Collection Complete!

ARC Legends Assembled

After a few years had passed, Atari figured out that games sell and wanted to get in on the action properly with a new gaming label of their own. Thirteen games were released over a short period around 1989/1990. There were some crackers, but some I'm unsure about (atm). Which is weird coming from Atari themselves, especially when you consider the lack of support for their enhanced computer - the Atari STe.

Well, at long last, after years of hunting and saving the pennies, I’ve finally done it - my Atari ARC collection is complete! Every last one of their games is now sitting proudly on my shelf. I can’t even put my finger on why I’m so fond of ARC, but there’s just something about them that’s always drawn me in. They released a variety of games across different genres, ranging from serious war games to jolly platformers.

Let's take a stroll through ARC’s impressive library. Yes, I said impressive and sticking to that...

• Defender II. Where do I begin with this outstanding blaster? Well, regular visitors will remember that I reviewed it with a well-deserved rating of AtariCrypt Smash!! You should click this link and check it out right away. One of the best shooters for the Atari ST. Miss this at your peril!!
• Pyramax. This blends action and puzzle in a top-down ascent, where you climb a six-level pyramid in pursuit of the Crystal of Thaal, a relic of a lost civilisation. It offers straightforward yet tough gameplay: no flashy effects, just explore and shoot everything. Well, that's my initial impression!
• Enterprise. This is a top-down space shooter that puts you at the helm of a spacecraft defending your base while bombing enemy installations. Perhaps not as polished as more prominent ARC titles, but its rough edges were acknowledged playfully via a hidden developer message that reads, when reversed, “Enterprise is rubbish”. Yikes, imagine spending money only to discover that!!
• Chronicles of Omega. This is the only game in their catalogue to feature STe support, which is kinda odd when you think about it. Anyhow, I remember playing this and having to push through the pain barrier because of the fluffy controls design. The firing mechanics are pretty lame, but once I got used to that, I found myself enjoying this platformer a bunch. However, I'm still at odds with it because the STe may have DMA audio and silky smooth 50fps scrolling, but its older brother has more on-screen colours and the chip music is far better than a stodgy tracker tune. Swings and roundabouts, uh? Regardless, check out my review, as I think this game will surprise you.
• Star Breaker. This is a smooth-scroller, not (ahem) unlike other games we've played. A horizontally-scrolling shooter where we pilot a spaceship, battle waves of enemy fighters, and feel the need to kill everything. New to me, and one of those shooters I need to make time for soon!
• Photon Storm. This is a rarity, and was the game that (finally) completed my ARC collection. It's a mouse-controlled top-down shooter by legend, Jeff Minter. Players pilot a nimble craft, collecting plutonium pods while blasting frenzied alien enemies, with dual controls letting you fire and thrust in separate directions for dynamic movement. Come on, play this beauty now.
• Hellraider. A top-down sci-fi shooter where you command the mothership HMS Raider. Our role is to pilot one of four smaller escort fighters called Orbitals to fend off attacks from hostile ships, turrets, and mines. If you lose all Orbitals, you gain direct control of the lumbering Raider, which is tougher but far less manoeuvrable. Looks nice, but I need to practice with this a lot more...
• 9 Lives. This is the only other platformer released by ARC, but most people have bad memories of it. However, its poor reputation isn't deserved. Sure, the giant sprites look brilliant, but they were a stupid idea as they're too big for the ST's screen. It's this clumsy implementation that doesn't work very well, but the game has many endearing properties. It's clunky, but fun, and nowhere near as bad as people say, so check out my mini review before taking it for a playtest.
• Badlands Pete. The game that has everything a guy desires - we're a cowboy, we have a gun, we're in a western, and there are pies, beers, and girls. How can you mess up that winning combination? Well, the graphics are uniquely superb and perfectly depict a town on the Frontier. However, the game isn't fun to play as the NPCs are on steroids and constantly out to get you!! So it's a game of dodge, run, hide, and death! Argh, why ARC? WHY?? Check out my review, if you dare!
• Prince. A real-time strategic war game where two rival princes compete for territorial dominance through military manoeuvres. War takes place on a procedurally generated island where we unleash our squads via commands - scout, attack, and more. From what little I've played, this is a rewarding game that demands patience, determination, and a few spare hours!
• Gettysburg/Armada/Borodino. I'm bundling these three together because I think it's sneaky to release the same game with a different theme and graphics. Yes, I'm being facetious because all three are genuinely mind-blowing tactical war games. So, which one takes your fancy...
• Gettysburg – Command Union or Confederate forces in the pivotal 1863 battle, manoeuvring troops and artillery to seize key positions and decide the fate of the American Civil War.
• Armada – Relive the 1588 naval campaign as England or Spain, directing fleets across the Channel to outmanoeuvre and outgun your opponent in a bid for maritime supremacy. I reviewed Armada, and it shocked me - never have I played a game that took me so long to get into (and write about). The learning curve is legendary because you're thrown in at the deep end, without a paddle. But it's rewarding, and I would describe it as unmissable. So, don't be daft and click that link - I worked hard writing it, lol!!
• Borodino – Take charge of French or Russian armies in Napoleon’s bloody 1812 confrontation, using strategic troop movements and artillery barrages to break enemy lines and claim the battlefield. If the other two didn't appeal, then this surely will.

