Questron II

A lone quest

Questron II stands as the only entry in the series to grace the Atari ST. Oddly, it serves as a prequel to the original and reveals that the long-standing peace in Landor is only possible because the hero is sent back in time to prevent the Black Tome from ever being created. Confused? Well, this epic journey unfolds across two distinct continents - Landor and the even more dangerous Realm of Sorcerers. The ultimate goal is to defeat six wicked sorcerers before they complete their forbidden book and forever seal the fate of the world.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Initially, we are a lone adventurer exploring the realm of Landor, completing quests that gradually strengthen us, ready for the big battles. You know, it's the usual stuff heroes are expected to do daily. If you’ve played something like Ultima and Phantasie, you will have an idea of what to expect: towns, castles, wilderness, and monster-infested dungeons scattered across a sizeable island.

First things first, character creation is almost non-existent. Aside from choosing a name, that’s it. That came as quite a surprise - no class selection, no skill allocation, and no stat tinkering. You start as a Serf equipped with just a dagger, rawhide armour, some food, a Gold Key, and a Book of Magic (which is your source of spells). Progression comes later, but not in the way you might expect! More on that later.

Movement around Landor will be instantly familiar and is performed with the cursor keys (or mouse). There is a list of commands for inventory, wearing equipment, speaking, fighting, and more. It’s initially a bit overwhelming, but soon becomes second nature. I love that it’s displayed on the screen for easy reference.

Out in the wilderness, encounters are frequent and mostly aggressive. So pressing "F" initiates combat for one turn. Not every encounter is hostile; some characters will trade or offer information (for a price) if you press "S" to speak. Combat is simple: you take turns exchanging blows. Damage is determined by your Strength, Agility, equipment and your opponent’s gear. Oddly, the game doesn’t explicitly display weapon damage statistics, but the price in shops gives you a good understanding. Ie, the higher the price, the better it is.

This is starting to sound good, with new islands to explore and turn-based combat...

Stopped by a warrior who wants to sell me a hatchet (better than a dagger!)

However, I already have a hammer, which is better. Sell that dagger, Steve!

Mesron expects a lot

Early on, you’re tasked with finding Mesron in Castle Redstone somewhere on the island. Once there, use that gold key lurking in your pocket, as speaking to him grants your first level up, increasing your Strength, Agility, and maximum Hit Points. Unlike traditional RPGs, levelling up does not occur through grinding. Nope, your progression is event-based, so advancement through is tied to completing milestones.

You’re quite poorly equipped, so you’ll need gold to upgrade your equipment as soon as possible, and that means venturing into the wilderness and (GULP) dungeons. Towns provide the usual amenities: weapon and armour shops, banks (allowing you to recover stored gold after death), and even casinos. Wizard’s Squares, found in some casinos, offers a surprisingly decent way to earn extra money if luck is on your side.

This large island boasts plains, forests, swamps, hills, and impassable mountain ranges concealing even more hidden places. Mapping is highly recommended, but only as a basic reminder. I quickly sketched the coastline and marked towns as I found them, which made navigation easier. Much later in the game, acquiring the Scroll of Scalna allows better dungeon mapping, easing the burden on your pen somewhat.

NPC interaction is minimalistic, and I'm being kind there. Speaking to townsfolk never produces a side quest or yields worthy dialogue. Often, brief hints are repeatedly thrown out, but occasionally you’ll uncover something important. Don’t expect deep conversations; I got told to "get lost" more times than I can count!

The dungeons are different from other areas and are scary death pits filled with incredibly tough enemies, secrets, and unique treasures. Without mapping, they can be disorienting. Combat encounters happen here almost as frequently as in the wilderness, but this time you can see them approaching. While you can often retreat from combat by moving away, that is often not an option in such a claustrophobic environment. Are you strong enough to enter a dungeon? Ask yourself that before heading into the unknown!

It’s difficult to fully review an RPG like Questron II because everyone's experience varies depending on the path taken. Also, while it’s technically open-world, progression is gated by specific objectives. Wander off too early, and you’ll likely be overwhelmed and turned into a pool of red goo by a stray beast. However, you will be resurrected to continue on, but it's now that you realise you should have used a town's bank!

Look - find Mesron and then follow the intended path of exploring, earning gold, upgrading equipment, buying spells, and keep repeating that. Once you're wealthy, load up to the gills with spells, it's only then that you should venture into the dungeons to hopefully complete the next mysterious milestone.

Magic matters, with that glaringly obvious hint out of the way, let's see some more screenshots...

Finally, we find the right place for a good chat with Mesron.

He rewards me with a level up, and my new avatar looks like Jeremy Clarkson!

Tips for exploring Landor

Unlike similar RPGs, I feel Questron II leaves you in the cold. There's little help beyond being told to speak to Mesron. You're forced to discover everything about the quest by pure luck most of the time, without a journal. Do not think you can wander off and start foolishly exploring the dungeon. You will die...

