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Return Fire

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Return Fire
Original 3DO cover art
DeveloperSilent Software
Publishers3DO
PlayStation
Windows
Director
  • Reichart Kurt von Wolfsheild Edit this on Wikidata
ProducerAlexis Kasperavičius
DesignerReichart Kurt von Wolfsheild
ProgrammerWilliam A. Ware
ArtistVan Arno
Series
  • Return Fire Edit this on Wikidata
Platforms3DO
Microsoft Windows
PlayStation
Release3DO
PlayStation
Windows
GenresAction, shooter
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Return Fire is a 1995 video game developed by Silent Software, Inc. originally for the 3DO and later ported to Microsoft Windows and the PlayStation in 1996. It is a sequel to Fire Power (1987) and was followed by Return Fire 2 (1998). An expansion pack, Return Fire: Maps O' Death, was released for the 3DO in 1995.[3] Return Fire is a vehicular shooter from a 3D bird's eye view, in which the player's goal is to capture the enemy flag and return with it to their base. It was met with critical acclaim for its unusual gameplay concept, enjoyable multiplayer mode, and classical soundtrack.

Gameplay

[edit]

Return Fire has four specialized vehicles, each one with unique abilities. Each vehicle can carry a limited quantity of fuel and ammo (which can be refilled at ammo tents and fuel depots) and can withstand varying amounts of damage. If a land vehicle runs out of fuel, it stops and the driver jumps out and flees.

The helicopter is rather fragile and cannot resupply itself with fuel and ammunition unless it returns to the base, but can strafe at an angle and destroy mines and bridges. The tank (M60) has a 360° rotating turret. The Armoured Support Vehicle (ASV — M270 MLRS) is the most durable vehicle, but the slowest moving. It has the ability to lay mines which can instantly destroy any land vehicle. The jeep (M151 MUTT or HMMWV on PlayStation) is the fastest land vehicle and solely possesses the strategic ability to pick, move, and drop flags. Jeeps have the ability to over-inflate their tires and travel across deep water. They are the weakest vehicles, requiring only one hit to destroy.

Only rotating missile turrets and drones are a regular threat in single player mode. If the player exceeds the boundaries of the map, a submarine emerges and fires a heat-seeking missile against the player.

Production

[edit]

Audio

[edit]

The game featured licensed orchestral recordings of public domain music from EMI Classics, with the label's logo displayed prominently during the startup sequence. According to Wolfsheild, this type of major label licensing and branding arrangement was uncommon for video games at the time: "I told them I would advertise them, I would put 'EMI' first image full page... video games didn't really do that back then."[4] Each piece is associated with a specific vehicle or game event, and the game dynamically adjusts which portion of the work is played based on gameplay.

When a player is killed, a laughing skull appears on screen. The voice of the skull was provided by RJ Mical, co-designer of the Amiga, Atari Lynx, and 3DO.[5][4]

The game's audio was supervised by producer Alexis Kasperavičius, who also served as sound designer and music supervisor.[6]

Video sequences

[edit]

When a level is completed in the 3DO, PC or PlayStation version a short video clip is shown. One of these is a clip featuring Lou Gehrig's famous Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth speech.

Release

[edit]

A version for the Sega Saturn was developed and finished, but never released, though a complete build of the port was leaked online in 2007.[7][8] Reviews for the Saturn version were published shortly before its targeted release date of May 1997; most reviewers described it as an unacceptably poor conversion of an outstanding game, suffering from a much lower frame rate than the 3DO and PlayStation versions.[9][10] Another version of the game was also in development by Alexandria Inc. for the Atari Jaguar CD, but development on the port was terminated sometime in 1995 and it was never released for unknown reasons.[11][12][13][14][15]

The PlayStation release of Return Fire was the final game release by Time Warner Interactive before it was absorbed into Williams Entertainment (later became Midway Home Entertainment) by its new owners WMS Industries.

