Genre: Shoot ’em up
Developer: Cinematronics
Publisher: GCE
Year: 1982
System: Vectrex
Starhawk is a fixed-position shoot ’em up game released for the Vectrex console in 1982. It was developed by Cinematronics and adapted from their earlier arcade title of the same name. The game draws inspiration from the trench run sequence in Star Wars, featuring a fast-scrolling, starfield background and a central trench that the player looks down from a first-person perspective.
The player controls a targeting reticle to shoot down waves of enemy fighters as they emerge from the distance and approach the screen. Points are awarded for each destroyed target, and missing too many enemies results in the loss of shield energy. If all shields are depleted, the game ends. Enemy waves become faster and more numerous over time.
The vector graphics of Starhawk take advantage of the Vectrex’s display technology to create an immersive experience that echoes the visuals of early 3D arcade shooters. It remains notable for bringing the feel of cinematic space battles into a home console format during the early 1980s.
