Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar

The adventure continues

It's been a couple of weeks since I jumped into the bewitching world of Ultima IV, and you probably guessed that I'm addicted to this ancient role-player. As a complete newcomer to Britannia, I find the game constantly surprises me with its depth, freedom to explore, silly people, monstrous battles, and the sheer wonder of discovering new places. This is a game that has proven itself beyond any expectation I had.

If you're one of those people not on X, you've probably missed my progress updates. Well, this little article shows where I'm up to and what I have experienced so far. I hope you enjoy reading it.

My early wanderings

After poking around Castle Britannia and the nearby town of Britain, I've been venturing out further. This was a big step for me, as I gradually moved farther from "safety". This place has more than its fair share of monsters roaming the lands (and seas!). So, I've been making good use of the "H" key to Hole up and camp - ie, rest/recovery. It saves time and worry compared to desperately searching for the next town to recuperate in safely. It's not foolproof, though - sometimes something nasty interrupts to ambush your rest.

I've done a fair bit of grinding for XP and gold to upgrade weapons, armour, and supplies. However, only by returning to see Lord British in person did I receive the levelling I was owed. Also, recruiting companions took time to grasp. I figured anyone looking handy with a sword might be persuaded to join. Sadly, no one ever agreed to join me. It was only by chance that I later found a willing couple - Iolo and Jaana. Their ranged attacks make combat more varied and less melee-centred than when I was alone.

It's not all about fighting hideous monsters; this is a game of exploration and clue-gathering:

It feels silly to admit communication, as games like this thrive on it. Ultima IV feels different, and you won't get anywhere without a chinwag. When talking to someone, you may ask their name, health, or job. But it's how you respond to their reply that matters, as they lay the foundation for clues. For example, when in Yew, someone may mention 'justice', so you respond with that word to dig for information. I've learned that whatever noun they use, that is how to investigate.

Of course, it also pays to search thoroughly everywhere you go. For example, near Britain's Manor (ie, the Inn), there is an odd-looking corner. It appears to hold no value, yet it is rather peculiar in that it leads nowhere. I noticed it straight away, but thought nothing more until I happened to stay over one night. Then I decided to use Search and uncovered a hidden rune!!

Since then, I've taken this approach with all towns, only to discover they often have secret passageways (Doom style via a hidden part of a wall). They might not always lead to a Rune, but often to an inaccessible area that may hold access to a new store, treasure chests, or simply a location with new people that you need to speak to. Lesson: search everywhere.

Tides of Discovery

After several hours, I hit a major milestone: during my earlier travels, I'd noticed many areas were unreachable by land, and figured I needed to purchase a ship. Confusingly, no shop sold them, but I'd seen them in the intro, so I knew it was an option. While near the town of Yew, I spotted one, but that experience didn't go well, as the ship stayed out of boarding range and peppered me with cannon fire. After dying and restoring my saved game, I realised the water near the shore must have been too shallow. That got me thinking...

I went on a walk to see if the island had coastal areas with deeper waters along the shoreline. Turns out that there are many places that do, and a ship appeared. Uncanny, right? Well, I won and took charge of their vessel. Sailing around Britannia is fantastic and reveals parts I had previously noticed were off-limits. Of course, the open water brings new dangers. I've already had some memorable scrapes with Giant Squids, Serpents, and other ships. In fact, I've amassed three ships, which I've left idle around the southern islands.

Not all good

Ultima IV rewards patience and curiosity; however, I'm still reminded how new I am to the game, as I've noticed something called Moongates appearing in certain locations. I haven't sussed out how they work with the moon phases, but stepping through one for the first time (after a quick save) whisked me into Magincia. This is a town full of "friendly" monsters, with some drinking in the pub and shopping! Sadly, the shops wouldn't serve me, so they weren't that friendly, I guess. I left here a bit bewildered but very much alive.

Also, I know very little about the Runes I've collected, although I've noticed that each town seems to revolve around a particular Virtue. This is where the corresponding Rune comes into play, as they are hidden within the boundary of each town. Quite what I'm supposed to do with these Runes remains a mystery. My next step is to spend more time talking to the townsfolk and paying closer attention to what they say.

Finally, I've had an early glimpse into a dungeon, which I found by sheer luck while mountain climbing in the north. Upon entering, I found everything dark, so I panicked and scrambled for the documentation. Hitting the "I" key to ignite my one and only torch did the trick, revealing the dungeon in all its glory. How this plays into the adventure, I don't know, but it's presented in first-person and looks stunning.

