Hostage: Rescue Mission

I actively play Rescue the Embassy mission a lot on the NES, So believe me when I tell you this is horrible. No controller support Runs in dos box

The game either has so much lag between keyboard input and actual movement on the screen, or whizzes animation by almost too fast to see, that I've given up in frustration. The concept of the game does feel solid, however the execution on a modern machine is extremely poor.

Do you remember the NES version of this game, which was titled Rescue: The Embassy Mission. Well, this version of the game doesn't have D*ck, Jumbo, or Kemco in it. Instead, all the characters are boringly named after letters of the NATO phonetic alphabet. 0/10

Bad game. There are a lot of lag in the control.

Hostage: Rescue Mission Review If you’re into tactical games or retro classics, Hostage: Rescue Mission is worth a look. Released in 1988, it’s a pioneering title in the tactical shooter genre and feels like a precursor to games like Rainbow Six. The premise is straightforward: you control an anti-terrorist squad tasked with rescuing hostages from an embassy overrun by armed enemies. The game is likely inspired by real-life events, such as the SAS operation during the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege in London. Sadly this Steam port is not superb Amiga version with nice music and graphic but abysmal DOS version. Not to mention they just threw it in dosbox and did zero QC to check if game works fine. There is no controller support and game has incredible lag among other issues. Gameplay The game plays out in three distinct phases: Sniper Cover: You start by positioning snipers to provide overwatch. This phase is tense, requiring precision and timing to eliminate threats before your assault team moves in. Infiltration: Next, you control operatives as they rappel down the embassy building and enter through windows. This part is all about timing and stealth; move too fast, and you’ll alert the enemies, but move too slow, and hostages might be harmed. Hostage Rescue: Finally, you guide your team inside the building to locate and extract the hostages safely. This phase requires careful planning and quick reflexes, as enemies are hiding and waiting to ambush you. Each phase feels distinct, and the game makes you think on your feet while testing your reflexes. Atmosphere For its time, Hostage: Rescue Mission builds tension remarkably well. The minimalistic graphics get the job done, with simple but effective character animations. The rappelling scenes are especially memorable, as they nail the feeling of sneaking into a hostile environment. The sound design is basic but atmospheric, with sparse effects that keep you on edge. The quiet moments, broken by the occasional gunshot, add to the immersion. What Makes It Stand Out What’s impressive about Hostage: Rescue Mission is how much it accomplished with limited hardware. It’s one of the earliest games to mix action, strategy, and stealth in such a compelling way. The mission-based structure and realistic (for its time) depiction of counter-terrorism operations made it stand out in a sea of straightforward shooters. The game doesn’t spoon-feed you solutions. You’re expected to think tactically, experiment, and adapt. This level of challenge gives it a timeless quality, even if the controls and mechanics feel clunky compared to modern games. Weaknesses Like many older games, Hostage has its share of quirks. The controls can feel unresponsive, especially during the infiltration phase. The AI is basic, and enemies follow predictable patterns, which can take some of the tension out of the experience once you figure them out. Additionally, there’s not much replay value beyond mastering the handful of missions. Still, the game’s short length fits its arcade-like nature, and it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Final Thoughts Hostage: Rescue Mission is a fascinating slice of gaming history. It might feel dated in some areas, but its mix of strategy, stealth, and action still holds up as a fun and challenging experience. If you’re a fan of tactical games or want to see where the genre began, it’s worth playing. Verdict: A trailblazer that’s still enjoyable, especially for fans of retro games or tactical shooters. Score of game: 7/10. Score of Steam port: 1/10

While the Amiga version was prodigal, this one here sucks big. Could have gotten the code from archive.org, but no - I was really thinking that buying it on steam had some benefits. like bypassing the copyright protection. like the need of a joystick. No. I have to look up some words from a manual that's hidden in some folder and try to figure how to play without a joystick since controller is not supported. Big disappointment. no recommendation. Graphics and sounds are abysmal compared to the Amiga version. I asked for a refund. Even 2,27€ on sale seems to much to me.

I feel like I'm being held hostage playing this game. HELP!

Well this didn't age well. They didn't update even one line of text here.

Что это за игра. Она имеет всего одно задание. Сюжет - посольство страны захватили террористы. Вы должны проникнуть в здание посольства, освободить заложников и уничтожить всех террористов. Вся игра состоит из 3-х мини игр. Сначала вы пробираетесь слева направо минуя фонари террористов. Затем снайпером уничтожаете террористов, что появляются в окнах посольства. Потом находясь в самом посольстве бегаете по этажам и стреляете в террористов. Всё. Игра проходится за 10 минут, при условии, что вы нашли все горячие клавиши. И здесь у вас уйдёт больше всего времени. Потому что мануала нет. Для коллекции в Steam подойдёт.

Maybe there is hope in hell, but no hope in-game. Seriously, Steam need a quality control.