• Check your inventory to see what you possess, and then make sure you're [A]rmed and [W]earing the armour. The dagger is weak, and your armour is poor, so upgrading these is essential.
• It's best to explore the immediate landscape, fighting and e[X]amining the area for food. You may even meet the odd trader... Use the [S]peak option when you do.
• Redstone Castle is your first port of call, which is southwest of your starting location. Inside is The Hall of Visions, which is unlocked with the key you're already carrying. [S]peak to Mesron, and you will get a level up.
• Now that Mesron has helped in his little way, you can buy and use better armour and weapons, which you can purchase in towns like Bay View. You will have the potential (afaik) to use a Staff weapon and wear Ring Mail.
• However, these items will cost gold. You can find gold fighting or searching the landscape, but it's best to find a casino hosting the Wizard's Square game. You have the potential to win big money. Once you have, scour the town for shops selling that staff and ring mail.
• If you see a Travel shop, pop in... they sell Ropes and Hooks to traverse the mountains.
• Now, I'd say continue to hit the casino and earn as much money as possible. You can never have enough (I had a lot of success in Lyton and Long View). Here you can also top up your HP, and food if needs be.
• Don't walk around like Mr T. --> Use the Bank.
• When out exploring, some enemies appear, but you can immediately escape. However, some you cannot run from, and they appear to surround you no matter what you try. If you still don't want to fight them, then hit F once to engage and THEN walk away.
• Magical spells play a ginormous role in Questron II, but it's not like you may assume compared to other games. Initially, I felt spells like Fireball and Magic Missiles are very strong, and can be one-hit kills. That's total overkill when exploring outside, but essential for Cathedral guards and when down in a dungeon. Trust me, your current melee weapon will NOT be good enough for ages. I always find the best town to stock up on magic is Ontaga.
• Now that you're rich, wearing the best gear, armed with the best weapon, and have purchased loads of magical spells, it's time to take things further. Everything I've found seems to be centred on Redstone Castle and Rivercrest Cathedral...
• Redstone Castle has loads of chests containing gold, but many other chests contain useful keys. Unfortunately, attempting to loot these will anger the guards, and they’ll relentlessly chase you. They are incredibly strong and way too much for me and my trusty Staff weapon. However, the magic you bought opens up the game completely. Try hitting them with a fireball:)
• Open all the chests and run to the castle's exit. Then turn around and walk back in - the guards are passive again. So now it's time to use the keys you found in the chests earlier.
• The Cathedral has access to an underground dungeon, and it's a great place to begin dungeon crawling. However, don't bother unless you have listened to my hints about levelling up, getting rich, and being armed to the teeth. It's tough down there, and you won't last a single encounter without magical spells. Plus, the monsters hit a lot harder!
• Don't bother leaving Landor for the Realm of Sorcerers' Island, unless you're at the Apprentice rank. Although you can travel back by boat...
• Magic is the key to your survival.
• Cathedrals are great to stock up on many Bread of Life (John 6:35)
• Strong stuff that magic. Have I hinted enough about this?

As you can tell, I've had a bundle of fun within Questron II. And I hope this was enough to get you past the beginning stages. If not, then allow me to be blunt via hidden text that you'll need to highlight...

• Explore the towns and jot down each service they offer.
• Earn loads of cash at the casino.
• Arm yourself and load up with as much magic as you can afford.
• As hinted, everything is centred on Redstone Castle and Rivercrest Cathedral. Explore the dungeon under the Cathedral and use the Castle for keys/maps/Mesron, and the Orb, which is needed by a magician in the Dungeon.
• Basically, make sure you're properly armed and loaded with magic, grinding back and forth between the Castle and Cathedral.
• That's it. I really don't want to risk ruining your fun...!

Right then, shall we see a couple more screenshots before the gripping conclusion...

A massive milestone in Questron II is finally being able to see the Holy One.

The dungeons aren't always home to very strong monsters. Try Speaking.

CryptO'pinion

Let me be honest, when I drafted this review, I was pretty much close to giving up. I thoroughly enjoyed the first island, but reaching the second felt like a step in the wrong direction. The difficulty suddenly shot through the roof, and I couldn’t help but wonder why the game would throw me into an impossible situation.

I pushed on, cautiously exploring the northwestern part of the island, dying more times than I’d like to admit! Eventually, I stumbled across a couple of towns, with traders offering health, armour, and new items such as boats. This proved to be a turning point, allowing me to escape this hellhole to sail back to the first island to revisit Mesron in the hope of getting some help, which I did. Armed with improved stats, I returned to the island and found that traders were now offering better weapons and armour. Progress, at last!

Like I said earlier, you make your own way through any RPG, but less so in Questron II, as everything seems rigid and tied to Mesron, who demands quests to be completed in stages before carrying on. Sadly, this isn't clear much of the time. Plus, not having some sort of journal to follow is rather limiting and confusing.

Still, things begin to open up once you are wearing better armour, which allows you to survive the relentless wilderness encounters. The dungeon on the east part of the island is your only way forward, and possibly the only obvious "next step" of the entire adventure (because everywhere else is blocked in some way). It uses a first-person perspective similar to Dungeon Master, and on the third level, a scroll grants automapping. Wow, this opens up the whole experience, and I can't express just how much I enjoyed this part.