Confusion abounds, but try to tell me this isn't a fascinating game, and I'll come over and slap you.

Follow me

I'll keep posting updates and progress photos on X as I go (link is filtered for "Ultima IV"). Feel free to follow me (but don't be a knob and tell me where to go or what to do. No spoilers, please, as I'm discovering Ultima IV for myself, albeit very slowly). Hey, just sit back and enjoy the journey. I know I am.

Since beginning this article, I've increased to level 5 and found a mage called Mariah. This might be the start of something special, with someone at the party who has magical abilities. Sadly, the only magic I currently know is how to cure and heal. Very handy but hardly offensive, so I experimented by mixing reagents. By sheer guesswork, I learned how to make fireballs by mixing reagents Sulfur Ash and Black Pearl.

Onward I go, Avatar!

Cuppa tea and Ultima IV... Living the dream.

Sometimes you ask a silly question, and you get a silly response :)

Get too close to something in the water, and the fight is on.

This shocked me big time! I never expected a first-person dungeon to look this good!

Yes, I have a ship, so I went exploring. By sheer luck, I found another Moongate!!

Defensive Alien Remoting Command

Hidden GEMs

Every so often, I weirdly stumble upon something that wasn't hidden but is new to me. Both DARC and DARC II are first-person shooters I’ve likely seen at some point but since forgotten (why does that keep happening?). Anyhow, Dieter Marfurt released these around 1996, and the second isn’t strictly a sequel; it’s essentially the completed game, so the one to boot up and play (well, if you ignore its dreadful intro).

The year is 2153, following the world’s destruction by nuclear contamination. To restore the Earth’s fauna, a team is sent 2,000 ft underground to find a backup(!) we can restore. However, the contamination mutated the life forms down there into aggressive Zorks that angrily roam the corridors. The place is huge, the corridors are dark, and monsters are waiting for you. Dare you venture in to save the planet?

Sounds great, right? Yeah, it does, and I love first-person shooters! Let's see a screenshot...

A Substation-like maze with little red devils running around!

Gameplay

Both games are first-person shooters similar to Substation or Destruction Imminent. No matter what the documentation says, the engine isn't Doom and more like Wolfenstein, which is still cool. The gameplay involves navigating your team through dark, mutant-infested corridors, collecting items, and battling the red devils (Zorks). These guys are quick and never in the mood to talk - so shoot first and ask no questions. But trigger-happy adventurers will need to source pickups, as your ammo will not last long.

The first thing that struck me was the engine's speed and agility. Walking around and exploring the maze is surprisingly fast and smooth. Possibly because of the Blitter being used, although the game still works on older machines. The colour palette is murky and quite spooky as you begin to scour the badly-lit corridors. However, the joystick/keyboard controls are strange and will take some getting used to. Unlike the above-mentioned games, you cannot simply walk and turn as you would expect. It is (ahem) slightly different:

• For example, if you prefer the joystick, pushing up/down moves you forward/backwards. Pushing left/right will sidestep. To actually turn around, you must move left/right whilst pressing the fire button. To shoot, press up and fire at the same time. Yes, it's most peculiar.
• I found the keyboard miles better: walking forward = 8, walking backwards = 2, sidestep left = 4, sidestep right = 6, and firing is done by slapping that space bar. Now comes the cool part: turning around is performed using the cursor keys in all four directions. As you can see, this is a two-handed game, but I gotta admit, this octopus arrangement works surprisingly well.
• Additionally, whatever method you use, you can switch between team members by pressing "y, x, c, v". If you're lost, press M for a map, and press D if the music is making you anxious!
• Doom had been out for years, so I'm baffled by how complicated this is.

As with anything, practice makes perfect, so have a game or two before you play properly...

Screenshots really do this game no justice. Anyhow, grab that ammo!

CryptO'pinion

Playing DARC II is unusual, but an absolute blast. The engine is fantastic, especially given the competition, and it's still running on an 8MHz computer. The Blitter makes everything a tad quicker compared to the older STs, and the thumbing background music adds so much to the already genuinely chilling atmosphere.

