Havoc

Havoc - the 1988 multidirectional shooter for Commodore 64 from Martech.

Pilot a heavily armed ship through alien fortresses, destroying generators and
enemy defenses across scrolling mechanical mazes.

Core loop
- navigate complex base layouts
- shoot enemies and gun turrets in eight directions
- destroy key targets to open exits to new sectors

Systems and items
- power cells - recharge shields or upgrade weapons
- energy meter - drains from hits and contact with walls
- radar map - shows enemy clusters and objectives

Level design and feel
Multi-directional scrolling with claustrophobic corridors and heavy opposition.
Mixes exploration and constant combat with smooth rotation controls.

Why it is notable
- advanced 8-way scrolling engine for its time
- often compared to “Zynaps” and “Uridium” for technical polish
- one of Martech’s final C64 action releases before their collapse

Tips
- shoot power cells only after clearing nearby enemies
- memorize generator positions to minimize backtracking
- keep moving to avoid concentrated turret fire

At a glance
Year - 1988
Developer - Martech
Design and programming - Simon Nicol and Paul Welch
Graphics - Simon Nicol
Music - Rob Hubbard
Publisher - Martech
Genre - Shooter
Players - 1
Controls - Joystick in port 2