disappointment 😂

[@avant1277]

What an odd title, you can see some care and thought went into the graphical presentation, maybe they ran out of time. Airborne Ranger or Combat School would be much nicer to play for sure. An interesting curio! Would feel very sorry for anyone who bought it full or budget price back in the day :)

[@witchfinder1976]

It had potential, but they really screwed up with the complicated interface and controls.

[@MephProduction]

what a clumsy game.

[@witchfinder1976]

Clumsy, or just plain broken? 🤔

[@TheRetroEngine]

lol what a corruption of a game.

[@witchfinder1976]

Not a classic is it?