Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday

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BuckRogers title.png

Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer:
Licensor: TSR, The Dille Family Trust
Genre: RPG

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$69.9569.95[3] 709601
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		E196SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
BR

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Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday is a Sega Mega Drive RPG based on the Buck Rogers TV series. The game is a port of PC and Amiga game of the same name with some elements were removed and / or combined to make the game easier to play in a console.

It has one of the few games in Sega library to come with a strategy guide.

It was only released in United States.

Story

Taking place in the 25th Century, players are members of a secret military organization called NEO, the New Earth Organization, dedicated to fight against oppressive regime of RAM (Russo-American Mercantile) a ruthless mega-corporation that is ruling the Solar System with an iron fist.

Players are recruited into the NEO but during their graduation day, their base on the Moon is attacked by RAM and their genetically engineered Genie troops. After surviving the attack, players officially become members of the NEO and tasked with going around the Solar System and investigate rumors of a RAM superweapon called the "Doomsday".

Gameplay

The game is a RPG. In order to start the game, players must create a squad of six characters with different stats and skills.

Space Travel

In these sections, players can fly around the Solar System and travel to different locations. All planets and other large space objects travel in a clockwise motion. Players can be attacked by RAM space ships during this section.

Space Combat

Ship to ship combat occurs during space travel. Before combat, players can engage the enemy, evade or try to bluff the enemy ship. If bluffing is successful, combat will be avoided.

Space combat is turn based. Every member of the crew can use different commands during combat. These action include; firing selected weapon, reloading, applying medical assistance (Medic only). Pilot of the ship (Rocket Jock with highest piloting skill) can use these commands: closing the distance, running away, ramming the enemy ship or boarding. Rocket Jocks can also use "Jury Rig" command for quick repairs.

During combat, players (and enemy) can target different parts of the ship for different effects. For example destroying the engines will prevent the ship from moving, destroying weapons will prevent the ship from firing etc. Since the characters with the highest THACO will have best chance of hitting the enemy, it is recommended to use these characters for firing while allowing other characters to reload or render air or repairs when possible.

When boarding is successful players will engage the enemy in regular combat. Defeating the crew will end the combat will allow players to acquire spoils of battle.

Planetary Travel

In these sections, players will travel around the surface of the planet they are in with a vehicle, exploring the surface and visiting locations. When random enemy encounters occur, ground combat sections begin.

In-Door Exploration

These sections take place inside the buildings or towns. Random events and enemy encounters may occur.

Ground Combat

Ground combat events are also turn based. Players can target and engage an enemy, reload, move around the battlefield, hold their turn temporarily or render first aid. Selecting "Quick" option will allow selected character to engage and act autonomously for a while.

Character Creation

Races

Human: +1 to Con and TCH, no weaknesses, all classes avaiable Desert Runner: +2 to STR and DEX, +1 to CON, -1 to CHA, Rocket Jock and Warrior Tinker: +3 to DEX and TCH, -2 to STR and CON, Medic only

Classes

Rocket Jock: 25th century term for "pilots". Rocket Jocks act as engineers and pilots. In space combat, crewman with the highest pilot skill will be a pilot. Rocket Jocks can also use Jury Rig command for on-site repairs during space combat. At least one (two is better) Rocket Jock in your squad is recommended. Special Skill: Pilot Rocket/Jury Rig

Warrior: Dedicated ground combat personnel, Warriors have many bonuses that can turn the tide during battle. Warriors have gain more health when levelling up and can hit twice with close combat weapons. Warriors also gain a weapon skill for every second level (2nd, 4th, 6th etc.) to a selected weapon. (Maximum 3 for each weapon type) At least two is recommended. Special Skill: Battle Tactics/Leadership

Rogue: Rogues are experts of stealth, intrusion and deception. They are the best candidates for bypassing security systems and fast-talking enemies. One (and only one) Rogue is recommended. Special Skill: Bypass Security

Medic: Medics provide much needed medical assistance to team during and after combat. One Medic is recommended. Special Skill: Treat Wounds

Ability Scores

In Buck Rogers, ability scores are createde by a "rolling" system, meaning a dice roll determines a character's stats. Players can "reroll" if they don't get desired scores.

Strenght (STR): Affects melee damage, carrying weight and movement range during ground combat.

Dexterity (DEX): Affects evasion rate, initative and accuracy with ranged weapons.

Constitution (CON): Affects Health Points

Charisma (CHA): Affects ability to influence people or fast talk other people.

Tech (TCH): Affects tech related skill effectiveness such as Jury Rig or First Aid.

Skills

Characters can gain new skill points when levelling up.

Battle Tactics/Leadership: Successful check at the beginning of the battle gives bonuses to all friendly characters. You can also take command of allied units in the vicinity for the duration of the battle. Very important, max out with at least one character. Warrior only.

Bypass Security: Disable alarm systems. Useful but not as important as other class skills, improve if you can. Rogue Only.

Pilot Rocket/Jury Rig: At least one pilot with this skill is necessary for space combat. Jury Rig allows quick repair on damaged equipment during space combat. Essential. Rocket Jockey only.

Treat Wounds: Recover health at the end of the combat. Very important. Medic Only.

