Sleeping Gods Lie

Sticks and stones

Empire Software released this adventure in 1989, and it's quite unlike anything I expected. I'd seen screenshots and was half-expecting something like Drakkhen with a typical dungeon-crawler storyline. Well, it's similar in some regards and with monsters and weapons, including stones. I know, I know, stones...

We begin on Tessera, a world once rich and prosperous but now suffering famine, disease, and a crime wave that only Robocop could fix. Their god, N'Gnir, strangely seems to be in slumber, so it's your mission to find and wake him. It won't be easy because you must battle your way through the numerous different lands, and each has eight kingdoms. This game is huge, so pack butties because it's unlikely you will be home for tea.

Our adventure starts from the comfort of our castle. From the outside, it's impressive, and I wonder just how rich I am. However, inside it's rather sparsely decorated and mostly empty. This is situated in a strange, chaotic world with most of its populace being completely barmy. All early encounters aren't welcoming; instead, they're a brawl without any provocation. They love to throw pebbles without any reason lol.

Let's take a look at my grand castle, and the second screenshot is from a peek inside...

From the outside, your home looks awesome. Wish it was real!!

But on the inside, it's a bit bare, so obviously furnished by a guy!

The lands outside are populated by weirdos who all seem to hate me?!

A game with character

Fortunately, some people are normal rather than fanatical psychopaths, so chat to them for information. As the box states, this isn’t just an adventure game; it’s packed with action and puzzles set in a fascinating new world. There are many puzzles to complete, including feeding a giant mouse mouldy cheese. These aren’t mind-boggling puzzles; the information you gather will soon make sense for these rather peculiar guardians.

The gameplay uses a smooth first-person engine with simple controls. Use the mouse to guide the pointer: pushing it upwards walks you forward, and downwards moves you backwards. Turning around is as easy as moving the pointer to the side of the screen. While a joystick is available, I found it less intuitive and rather awkward, but YMMV. Also, if walking feels too slow and you’d prefer to run, simply press the F3 key. This isn’t a traditional run, but it does speed up time for you and the entire game.

Exploring is a breeze, making it easy to navigate and find useful items, weapons, people and even enjoy a good fight. However, you’ll quickly realise people aren’t friendly, so practice and master your stone-throwing skills! Well, until you find something better, like a sling or crossbow. I recommend taking your time to thoroughly investigate your surroundings; you might find some seemingly insignificant objects that turn out to be valuable. For example, as you collect pebbles, why not check out those trees to see what's hidden?

Sleeping Gods Lie, though not entirely open-world, offers a similar experience.  Each area allows for free exploration within its segment, with limited exits providing opportunities to move on and discover new areas. However, thorough exploration is crucial for finding helpful items and better weapons.

As you upgrade your weapons, skirmishes become easier, but tougher enemies lurk ahead. Key tips include resting regularly, exploring thoroughly and saving your game frequently like a paranoid madman!

It's time for some screenshots from this bizarre, yet enthralling, adventure game...

This ain't a peaceful land, and most start fights by throwing pebbles at you!!

That distant pixelated mess is a guardian (get closer for a better view!)

The second guardian is freakishly cute (but rather hungry!!)

Aesthetics

Visually, I’m torn. The 3D engine is fantastic, offering full exploration of expansive landscapes. Freedom to roam is great, but through sparsely populated places, making it feel somewhat barren. I’d have liked more to "look at". However, the sprites are a different story. From afar, they’re a wobbly mess of pixels, probably because of the low res? Get closer, they scale beautifully - a feature I really admired in the old engine.

The audio isn't as good as it should be simply because there's hardly anything to hear! I'm sure something could have been done, even if it were footsteps, or a delicate background chiptune. Talking of that, the title screen introduction has a fantastic tune which is nothing less than gorgeous!

Right, let's see some more screenshots and this time I got closer to a guardian...

I later returned to get a better screenshot, but it's a vicious beast!

Then it wasn't long before the stone-throwing started again lol.

A wise old man restores my faith in humanity.