CryptO'pinion

ARC’s line-up might not have been perfect, but it was wonderfully varied with inventive shooters like Photon Storm, Star Breaker, and Hellraider, to quirky action-puzzle hybrids such as Pyramax and Enterprise. Alongside these came their more serious offerings with historical war games like Gettysburg, Armada, and Borodino, not to mention the multiplayer strategy challenge of Prince (I can't wait to play this one properly).

So, what did you think of my ARC hoard? Any favourites here, or are there any games that you hate with a vengeance? I'm sure there is, so let me know in the comments below. Every game can be downloaded for floppy and hard drive over at these great ST websites: Atarimania, Atari Legend, and 8BitChip.

Stay ARC... STay Atari.

🤭

Defender II is a challenging joy to play! Amazing game.

Pyramax is a top/down shooter, and I'm looking forward to playing more.

Must-read-the-manual for this 3D space shooter!

Chronicles of Omega - the only game for both the Atari ST and Atari STe.

Star Breaker is one smooth shooter!

Photon Storm, one of the zaniest ST games to play. It's brilliant!!

Hellraider is tough, so you gotta master the quirky controls.

9 Lives is great, but the sprites are way too big.

Wanna be John Wayne? Better off just buying the outfit instead...

Armada is truly terrifying! To learn and master, that is.

Prince adopts a new approach to war games. Gonna enjoy playing this one.

Ignore my camera (and editing skills), these are my 13 Atari ST ARC games!!

Archipelagos

Killer trees?

Astral Software's Archipelagos was developed in 1989 by (for me) a coding legend, Paul Carruthers (the man behind Resolution 101 and Quadralien). This is a surreal game that doesn't look, sound, or play like anything else, and still feels unique even today. You’re dropped into a strange, dreamlike world of floating islands, where your job is to smash eggs, topple an obelisk, and try not to get eaten alive by mutant trees.

Archipelagos is a first-person puzzler within hundreds of procedurally generated islands. Each map has egg-like stones and an obelisk. Smash all the stones, and you trigger a countdown, forcing you to leg it to the obelisk before the land collapses around you. To get there, harvest energy to build bridges and cleanse corrupted tiles, all while corkscrew trees creep closer, spreading their taint and making life miserable. It’s all about planning your route, staying one step ahead, and then surviving the panic of the endgame dash.

The islands were once part of a paradise world that pesky humans have probably ruined. So, Mother Nature hit back hard - mutating trees into some kind of twisted lifeform like something from an old 60s horror movie. This also left the land shattered into chunks, drifting in a toxic void. Yeah, this place sounds great, eh? Well, that’s where we come in as a "restorer" tasked with cleansing the islands by destroying corrupted stones(?) and toppling the obelisks that anchor the blight. Just don't get eaten by the monstrous wildlife.

