Lite Reading

diskzine dayz

Every now and then, I take a break from playing/writing to dive into my collection of disk magazines. It’s fascinating to revisit something from these ancient times, as my daughter likes to call them!! These disks are essentially time machines, providing historical perspectives on events as they unfolded. Of course, the subject matter doesn’t have to be serious; it could simply be anything AtariST-related or something daft.

We’re travelling back to 1991 with Maggie #05. It has dodgy wallpaper, but the magazine’s contents are top-notch. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this issue, which has loads of articles and some great game tips! It’s a fantastic magazine for a leisurely afternoon flick through. Ahh, I miss the days of #diskmags...

Do you still read disk magazines? Good. Which are your favourites?

• I need to improve and add to it, but there is a diskmag section here on AtariCrypt.
• Atarimania has a great section for disk magazines (not all are English)
• The mighty Demozoo has all the credits and download/links...

Maggie 05 by Maggie Team and The Lost Boys

A.R.N - Text (Interview)

Bilbo - Text (Articles)

Captain Headcrash - Text (Interview)

Chris - Text (Interview)

CiH - Text (Articles)

DDT - Text (Articles)

Dogue de Mauve - Text (Articles)

Donatello - Text (Articles)

E.G.B. - Text (Interview)

Highlander - Text (Articles)

Jan - Text (Articles)

Leonardo - Text (Interview)

Mad Max - Music

Manikin - Text (Articles)

Mr. Pink - Text (Articles)

Mug U.K - Text (Articles)

Oliver Greensmith - Text (Articles)

Sammy Joe - Code, Text (Main Editor, Articles)

Spaz - Graphics

Squirt - Text (Articles)

Steve Jarrett - Text (Articles)

Stick - Text (Articles)

Stuart Bray - Text (Articles)

T.K. - Text (Articles)

Tanick Madkin - Text (Articles, Interview)

The Innovator - Text (Interview)

Timo - Text (Articles)

Vill - Text (Articles)

Xerud - Text (Interview)

Zak - Text (Interview)

Wow, that wallpaper!! You can alter the frequency and change the background music.

Hints n Tips... Help with Yolanda is gratefully received! lol

This magazine has sections with interesting background information. Love it!!

One of the most interesting pages for an old demoscene fan like me.

Wait? What is this... lol I love the '90s.

Loads of game reviews! Wouldn't you think I'd be bored with those by now?

Wow, those were the days. I wish I had a time machine... sigh...

Adam Is Me

Think. Push. Win.

I know I’m really slow to get this featured, and I can only apologise as everyone seems to have played it already! Adam is Me was released as a "party version" a couple of years ago at Sommarhack, but I’ve finally managed to boot it up and have a play (and pull out loads of my hair). This is a 2023 conversion of the Retronics' 8-bit game developed by a range of ST heroes, and programmed by George Nakos of Bello Games (do you remember the incredible Bugziacs?). The graphics are superbly designed by Sebastien Lucas and Niels Kleine. Mesmerising audio by Per Almered and Mathieu Stempell, with sound effects by Stephen Lavelle.

Now, as you've seen over the years, I'm not the best person to judge a puzzle game! I've played many, but I've only gelled with a few that I thought were fantastic, as my lamer brain holds me back. So, with great apprehension, I booted up Adam Is Me, and the first thing that struck me was the incredibly colourful loading screen, a Star Trek take featuring GGN's name displayed alongside scrumptious chip music.

Beginning your first game takes you into the stars, as the puzzles are batched into groups. We are a plucky little robot called Adam, wandering through a world where the rules are written out in plain English. The first level is easy (even for me) as it shows you the gameplay basics, with the rules clearly displayed. All levels have instructions, and these change the format depending on whether they're active or not.

So, level one begins with the command "Box Is Push", which means you can push those boxes out of the way. There are other commands shown on the screen, like Vial is Pick and Wall is Stop. This means you can collect the vials, and a wall will stop your movements (like you'd expect from a wall). You will also see Ship is Win, which means you complete the level by walking in (once you have collected all the vials).

The concept is peculiar yet simplistic, as it influences each puzzle in unexpectedly baffling ways. Later levels don’t just display these instructions off-screen - they become part of the puzzle itself. This means you might split them apart to disable a rule, or merge with another rule to cleverly solve the problem. I’ll freely admit that I didn’t fully grasp this unusual concept the first time I encountered it. Ahem...

These puzzles are pure brain-twisters; one moment you’re tweaking commands to, say, open a hidden pathway, and the next you’re staring at the screen in disbelief, wondering if the level designer was a fruitcake, because nothing makes the slightest sense. The idea is genius, but also undeniably sadistic - after staring at the same puzzle for longer than I’d like to confess, the logic eventually began to make a kind of sense. But wait - there is no timer to rush you through the experience, which is perfect for a game like this. I also appreciate the "Undo" option, which has been particularly helpful after I made silly mistakes. And I made many!

I must say, this game is marvellous. Not only is the concept unexpected, but the aesthetics are beautiful to boot. This is the sort of puzzler where you sit down for a "quick go" and fail miserably (or is it just me?). Then, hours later, you’re still playing. It's absolutely fantastic and one of the best puzzlers there is.

• Atarimania has the official party version released at Sommarhack 2023.
• There is a new version on Atari-Forum with bug fixes!
• GGN has been involved in loads of excellent stuff, and here are some I love!
• Can use the DMA/JagPad on the Atari STe. Here is a list of some more enhanced games.

The first level introduces you nicely. Look at the rules listed at the top.

As you can see, it states: who you are and that you cannot walk through walls.
Also, vials should be collected, boxes can be pushed, and the ship exits.

By the fourth level, things are tricky. Did you know that these rules can be changed?