However, I don't really see the point of having a team of players rather than being a Doomguy, since there's no real gameplay benefit other than "extra lives". Sadly, ammo is scarce, as caches are very rare, but my biggest issue is the size of the underground. It’s enormous and likely too vast to fully explore.

Okay, for all its faults, DARC II is incredibly enjoyable. The engine alone blows me away, and even more once I discovered it was coded in GFA BASIC!! Yep, I love this shooter and exploring through the dark, murky corridors is great. Substation remains unbeaten, but if you enjoyed that, then you're gonna love this one.

• Download both games from Atarimania.
• Click here for more first-person shooters for the Atari ST/e.
• Hey, both games use the Blitter, so let's add 'em to the Enhanced List.

Up-close and personal. Prepare to die!

Oh no, they're ganging up on me now!!

Hang on, what's that? Let's kill them and find out.

DARC has a superb map, so hit the M key and don't get lost.

Things get even better in DARC II with extra information to assist.

The Vodka Demo

Alcohol is good for you

For me, The Vodka Demo stands as a defining moment in the Atari ST demoscene. It pushes 16-bit limitations far beyond (my) expectations. It also bridges the gap between older and newer demo styles, with some rather cool screens. Released by the mighty Equinox in 1991, it showcases some impressive technical wizardry, especially its game-like menu. Of course, each demo pushes the ST to its limits with stunning colours, speed, full-screen displays, and gorgeous YM2149 sounds. It’s pure early 90s black magic.

I'm reaching that point where I always say the same thing: download and play this megademo on a proper Atari ST if you can. It's far superior and the best way to experience this outstanding production.

Demozoo has the download, plus a dedicated group page for Equinox.

Credits

---

Fab - Music (Unlimited Bobs screen)

Krueger - Code

Moby - Music (Intro)

Starlion - Code

Steprate - Code

One of those screenshots that does no justice to the smooth movement of colour.

I guess no screenshot ever does a demo justice? Yep, like this one!

Never did I understand the concept of these sprite challenges. Use it in a game!

Wow, this demo is mind-blowing. Love it. Love it. Love it!!!

Oh dear, why did I take these screenshots? Look, just get the demo downloaded.

I love how smoothly the dragon moves. Those eyes though.. Arghh, those eyes!!

A nicely timed capture, and the message is right. The ST is better than Psygnosis thought.

A hidden screen, and it's by one of my favourite groups too!

Yeah, this demo has style by the bucket load!!

No megademo is worth its salt without a cool reset screen :)

SpaceWar: The Next Generation

SpaceWar!

Steve Russell developed this unique space-combat video game in (wait for it) 1962. Two players control spaceships, nicknamed "the needle" and "the wedge," engaged in a dogfight while manoeuvring within the gravitational pull of a central star. Sounds simple. It is, but it was groundbreaking back then.

Fast-forward thirty years, and along comes Howard Jones (no, not that Howard Jones, so don’t expect any pop/synth music), who decided that the Atari ST definitely deserved a slice of this historic action. His 1992 remake keeps the soul of the original while sprinkling in some extra ST magic. And if you’re lucky enough to have an STe, you even get enhanced DMA sound effects to really crank up the atmosphere.

The gameplay is dead simple: two ships, one star, and a cargo hold of torpedoes. The needle/wedge is replaced with something that looks kinda like Grav, but the game itself remains the same. You’re locked in a frantic tug-of-war with gravity, constantly fighting against the star’s relentless pull while trying to line up your shots. Matches are fast and chaotic, with extra options to tweak gravity, add ship functions, and more.

Visually, it's fairly minimal, but also excellent because the gravitational field doesn’t just drag your ship around – it bends pixels in a way that feels almost T2K hypnotic. As for the audio, the STe’s DMA is brilliant with loads of crunchy shots/blasts/death, but even on a regular ST, the sound effects are great.

SpaceWar honours the original very well, and for such a simple idea, it’s incredibly addictive!

• Atarimania has the download, including the documentation.
• Check out YouTube if you're wondering what a game from 1962 looked like.
• SpaceWar proudly blasts its way into the Enhanced Games list.

Tinker with the game, bounce mode is fun, but I preferred wrap.

Red is trying to catch up, but is getting a bit too close to the star.

Death to all blues!

Woo, getting a bit too close there!

Weeeee, we love to fly!

Death!

Ultima IV

And so it begins...

