Time Bandit

HiSToric gaming!

Microdeal released Time Bandit in 1985, ranking as one of the first Atari ST games. Programmed by Bill Dunlevy, long before any developers knew how to push our 16-bit computer. However, my first impressions weren't good, as I felt this was a cheap Gauntlet ripoff. I continued to play until my sanity returned.

Ignore my foolish first impressions because I fear there might be a funky game lurking behind those old 8bit visuals. Fwiw, Time Bandit was released for the TRS-80 a couple of years before Gauntlet.

We begin in The Timegates, a place that permits access to numerous strange worlds, each completely different. These range from ancient Egypt to a bomb-making factory and other weird surprises - like Pac-Man land. They have their own style and objectives with gameplay reminiscent of Gauntlet, to a degree. This is quite unique as it blends genres. Primarily, it's a shooter/action-adventure, but it incorporates puzzle-solving elements and even short text-adventure segments depending on the world we are exploring.

For each world, the exit is blocked, so we need to find the key(s) or complete tasks to escape. Interestingly, each world can be played again for an increased level of difficulty and fascinating design changes, all of which keep the gameplay interesting and progressively challenging. Battles are fought using a rocket launcher and, best of all, you've been blessed with unlimited ammo too!! Very nice, and that suits me just dandy.

Time Bandit is a cracker with interesting levels to plunder that offer a unique charm. It might look like Gauntlet, which it predates, but it's so much more!! Additionally, each world is very different, with such a huge variety of gameplay that increases in difficulty with each attempt. No other similar game comes close to having so many styles, yet it keeps its own uniqueness to become a true Atari ST classic you shouldn't miss.

Yes, I said all that, and (shockingly) for a 1985 game! This is truly one of the best Atari ST games.

• Budding time lords should download this game for floppy or your hard disk!!

- Sixteen whacky worlds -

 
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