Reception

[edit]

Return Fire on the 3DO received generally favorable reception from critics.[24][27][31][32] GamePro's Manny LaMancha described it as "a combination of the best parts of playing Capture the flag, Desert Strike, and Micro Machines". LaMancha complimented the easy-to-master controls, the graphics, and the strong sense of humor.[33] Electronic Gaming Monthly's four reviewers gave it their "Game of the Month" award, applauding the two-player mode, classical soundtrack, graphics, and general fun of the game. Ed Semrad summarized "In an industry flooded with sports and fighting carts, this comes as a breath of fresh air". Next Generation praised the classical soundtrack and the two-player mode. They stated that the game is very fun even in single-player mode due to its large number of levels, and that the graphics and sound effects make causing destruction the in-game destruction more entertaining.[26]

In 1995, Return Fire was awarded the "3DO Two-Player Game of the Year".[34] In 1996, GamesMaster ranked the 3DO version as number 51 in their "Top 100 Games of All Time". In the same issue, they also ranked the 3DO version number one on their "The GamesMaster 3DO Top 10".[35] In 1997, Electronic Gaming Monthly ranked the 3DO version number 63 on their "100 Best Games of All Time", citing its high replayability and the way it "capture[s] the frenetic feeling of combat" to an extent that few games do. They said they chose the 3DO version specifically because the gameplay was tighter than that of the PlayStation version and unreleased Saturn version.[36]

Maps O' Death

[edit]

The expansion pack, Return Fire: Maps O' Death, also received generally favorable reviews.[37][38][39][40] Maximum said that, for an exceptionally low price tag, the player is treated to "horribly difficult theatres of war with less vehicles available and some decidedly odd scenery (such as the chessboard and SOS levels), all of which makes the Return Fire sequel an excellent 3DO addition".[39] GamePro's Johnny Ballgame stated that it "breathes new life into the year-old game, offering more than 100 fresh levels filled with the carnage and insanity Fire fans love".[41]

Other versions

[edit]

The PlayStation version was met with generally favorable reviews.[45][46][47][57] GamePro's Johnny Ballgame called it "a brilliantly conceived thrill-a-minute war sim" and "an unprecedented blend of action and strategy". He cited the easy-to-learn controls and game mechanics, frenzied and enduring multiplayer action, and high level of visual detail. He also made special note of the game's classical soundtrack, saying that "Never before has sound been so instrumental to a game's success".[61] Next Generation described it as a near-identical conversion of the 3DO game, and offered it similar praises.[53]