I've been lucky the last few years and enjoyed a number of great games like Cosmos Chronicles, Times of Lore, Shadow Sorcerer, Questron II, Phantasie, and more (but not Knightmare!). So, I went on the lookout for something new (to me), and Ultima IV struck a chord, as it's not something that's been played before. Plus, the storyline was very different, and I fancied a game that would last for the long term.

This won't be a walkthrough or anything silly like that; I simply wanted to enjoy the journey. So, I'm approaching Ultima IV as I would have done back in 1988: armed with the original map (albeit an online copy - thanks AL), my notebook, and a willingness to get muddled and lost. I'll be looking forward to learning how Britannia works, as I'm completely new to it. However, only as I write this am I wondering why I'm not beginning with the first game (well, Ultima II for the ST). Yep, I'm just very awkward.

So what is the storyline? Well, this was quite a shocking moment, as there doesn't seem to be a big bad baddie to slay - or at least die trying. Nope, Ultima IV is set after the defeat of Exodus (from the third game). Peace has returned to Britannia, but I fear that Lord British isn't totally happy, as monsters still roam the land and darkness resides in people's hearts (as always). So, we have been summoned to become a good example for all, to prove ourselves worthy of a far greater title. You guessed it, that Avatar malarky.

I gotta admit, I was shocked by this alternative storyline objective. Britannia isn't saved by the clang of swords, but by the spirit; our goal is to master the Eight Virtues through exploration and wisdom. Yikes, this journey kinda worries this old melee warrior, but it also appears quite compelling, too. I'm all in!

The legendary opening sequence of Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar...

Day one...

So, I dug out PP's version of Ultima IV, as it supports installation on the hard drive and saves don't require a floppy. It's brilliant and highly recommended over any cracked menu disk. My first few hours have been a mixture of wonder, excitement and complete bewilderment. The interface is straightforward enough, presenting Britannia from an overhead perspective, while the controls remind me a little of Questron II. Initially, I thought the command-driven approach was a bit over the top, but that was simply me being a knob. Need to open a door? Press O. Ready a weapon? Press R. Wanna attack something? Press A. /etc/etc...

Emerging from the castle, I found myself outside in the fresh air after finally figuring out how to escape using ladders and doors. I went for a wander and immediately loved the environment and the way enemies appeared rather than materialising out of thin air. This makes Britannia feel more realistic, like a living place rather than a collection of random encounters. Exploration is a cinch and enjoyable, but I stayed close to his castle because I didn't fully understand the fundamentals of survival. i.e., health, food, recovery, and so on. Plus, I could see a skeleton getting closer. What should I do? Run back inside or stand and fight?

Of course, I fought! And this part of the game reminded me a lot of Cosmos Chronicles (or should that be the other way around, lol). Of course, fights are turn-based, but the action flows quickly enough that encounters feel exciting as you scurry to ready a weapon. These battles are superbly thought out and a lot of fun - especially as the music changes, which enhances the atmosphere. More so with a Roland MT-32!!

At this moment, I'm staying close to the safety of Castle Britannia and a town called Britain (great names). I don't wish to travel far in case I get poisoned by a snake, jumped on by monsters when camping, run out of food, and so on. I need to grind, earn some XP and get more gold to afford supplies such as food, weaponry, armour, and so on. I expect this grind will last a while before I feel comfortable. Also, I should consider forming a party, as it's lonely atm. Yep, I haven't even scratched a millimetre off its surface.

I have no plans for future updates, but you never know. Follow my progress on X (Twitter) by using this tagged link. I'm going to enjoy this adventure! Hey, are there any fans out there? Silly question, right?

Oh, and I'm playing using real hardware, so there are no nice screenshots coming...

Yep, I recently acquired a Roland MT-32. Beautiful music!

So I'm still quite new here. Hence, heading out into the dangerous world alone.

Gotta love the characters you meet. I need a spicy woman!

A little later on, someone was selling a horse. So, I bought it. No idea why!

Cannon Fodder [WIP]

Fodder Reborn

When Cannon Fodder hit the shelves in 1993, it wasn’t just another game - it was an instant cult classic. Rightly so, it's a cool mix of action, strategy, and a dollop of dark humour thrown in for good measure. I loved the game and even had the Atari Jaguar version, which played better than I expected using a pad.

