Codename MAT Amstrad CPC

Codename MAT - MISSION: ALIEN TERMINATION - the desparate plan to place in the mind of a teenager the combined tactical skills of all the planetary leaders in the solar system. MAT is mankinds last hope. For decades the Myons have sought to dominate the Solar System, whose fleets are now ragged and depleted. They have launched an all-or-nothing attack, knowing that Earth is developing revolutionary space-craft. Only the prototype- USS Centurion - has been built, and it must be pressed into immediate service as both battle-cruiser and tactical command centre. Piloting the craft in battle and controlling the Planetary Defence Fleets is beyond any normal human...MAT is created. Now your mind is MAT's mind. Take control of the Centurion and blast off on the greatest adventure of them all... — Cassette cover

Codename MAT is a video game published in 1984 by Micromega for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC. It was written by Derek Brewster.

Gameplay

The story has the solar system under threat from Myon invaders. MAT ("Mission: Alien Termination") is a teenager implanted with all the combined tactical skills of the planetary leaders. MAT pilots a prototype spacecraft, the USS Centurion, in an attempt to defend the system from the alien's all-out attack.

The game's action takes place in a realtime 3D representation of MAT's view from the ship. The player has access to forward and rear views, which switch automatically if the tracking computer is active.    Threats come in the form of Myon Fighters which engage the player immediately, Cruisers which only engage at short range, and Starbases which also attack immediately but withdraw when their shields are damaged.

The player's ship can suffer damage. If the Centurion's energy is reduced to zero, it is destroyed and the game ends. The ships instruments, engines and weapons can also be damaged; these can be repaired if the ship docks at a planet.

The strategy element of the game arises through use of the "solar chart" and "sector scan" modes. The Myon progress independently through the solar system, starting with Pluto and working their way inwards. The sector scan shows a planetary system, displaying the planet, moons, Myon units, defensive units and warpgates. The player may travel between sectors in a planetary system using warpgates and between planetary systems using stargates, in order to contain the Myon's movement through the system. If Codename MAT is being played in "Commander" setting, the player also has control of the Planetary Defense Fleets.

Source:Wikipedia