I've got to agree with Johan, having played both the original and it's 3D compatriot, today's game is a virtual copy of the original game, though the graphics look slightly better (but no that much), also the brilliant Scorched Earth 3D which until a few years ago was constantly upgraded with new features by the developer for many years. I first came across Scorched Earth 3D well before my accident, so it has to be well over 15 years old. I've been playing it on and off ever since and only a few weeks ago booted it up for a good hour of artillery blasting fun, using a multitude of different rockets and bombs, with excellent graphics. Personally I think it's one of the best artillery games ever made. You can find the original download page for the 3D version HERE and for the original which also requires DOS Box installed you'll find HERE. There's a good tutorial on how to use DOS Box originally posted by a former moderator Wizzard of Oz over in the giveaway forums HERE

We were given a similar 3D version way back in 2007 called Scorch an Island, which you can check out HERE. The developer of that game is still selling it, but from my memory Scorched 3d is superior and free.

That's not to say today's giveaway isn't worth downloading. For a start, it's much simpler to play than Scorched Earth 3D and is ideally suited to the coffee break or moments where you may have several minutes of spare time to fill. The controls are sell explanatory once you've figured out that you use the arrow keys to navigate the main menu. Once the option you want has been selected (denoted by the @ symbol and when in options by the forward arrow >) press enter. To move your tank left or right use the A and D keys and control the elevation of you tanks gun barrel using the A and S keys. The E key changes the ammo type.. You can also adjust environmental conditions (the wind) via the buttons that appear at the beginning of a level before your tank appear. Also available are a turn-less option which means you can fire as soon as your ammo is loaded as opposed to taking turns firing and you can also select to regenerate your tank instead of one kill for each level. You get several seconds to select which of these options you wish to change.

There are a variety of levels all different in color, but otherwise much the same, which hills obstructing direct views of the tank you are trying to destroy. The AI tank is quite good and hit me several times after three or four attempts. They also move their tank occasionally. Definitely a fun game to play for short periods.. . Seriously though , I highly recommend you also check out Scorched Earth 3D; it has a lot of features, so may take some time to get used to, but once you know the game, it's brilliant for those moments you need to spend some time in mindless entertainment.

Useful Information not related to today's game giveaway

Don't forget to check out the giveaway forums. Delenn has usually posted the latest freebies. The latest (3) offerings from Epic Games include the excellent first person cooperative zombie shooter Killing Floor 2, Lifeless Planet Premier Edition (an atmospheric third person exploratory 3D puzzle platformer with Sci Fi overtones. While seeking life on a distant planet, an astronaut discovers an abandoned Russian town. He suspects his mission is a hoax until a mysterious young woman saves him from a strange and deadly phenomenon...), and The Escapist 2, (a top down 2D sandbox game. Craft, Steal, Brawl and Escape! It’s time to bust out of the toughest prisons in the world as you return to the life of an inmate in The Escapists 2, now with multiplayer!). Next week we get the brilliant sequel to Torchlight (ie Torchlight II). Just pop over to the game discussion threads HERE and HERE for links to most of the free games.

The Indie Gala developers freebies are available HERE (latest additions) and HERE (81 games in the Showcase, most full versions). Recent additions include Snow White Solitaire Charmed Kingdom, Adam Wolfe (Complete Edition) and Spirit of Xanadu, plus a couple I've previously missed in the showcase section called Temper Tantrum and Last Man Standing).

The next game will be live on Wednesday and looks like an excellent arcade game. It's a genre we rarely see here (I don't remember getting one of these games since late 2007). I'm looking forwards to checking it out (you'll see what it is tomorrow :)

I don't think I've mentioned before that The Endless Space Collection , a 4X space strategy game covering the space colonization age in the Endless universe, where you can control every aspect of your civilization as you strive for galactic domination is now permanently free on Steam HERE (79% positive reviews from 6068 reviews).

Please Stay Safe everyone

Please Stay Safe everyone