The game has us commanding a tiny squadron of soldiers, leading them through jungles, deserts, and snowfields, looking for enemies to blast to smithereens. We could use machine guns and grenades, blowing up little huts and generally running around like the A-Team, killing everything. So much fun!

I was thrilled when Cannon Fodder eventually arrived on the ST. However, this joy was short-lived as it became evident that we had been saddled with a lazy port without proper horizontal scrolling. For me, this has always been a bitter pill to swallow for over three decades. I’m not interested in excuses; a bad workman always blames his tools. Confusingly, this was the same person who gave us Sensible Soccer. Wow!

Fast forward three+ decades, and we finally have a proper Cannon Fodder with horizontal scrolling thanks to Krzysztof (kTz) Jarzyna of Retro Blitter Team (you need an Atari STe or an ST w/Blitter). No need to rub your eyes in disbelief, as it's true - no more jarring screen flips! Now, the battlefield scrolls as your squad advances. So, Cannon Fodder is fully playable without the need to look over our shoulders at the Amiga fanboys. Not only that, but Hospes will soon improve the intro's graphics with PP's background music!!

I'd like to tip my (virtual) hat to Krzysztof, as he's obviously worked hard hacking away at the code to improve it. It's still a WIP (I believe), but after all these years, we have a fully playable game. That makes me very happy!! So gear up, as we’re finally entering battle in a version the Atari always deserved!!

Here are loads of links to the new game, along with loads of other cool stuff...

• Retro Blitter Team's Cannon Fodder is available for download (*WIP*).
• This ultra-sexy new version has been added to my list of Enhanced Games. Check it out.
• Fancy something different from war? How about skiing with Whipper Snapper Race?
• I couldn't finish without mentioning this classic Golden Dawn intro!!
• kTz and Hospes are featured on Demozoo.

Update - I've made a new video with the background audio on.

I made a little video, just to show the horizontal scrolling.

If in doubt, lob a grenade as quickly as possible!!

Finally, after decades, I'm actually playing through Cannon Fodder!

Shall I risk wading across the water or look for a better route?

The desert proves tough with hidden traps, so don't get blown up!

The Dukes of Hazzard comes to the world of Cannon Fodder!!

Very tough now, especially with guys off-screen accurately firing at me!

Times of Lore

Eat, Sleep, Slay

Times of Lore, released in 1989 by Origin Systems, might initially appear like another Ultima, but it's actually more of an action-adventure. The story revolves around King Valwyn of Albareth, who once defended his kingdom against invading barbarian forces. This victory came at a terrible cost. Wounded, he abandoned the city in search of healing only to vanish without a trace. Well, that was a wise move! Now the kingdom is vulnerable, and the land cries out for a hero. Yep, you! Your mission is to journey across Albareth in search of three powerful artefacts once thought to safeguard the realm. Let’s get out there and save the day!

The game starts with the "Times of Lore" logo being chiselled and coloured, a process I thoroughly enjoyed watching unfold. When you begin, a wonderful introduction featuring fantastic artwork details the storyline. I loved this as it is informative and atmospheric, and it features remarkably well-drawn illustrations. After that, you choose your hero; nothing more. It's not true character creation with stats, skills, rolls, etc. Simply pick from three pre-made archetypes: a barbarian, a knight, or a valkyrie. They all appear much the same, but I noticed the Valkyrie seemed to have weaker damage, so I went with the Knight.

Your adventure begins after spending a night in a tavern in Eralan. Wipe the sleep from your eyes and head downstairs - it's like a Wetherspoons, with people already up and enjoying themselves. Take a look around, and you will soon see a Monk who asks for your help. He sends you on your first quest: recovering the Foretelling Stones from the woodlands north of town. Before you leave, have a chat with the Innkeeper to see what he knows and maybe buy some provisions for the journey. There are various Inns scattered about the land, and you'll soon find that these places are most essential. Also, conversations feel surprisingly satisfying, especially compared to the limited one-liners I recently experienced in Questron II.

I never thought I’d quickly find another game to capture my interest so soon, but here we are...

With three characters to choose from, I went straight for the burly knight!

As you explore, you'll meet plenty of people... To kill.

Adventures of Albareth

As you begin this quest, it feels like the game is offering a tutorial. The initial gameplay will feel sluggish, a deliberate design choice due to the items you’ll later seek out (no spoilers). You quickly grasp the structure and gameplay mechanics, such as the sudden unfriendliness of creatures outside the town. Yep, the countryside is teeming with wandering enemies like Orcs, Skeletons, Rogues, and more (later).

