Wavy Navy

Name: Wavy Navy
Programmer(s): Rodney McAuley
Publisher: Sirius
Year: 1983

Description:

Released in 1983 by Sirius Software, Wavy Navy puts players in command of a small naval vessel defending against waves of attacking aircraft. The game's unique feature was its constantly rolling sea that made targeting enemies challenging as your ship bobbed up and down on the waves.

Players control their ship at the bottom of the screen, moving left and right while firing at various types of enemy aircraft. The rolling wave effect not only affects the player's ship but also influences bullet trajectories, requiring players to time their shots carefully. The game features multiple waves of increasingly difficult enemies, including diving planes, bombers, and helicopters.

The screen is divided into a simple layout with the sky above and the rolling ocean below. Score and remaining lives are displayed at the top of the screen. Players use either keyboard controls or a joystick to navigate their vessel and fire weapons. The wave motion is created through clever programming that makes the bottom portion of the screen undulate continuously.

Each level presents different enemy patterns and attack formations. Some aircraft drop bombs, while others attempt to crash directly into the player's ship. Power-ups occasionally appear, providing temporary weapon upgrades or extra lives. The game's difficulty increases steadily, with later levels featuring faster enemies and more complex attack patterns.

The graphics, while simple by today's standards, were impressive for the Apple II, featuring smooth animation and distinctive enemy designs. The game's audio includes basic sound effects for shooting and explosions, typical of the era's technical limitations.

Wavy Navy received positive reviews in computer gaming magazines of the time, with particular praise for its innovative wave mechanic and challenging gameplay. The game stands as an example of how developers worked within the Apple II's constraints to create engaging gaming experiences.

This naval shooter distinguished itself from contemporary games like Space Invaders through its unique rolling sea mechanic, which added an extra layer of challenge to the familiar shoot-em-up formula. While not as well-known as some other Apple II titles, it remains a creative example of early 1980s game design.