The CryptO'pinion?

Sleeping Gods Lie has some interesting ideas, but it's not perfect. The character integration should have been more inclusive with more depth. As is, it's only used to pass on information rather than any interaction. Also, the weird pebble-throwing battles are initially amusing but soon wear thin. Thankfully, progression comes thick and fast, therefore very rewarding, because the game gets better once you've found better weaponry.

There's no denying that this is an enthralling adventure, and I loved exploring the lands, wondering what I might find. If you have lots of time to set aside, this is definitely something to dig your heels into over a weekend. A fast-paced adventure perfect for explorers looking for something different in a weird, new world.

I enjoyed this game, but don't forget your pebbles and prepare for lots of mindless squabbles!

Download HDD and FLOPPY.

YOPAZ IceStar

A brand new GEM game!

Yopaz is a new Sokoban-themed puzzler by Cedric Bourse that stars a happy chap who loves to collect stars. It's a GEM program, but don't let that put you off. No, sir, this is one slick, very smooth puzzler. Heck, it even features ambient sounds on 4MB Atari STe computers (without that, the requirement is 1MB).

The Sokoban table, viewed from above, represents a part of the universe with the stars we need. In the vast expanse of space, everything follows the rules of physics. Once Yopaz starts moving, he’s locked in that direction until he hits something. So, take your time and think carefully. You’ll need to use the ice blocks to move around and collect all the stars. Some blocks aren’t ice but will teleport you to a different place.

Basically, there is only one rule to constantly follow - think carefully before you move.

There is an advanced mode for those with a sadistic desire to punish their brains with incideously cunning levels. This is a brain-killing choice (I'm too scared!!). You have been warned!!

Cedric Bourse, aka Orion_ (not Orion), has a website where you can download a playable demo, and he is only asking for $4 to purchase the full game. An incredibly low asking price for such a brilliant puzzler.

Bootsie

A boot sector program that's useful

Bootsie is a utility by Stefan Krey writes a boot sector on a floppy to perform nifty system init functions. These are useful for Atari's with a hard drive or those fortunate enough to own a MSTE, TT, or Falcon. By default, my Mega STe boots up in an 8MHz "compatibility mode" which is great for gaming but lame for everything else. After all, the boot process from start to end will be slower than if it were running at 16MHz.

Enter Bootsie to set the processor speed to steroid mode! And it can do more cool stuff, such as CPU caching, activating the Blitter chip, 60Hz display, etc. What a fantastic utility that helps make a computer as ultra-zippy as possible. Download it right now from Atari ST Essential Software List.

Ballerburg

Artillery gaming!

Whilst enjoying my cuppa this morning (in my Atari ST mug) I stumbled upon a tweet about Ballerburg, a turn-based artillery game by Eckhard Kruse. It's an ST classic and offers addictive, strategical gameplay to blast enemies into smithereens using basic maths to calculate our weaponry's speed & direction.

Ballerburg requires the ability to read German and a monochrome hi-res monitor. But let's be honest, as ST users, we are familiar with language translation on the fly! There are programs to emulate the ST's high-resolution mode. As I type, my Atari STe is running Ballerburg, and I'm (trying) to teach our 6-year-old daughter the basics. Sadly, that ain't going well, so I know she will be an easy victim!

Yes, I'm the father of the year. I'm going to destroy her. Muwhahaha!!

• A download is available on Eckhard Kruse's website, and Ballerburg has a wiki page!
• I use MonoPack to enable ST High Res on my colour monitor. It's excellent.
• So you didn't believe me about my Atari ST mug, uh? Slurp... Slurp...

The Immortal

A thinking man's Diablo?

I have always found something appealing about exploring a monster-infested dungeon - and this is one of the best, if tough! Designed by Will Harvey and programmed by Brett G.Durrett, The Immortal offers a challenging experience, but only if you survive long enough to see what's around the next corner.