The most striking thing about Times of Lore is the sheer size of its world. Albareth feels genuinely enormous. There’s freedom to wander almost anywhere you like, and that open-ended exploration is easily one of the game’s biggest strengths. It reminded me of Questron II in that respect, only on a much larger scale. The curious part is that this game somehow feels both linear and non-linear, at the same time.

Everything is viewed from above, with movement in four directions. Combat is incredibly simple and brutally direct: just hammer the fire button to swing away at anything that looks mean. Defeated enemies collapse into tombstones and occasionally leave behind items. Early on, I found a throwing dagger, which adds a ranged attack (but it’s a bit annoying that it doesn’t automatically collect when walking over it).

The user interface is excellent and performs as well as in Battlemaster, which I found most pleasing. There are several icons at the bottom of the screen that you can access by tapping the spacebar: talking, examining, picking up items, checking your inventory, giving items, and more. After only a few minutes, it becomes second nature, and it fits the style well when interacting with someone/something.

Use the icon to check your inventory! Make sure you have enough rations, it's a long journey...

What I love about the characters is, oddly, their death as they crumble into bones.

The wilderness is dangerous, but towns are friendly. So, chit-chat with the locals.

Wandering Into Trouble

As you begin the Monk's quest, you'll notice there are no limits. Nothing physically stops you from ignoring him and heading off in a completely different direction. Of course, early on, this freedom can be dangerous, as you're not fully equipped (as you'll soon discover). Also, more than once, I caught myself wondering whether Albareth might actually be a touch too big for its own good. Inside the box is a map - pin it on your wall.

So, getting back on course, we should instead follow his request and head north into the forest. As you travel, you'll notice that the world is in real-time, with people and monsters going about their daily business. Time is remarkably well thought out, using a long day/night schedule. This doesn't affect gameplay much, but certain key characters might be asleep at night. And no, you can't wake them up!

The world is daunting, and you're glad there is a map inside the box (or online for those with a dodgy copy). Follow the track, passing by a building that you should investigate. A little later, you begin to see water - that marks the time to head into those forests to properly begin. These woods are a maze, but remember the dead ends as you turn around to take the right track. Eventually, you will reach an opening, and battle commences. These guys are tough!! Why not use the static obstacles to your advantage?

Have I mentioned the map inside the box enough times? Also, get ready to make notes...

Surely you checked out that cabin in the woods?

After what feels like a slog, you make it to the campsite for your first quest!!

No Gold, No Bed

By now, you've realised that Times of Lore is not an RPG in the traditional sense. Sure, there’s an overhead viewpoint reminiscent of Ultima, towns filled with NPCs offering hints and gossip, food to keep you alive, taverns to sleep in, and even a day/night cycle. However, there are no experience points, levelling systems, armour upgrades, or much real progression beyond obtaining some important items later on.

Other RPG features also seem absent, such as reputation systems, although after many hours of play, I noticed something curious: people happily welcomed me in Eralan and Lankwell, yet those in Hampton and the Last Hope Inn suddenly started ignoring me. Perhaps I accidentally killed someone important, or maybe I was a little too enthusiastic, swinging my weapon near civilisation rather than safely out in the wilderness.

Hit points are displayed as a burning candle down the side of the screen - the lower the flame sinks, the worse your condition becomes. Standing still restores a tiny amount of health, although it’s painfully slow, making inns the best option for recovery and saving your progress. Interestingly, being inside (most) buildings is always a safe refuge from wandering enemies. Also, it doesn't cost a penny! If you have time?

The game has a mild magic system with a few potions and scrolls (you can carry only one of each type). However, there is no identification scroll, and using the menu's eyeball option often provides little information beyond its appearance, not what it does. Thankfully, I did find a green potion, which proved most helpful, especially during those underground explorations, as it restores your energy/hit points.

Like a Gauntlet warrior, get up close and personal to hit your opponent hard in the face. As you can only move in four directions, so can the enemies. Their path to you is humorously odd, but it works well. As you progress, good explorers will easily find alternative weapons after listening to NPC chatter. Again, no spoilers as I don't wish to ruin the adventure, but there is a superb range weapon south of your starting point.

