Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress

Fifty Shades Of White

In Ultima II, the world faces a threat from Minax, an evil sorceress whose influence spans both time and space. At the request of Lord British, we embark on a quest through multiple eras of Earth's history to ultimately end her reign of terror and restore peace to the troubled lands. So, grab a sword and let's go!

This was released shortly after the ST's 1985 launch and developed by Robert Heitman. Yes, he of Sierra On-Line games such as Leisure Suit Larry and King's Quest. Sadly, Ultima II is remembered as one of the worst games, mainly because of its reliance on GEM, which frustrated ye olde established fans. I imagine using the mouse-driven GUI probably seemed like a smart idea at the time. Surely, it's not all bad?

Of course, not. The game may have disappointed many, but it is still Ultima II. Therefore, it's a classic RPG that ST gamers need to play. Well, I don't want to be one of "those people" who criticise something without actually playing it. So, I've taken a break from my wonderful Ultima IV adventure to take a look at this old RPG. Sadly, the problems were quite significant, ranging from the peculiar to some serious bugs.

From my personal experience, these are the things that irk me:

• The GEM interface seems like a nice idea, but it's clunky and unnecessary. Essentially, it provides an immersion-busting experience - not what you want in a game like Ultima!
• The screen's background is glaringly white, which strains the eyes over time. Not only that, but your worldview is limited by a narrower window. It's almost like they didn't want the new ST to embarrass the 8-bit computers of the era. Makes you wonder whether it was intentional.
• Another issue is the lack of keyboard control; it was replaced by the mouse, which slows you down with all the repetitive clicking. But perhaps that is more a matter of personal taste?

I might be wrong, but Ultima II feels more like a strange 1985 experiment in GUI-driven design rather than a polished product for a new computer. Long story short, it simply doesn't feel like Ultima...

---

Light at the end of the dungeon

Thanks to a beardy Atarian we all know and love, I've been playing with Ultima II "Special Edition", which is an upgrade by the French Gemdos Crew. Having already spent a lot of time with the original release, I found it simply too tempting not to download this newly patched version for a quick playtest!!

This release features a proper title screen, an attractive new tileset used in Ultima III, and perhaps best of all, the eye-popping white backgrounds have been banished. In their place is a darker palette that feels more in keeping with the Ultima series. The user interface has also received a bug-fixing makeover, and the addition of stunning background music breathes new life into this ancient adventure.

The effect of these changes is remarkable. What was once a bright and sterile-looking conversion suddenly feels more apt for an Ultima experience. The darker presentation gives the world its proper atmosphere, while the "new" graphics make exploration visually far more appealing. Sadly, one issue remains: character movement is still handled with the mouse rather than the keyboard, which is a shame I must admit.

Regardless, the French Gemdos Crew have done brilliantly. Ultima II genuinely feels like the game our Atari ST deserved back in 1985. I hope you guys check it out. If so, let me know in the comments... Enjoy!

• FGC has the download with a list of features, bug fixes, and lovely screenshots.
• Wanna check out more early ST games from 1985?
• Don't leave just yet! Scroll down for some of my lovely screenshots...

Your eyes will pop if you look at this image for too long.

Ahh, that's better. Darker, repurposed graphics, rich colours, bigger log, and more...

No disrespect for the original. After all, the ST was only a few months old...

...but the FGC version rocks. Come on, look at the difference. Wow!!

Thrust 0.5

████████╗██╗  ██╗██████╗ ██╗   ██╗███████╗████████╗

╚══██╔══╝██║  ██║██╔══██╗██║   ██║██╔════╝╚══██╔══╝

   ██║   ███████║██████╔╝██║   ██║███████╗   ██║   

   ██║   ██╔══██║██╔══██╗██║   ██║╚════██║   ██║   

   ██║   ██║  ██║██║  ██║╚██████╔╝███████║   ██║   

   ╚═╝   ╚═╝  ╚═╝╚═╝  ╚═╝ ╚═════╝ ╚══════╝   ╚═╝   

Thrusting into GEM

We've all played Firebird's excellent Thrust and other similar Gravitar shooters, and this version looks rather familiar, but it isn't exactly what you might expect. In fact, it's quite an obscure take on the genre and one I've never come across before. Thrust 0.5 was developed by Alexander Kirchner and feels more like an experimental concept of what might have been possible within a Thrusty GEM environment.

