Adam Is Me

Think. Push. Win.

I know I’m really slow to get this featured, and I can only apologise as everyone seems to have played it already! Adam is Me was released as a "party version" a couple of years ago at Sommarhack, but I’ve finally managed to boot it up and have a play (and pull out loads of my hair). This is a 2023 conversion of the Retronics' 8-bit game developed by a range of ST heroes, and programmed by George Nakos of Bello Games (do you remember the incredible Bugziacs?). The graphics are superbly designed by Sebastien Lucas and Niels Kleine. Mesmerising audio by Per Almered and Mathieu Stempell, with sound effects by Stephen Lavelle.

Now, as you've seen over the years, I'm not the best person to judge a puzzle game! I've played many, but I've only gelled with a few that I thought were fantastic, as my lamer brain holds me back. So, with great apprehension, I booted up Adam Is Me, and the first thing that struck me was the incredibly colourful loading screen, a Star Trek take featuring GGN's name displayed alongside scrumptious chip music.

Beginning your first game takes you into the stars, as the puzzles are batched into groups. We are a plucky little robot called Adam, wandering through a world where the rules are written out in plain English. The first level is easy (even for me) as it shows you the gameplay basics, with the rules clearly displayed. All levels have instructions, and these change the format depending on whether they're active or not.

So, level one begins with the command "Box Is Push", which means you can push those boxes out of the way. There are other commands shown on the screen, like Vial is Pick and Wall is Stop. This means you can collect the vials, and a wall will stop your movements (like you'd expect from a wall). You will also see Ship is Win, which means you complete the level by walking in (once you have collected all the vials).

The concept is peculiar yet simplistic, as it influences each puzzle in unexpectedly baffling ways. Later levels don’t just display these instructions off-screen - they become part of the puzzle itself. This means you might split them apart to disable a rule, or merge with another rule to cleverly solve the problem. I’ll freely admit that I didn’t fully grasp this unusual concept the first time I encountered it. Ahem...

These puzzles are pure brain-twisters; one moment you’re tweaking commands to, say, open a hidden pathway, and the next you’re staring at the screen in disbelief, wondering if the level designer was a fruitcake, because nothing makes the slightest sense. The idea is genius, but also undeniably sadistic - after staring at the same puzzle for longer than I’d like to confess, the logic eventually began to make a kind of sense. But wait - there is no timer to rush you through the experience, which is perfect for a game like this. I also appreciate the "Undo" option, which has been particularly helpful after I made silly mistakes. And I made many!

I must say, this game is marvellous. Not only is the concept unexpected, but the aesthetics are beautiful to boot. This is the sort of puzzler where you sit down for a "quick go" and fail miserably (or is it just me?). Then, hours later, you’re still playing. It's absolutely fantastic and one of the best puzzlers there is.

• Atarimania has the official party version released at Sommarhack 2023.
• There is a new version on Atari-Forum with bug fixes!
• GGN has been involved in loads of excellent stuff, and here are some I love!
• Can use the DMA/JagPad on the Atari STe. Here is a list of some more enhanced games.

The first level introduces you nicely. Look at the rules listed at the top.

As you can see, it states: who you are and that you cannot walk through walls.
Also, vials should be collected, boxes can be pushed, and the ship exits.

By the fourth level, things are tricky. Did you know that these rules can be changed?

How can we cross the lake when it says "Lake is Sink"? Try flipping the other rules?

You wouldn't believe how long it took me to beat this screen!!

It's so simple, the answer is right there staring at you...

As I type, I've still not figured this one out.

Can anyone help? It's driving me insane!!

The second stage blows my mind in whole new ways.

Surrounded by water, it says Deep is Sink. That means you die!

But this is the first level (easy), so push a little before altering the rules.

This is another puzzle I've yet to suss out!!