How can we cross the lake when it says "Lake is Sink"? Try flipping the other rules?

You wouldn't believe how long it took me to beat this screen!!

It's so simple, the answer is right there staring at you...

As I type, I've still not figured this one out.

Can anyone help? It's driving me insane!!

The second stage blows my mind in whole new ways.

Surrounded by water, it says Deep is Sink. That means you die!

But this is the first level (easy), so push a little before altering the rules.

This is another puzzle I've yet to suss out!!

Easter Eggstravaganza

Happy Easter

I’m sure regular visitors over the years knew this Easter-themed posting was coming. Well, here is Easter Eggstravaganza, released in 1993 by Codemasters. It was especially made for ST Action, a magazine which I absolutely love. It wasn’t a new game giveaway but more of a rip-off, which I mean in a good way. Essentially, it’s a copy of their earlier, excellent game Fast Food with Easter-themed graphics featuring chicks, eggs, and other Easter-related items. Typically, it bypassed the real reason for the season - Jesus.

Anyhow, like in Pac-Man, we navigate a maze collecting eggs and stuff, while dodging cute enemies that either chase us or cleverly block our path. Various power-ups assist, and Dizzy’s quick and agile movements make this very playable indeed. If you liked Fast Food, you’ll likely enjoy this freebie, even if it's only more of the same with Easter visuals. It’s a simple yet eggcellent (sorry) game and perfect for a quick score chase.

You know, I rather enjoyed this eggceptional freebie maze chaser. Great fun!!!

Happy Easter, everyone ✝

• An image of the original ST Action disk can be found at Atarimania.
• Interested in trying Fast Food, then grab the floppies or a hard drive version.
• More "Pac-Man" games can be found in our (wait for it) Pac-Man section!

Grab those cute chicks and other stuff, but watch out for the baddies!

I thought those were burgers, but no, they're hot cross buns! Oops...

Another eggcellent level, but very tough too, I thought.

That floor background is rather OTT, isn't it?

ARGHHH, this level will take some practice to beat!!

My first game high score... Can you beat me?

Dynabusters+

Blitter Bombing

Following on from the original shareware "Dyna Blaster" release, Dynabusters+ was released a year later by The Sirius Cybernetics Corp in 1994 for the Atari STe (oh, and for the Falcon - a computer I still can't afford). It's like a Director's Cut of their classic game thanks to the colours, Blitter support, and stunning DMA audio. Honestly, the music and sound effects are brilliant; I could happily just sit and listen to the music for ages.

The gameplay is everything you expect - absolute mayhem! But now with better graphics, extra warzones, fresh bonuses, sound effects, bug fixes, JagPad support, and other stuff detailed in the docs. Up to six players can join the explosive party, although there’s no computer-controlled solo mode, which is a shame, as it would’ve added a lot. My daughter and I played the game using the keyboard and joystick, but other combinations are possible with adapters and the enhanced joystick ports. Untested by me as I've no friends, boohoo.

So, blast the blocks, wisely use bonuses to zest the action up further (you can blast the crappy ones). There is a myriad of different types, some nice and some not so nice - I hate when the controls are reversed! Please note that the screenshots are from emulation, and I had some visual glitches in the menus. Thankfully, everything was perfect using my STe (the controls felt better, too). Real hardware is always best.

If you love Bomberman and have a friend or two (or five), this game is dynamite. Oops, sorry!

• Both games are downloadable at Atari Legend using several cool menu disks.
• This and loads more 'Bomberman' variants are listed on Atarimania.
• Watch this video if you’re wondering how much fun can be had playing this game.
• There are lots of Atari STe games listed in our Enhanced section :-)

My daughter hates those men, but that didn't stop her from loving Dynabusters+!!

I know I always bang on about real hardware being the best, but it really is...

Do you have any idea how tough it was to grab a screenshot of an explosion? lol

But I eventually got the hang of it :)

Don't forget to change the arena, and enjoy killing your family members. Erm...

The Rise Of Love by Hemoroids

Hippie Musical Demo

Hemoroids, the amazing French demogroup, released The Rise of Love for the Atari STe in 2022. It came 1st at Silly Venture 2022 and is different from what I first expected. It abandons the usual mind-boggling, 68000-crushing technical effects for a groovy art demonstration. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a positive.

This demo features a vibrant, uplifting tone, showcasing a ton of pixel art in a groovy way while listening to super chip music. It’s got a funky 70s/80s flair with many memorable moments, reflecting a time when the world was much more sane than it is today. I even spotted the Ford Torino from Starsky & Hutch:)

This demo is brimming with a charming, nostalgic atmosphere. It’s a digital art showcase and a must-watch. Sure, the video is good, but nothing beats real hardware. So get it downloaded right now!

This will unleash your mellow inner hippy. LOL I just know it...

Credits and download

Dieu - Graphics

Dma-Sc - Music

Jade - Graphics

Nytrik - Graphics

pépé - Code, Graphics, video recording

Sink - Text, Other (Support, supervision)

Stranger - Other (Support, supervision)

YQN - Other (Sound effects)

Demozoo download - https://demozoo.org/productions/316212/

Even more AtariSTe demos - https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/AtariSTe

Hippie or not, this is stunning artwork. Love the colours.

HMD!! I've loved 'em since (iirc) Hemosound.

Ohhh, this is gonna be trippy...

Yep, I knew it. Hippie demoscene stuff.

Hehe, this is so groovy!

Girl playing Space Invaders... ;p

Say hello to the only guy alive who hasn't watched Star Wars!

Come on, this is class artwork with a superb palette tone.

Debbie Harry. Wow. Ahem... I'm saying nothing, or the wife will kill me!!!

Awesome artwork from start to end with stunning music throughout. Perfect.