This is one weird game - I mean, it's an FPS without a shotgun! However, it is uniquely different in terms of hypnotic aesthetics, most certainly unlike anything else I can remember playing. It's not easy, and occasionally cruel, but the mix of exploration and frantic strategy is exciting. So, smash those obelisks - only another ten thousand to go! This is one of the most captivating games you could play. And you should.

• There is a range of menu disks at Atari Legend for those wanting the floppies.
• The installable game for the hard drive is available at 8BitChip.
• Atarimania has access to a nifty cheat and loads of magazine ratings.

Alien Busters 4

What happened to the first three?

Back in 1996, Daniel Fielding released Alien Busters 4, a multiplayer shooter with one simple rule: kill your mates before they kill you. The action takes place in an arena where up to five players can jump in and shoot the living daylights out of each other. Hey, I remember the carnage of Death Chase, so this should be great!

Gameplay is simple: move your man with a joystick or keyboard, grab whatever weapons appear, and blast anything that moves until it explodes in a shower of blood and dismembered body parts. Pistols provide endless ammo, but the fun comes when you grab something better: machine guns, lasers, and rocket launchers. Even the scenery isn’t safe: trees get shredded, rockets blast rocks into smithereens, and barrels love triggering chain reactions. Rounds are fast and furious, and only end when every other player is brown bread.

While the game technically supports up to five players, you’ll probably need a parallel port adapter once you’ve got more than two joysticks already attached. I haven’t fully tested that, but just imagine the glorious chaos around an ST with a full party of eager shooters. If you’re a sad, lonely gamer, then simply hit keys 1-5 on the player select screen and your Atari ST will happily pretend to be your murderous mates.

Alien Busters 4 is all about gathering your friends around the computer for a riotous time. It’s a pixelated party full of guns, gore, and hilarious carnage - made even sweeter by the superb DMA samples on the STe. What an absolutely excellent multiplayer with chaotic, quick-fire, addictive carnage. I absolutely love it!

• Gather your mates and grab the download from Atarimania.
• Seeing as this game is enhanced, it gets instantly added to the STe gaming list.
• While you're here, check out another outstanding game by Daniel - Death Chase.
• If you enjoyed duelling against mates, then there are more here.

Have some of my rocket pie...

...Yeah, that little man didn't stand a chance!

Yep, it's always the same rule. Use real hardware for best results!!
Emulation won't be good enough. You'll see...

Happy Halloween

Insert Disk… If You Dare

For me, Halloween isn't anything close to a proper holiday, but our kids always loved wandering the streets begging for free food. And, for one day, they get to be in fancy dress, which is nice. Okay, let's get serious: I've picked out a rather awesome menu disk by Serenade, which suits the scary day. It's their 18th release and features three scrummy games: Mrs Munchie, Hunt for Grey November(lol), and Viking III.

Booting up presents a great menu coded by the genius who is Mac Sys Data. The spooky pixel art is by (I think) Mass Deporter, and cool chip music by Count Zero, one of my fave musicians. Oh, I tried my best to rework their title screen to make it look more horrifying (I can only apologise for my lack of artistic skills!!). Make sure to read the scroller like a kid again in your parents' house. Hey, I always read scrollers, what about you?

Okay, enough reminiscing, and let's check out the three timeless games on this menu disk...

