STYX [ final ]

Old soul, new tune!

After my initial release rocked the ST world like never before, I found another way to upgrade this legendary game. Yes, I mean Styx, and you need to click this link to read my background story. It's really cool, so don't miss it! Anyhow, this new version now includes background music (for both STs) to make up for the near-silence. Like everything I've made lately, I made it for myself but am happy to share. Please don't be one of the idiots moaning about AI (hey, at least it makes a change from the Amiga guys).

Remember, this game supports both STs. On the Atari STe, you can press the "S" key to alternate between YM sounds and DMA samples of the raspy, zesty ZX Spectrum bleeper. You can also press the "m " key to disable my subtle and soothing background tune! Again, works for both Atari ST computers.

A simple game, and I hope those old enough to remember Bug-Byte's Styx will like this release.

• The download is on Atarimania (this takes you to all my lovely ST warez!)
• I also have my ST/e goodies listed on AtariUpToDate!!!
• I made a quick YouTube video, which should have you all drooling.
• Interested in learning about me and the junk I've made? Ya better click here then.

Creatures [ beta 2 ]

Clyde: Version Two

Behold, the second beta release of Creatures is available. If you want to read about this project, click this link. New features include some bug fixes and subtle background music to make up for the game's dreaded silence. I think this is a big improvement, and the download will be available very soon at Atarimania.

I’ve been let out !

Silicon Heaven

You know me, I'm pretty much pigeonholed into being an Atari ST guy who doesn't use anything else. Sure, I have many fond memories of the ZX Spectrums from my youth, but the ST is still my true love. But did you guys know that I've always had a soft spot for other machines? I'd love to find the space (and money) for something like an Amstrad 6128, Oric Atmos, and others on my desk, but that's never gonna happen.

Anyhow, I recently visited a computer museum not too far from where I live. It's pretty cool, with a whole room filled with computers from every era you can remember, from a Commodore PET and Link 480Z (the computer I used at college) to those soulless PCs (that were thankfully running Doom II). Of course, they had everything in between, too. And yes, I really do mean everything - I was in silicon heaven!!

This is a geek's paradise, and impressive to see so many machines up and running. It was like stepping through a portal, and I was in my element (even the wife loved it!). Naturally, I gravitated towards their Ataris, with an STe and Mega ST sitting alongside our deadly enemy. Sadly, the STe was just sitting at the GEM desktop, so I used its Gotek and rebooted. That's more like it, I thought to myself as Frontier loaded.

This belting museum proves just how cool and diverse the 80s were, with so many different computers. Part of me wants to scrap the lot and replace them with a room full of STs, but you can't have everything! Seriously, it's a great day out, and I highly recommend a visit if you're anywhere near Northwest England.

Take a look at some of the naff photographs I took before you visit their website...

The Great Escape

Denton's Great Escape

Those who have been following AtariCrypt for a while might remember my review of Where Time Stood Still? A stunning open-world-like adventure by Denton Designs that I originally played as a kid on my ZX Spectrum. Thankfully, our Atari ST conversion is superb, but many were disappointed by its 8-bit appearance. You may also remember that in the review I mentioned another game of theirs I loved: The Great Escape.

Cue the music...!! Yes, The Great Escape was another favourite of mine, and I lost hours of my teenage years to it. It's a prison-break adventure obviously based on the incredible movie where we are a P.O.W. trying to escape from a nazi prison camp. It's displayed in glorious isometric 3D, but don't let the black-and-white graphics put you off; this is an immersive open-world adventure. I remember spending hours sneaking about and crawling underground, avoiding the nazis and their restrictive prison routine.

So why am I telling you this? Long story short, my bestie, Claude, and I have been beavering away to convert the original. In fact, there are now three versions of this olde classic I'd like to share with you:

• The original game in all its monochrome glory. [ST/STe]
• The same game but colourised to feel more "wartime". [STe]
• Ultimately, I wanted something that wasn't just a port, but more "16-Bit". So we painstakingly (it took ages!) remade it to look more like what a possible official release might have looked like. [STe]

Bearing in mind that all this took much longer than Creatures or Shadow of the Beast, I like the results. The original port works on any ST and is as faithful to the Spectrum as is possible. The colourised version uses some of the STe hardware, and I really like the atmosphere it creates. The third increases the screen size, adds lots of new sounds, features superb music, and is generally the best version to play.

