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{{Refimprove|date=July 2009}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2009}}
{{Short description|1993 video game}}
{{no lead|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
|width=
|title = TFX
|image = File:TFX_1993_DOS_Cover_Art.jpg
|title= TFX
⚫
|caption = DOS cover art
|image=
⚫
|developer = [[Digital Image Design]]<br>Tomcat System (PS1)
⚫
|caption=
|publisher = [[Ocean Software]]<br>[[Imagineer (Japanese company)|Imagineer]] (PS1)
⚫
|developer= [[Digital Image Design]]
|publisher= [[Ocean Software]]
|designer = [[Martin Kenwright]]
|programmer = Colin Bell
|designer=
|composer = [[Barry Leitch]]<br>Dean Evans
|series=
|engine=
|series =
|engine =
|released= {{vgy|1993}}
|released = 1993 (DOS)<br>1997 (Amiga)<BR>1997 (PlayStation)
|genre= [[Combat flight simulator]]
|modes= [[Single player]]
|genre = [[Combat flight simulator]]
|platforms= [[MS-DOS]], [[Amiga]]
|modes = [[Single player]]
|platforms = [[DOS]], [[Amiga]], [[PlayStation]]
}}
}}

'''''TFX''''' is a 1993 [[combat flight simulator]] video game developed by [[Digital Image Design]] and published by [[Ocean Software]] that was released for [[DOS]] and [[Amiga]] computers.


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
[[File:Laser guided bomb drop in TFX.jpg|thumb|View from the [[TIALD]] pod of a Eurofighter during a laser-guided bombing run in ''TFX''|alt=Laser-guided bomb attack in ''TFX'']]
[[File:Laser guided bomb drop in TFX.jpg|thumb|View from the [[TIALD]] pod of a Eurofighter during a laser-guided bombing run in ''TFX''|alt=Laser-guided bomb attack in ''TFX''|left]]


The game features an instant-action arcade mode, custom missions, and a campaign mode. The player can fly three aircraft: The [[Eurofighter]], the [[F-22]] and the [[F-117]], and can customize payload for each aircraft. The campaign mode takes place in three theatres - Colombia, Somalia, Libya, the Balkans, and the South Georgia Islands. "TFX" stands for Tactical Fighter E(X)periment.
The game features an instant-action arcade mode, custom missions, and a campaign mode. The player can fly three aircraft: The [[Eurofighter Typhoon]], the [[F-22]] and the [[F-117]], and can customize payload for each aircraft. The campaign mode takes place in five theatres - Colombia, Somalia, Libya, the Balkans, and the South Georgia Islands. "TFX" stands for Tactical Fighter E(X)periment.

While 3 planes were simulated, the internal cockpit for all 3 were the same layout. TFX also featured a virtual cockpit mode, although the cockpit itself was more sparse in this mode.