• The first game is Mrs Munchie, an obvious version of Pac-Man. There's nothing here to shock, but it plays well. I liked the cute aesthetics with nostalgic chomping sound effects. If I'm honest, I'm not a huge fan of the genre, but this game is pretty cool with different mazes, weird fruits, and he's now wearing lipstick. Come on, we all know it's really Pac-Man going fruity on us.
• The Hunt for Grey November is the one that surprised me the most. The story is: terrorists have stolen the navy's submarines and are blowing up our ships. We must fly over the seas, scanning for any suspicious activity in each segment. When found, we need to think like in Minesweeper to calculate where they might be hiding. It's really tough, but I liked this game a lot.
• You might look at Viking 3 and think it looks cheap. Well, I guess it does, but give it a try. At first, it reminded me a little bit of Oh No! Not More Radioactive Mineshafts or even Missile Command. In fact, I started playing it like the latter, shooting everything. But it's more, let some of the packages drop - to help defend from alien attack. It's a simple concept and one I thoroughly enjoyed!!

So that's that, three non-horrific games with a scary menu. Well, it's good enough for a fake celebration that doesn't even get you a day off work. You can find this menu disk over at Atari Legend.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

I love it when games feature a decent information screen! I know, I know...

I'm not the biggest Pac-Man fan, but this game is incredible!!

It's a bit like Minesweeper mixed with Battleships, and it's very good.

When you think you have found a sub - try to blow it up. If you can!

At first, you'll blow up everything like in Missile Command...

...but that might be a bad idea when the aliens begin firing rockets!!

Heroes Of The Lance

Dungeons & Dragons!

Heroes of the Lance is based on the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, taking place within the Dragonlance era (credits Margaret Weis and Tracy/Laura Hickman). The Atari ST game was released in 1988 by U.S. Gold for Strategic Simulations Inc. and is not an RPG game. It's more or less all action.

The ST has three Dragonlance games, but I (somehow) decided to play the third game first, Shadow Sorcerer. It's no biggie, but it's sometimes nice to play games in order, so I apologise for jumping ahead. Anyhow, shall we pretend that this mishap never happened and boot up Heroes Of The Lance? I hope you said yes!

The first of this ST trilogy takes place during a time when an evil queen (Takhisis) rules with her band of not-so-merry Draconians. There are eight hopeful heroes ready to battle against this tyranny by recovering the Disks of Mishakal. These floppies(!) are protected by a dragon called Khisanth, who needs slaying. The disks should help to please the ancient gods and defeat the queen. Humorously, the manual states that they are only heroes once they've defeated Takhisis! Well, that's true, I guess, but kinda mean if you ask me!

First things first, let's view the different companions with more information...

I adore the 'digitised' appearance of the characters. Excellent pixel art!!

Before we begin

You heard me right earlier: this is an action game with whispers of an RPG backbone. The manual makes damn sure you understand that Heroes Of The Lance is not an RPG by mentioning it more than once!

The focus here is on fast-paced joystick action, hacking and slashing your way through anything that stands in your path. You can still grab items, uncover secret rooms, and cast magic. Don’t expect an RPG in the traditional sense, though: no character creation, stat juggling, or level-ups through a sprawling world of lore. At its heart, it’s pure, unadulterated action, sprinkled with just enough RPG to add the right tone.

With that out of the way, let's see a screenshot taken in the grungy dungeon...

This fella looks like a black knight, but it wasn't tough to kill, so now I feel brave!

Play the game

I find it interesting how everything works with a combination of a split-screen using both a joystick and a mouse (for the menu). At the top of your screen is a representation of the dungeon where all the gory action occurs, with the bottom part offering a direction compass and access to each of our eight brave warriors.

All eight companions are located in two rows in the lower part of the screen. Each can be moved at any time, and only those on the top row can participate in the action. The "active character" will be the one in the left slot on the top row. Those on the bottom row will follow but cannot take an active part (safe from damage).

Your interaction is controlled via a joystick and expanded by a menu system accessed by hitting the spacebar. This pauses the game and offers a wealth of options, like transferring characters, picking up items, healing members of the team, slinging a spell, and the like. Exiting this menu resumes play, along with executing the command you have issued, like firing a magic missile. It's quite a brilliant system.