Gold is used differently than I expected, as there are no shops or trade possibilities. Instead, it's used for a night's rest at a tavern (also saves the game). Additionally, you can also purchase provisions (food packs), which your character will automatically eat at periodic times. So, let that gold build up to around 100+ units so you can rest often, eat well, and be ready to buy the upgrades, if you explore well enough.

The challenge comes from listening to NPC clues, making notes, exploring unfamiliar territory, and figuring out where you're expected to go next. Your main concern is remembering what you've been told, listening to advice, using the map, and keeping track of food supplies. Staying alive is paramount. Shocking, right?

Much of that was tough to explain without using spoilers!! So, read on...

Sometimes people can be vague, so use your map and think about their directions.

Talking to NPCs is often fruitful, and the scroll he mentions is rather nifty!!

My Journal [spoilers!!]

Let me be honest: I have always liked the look of this game whenever I've seen magazine screenshots or (years later) YouTube videos. However, each time I tried playing, the screen size and scrolling speed disappointed me. Thankfully, as I've got older, I have realised what a knobhead I was and tried it again. 🙃

Yep, I'm glad I returned to this game before I die, as it's shocked me how great it is. No gripping conclusion just yet, but I will admit that this is one of those games I have thoroughly enjoyed beyond my foolish initial impressions. Hey, do you follow me on X? I've posted lots of progress updates there.

So, with that in mind, I have documented my general progress with helpful hints, aka spoilers...

• Get ready to make notes (as there is no journal to look back on) and grab the map from inside the box. Didn't buy the game, eh? Well, Atarimania has a photo, and it's pretty much essential as it corresponds to the vague guidance and information given by key characters.
• Don't leave the Inn until you've spoken with the monk for your first quest.
• Exit and head northwards to follow the main path leading into the woodlands.
• Examine the woodsman's cabin to gain an optional range weapon.
• Continue heading northeasterly until you see water.
• From there, head directly north, and you will follow a rough path through the woods. Eventually, after many U-turns, you will reach the Orc camp. Kill everyone and grab the Urn.
• Return to the village of Eralan.
• Give the Urn to the Monk in the Inn.
• Speak to the Innkeeper and get a night's sleep if low on energy.
• You may need to buy provisions from him?
• By now, you have completed your first quest and have also become a bit of a Ranger, too.
• Maybe you collected some cool items? Check your inventory!
• The Monk said to see the Regent, who sends you on your second quest "southwards" in search of a tablet for your second quest.
• This is where the map proves helpful, as I wasn't sure what he meant. So I went for a walk and ended up in Lankwell by mistake. However, this was a fortunate move, as I managed to buy an extraordinary Axe from a Serf after scouring every building in the town. This is next-level progress and, unlike the dagger, isn't dropped when thrown.
• I figured the Regent might have meant for me to travel to Hampton or Ganestor, so I headed across the desert, killing everything in my wake.
• I came across another tavern north of the desert. You may wish to stop for a night's rest?
• It was here that another Serf told me of the desert ruins and their history of a Lyche that can only be killed with Holy Water. Remember that.
• I went back, but those ruins are in the western part of the desert and locked (for now).
• He also said I need to search for a Friar Kaine in Rhyder, but that's miles away up north. Are you making notes after talking with NPCs?
• Anyhow, I made my way to Hampton, which has a tavern. It's around now that I realised I had spent most of my gold on the Axe, and was running low. So, I didn't stay the night and hid inside to replenish the energy I had lost.
• Regardless, it's often better to buy provisions (food packs) rather than pay for a night's sleep (sometimes they drop after killing enemies).
• There are more woodlands near here, to the north in a place called Treela. If you're feeling brave, why not explore this region and look for a little village within? Who knows what items might be for sale? After all, a good explorer needs decent footwear. /hint
• The only place left that is south of my location was Ganestor. Eventually, I found the Regent's tablet, but it wasn't obvious, as the entrance was locked. Weirdly, there is a cellar in another building that could have a secret passageway. Perhaps you should check that out?
• Now you need to return the tablet to complete your second quest.
• It was now that I felt lost. Not within the world, but wondering where my third quest might come from. So, I checked out the map and figured, why not have a wander northwards? I stumbled upon an Orc Giant east of Rhyder. He's angry and very tough (he may drop something special!!).
• However, there was nothing here that seemed to trigger the third quest.
• A little south, near Treela, is a small tower. Inside is Irial. Progress, at last!
• He advises us to see an Assassin, located in the south. The game isn't clear, but the assassin will hand over a Confession document, which needs to be taken to the Warden at Ganestor.
• That place is locked shut, remember?
• Heidric is actually the Warden in Ganestor, which I didn't realise at first.
• Give him the Confession.
• He talks a lot and asks me to seek out a traitor. I remembered that an earlier NPC said he might be within Ganestor. See, always make notes... ahem...
• This was actually an easy part of the game because all the guards were at their posts. Whereas the traitor isn't.
• When trying to chat with him, he accuses you of following him, so expect a fight.
• Now go to see the Warden again, who informs you about a family matter a little north of Ganestor.
• Ignore the given location; although it's actually pretty close by to the east.
• When complete, he is thankful and asks that you revisit Irial for a trial in the desert ruins. Finally, we get to see those locked places in/near the desert!
• There is a Lyche here. Make the wrong move, and you're dead.
• Sadly, we now begin the only part of the entire game I didn't like. You're expected to activate floor switches - in the correct order - by walking on them. There is no way to know which order is correct, and there are many tiles. Without any clues to the order of hitting these switches, this quest made no sense. So I resorted to an online map, killed the Lyche, and revisited Irial.
• Wow, this guy demands a lot as he sends you back. Only this time, we're at the Blasted Spot just west of the desert looking for chimes. Again, this is just like the previous part, so I cheated as it is impossible otherwise.
• Completing that, Irial sends you to Angor to tackle the Grey Abbot.
• Oddly, I never did get to see the dark fog that a few NPCs told me about. Nor did I get to battle a Dragon, located in the north. I guess these are optional mini-quests.
• Perhaps I should have explored those areas before killing the Abbot? Meh, he's dead now!

