Released for DOS by Players Software in 1986, Joe Blade is an action-platformer that puts you in the boots of a lone commando operating under a strict 20-minute time limit. Your mission is to infiltrate a sprawling flick-screen enemy base to rescue six captured world leaders and deactivate booby-trapped explosives. Finding keys, managing limited supplies, and carefully navigating past guards are essential to surviving the maze.
How to play
Explore the base to locate the captives and find keys to unlock doors blocking your path. Use your machine gun to fend off enemies, but avoid physical contact with guards, as this will rapidly drain your health. When you encounter a bomb, you must defuse it by quickly rearranging a scrambled sequence of letters into alphabetical order.
| Control: |
Game is controlled by the same keys that are used to playing under MS DOS. For fullscreen press ‘Right Alt’ + ‘Enter’. |
Tips
- Taking a methodical approach to each new screen is safer than rushing, as enemies can quickly drain your health if you misjudge their patrol paths.
- Memorize or map out the room layouts. Backtracking is frequently required to return to locked doors once you find the correct keys.
- The bomb-defusing mini-game leaves you vulnerable. Ensure the immediate area is clear of guards before you begin the sequence so you aren’t attacked while distracted.
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