The gameplay is remarkably similar: we're the pilot of a triangular craft, navigating a cavern in search of a "sphere" to collect and lug back to the surface. Navigation requires precise control of direction and thrust to manage inertia. The keyboard controls are easy: the LEFT SHIFT and ALT key rotate our ship. The RIGHT SHIFT provides thrust, and the CONTROL key shoots your cannon. Yep, we have weaponry!

The cave has defences that can be blasted or avoided, so shoot your weapon in their direction. The turrets are easy to destroy, and that grants safe passage through to the end, where you can grab the sphere and leggit. Sadly, there are a couple of missing features: 1) there is no gravity pulling you downwards, which makes things a lot easier. 2) Wall collisions don't cause your ship to explode, but rather stop you dead.

Yep, although unfinished, this is an interesting version of Thrust, and it's charming to see a game like this running in GEM (especially if your computer has a Blitter). While it may not hold your attention for long, it’s well worth it for the novelty value alone. As you can probably tell, I enjoyed stumbling upon this one.

• Thrust 0.5 can be downloaded at Atarimania and Atari FTP Archive.
• There are many more "Gravitar" games right here.
• I wasn't sure about adding this, but it uses the Blitter, so it's enhanced. Thus added to the list.
• Yes, I found a GEM game that scrolls... Ho Ho Ho!!

ST Low is surprisingly fitting for this game, but there are no colours.

ST Medium is squashed, but I liked it once I used XControl to change the colours!

Of course, ST High is the best of all. Plus, you can see more of the level ahead!

Enhanced games - part 7

Ten and Counting

If I'm honest, I thought the previous article would have been the last, but I've found another 10 games! Now, I'm pretty much sure this will definitely be the last compilation, and you can check out each of the previous articles by clicking here(1), here(2), here(3), here(4), here(5), and here(6). If you don't enjoy clicking, I've grouped all seven parts for easy access. Okay, let's take a look at the latest batch…

Chu Chu Rocket is a Reservoir Gods 2001 conversion of Sega’s quirky puzzler, where the goal is to guide mice (aka ChuChus ) safely into rockets while keeping them clear of hungry space cats. This revolves around placing directional arrows on the playfield, herding them into the right paths while avoiding the dangers. It’s every bit as daft as it sounds, and supports both single and multiplayer. This is a faithful fan port with Blitter graphics and cool audio. It's possibly one of my favourite "puzzlers". It's brilliant, and the registered version is available at Atarimania.

Labotomy Invaders from a Small Bedroom in Galashiels is probably the world's daftest name! Once it begins, it's clear that a lot of demoscene influence went into this, with a presentation style that uses gorgeous effects and stereo DMA music. Sadly, the game doesn't really compare: it's basically a strange version of Space Invaders where you use the joystick to swish the screen across in the blind hope of aligning your crosshair with an Invader, before they reach the ground. For me, this game desperately required mouse control, as the joystick doesn't feel right at all. The directional movement feels rigid compared to the easy glide of a mouse, so it's a no from me. If you're still interested, then download it from Atari Legend.

Mad Paul Lay (yes, the Floyd The Droid man himself!!) released a Boulderdash game called Mad for Page 6, and made an upgraded version for the Atari STe in 1991. The original is a great game, but everything was on one screen, so the new version super-sizes everything and uses hardware scrolling. It's weird - I would have expected the same graphics, but within a larger maze. Of course, the gameplay remains the same as we're still tunnelling through the dirt, only this time we're not collecting diamonds! Watch out for falling rocks and don't get trapped. Sure, it looks naff, but it plays great. I really enjoyed this silly game! The download is available at Atarimania.