We are a wizard who has been asked to help another in a spot of bother. He is called Mordamir, but somehow thinks your name is Dunric, which it isn't. Will you still help him? Of course, you will, even though we later find out this means exploring creepy dungeons infested with hideous nasties intent on your demise.

Are you still feeling brave? Don't lie. Be absolutely sure before accepting the challenge this brutal adventure offers. If you're still here, then it's time for clean underwear as we venture forth into the realms of myth, sorcery, and cruelty. (Some of you might be laughing at my obvious overreaction? Tut...Tut...Tut)

Okay, let's check out some screenshots of the sinister troubles ahead...

Do you think it's safe walking around down here? Well, you shouldn't!!

Learn how best to battle and defeat your foe. And why not chat with the locals?

Welcome to a dark place with monsters and lots of traps!

The Immortal is a scrolling isometric adventure set within a creepy labyrinth of unforgiving pitfalls and ghastly horrors. I cannot stress that enough, right from the start, too. These harsh characteristics will torment even the most experienced adventurer, so you will witness the bloodiest of deaths at a most frequent rate. Never have I played a game like this with so many hidden traps, so grab a pen and paper to make notes.

Lurking within the labyrinth are trolls, goblins, and other creatures that want you dead. Some have exquisite names like The Shades, which you soon encounter. These are a life form that hides in the darkness, only casting a faint shadow near a firelight. Are you scared yet? You should be, this is callous and ruthless.

As you can imagine, The Immortal isn't a game to rush through. Its design dictates a need for a determined player with patience. One who will fall victim to many gruesome deaths to master the intricacies of each level. Don't underestimate it - grab that pen and paper to make notes, you'll need them. Trust me.

This game makes my skin crawl, so I need a break! For more screenshots...

That's some drop there. Best watch your step or come back later?

Hey, I hear there is a prince in Persia who would love one of these carpets!!

You will die and die and die!

Each room is unique and has its own battles, treasures, and pitfalls - so think first, be vigilant, and always on your guard. The good news is that you can often avoid a confrontation by being stealthy, but brave warriors can always use their weapons or conjure magic spells to beat their foes. Expect your endurance to be tested to the full by each level's cruelly hidden traps. Argh, there are so many bloodthirsty traps!

Careful exploration is the key to success. Take your time, but also make sure to examine everything. Who knows, an item may help later? A slain victim is a great place to find cool stuff (Hey, what's better than plundering a dead corpse?). Finally, don't forget to rest. If you see a straw bed, then take the time to catch up on your sleep and enjoy forty winks. This restores health and might even produce an enlightening dream.

Sadly, there is no instant save function. Instead, successful wizards are awarded a certificate, IE level passwords. Yes, this might appear disappointing, but the levels aren't overly massive. Plus, it forces you to tread carefully and be a better adventurer. Oh, cheaters skipping levels will soon realise the error of their ways!

The thing with monsters is that they hate equally, as you can see in this next screenshot...

Even the monsters appear to hate each other. Let's watch them fight!

I never expected a boat ride - whitewater madness style!!

Aesthetics

All visuals are by Michael Marcantel and Ian Gooding and are excellent. They've helped to create a dungeon of horrors using a dark and creepy design. Each room looks the part, plus all monsters are ghoulishly drawn with good animation. I wonder how much inspiration was later taken from this old game?

Spot effects are used for many actions, and various pieces of chip music by Doug Fulton feature throughout the levels. Some dislike the tunes for a game like this, whereas others enjoy them. You can run with sound effects only, but I fear you will be missing out on much atmosphere if you do. I say leave the music on.

Okay, adventurers, it is time for the final screenshot, and it's animated...

The CryptO'pinion?

The Immortal is groundbreaking due to its gripping storyline, eerie atmosphere, and captivating deeds. Mix in a style employing exciting action and a fascinating storyline, and it's apparent why I love it so. An extremely excellent game that will provide hours of agonising pleasure as you uncover its many secrets.

The Immortal is cruel, so very cruel. Skill, dexterity, perseverance, and pure luck are what you'll need to play this adventure. Yes, it's damn tough. Yet it's also one of the best horror adventures for the Atari ST!!

