Deflektor

Deflektor is a puzzle video game developed by Vortex Software and published by Gremlin Graphics in December 1987. The game was followed by a sequel in 1989 called Mindbender.

The game was also ported to the Japanese X68000 by Bullet-Proof Software and for the Atari 8-bit computers developed by Atari Corporation in 1988 but was not published. According to the Deflektor X4 remake programmer Ignacio Pérez Gil, the Deflektor developer Costa Panayi endorsed the creation and distribution of the non-commercial open-source freeware in the 2000s.

Deflektor has been well received by the criticism. Critics emphasized its high appeal and originality. The game also received positive feedback for its graphics, difficulty, and in-depth exploration.

Gameplay
Deflektor is a real-time puzzle game which set in an optical circuit. The player has to rotate mirrors to deflect a beam in order to destroy all the cells of each level. There are also other devices the player has to be careful not to touch with the beam for too much time because otherwise the system will overload. In each levels, the player will given a certain amount of time to complete each levels. There also various other items on each levels which the player can collect and a practise mode.

Development
Costa Panayi was the principal programmer, game designer and artist for Vortex Software, when Panayi was programming primarily on the ZX Spectrum. He developed and released Revolution, which later influenced on creation of Deflektor. The game was based on a simple physical phenomenon which was further modified in terms of game mechanics. Panayi was inspired to create the game by observing scientific software that worked with lasers. The development was carried out in the key of being different from existing trends in the gaming industry.

The development of the original game for the ZX Spectrum was handled by Panayi himself and was published by Gremlin Graphics. A month before it release date, the game was announced in magazines.

Reception
Writing for Zzap! magazine in February 1988, Julian Rignall wrote that "Deflektor is very enjoyable, and provides an original and worthwhile way to kill time". According to Amstrad Action, Deflektor was the best game of March 1988. In 1988, Deflektor was included in the 100 best games by ACE which the game was described as unique but easy because to pass the level, it is enough to test all the conditions of the mirror. In 1990, the author of an article in Your Sinclair ranked Deflektor seventh out of the nine best puzzles and describing it as distinctive and interesting.