==Development==
==Development==
The interactive parts of the game were reduced to still images or omitted altogether for the Amiga version which, although never officially released by Ocean, was later included as a give-away game on a ''[[CU Amiga Magazine]]'' cover disc. There was also an experimental port produced for the original [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] shortly after its release. The Soap Opera Engine was manually programmed in ''TFX'', but would be altered to become automated in future games. ''[[Amiga Computing]]'' gave the game a rating of 90% although they did question its stability on the basic [[Amiga 1200]] platform.<ref name=AC>{{cite journal |year=1995 |title=TFX |journal=Amiga Computing |issue=86 |pages=108–110 |publisher=IDG Media }}</ref>
The Eurofighter Typhoon, a playable plane in ''TFX'', was still in its prototype stage when TFX was released,<ref name=CGW117 /> with a real Eurofighter Typhoon not making its first flight until 1994. The interactive parts of the game were reduced to still images or omitted altogether for the Amiga version which, although never officially released by Ocean, was in 1997 included as a give-away game on a ''[[Commodore User|CU Amiga]]'' [[cover disk]]. An experimental port was produced for the original [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] shortly after its release. The Soap Opera Engine was manually programmed in ''TFX'', but would be altered to become automated in future games. ''TFX'' was shown at the 1994 [[European Computer Trade Show]] at the [[Business Design Centre]] in [[London]], [[England]].<ref name=gamefan /> An [[Atari Jaguar]] port was slated to be under development by DID but it never released.<ref name=gamefan>{{cite magazine|author=The Ripper|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_2_Issue_05#page/n135/mode/2up|title=Europa!|magazine=[[GameFan|Diehard GameFan]]|volume=2|issue=5|publisher=Die Hard Publishing|date=April 1994|pages=136–137|issn=1070-3020}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' in February 1994 stated that of ''TFX''{{'}}s four flight models, "The military simulator could be the most advanced flight model yet—it takes into account weather, temperature and weapon/wing distribution. This is the real purist's sim".<ref name="matthews199402">{{Cite magazine |last=Matthews |first=Robin |date=February 1994 |title=How To Make Dinosaurs And Jet Fighters In Three Easy Steps |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=115 |department=Over There |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=114,116}}</ref>
''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' briefly reviewed ''TFX'' in February 1994, calling it "the most advanced flight model yet" due to the many factors taken into account in the simulation, and further called it a simulator for "purist[s]".<ref name=CGW115>{{Cite magazine |last=Matthews |first=Robin |date=February 1994 |title=Over There: How To Make Dinosaurs And Jet Fighters In Three Easy Steps |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_115/page/n133/mode/2up|magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |pages=134, 136|issn=0744-6667|publisher=Ziff-Davis|issue=115}}</ref> Another reviewer from ''CGW'' in April 1994 praised ''TFX's'' "excellent" effects and "detailed" graphics, but criticized the lack of a rudder and other examples of lack of realism, "predictable" computer tactics, the lack of a campaign setting, and an 'irritating' untoggleable autopilot. The reviewer concluded that "''TFX'' feels old fashioned", further expressing that some aspects felt "unfinished", and recommended it only to casual pilots.<ref name=CGW117>{{Cite magazine|last=Rigby|first=Paul|date=April 1994|title=Review - TFX: Ocean's Experimental Flight Sim Design|url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_117/page/n97/mode/2up|magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]]|pages=98–99|issn=0744-6667|publisher=Ziff-Davis|issue=117}}</ref>


''[[Amiga Computing]]'' gave the Amiga version of ''TFX'' an overall score of 93% and highly praised its graphics, calling them "breathtakingly atmospheric" and stating that they were "designed to inspire and awe", and expressed that this "visual realism" give the game's missions further depth. ''Amiga Computing'' noted ''TFX's'' hardware requirements as 'demanding' for the Amiga, but noted that even with lowered settings ''TFX'' is 'more impressive than other flight sims' on the Amiga.<ref name=AC>{{cite magazine |date=May 1995 |title=TFX |magazine=[[Amiga Computing]] |issue=86 |pages=108–110 |publisher=IDG Media|url=https://archive.org/details/amiga-computing-magazine-086/page/n107/mode/2up|first=Gareth|last=Lofthouse}}</ref>
⚫
In 1994, ''[[PC Gamer UK]]'' named ''TFX'' the 26th best computer game of all time. The editors called it "one of the best flight sims out on the PC and, with a bit of effort, a hugely playable game."<ref name=pcgameruktop50>{{cite journal | author=Staff | journal=[[PC Gamer UK]] | title=The ''PC Gamer'' Top 50 PC Games of All Time |date=April 1994 | issue=5 | pages=43–56 }}</ref>

⚫
In 1994, ''[[PC Gamer UK]]'' named ''TFX'' the 26th best computer game of all time. The editors called it "one of the best flight sims out on the PC and, with a bit of effort, a hugely playable game".<ref name=pcgameruktop50>{{cite magazine | author=Staff | magazine=[[PC Gamer UK]] | title=The ''PC Gamer'' Top 50 PC Games of All Time |date=April 1994 | issue=5 | pages=43–56 }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{moby game|id=/tfx|name=''TFX''}}
*{{moby game|id=/tfx|name=''TFX''}}
*{{abime|id=1367}}


{{Authority control}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Tfx (video game)}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:TFX (video game)}}
[[Category:1993 video games]]
[[Category:1993 video games]]
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[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Amiga 1200 games]]
[[Category:Amiga 1200 games]]
⚫
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Atari Jaguar games]]
[[Category:Combat flight simulators]]
[[Category:Combat flight simulators]]
[[Category:Digital Image Design games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Golden Joystick Award winners]]
[[Category:Ocean Software games]]
[[Category:Ocean Software games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Barry Leitch]]

