Two games with the same theme. Which is more fun?
Taking a glance at these games, it's easy to assume Fire Fighter is more fun, and not just because of the shiny cover. Or rather, totally because of the shiny cover. It's an Imagic cover, and if you know much about the old days of Atari, you know Imagic was run by former Atari developers, just like Activision. And you know Imagic games, like Activision titles, nearly always look great and play just as well. As for U.S. Games . . . well, you know these were made by Quaker Oats, because everyone had to chase that chuck wagon of fast Atari cash. And if you didn't know all that, now you do.
As expected, Fire Fighter looks great. The flames flicker, the man inside waves his arms, and the fire truck is well rendered.
However, I couldn't get into this game. I wanted to! I read the manual and tried Fire Fighter on multiple variations, and set the difficulty switch to A for faster flames. But no setting kept my attention. Perhaps this is because the fire fighter puts out the flames from the outside, in a rather methodical and linear fashion. You simply stand under the windows and aim up.
You also control the ladder on the fire truck. The controls are tricky. You can extend it to the floor with the flailing man. In this way, you can rescue the man without putting out all the flames, in theory. This should add strategy. Again, in theory. Perhaps I'm doing it wrong, but I found that by the time I angled and extended the ladder, the flames went out on their own! In that case, the man went to the first floor and waited for me there. Also, when you go up the ladder to save the man, you have to wait for him to shuffle his butt across the floor, if he hasn't already. When you save him, you're treated to a few notes of "Jolly Good Fellow."
How about Towering Inferno? It's strange because U.S. Games licensed the title from 20th Century Fox. (There was a "Towering Inferno" movie in the 70s, if you missed it like me.) I guess Fox hadn't yet started making games, but it must have been close.
Towering Inferno has two screens. One is a kind of cutscene, where you watch the helicopter descend and launch the people you save. The people do not gently exit the craft. No, the helicopter blasts them out like bullets, which is hilarious every time. I'm guessing that was easier to program. It really never gets old, for real.
The other screen is all action. As the fire fighter, you've got to plow through each fiery room, holding only a garden hose with a steady dribble. Get to the other side, spray the window or valve or whatever, and head for the exit. This is the only way to save the people. Speaking of those folks, you lose them at a steady pace, window closed or not. The higher the floor, the faster they perish. And once they're gone, it's game over. Or reset. I recommend game 2 or 3 for this reason.
I've heard more than one gamer insult Towering Inferno for its chunky graphics, but the game plays well. When I'm playing it, I don't even notice the "bad graphics." Honestly, I think the blocky flames are just fine, especially the way the fire jumps erratically. You'll be too busy dousing those flames to care. Plus, the cutscene with the flaming building and helicopter looks pretty good, as seen on the label (in an altered form).
The winner:
Towering Inferno
Towering Inferno is chunky but fun. Some good action, a bit of strategy, and a cutscene to add a sense of progression. There's even a programmer Easter egg (I couldn't hit all the switches in time to get it, but it's there!). Apparently there are a limited number of towers as well, which means this game can technically be "beat," though I couldn't find any examples online. Finally, I consider Towering Inferno a personal favorite Atari game, because I enjoyed playing it when I was young, and still do. It's a lot easier now that I know I don't have to put out all the flames on every floor. Read the manual, kids!
I recommend Towering Inferno to the Atari curious, nerds, and collectors. This may be my favorite U.S. Games title.
And in Second Place . . .
Fire Fighter
Though Fire Fighter looks great, the gameplay is repetitive and confusing. The ladder mechanic is non-intuitive and mostly unnecessary. Perhaps I played the wrong variation, but I don't think so. Even if you're an Imagic fan, you may find little to revisit here.
I recommend Fire Fighter to collectors only.
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