The PC version received mixed reception from critics, holding a rating of 69% based on six reviews according to review aggregator GameRankings.[42]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ The Electric Playground provided scores of 6 out of 10 for single-player and 8.5 out of 10 for multiplayer.[20]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "3DO Soft > 1995" (in Japanese). GAME Data Room. Archived from the original on 2018-08-16. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  2. ↑ "Online Gaming Review". 1998-02-10. Archived from the original on 1998-02-10. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  3. ↑ "Return Fire: Only the Hardest Can Survive the Maps O' Death!". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 3. Emap International Limited. January 1996. pp. 60–62.
  4. 1 2 Ash (June 15, 2015). "Return Fire 3DO Review". Retro Gaming Blog. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Return Fire". IMDb. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Return Fire (1995) Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Return Fire (never released)". sega-saturn.net. Archived from the original on 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  8. ↑ "RETURN FIRE™ - SEGA Saturn's Lost Games Recovery Program Vol. 1". sega-saturn.net. Archived from the original on 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  9. ↑ Mortlock, Dean; Price, James (June 1997). "Review: Return Fire". Saturn Power. No. 1. p. 72.
  10. ↑ Nutter, Lee (May 1997). "Review: Return Fire". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 19. Emap International Limited. pp. 68–69. Archived from the original on 2018-11-15. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
  11. ↑ "Jaguar Tackboard - AEO Development List 2.06 - Titles in Development". Atari Explorer Online. Vol. 4, no. 5. Subspace Publishers. July 20, 1995. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  12. ↑ Vendel, Curt (August 26, 1995). "Payment Schedule for Jaguar games to Developers" (PDF). atarimuseum.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-11. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  13. ↑ "Special Feature: Editors' Choice Awards 1995". GamePro. No. 79. IDG. February 1996. p. 26.
  14. ↑ Dragon, Lost (July 5, 2017). "The Ultimate Jaguar Unreleased/Beta/Source/Dev Master List! - Page 5". atari.io. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  15. ↑ "Scott Rogers". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  16. ↑ Sackenheim, Shawn (1998). "Return Fire (3DO) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on 2014-11-16. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
  17. ↑ Skews, Rik; Lawrence, Edward (April 1995). "Review: Return Fire (3DO)". Computer and Video Games. No. 161. EMAP Images. pp. 84–85.
  18. ↑ "Testscreen: Return Fire (3DO)". Edge. No. 19. Future plc. April 1995. pp. 72–73.
  19. ↑ Semrad, Ed; Carpenter, Danyon; Manuel, Al; Sushi-X (February 1995). "Review Crew: Return Fire (3DO)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 67. Sendai Publishing. p. 30. Retrieved 2026-08-08 – via Video Game History Foundation.
  20. ↑ Shaw, John (April 17, 1995). "Game Reviews: Archive '95: Return Fire (3DO)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions. Archived from the original on 1996-11-03. Retrieved 2026-08-08. (Transcription Archived 2000-12-02 at the Wayback Machine).
  21. ↑ Van Der Schaegen, Ross; Petzoldt, Rick; Anderson, Paul (March 1995). "3DO Reviews: Return Fire". Game Informer. No. 23. Sunrise Publications. p. 29.
  22. ↑ Lundrigan, Jeff; Salmon, Mike (April 1995). "3DO Review: Return Fire". Game Players. No. 70. GP Publications. pp. 38–39.
  23. ↑ Halverson, Dave; Des Barres, Nicholas Dean; Rickards, Kelly (March 1995). "Viewpoint: Return Fire (3DO); GameFan 32 - 3DO Review: Return Fire". GameFan. Vol. 3, no. 3. DieHard Gamers Club. pp. 25, 99.
  24. 1 2 Kirrane, Simon; Ellis, Les (March 1995). "Reviews (3DO): Return Fire". GamesMaster. No. 27. Future Publishing. pp. 40–41.
  25. ↑ Bolton, Roger (April 1995). "Review: Return Fire (3DO)". Hyper. No. 17. nextmedia. pp. 50–51.
  26. 1 2 "Finals - 3DO: Blast". Next Generation. No. 4. Imagine Media. April 1995. p. 88.
  27. 1 2 Westley, Dave (February 1995). "Review: Return Fire". 3DO Magazine. No. 2. Paragon Publishing. pp. 51–53.
  28. ↑ Klett Jr., Stephen P. (June 1995). "CD Console Games: Return Fire (3DO)". Electronic Games. Vol. 2, no. 6. IDG Communications. p. 102.
  29. ↑ Katz, Arnie (July 1995). "Consoles: Happy Returns — Return Fire simulates war for mainstream gamers (System: 3DO)". Electronic Games. Vol. 3, no. 7. Decker Publications. pp. 56–57.