However, that doesn't mean you can jump straight in. When you begin, Heroes Of The Lance takes some getting used to. This is due to the sluggish joystick controls and the compass. Thankfully, it's not long before you realise you can run, which is great for swift exploration, avoiding some traps, and escaping would-be fatal encounters. Also, the screen scrolls horizontally, which fudges with my mind because the compass changes itself depending on the path we are actually walking (even though we're shown as walking sideways).

Once you have mastered the compass confusion, take time to look at your party and possibly rearrange people to suit your preference. Put someone big & beefy up front, but don't forget about the need for assistance in range, magic, trap detection, and so on. Have a play and practice killing a few monsters and using the menu system before properly beginning your quest.

The dungeon is a labyrinth of monsters and danger. The opening area has a chasm nearby, but walking to the edge will reveal a faraway monster. He can't hurt you, so why not practice casting spells to get the feeling of how that works? Traps like these are common, and there is no obvious hint to provide a warning. Running might escape falling rocks, but is there a member of the party who can help to detect traps? Is there someone to cast spells to see the invisible (this only works in the visible region of the current room)?

It pays to be slow and careful, as the dungeons are full of helpful and (umm) not-so-helpful items. Take time to examine any item, as it could be something that increases your score or something far, far more beneficial. Also, scrolls are invaluable and should be handed over to Raistlin. Some potions come in different coloured bottles: blue/green heal wounds, yellow boosts your confidence(!), and red makes monsters sluggish.

If your initial attempts are anything other than slow and vigilant, then you're a fool. Practice the controls and be ready to hit that spacebar whenever you are confronted. Collectively, your team has a powerful arsenal to help survive most battles, if not win. Learning who the right person to utilise is half the battle!

Okay, enough of my boring yapping and let's view another screenshot...

Bozaks are fast, so I used a spell to capture it. Now, move closer to kill the beast!!

Companions

Remember, your party is represented by two rows of four characters, with the top/left slot being your leader. This means there are three additional active members for possible magic, range, and clerical options. Well, depending on who you've chosen, of course. Check out your band of merry men and women...

• Tanis – A level-headed leader; good in a fight but not a spellcaster.
• Caramon – Big, strong, melee powerhouse; front-line brawler.
• Raistlin – Frail but deadly spellcaster; keep him protected.
• Sturm – Honourable knight; swings swords with courage and flair.
• Goldmoon – Healer and support; keeps the party alive with divine magic.
• Riverwind – Solid fighter; can guard the party and dish out attacks.
• Tasslehoff – Mischievous Kender; finds secrets and items, but is pretty much fragile.
• Flint – Sturdy dwarf; tanky front-liner who hits hard and deserves a front row place?

Right then, we need to break up this yapping with another screenshot, so here you go...

This area poses a threat - how do I get across the chasm that blasts out magic?

Monsters

There is a huge range of monsters in the Dragonlance universe. Some have dubious AI that made me wonder what's going on when they are slow to attack or seem bemused (then again, easy kills!!). Having said that, others are often very proficient opponents, utilising magic, fast attacks, and swift movement. They're creepy and they're kookie, but let's check some of the monsters that have killed me more than once...

• Human Thugs – Basic enemies that you should kill quickly.
• Baaz/Bozak – Draconians that have an extra trick up their sleeves even when dying.
• Spiders – Creepy arachnids that can attack very fast.
• Black Knights – Armoured warriors with strong melee capabilities.
• Trolls – Extremely tough creatures that will take teamwork to defeat.
• Aghar – Aggressive dwarves are a pain, but wait, we have Flint!
• Wraiths – Ethereal beings that drain health and have good protection from melee.
• Dragons – Powerful creatures that can run faster than Usain Bolt.
• Spectrals – Powerful ghosts, so magic is your only answer!

This RPG (oops), this action game is full of monsters! Let's take a break for a screenshot...

Oh no, a dragon!! Yup, this is me, running away like a coward!