Climb: Allows characters to scale from high objects. At least one character should be proficient.

Demolitions: Setting, detonating or disabling explosives. At least one character should be skilled in this.

Fast Talk: Persuading or decepting people. Character with the highest charisma, (possibly Rogue) should take this.

First Aid: Increase health during combat sections. All characters, especially medic should take this skill.

Library Search: You can search for information in the Libraries of the space stations. Not essential, spend points if you have spare. One person should be enough.

Perception: Ability to see things otherwise hidden. Helps avoiding traps and enemy patrol. One person should take this and develop if possible.

Programming: Ability to use computers or other high tech equipment. One person with the highest TCH stat should take this and be proficient with it.

Repair Rocket: Repair Rocket Ship after combat. Make sure at least two people if skilled with this skill, if possible your Rocket Jocks.

Stealth: Allows avoiding enemy patrols or getting first attack during combat. Rogues should be proficient with this.

Zero-Gravity Maneuvering: Used during ground combat in zero gravity enviroments, such as inside space ships or space stations. Characters who fail the skill check will receive severe penalties during combat. Very essential. All members should be proficient with this skill.

Derived Stats

These stats cannot be modified by player and can be affected by Ability scores, skills and equipment.

Initative: How soon the player will be able to act in combat. Initative is affected by DEX score, or special situations such as ambushes. It is very essential as low initative means the character will act much later compared to the other characters, including the enemies.

Armor Class (AC): Armor class is affected by DEX and armor the character is wearing. Lower, the better.

THAC0: "To Hit Armor Class Zero". Character's accuracy. Higher, the better. Can be modified by weapon, terrain, range and other effects such as zero gravity or weapon skills.

Magazine articles

Main article: Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Gamers (DE) #1992-01: "Februar/März 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 [4]
90 [5]
91 [6]
92 [7]
83 №6, p20-22
90 №43, p25
85 [8]
82 [9]
80 №5, p90
78 №11, p81
80 №18, p71
91 [10]
91 [11]
90 [12]
86 [13]
86 [14]
86 №18, p64
82 [15]
Sega Mega Drive
 86
Based on
18 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[16]
Consoles + (FR)
80
[17]
Console XS (UK) PAL
86
[18]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
90
[5]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[6]
Game Power (IT)
84
[19]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
92
[3]
Games-X (UK)
90
[20]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
83
[21]
Joypad (FR) PAL
85
[22]
Joystick (FR) PAL
82
[9]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
80
[23]
Mega (UK)
78
[24]
Mega (UK) PAL
80
[25]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
91
[26]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
91
[2]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
91
[27]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[28]
Player One (FR)
90
[29]
Play Time (DE)
77
[30]
Power Play (DE)
78
[31]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
86
[32]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
86
[33]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
86
[34]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
82
[35]
Super Juegos (ES)
68
[36]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
68
[37]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
50
[38]
Video Games (DE)
79
[39]
Sega Mega Drive
 82
Based on
29 reviews

Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday

Mega Drive, US
BRCtD MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Buckrogers md us cart.jpg
Cart
Buck Rogers MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
BRCtD MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
Buckrogers md us cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, BR

Mega Drive, FR

Buck Rogers Countdown to Doomsday MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 44e3bfff
MD5 f768fbba021636fff3682b9ae116076a
SHA-1 89c39f00745f2a8798fe985ad8ce28411b977f9e
1MB 1991-12 Cartridge (US/EU)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sega Power, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-06), page 10
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 MegaTech, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-20), page 32
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 GamePro, "January 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 72
  4. ↑ Consoles +, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 62-63 (62)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 28
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80
  7. ↑ GamePro, "January 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 68 (72)
  8. ↑ Joypad, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-03-1x), page 86-88 (86)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Joystick, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 142
  10. ↑ MegaTech, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-20), page 32-35 (32)
  11. ↑ Mean Machines, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 52-54 (52)
  12. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-03-10), page 48-49 (48)
  13. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-05), page 44-45 (44)
  14. ↑ Sega Pro, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 50-51 (50)
  15. ↑ Sega Force, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 62-64 (62)
  16. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 62
  17. ↑ Consoles +, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 62
  18. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 128
  19. ↑ Game Power, "Luigio/Agosto 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 38
  20. ↑ Games-X, "20th-26th February 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 25
  21. ↑ Game Zone, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-20), page 20
  22. ↑ Joypad, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-03-1x), page 86
  23. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 90
  24. ↑ Mega, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-15), page 81
  25. ↑ Mega, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-17), page 71
  26. ↑ MegaTech, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-20), page 30
  27. ↑ Mean Machines, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 52
  28. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 137
  29. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-03-10), page 48
  30. ↑ Play Time, "5/92" (DE; 1992-04-08), page 76
  31. ↑ Power Play, "5/92" (DE; 1992-04-15), page 144
  32. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-05), page 44
  33. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  34. ↑ Sega Pro, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 50
  35. ↑ Sega Force, "March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-20), page 62
  36. ↑ Super Juegos, "Mayo 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 28
  37. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 33
  38. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "February 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 61
  39. ↑ Video Games, "2/92" (DE; 1992-04-06), page 31
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