This neatly completes my personal journal through the Times of Lore. Let's see some pics...

Not everyone is completely helpful. I looked for that fog, but never found it...

And I searched everywhere, but found no dragon.

CryptO'pinion

Despite a few frustrations, there’s something genuinely absorbing about Times of Lore, but let's start with some of the quirks I didn't care for. New players might find the scrolling frustratingly sluggish, but the Magic Boots fix this. However, the gameplay speed should have been that good from the start. Albareth consistently reveals its obvious design limitations, with the same enemies appearing almost everywhere across its regions. And don't get me started on the two dungeons near the end of the adventure - very tiresome and illogical.

Stop moaning, Steve. Somehow, none of this stopped me from becoming completely engrossed in its adventure (which you saw on X/Twitter, I'm sure). In fact, this is quite a charming game: NPCs offer cryptic hints rather than clear instructions, nudging you toward locations, items, suspicious characters, or looming undiscovered dangers. You’re expected to make notes, study the included map, remember names, and actually think about what people are telling you. The game never holds you by the hand, and I loved that.

What makes Times of Lore particularly interesting is how it uses the appearance of an RPG without being one. There’s no experience system, no grinding, and very little reason to slaughter every creature you encounter. Gold is only relevant for a few nice but non-essential purchases. Even sleeping at the taverns feels optional, well, unless your health is desperately low. Instead, the real progression comes through exploration, curiosity, and piecing together clues. Talk to people, pay attention, and gradually things make sense. Combat remains straightforward throughout. The simplistic one-button controls and excellent user interface make the game consistently easy and enjoyable. Most enemies can simply be hacked apart with satisfying brutality, especially once you acquire the magical axe, which transforms battles using deadly range attacks.

And that’s really the magic of Times of Lore. Beneath its slow beginning, vague directions, and old-school rough edges lies an enthralling action-adventure that completely pulled me into its world. The game trusts the player to explore, experiment, and use their own common sense. Stick with it, find the boots, buy the axe, make plenty of notes, and you will discover one of the Atari ST’s most absorbing fantasy adventures.

Despite that slow start, Times of Lore completely won me over - an easy 90%.

• Atarimania has a dump of the original floppy disk with a copy of the much-needed map.
• Automation released this game on one of their disks, which you can find at Exxos.
• Untested by me, but there are a couple more floppy disk images here.
• This is the one. A cool hard disk download by 8BitChip.
• Le Fétiche Micro has a great walkthrough. Don't ruin the game - only use it if you're stuck!!
• Did you see my first cheeky post for Times of Lore? :^)