Handy tips

• Remember, placing Goldmoon and Raistlin on the top layer means they can assist.
• Use someone strong as your active character. Is Caramon a good choice?
• Smaller enemies are hard to hit, except for Flint, for obvious reasons.
• If someone's health is suffering, put them on the back four to keep them safe(r).
• Different characters can alter performance. For example, Flint is quick, and Raistlin can float.
• Hit detection is flimsy, so practice getting the correct space between you and the enemy!
• Spells aren't stackable, but menu commands can be timed to compensate.
• Running might avoid some traps, but you won't escape damage from nearby enemies.
• Then again, death does mean they've dropped their goodies on the floor!
• Keep an eye on the compass for exits and possible secrets.
• Goldmoon's staff is more precious than you might first believe.
• Learn to use that compass.
• Not the bravest adventurer? Run away, heal, and then return.
• Save regularly. Save. Save. Save!!

There you go, I love big tips, me. With that in mind, let's pause for yet another screenshot...

This is the first secret room, and the magical waterfall cures everyone's injuries!

Aesthetics

Heroes of the Lance looks great; the dungeon’s gothic, medieval mood is perfect. Both the companions and monsters are beautifully drawn and nicely animated. Where it wobbles is the scrolling; it's average at best, but you soon discover that running compensates for the judder experienced when slowly walking.

The audio is strong with a cracking title tune that is perfectly apt for the adventure ahead. Things are different in-game with no background music, which is good. Instead, sampled effects for the hits, yelps, spell whooshes, and the odd clatter of falling rocks. Sparse, yes, but the samples are good and very satisfying.

Unless you're a crawler, you might disagree with me. Let me know. Hey, it's screenshot time...

We have valiantly braved the dangers and found the exit to the next level.

CryptO'pinion

I think the essence of what Heroes of the Lance sets out to do is ambitious, and anyone after a serious challenge will lap it up. It's brutally hard, though, and the endless waves of enemies can be annoying. Especially if you didn't spend a few minutes to grasp the fudgy sword controls before setting off on your quest.

As it's not an RPG (arghh) without the levelling/progression/etc/etc, exploration is key to your success, so look for helpful items and hidden secrets. Alongside all this, your thoughts and actions cannot be static, as you are always questioning who and what is best for any given moment, by adjusting your party/skills.

Will I ever make it to Khisanth’s lair and reclaim the Disks of Mishakal? Probably not. But that doesn’t stop me from firing it up for brutal sword-swinging, as I enjoy crawling through its infested dungeons. Also, I appreciate the lack of a linear path, which means it has a massive replay value. Heroes of the Lance isn’t perfect, but it’s far from the clunker some old magazines made it out to be, so I'm rating it a merciless 75%.

• Zuul #225 is a superb menu disk over on Atari Legend.
• Of course, this game is best from your hard drive thanks to 8BitChip.
• Our Quest sections now include an AD&D group you might like to check out.

Dragons are strong. Made worse by a skeleton attacking from behind.
My team is toast, but don't underestimate this action/adventure!!

Reliving 1984

Horror, by Sandy White

A while back, I was watching a video by Gears of Games. It wasn't even an ST game either! No, it was Ant Attack for the ZX Spectrum, and that got my thinking. Whilst I enjoyed that game as a kid, I wouldn't say I was captivated by it. Not like I was its sequel, Zombie Zombie. I remember being late for school many times, as we'd be playing it on a mate's computer (I didn't get my ZX Spectrum until Christmas that year)

So, bearing in mind that I love emulation... I booted up my Atari ST and loaded the brilliant ZX Spectrum emulator by Christian Gandler. Now, this emulator is good on the stock ST so long as the game doesn't use scrolling or feature in-game music. For example, Manic Miner (with music turned off) runs about 90/95% of the correct speed, which is just insane for me to fathom. Sadly, Zombie Zombie has scrolling, so its demands are heavy. It's still playable (but perhaps I'm best digging out my Mega STe to play it properly?).

