Howarth Games

Raw Recruit is a military training game released for the Commodore 64 in 1988 by Mastertronic and developed by Software Creations. At first glance it looks very similar to the arcade hit Combat School, and there is no doubt that the developers took inspiration from that game. Instead of fighting in a war, the player takes on the role of a young recruit who must complete a series of demanding training exercises. The game was designed as an action-packed test of reactions, timing and endurance, and it quickly became one of the more memorable budget releases on the C64.

The game is divided into six different events, each one representing part of a military training course. These include the rifle range, cross country run, fitness test, assault course, pistol range and tug of war. Every event has a qualification target that must be reached before the player can move on. If you fail an event you can still continue playing for points, but there is always the feeling that you want to improve and make it through all six challenges.

The rifle range is the first event and probably the easiest to understand. Targets pop up at different distances and you must move your crosshair quickly and accurately to shoot them before they disappear. Later in the game there is a pistol range which is much more difficult because innocent hostages occasionally appear alongside the targets. Accidentally shooting the wrong person costs valuable points and time, forcing the player to stay alert.

The running events are more physical and often require frantic joystick movement. In the cross country race you have to run across rough terrain while jumping over obstacles. The assault course is even harder, with walls, pits and barriers to cross before the timer runs out. Like many C64 games of the era, success depends on mastering the controls and finding a rhythm. Players often remember furiously waggling the joystick in an attempt to make their recruit move faster.

Perhaps the most exhausting event is the fitness test, where the player must repeatedly move the joystick and press the fire button to perform exercises. Tug of war is similar, demanding rapid movement and quick reactions to overpower the opponent. These sections can be surprisingly intense and are probably responsible for more than a few worn-out joysticks over the years.

Graphically, Raw Recruit is solid rather than spectacular. The sprites are colourful and easy to recognise, while the backgrounds clearly show each training area. The game runs smoothly and the split-screen mode for two players is particularly impressive for a budget title. Two players can compete at the same time in some events, making the game more entertaining and giving it an extra level of competition.

One of the highlights of Raw Recruit is the music by Tim Follin, one of the most respected composers on the Commodore 64. Even though the game itself was a relatively small release, the soundtrack stands out with energetic tunes and dramatic sound effects. The music helps give the training events a sense of excitement and urgency.

Raw Recruit may not be considered a true classic in the same way as some of the biggest Commodore 64 games, but it still has a certain charm. Its mixture of simple gameplay, fast action and competitive spirit makes it enjoyable even today. For many C64 fans, it remains an interesting reminder of the era when budget games often managed to deliver plenty of fun with only a few ideas and a lot of imagination.

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