Rock Star Ate My Hamster is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the great 1980s tabloid headlines in a surprisingly addictive management-style game. We guide an unknown band to stardom by hiring oddball musicians, rehearsing to improve their playing, booking gigs, etc. The game runs on both computers, but is best on the STe because they (thank you) used the DMA hardware. This is a silly game with hilarious graphics and lots of "humour". It's almost like it offers the chance to relive your youth via the tabloids. The download is available at 8BitChip.

Sam in Monsters Land was released in 1995 by Alpha Visions, and you might remember another game of theirs, called Sam in Monsters Garden? This game also uses the Blitter and DMA for another silly outing as you collect items and stay clear of the cute baddies. This is old school gaming, and it's insane and totally stupid. I love it!! The download is available at Atarimania.

Skyduel was released in 1993 by Tim Chapman, and is a dogfighting/duel game where it's reds vs greens. You can choose from four crafts: Plane, Helicopter, Cannon, and Balloon - each with unique mechanics and abilities, such as dropping bombs or firing missiles. Adding to that are dynamic environmental factors, such as fluctuating wind, and random events like UFOs, lightning, and bombers. Don't play without checking out the options screen (STe options and more). I guarantee you will absolutely love this. The download is available at Atari Legend.

Sokoban - Bobby the Hippie Ghost is from 1995 by Inner Circuit Explorers, and is basically your classic Sokoban puzzler, but with a cheeky twist: instead of a warehouse guy, you’re a chilled-out ghost shifting rocks around to cover up peace signs. It’s a funny idea, but the gameplay itself stays true to the original and even uses the Blitter. The download is available at Atarimania.

Sokoban is another version I've never played before, but I don't know who to credit for this 1992 game. This game is a little weird, as we're an egg playing the same game format. Well, it looks like an egg from above lol. Sadly, it's French only, but that shouldn't stop the fun for ST Nutters who enjoy this type of game. The download is available at Atarimania.

Tiny Skweeks is a puzzler by Loriciel that involves guiding fuzzy creatures through a series of increasingly complex mazes. Players must navigate around obstacles, find the right path, and collect all the 'skweeks' to complete a level. The challenge lies in the strategic planning required to solve each puzzle, as a single wrong move can trap the player or make progress impossible. The STe can expect better colours and DMA music. The download is available at Atari Legend.

Tower Power is the surprising game of the entire bunch. Released in 1992 by Johnnie Chan, the game is played on a 10x10 grid, where up to four players move pieces, similar to chess. When one player's piece attempts to "take" another, the game shifts to a one-on-one combat sequence. The outcome of this mini-game determines who wins the square. Players can acquire gold to purchase different pieces, each with unique abilities, from a peasant to powerful creatures like a Wizard. The ultimate goal is either to eliminate all opponents or to occupy all four central squares. Ignore how it looks; this game is fantastic. The download is available at Atari Legend.

That was a great bunch of games to end this series. The quality of ChuChu Rocket and Tiny Skweeks is impressive. Also, Tower Power is amateur, but incredible. Of course, all titles have been added to our ever-growing Enhanced Games page. Have you had a look at that yet? Yes, you really should ;)

I hope you enjoyed this final compilation. Stay enhanced... Stay Atari STe!!

Chu Chu Rocket is an unassuming puzzler that is absolutely top-notch stuff.

Labotomy Invaders from a Small Bedroom in Galashiels? Erm, no.

Mad looks like trash, right? Everything is too big, but it's challenging and fun.

Rock Star Ate My Hamster has Kylie on the payroll. Use her wisely... ahem...

Sam in Monster's Land is absolutely INCREDIBLE!!

In Skyduel, ignore the graphics. Just play this game!!

Bobby the Hippie Ghost is a pretty Sokoban.

Sokoban, again! But this time, we're an egg... Yep, an egg...

Tiny Skweeks somehow reminds me of Jumping Jack'Son.

Don't look at its graphics, because Tower Power is actually superb!!