For those unfamiliar, it was released by Quicksilva in 1984. Taking place in an 'open-world' isometric post-apocalyptic city with no people. Well, no living people!! Of course, there are a few roaming zombies to keep us entertained. The gameplay is easy to grasp yet challenging to master, whether you play as a boy or a girl. Moving around the abandoned city is easy because we have a helicopter!! Whether you walk or fly like Howling Mad Murdock, this is a free-roaming game. The challenge lies in staying safe, ensuring you don't get cornered, so strategically use the environment to your advantage. As in Dying Light, find a safe house.

I must admit, I was pleasantly shocked at how well my trusty Atari ST ran Zombie Zombie (stock 8MHz STe with 4MB RAM). I figured the scrolling would eliminate any possible chance of playability. Sure, it's slower and everything inside of me screams, "Steve, just use the Mega STe!", but I had bucket loads of laggy fun. I would estimate that the game (on a stock ST) is about 70% of the original game's speed. Not too bad most of the time, but the zombies are still far too quick for me. Yep, just use the Mega STe, Steve!!!

So why am I sharing this nonsense? No reason at all. I just love it, and emulating other computers using my Atari ST never fails to impress me. Anyhow, I enjoyed playing this great game after many years :-)

See you soon for the next [ST] game...

• The ST can emulate even more computers, which you'll discover by clicking here.
• Christian's excellent ZX Spectrum emulator can be downloaded from World of Spectrum.
• Gears of Games has a great YouTube Channel you should check out.
• I'd like to thank my two good friends, Doug and Paul, for their recent help.

Yeah, it needed 16MHz to be playable, but I still had fun like a 13-year-old!

When you begin, go for a fly about and explore from a safe distance.

When you're feeling brave, walk and climb the city's remains.

Hitting fire changes the camera view.

Unfortunately, I was still new to the controls and fell to my death!

Up on my feet again, I go exploring... and... I see a zombie!!

It's sad when a dead person has quicker reactions than me!! Sigh...

Douglas Rockmoor

Cave In? Cave On!

Boulder Dash is one of those games I used to see in magazines when I was a kid. Everyone seemed to rave on and enjoy it. However, I played a version on my ZX Spectrum that I didn't like because of the eye-popping scrolling. That's about as much as I recall if I'm honest. Fast forward to my Atari ST years, and I played a few more, but I wasn’t impressed with the less-than-smooth scrolling. A necessity for a game like this.

Then I saw Douglas Rockmoor by Gary Wheaton (aka Goth), which Budgie UK released in 1990 (I bought this, but not the sequel released a year later). The premise is exactly what you expect: we're in several labyrinths of caves filled with soil, diamonds, rocks, and a few nasty creatures. As you move, dirt is removed to create the pathway you've travelled. Sometimes, enemies are scarpering about, so look for any nearby rocks to cunningly eliminate them using gravity! You can also push rocks if there's a space behind them, but try to avoid being crushed yourself! Collect the diamonds, don't get trapped, and look for the exit to escape!

I've played both games today, which are much the same. The sequel has more levels and nicer graphics (not much!). In fact, I'm tempted to ask if these run in medium resolution, as only 4 colours are used (for the game). Sadly, a timer is present, and you know how much I hate those! But it begins to count down several seconds before the game is ready!! Also, it's worth noting that the silky-smooth scrolling runs at 50fps. Impressive, but also strange because the screen scrolls slower than the player moves, which is weird.

Anyhow, for someone who never enjoyed Boulder Dash, I quite liked these two games. However, they are extremely difficult and too tough for the likes of me, who found the first caves quite impossible! Regardless of my whinges, fans of the genre will no doubt be cave-struck with both Douglas Rockmoor games.

• Both games are downloadable from Atarimania.
• A hard drive version of the first game is over on 8BitChip.
• Wondering how smooth, eh? Check out Hundgirrid's excellent video recording.

This is the type of puzzle we face - how to kill that blocky alien!

Of course, you may also get yourself stuck!

This screen is scary! RUNNNNNN!!

Argh, I did it again and got myself stuck.

I started this cave and was immediately stuck!

Believe it or not, I only took this screenshot because I liked the colours!