Download for floppy & hard drive.

Rana Rama

We. Are. A. Frog. Really?

Most action games have you playing as something cool, like a wizard, a warrior or perhaps even a Hollywood hero with a deadly automated weapon that never runs out of ammo. Well, not so with Ranarama. You're a novice magician called Mervyn who has accidentally turned himself into a frog? That's right, you're a frog!

Wizards have invaded and brought a horde of monsters who killed everyone, although luckily, they ignored this unassuming frog. So it's time for you to leggit and deal a hefty dose of revenge on them! Played through an overhead view, you crawl through a dungeon, battling the minion slaves of the powerful wizards.

Wanna see who you are up against? Check out these minions of evil...

   

Make the time to check out your foe and find out who you're battling against.


   
Not only that, but a chance to view the gorgeous artwork!!

An amphibian gauntlet?

First impressions are of an action-packed Gauntlet clone; although it looks aesthetically similar, it's different. Beginning in the upper area of this 8-level dungeon, you must kill the baddies and defeat the wizards. Interestingly, only the places explored are visible, and the baddies themselves are only seen when you’re in the same room. This makes entering new rooms-  an anxious moment - who knows what surprises lurk!

Monsters come in various scary shapes and sizes, starting with the humble Dwarf (I love those) and leading up to the mighty Gargoyles. All can be killed with increasing efforts, and wizards need to be defeated in a Countdown-style sub-game that has you rearranging letters to form the word "Ranarama". It's not easy, and later wizards are very tricky, but once won, he dies and leaves behind his rune goodies.

Magic plays its part in Ranarama, and Mervyn has four categories at his disposal: offensive, defensive, effect and other powers. All movement and monster hits will reduce energy; fear not, because you can cast a spell or collect the energy cells, which are frequently available. Finally, use the floor-based glyphs to activate special features like a map, status, and casting powerful spells. Quite confusing at first, but don't give up!

Check out this screenshot. Looks a little like Gauntlet, but... it's... not...

As you can see, the rooms are displayed only when they have been explored.

Aesthetics

The graphics are superb with fine attention to detail, and great use of colour, plus the sprites are beautiful. Also, I love how each screen isn't instantly viewable in full - not until you've actually explored that region. This is a great idea and makes the journey far more interesting because you have no idea what's around the corner.

The in-game Sound effects are extremely good, using a style that shows just what the ST's Yamaha chip is capable of. All chip music is by Dave J. Rogers, of Exolon and Zynaps fame, so absolutely superb stuff. Basically, the audio is wonderful and certainly proves that chipmusic will live on forever. Gorgeous sounds.

Ranarama was one of the first Atari ST games with speech (that I owned).
Thus I adore the fuzzy girl speaking. It's historically humourous but also very epic!!

I love the red eyes of Mr Froggy, and each character has fascinating attention to detail.

The CryptO'pinion?

If you expected a run-of-the-mill Gauntlet clone, then you will be happy, as Ranarama is different. It offers a long-term mix of arcade action with hints of role-playing whilst venturing through the cunning levels. It's difficult but very rewarding, so expect many late nights - if you're brave enough to accept the challenge?

An utterly engrossing Atari ST game, once again by legends Hewson. Absolutely fantastic, in every respect.

The best download from 8BitChip (hard drive)

Old Games Finder should suffice for floppy dudes!

ASCII art

Unreversable demo (2013) by M.E.C for Atari ST

Credits : bob_er (code) | Dhor (music) | gwEm (code/music)

I came across this rather uniquely mesmerising demo the other night on Demozoo and just had to record it. Unreversable is an ASCII art sensation accompanied by funk and dunk chip music for an outstanding experience. Perhaps most amazing is that it's only 64kb, quite incredible... How do they do it?

Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this outstanding demo as much as I did.

Unreversable is by a group of talented 8Bit'ers called Masters Of Electric City.

 (creators of Unbeatable - a monochrome Atari ST demo!!)