[[Category:Video games set in Colombia]]
{{flightsim-videogame-stub}}
[[Category:Video games set in Libya]]
[[Category:Video games set in Somalia]]

Latest revision as of 19:04, 8 November 2024

TFX
DOS cover art
Developer(s)Digital Image Design
Tomcat System (PS1)
Publisher(s)Ocean Software
Imagineer (PS1)
Designer(s)Martin Kenwright
Programmer(s)Colin Bell
Composer(s)Barry Leitch
Dean Evans
Platform(s)DOS, Amiga, PlayStation
Release1993 (DOS)
1997 (Amiga)
1997 (PlayStation)
Genre(s)Combat flight simulator
Mode(s)Single player

TFX is a 1993 combat flight simulator video game developed by Digital Image Design and published by Ocean Software that was released for DOS and Amiga computers.

Gameplay

[edit]
Laser-guided bomb attack in TFX
View from the TIALD pod of a Eurofighter during a laser-guided bombing run in TFX

The game features an instant-action arcade mode, custom missions, and a campaign mode. The player can fly three aircraft: The Eurofighter Typhoon, the F-22 and the F-117, and can customize payload for each aircraft. The campaign mode takes place in five theatres - Colombia, Somalia, Libya, the Balkans, and the South Georgia Islands. "TFX" stands for Tactical Fighter E(X)periment.

While 3 planes were simulated, the internal cockpit for all 3 were the same layout. TFX also featured a virtual cockpit mode, although the cockpit itself was more sparse in this mode.

Development

[edit]

The Eurofighter Typhoon, a playable plane in TFX, was still in its prototype stage when TFX was released,[1] with a real Eurofighter Typhoon not making its first flight until 1994. The interactive parts of the game were reduced to still images or omitted altogether for the Amiga version which, although never officially released by Ocean, was in 1997 included as a give-away game on a CU Amiga cover disk. An experimental port was produced for the original PlayStation shortly after its release. The Soap Opera Engine was manually programmed in TFX, but would be altered to become automated in future games. TFX was shown at the 1994 European Computer Trade Show at the Business Design Centre in London, England.[2] An Atari Jaguar port was slated to be under development by DID but it never released.[2]

Reception

[edit]

Computer Gaming World briefly reviewed TFX in February 1994, calling it "the most advanced flight model yet" due to the many factors taken into account in the simulation, and further called it a simulator for "purist[s]".[3] Another reviewer from CGW in April 1994 praised TFX's "excellent" effects and "detailed" graphics, but criticized the lack of a rudder and other examples of lack of realism, "predictable" computer tactics, the lack of a campaign setting, and an 'irritating' untoggleable autopilot. The reviewer concluded that "TFX feels old fashioned", further expressing that some aspects felt "unfinished", and recommended it only to casual pilots.[1]

Amiga Computing gave the Amiga version of TFX an overall score of 93% and highly praised its graphics, calling them "breathtakingly atmospheric" and stating that they were "designed to inspire and awe", and expressed that this "visual realism" give the game's missions further depth. Amiga Computing noted TFX's hardware requirements as 'demanding' for the Amiga, but noted that even with lowered settings TFX is 'more impressive than other flight sims' on the Amiga.[4]

In 1994, PC Gamer UK named TFX the 26th best computer game of all time. The editors called it "one of the best flight sims out on the PC and, with a bit of effort, a hugely playable game".[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Rigby, Paul (April 1994). "Review - TFX: Ocean's Experimental Flight Sim Design". Computer Gaming World. No. 117. Ziff-Davis. pp. 98–99. ISSN 0744-6667.
  2. ^ a b The Ripper (April 1994). "Europa!". Diehard GameFan. Vol. 2, no. 5. Die Hard Publishing. pp. 136–137. ISSN 1070-3020.
  3. ^ Matthews, Robin (February 1994). "Over There: How To Make Dinosaurs And Jet Fighters In Three Easy Steps". Computer Gaming World. No. 115. Ziff-Davis. pp. 134, 136. ISSN 0744-6667.
  4. ^ Lofthouse, Gareth (May 1995). "TFX". Amiga Computing. No. 86. IDG Media. pp. 108–110.
  5. ^ Staff (April 1994). "The PC Gamer Top 50 PC Games of All Time". PC Gamer UK. No. 5. pp. 43–56.
[edit]
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