  30. ↑ Perry, Dave; Wilton, Pete; Roberts, Nick; Price, Adrian (April 1995). "4-Play Reviews: Return Fire (3DO)". Games World. No. 10. Paragon Publishing. p. 17.
  31. 1 2 "Ultimate Review Sector: The hottest shooting action in Return Fire". Ultimate Future Games. No. 5. Future Publishing. April 1995. pp. 72–73.
  32. 1 2 Gore, Chris (April 1995). "Power Reviews: Return Fire (3DO)". VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine. No. 75. Larry Flynt Publications. pp. 82–83.
  33. ↑ LaMancha, Manny (April 1995). "ProReview - 3DO: Return Fire". GamePro. No. 79. IDG. p. 88.
  34. ↑ "And The Winner Is... 3DO Awards Honor Best of the Best for 1995; Electronic Arts' Road-Ripping Need for Speed Named "Game of the Year"". TheFreeLibrary.com. Business Wire. December 19, 1995. Archived from the original on 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
  35. ↑ "Top 100 Games of All Time". GamesMaster. No. 44. Future Publishing. July 1996. pp. 74–80.
  36. ↑ "100 Best Games of All Time". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 100. Ziff Davis. November 1997. pp. 100–160.
  37. 1 2 Lomas, lEd (March 1996). "CVG Review: Return Fire: Maps O' Death". Computer and Video Games. No. 172. EMAP. p. 65.
  38. 1 2 Wynne, Stuart Spencer (February–March 1996). "Review: Maps Of Death". 3DO Magazine. No. 8. Paragon Publishing. pp. 24–25.
  39. 1 2 3 "Maximum Reviews: Return Fire: Maps O' Death". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 3. EMAP. January 1996. p. 160.
  40. 1 2 "Ultimate review sector: Give Return Fire a massive... Maps O' Death map injection". Ultimate Future Games. No. 15. Future Publishing. February 1996. p. 82.
  41. ↑ Johnny Ballgame (May 1996). "ProReview: Return Fire: Maps O' Death". GamePro. No. 92. IDG. p. 68.
  42. 1 2 "Return Fire for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-01-29. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
  43. ↑ D'Aprile, Jason (December 1996). "Action Reviews: Return Fire (Windows 95)". Computer Games Strategy Plus. No. 73. December 1996. pp. 114–118. (Transcription Archived 2003-11-03 at the Wayback Machine).
  44. ↑ Goble, Gordon (December 1996). "Action Review: Return Fire". Computer Gaming World. No. 149. Ziff Davis. p. 330.
  45. 1 2 3 Guise, Tom (July 1996). "Review: Return Fire (PC CD ROM/PlayStation)". Computer and Video Games. No. 176. EMAP. p. 73.
  46. 1 2 Reiner, Andrew; Anderson, Paul; McNamara, Andrew (March 1996). "PlayStation Review: Return Fire". Game Informer. No. 35. Sunrise Publications. p. 38.
  47. 1 2 Salmon, Mike (May 1996). "PlayStation Review: Return Fire". Game Players. No. 84. Imagine Media. p. 65.
  48. ↑ Martinez Jr., Frank; Halverson, Dave; Rickards, Kelly (March 1996). "Viewpoint: Return Fire (PlayStation); PlayStation Nation Review: Return Fire". GameFan. Vol. 4, no. 3. Metropolis Media. pp. 10, 35.
  49. ↑ Hawkins, Marcus (August 1996). "Reviews (PlayStation): Return Fire". GamesMaster. No. 45. Future Publishing. p. 57.
  50. ↑ McDonald, T. Liam (September 19, 1996). "Return Fire Review for PC". GameSpot. CNET Networks. Archived from the original on 2003-10-08. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
  51. ↑ Schoffel, Julian (September 1996). "Byte Size: Return Fire (PC CD ROM)". Hyper. No. 35. nextmedia. p. 67.
  52. ↑ "PlayStation Review: Return Fire". IGN. Snowball.com. November 25, 1996. Archived from the original on 2002-04-09. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
  53. 1 2 "Finals - PlayStation: Return Fire". Next Generation. No. 19. Imagine Media. July 1996. p. 76.
  54. ↑ "Review: Return Fire". Official UK PlayStation Magazine. No. 10. Future Publishing. September 1996.
  55. ↑ "Reviews: Return Fire (Platform: PlayStation)". Intelligent Gamer. Vol. 1, no. 1. Decker Publications. June 1996. p. 84.
  56. ↑ Ramshaw, Mark (August 1996). "Player: Choppers — Return Fire". PC Review. No. 58. Future Publishing. pp. 48–49.
  57. 1 2 Broughton, Matt; Merrett, Steve (July 1996). "Review: Return Fire". PlayStation Plus. Vol. 1, no. 10. EMAP. pp. 70–73.
  58. ↑ Roundell, Paul (May 1996). "Review: Return Fire". PSX-Pro. No. 6. IDG Media. p. 48.
  59. ↑ McNally, Steve (June 1996). "Review: Return Fire". PSX-Pro. No. 7. IDG Media. pp. 18–20.
  60. ↑ "Reviews: Return Fire (PlayStation)". VideoGames. No. 87. Larry Flynt Publications. April 1996. p. 63.
  61. ↑ Johnny Ballgame (April 1996). "ProReview - PlayStations: Return Fire". GamePro. No. 81. IDG. p. 68.
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