Way back when MicroProse was the master of military sims, it released Airborne Ranger, an action adventure game behind enemy lines. Initially released back in 1987 on Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum, this version is the 1988 MS-DOS release, published by Atari and MicroProse.
Featuring 12 challenging missions (from destroying military targets and sabotaging installations, to rescuing POWs and stealing secrets), each begins by choosing the right ranger for the job, piloting a V-22 Osprey, and selecting locations for ammo crate drops, before parachuting in (taking care to steer your parafoil) to get to work. On the ground, the game challenges you with minefields, bunkers, enemy troops and demands a change of strategy to deal with th various hazards.
Should you get captured, meanwhile, a rescue mission must be planned!
Key Features Include:
- Leverage Your Location: Understanding the environment is critical to success. Lure enemies onto slippery ice in the Arctic; hide under brush and in water in the Jungle. Does your location call for melee or gunfire? A delayed timebomb that promises your escape? Sprint across an open field, or crawl into a trench to avoid detection?
- One Way to Colonel: Practice mode lets you try individual missions; once you’re up to par you can step up to Veteran mode, where you will have to complete all 12 timed missions as a campaign. Rank up with each successful mission, all the way to a full colonel in the U.S. Airborne Rangers.
- It’s Authentic, Baby: Airborne Ranger features a historically accurate arsenal of weapons from the ‘80s, as well as realistically trained rangers to choose from per mission type.
Head to GOG to pick up Airborne Ranger for £8.99 (at the time of writing, a 20% discount knocks that down to £7.19). It’s also ‘s also available on Steam.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