It's done a good job, but I'd love to hear your feedback. Funky images and links inbound...

• Download my Speccytacular new Atari ST/e game(s) at Atarimania.
• The original game (and tons more) are at World of Spectrum.
• The Great Escape is enhanced, so it makes it to my ever-growing list. Check that out!!
• Wanna see more of the ST junk I've made? Of course, you do :)

This was the first port and duplicates the original ZX Spectrum game.

I ditched the monochrome display for "wartime" colours. I really like this!!

I couldn't end it there and needed to create a better POW camp. I love the grunge!

SOTB

Shadow of the Poop

I said I would never do it, but here we are. Yep, for years, I've told myself that this abomination was never worthy of appearing on this glorious website. Well, AtariCrypt anyhow. So what changed my mind? Of course, you've seen the title above and have come to the Claude conclusion. Good.

Long story short, it was never going to be perfect without complete rewrites. But the turd got polished as best it could and, you know what, it isn't that bad. So what's changed? Well, quite a bit, actually:

• Firstly, all credit to Psygnosis and Peter Putnik for his adaptation.
• Repackaged for hard drive and will work on an Atari STe with 2/4MB RAM.
• I've added a start screen: infinite energy option and details.
• Title and Game Over screens now play their music in stereo.
• In-game, press F2 to hear the original's boring sound effects instead of lovely chiptunes.
• The frame rate is now much sprightlier, running around 24fps.
• Improved player turning added.
• Fixed a few bugs and removed screen glitches.

Considering this is an STfm game, it was never going to truly shine on the STe (feel free to prove me wrong). At least not without a human developer working on it with Claude from the ground up. Surprisingly, I've come to respect this beastly game, because the ST has no extra hardware, yet it still pumps out layers of parallax scrolling (kinda!). I think Mark McCubbin deserves a pat on the back for doing the impossible.

Of course, the game itself is terrible, but it runs better now! With that in mind, I hope you enjoy it...

• The download is considered a beta and is freely available at Atarimania.
• Wanna see more I've worked on over the years? Click here then!
• As this is now an enhanced game, it gets banged on this list.
• For the best comparison, I highly recommend playing the original game first.

Let us begin with lovely trees and nice skies. All downhill from here...

Watch out for unfair mechanics like spikes appearing from nowhere.

These eyeballs are probably the best enemies in the entire game!

Gotta hand it to the graphics artists. The loading screens are superb.

Terrible level design and ugly enemies hit from all angles.

Argh, what an annoying level. Shock, another one... Ugh.

Creatures [ beta 1 ]

Claudetastic

If you have followed AtariCrypt over the years, you might remember my mini review of Creatures. It's a platformer by WJS Design for Thalamus, with gorgeous aesthetics and incredibly sadistic baddies. This game is a lot of fun, but the push-scrolling ruined the overall experience for me. Anyhow, check out that old review before you carry on; I included a couple of videos worth watching for comparison.

So, as you've probably guessed, I've been working with my good mate Claude again. I asked him to look at a possible STe version with scrolling. Within a couple of hours, I had a playable build - which was shocking to get so quickly. Yes, there were lots of bugs, and many areas flickered and glitched, but it scrolled. A couple more builds, and presto, I had a decent port to play. So I figured I should share it with y'all.

As always, consider this a WIP and a free download. If anyone finds any bugs, please let me know...

>> A new update is out <<

• This first beta is now available at Atarimania.
• I'd like to thank and credit my friend Peter Putnik for his awesome hack.
• All credit for the official Creatures release goes to WJS Design and Thalamus.
• Check out the other things I have made for the Atari ST/e.

Hey, I just had to add an extra screen to the introduction :p

Weeee, let's go for a ride!

Creatures must be one of the cutest platformers there is.

Just look at all that colour. Shame it never scrolled... Until now!!