Deeper within lies the Crystal Goblet, which must be returned to the Holy One at Twilight Cathedral. This is where my progress has stalled, as I’ve yet to figure out how to access the cathedral’s dungeon or the one near Demph. It's a disappointing end to weeks of absorbing gameplay. But I rarely complete any game, so I'm shocked I got this far. Hang on, this was supposed to be CryptO'pinion and not a progress report!!

With that in mind, Questron II is brilliant, but hardly what I expected. It offers a fantastic, fantasy world with weird creatures, towns, cathedrals, and monster-infested dungeons. After the in-depth character creation (sarcasm), you are free to explore anywhere you like. However, the traditional grind doesn't exist, as it's been replaced by Mesron, who demands that tasks need to be completed to level you up. His reward mainly serves to increase your maximum hit points and unlock better equipment through town traders.

The action is turn-based, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, magic seems to dominate every encounter later in the game. I've mentioned before how wealth is crucial for purchasing magical spells, but in Questron II, it’s so prominent that it feels a bit odd. Levelling up for better melee weapons isn’t as important as you might think. Having a range of spells is far more beneficial and somewhat reduces the need for melee combat.

The wilderness is a good place to explore without being overly large, but the terrain doesn't seem to be anything more than cosmetic (except the mountains). The dungeons are tough with a psychological, eerie atmosphere that I admired a bunch. However, the towns are strange with their weird layout, and there's no point to them beyond supplies. Also, NPCs are mostly pointless and offer no conversation or assistance.

For me, the game might look like a typical RPG, but it's not really. There’s limited depth in terms of development, unfolding storyline, character interaction, or a grind for progression. Not only that, but the lack of a journal leaves you in the dark, wondering what to do and where to go next. Worst of all is the chore of the wilderness due to the frequent encounters with monsters constantly popping up to hit and run!

So is Questron II a bummer that you should run a mile from? Not on your nelly! Otherwise, I wouldn't have spent the last couple of months playing so intensely (hey, have you been following my progress on X/Twitter??). In fact, it’s been one of the most engaging and rewarding experiences I’ve had in quite some time, certainly more so than some of the other titles I’ve battled through recently (I'm looking at your Knightmare!).

Yes, I've become a fan of Questron II, and I feel that I've learned so much about its world and know it like the back of my hand. I really enjoyed battling within the dungeons, looking for treasures. Plus, these genuinely gave me the heebie-jeebies, which I found most enthralling. Questron II is closer to Phantasie than Ultima, by far. However, whether it's an RPG is doubtful, perhaps more of a Lite RPG with emphasis on action.

So, as an ARPG, it's thoroughly addictive and tons of fun. An easy 88%.

• This download has improvements to the controls (and more) by FGC (my greetings to Mike)
• You can get your grubby mits on the standard hard drive version from 8BitChip.
• If old floppies are your thing, then head over to Atari Legend right now!
• Questron II sits within our Quest/Action group - click it to see others.
• Wanna see more screenshots? You're in luck then...

After chatting with Mesron and building up my stash of magic/etc, this was a big checkpoint.

But wow, 1000 gold pieces for three (helpful) maps? Sounds a lot...

For 1000 gold pieces, three maps are shown, but not given.

I wonder how I'd have felt about that back in 1988...

Of course, I'd have been annoyed as I didn't have a camera phone for years!

Landor is pretty big, and you'll note the white blocks identifying places.

For 1000 pieces of gold, I'd have expected to take the maps away with me!

So, that means only one thing - pen and paper. Or your iPhone camera! ;)

Forget about exploring dungeons until you're much stronger.

And loaded up with magic, as this becomes your main method of attack.

After opening up the green door (above), behind it are monsters!

Lots of them, too!! So hit the "M" key and blast them with fireballs.

If you're still feeling well and have enough magic spells, continue to explore.

It's dangerous, so keep an eye on your inventory, food, and HP.

Most treasure chests contain gold, which isn't that important later on.

But these had a Wand of Power and the Chalice of Arvyl. Cool!!

Landor's dungeon proved very fruitful for me! And I was teleported onto the...

...Realm of Sorcerers' Island, where the difficulty increased massively!!

Here, the game is too hard. The monsters are way too TOUGH!!!

Perhaps I should have seen Mesron first? (for a level up). A missed opportunity?

No. Persevere! Shop around, and you might see a boat for sale (and a pony).

Use that boat to head back to Landor to complete tasks/level up... Much needed!!

Even after levelling up, Realm of Sorcerers is a cruel and difficult island.

Fill your boots with magic and enter the dungeon (east side of the island).

Gone is the overhead view for a "Dungeon Master"-like 3D perspective!

At first, it's difficult, but the map layout is very good for the first few levels.

However, like everything on this island, it's TOUGH!

Don't enter unless you have enough magic and several "Bread of Life".

Unlike on Landor, this is a multilevel dungeon and a long quest.

I cannot express just how much you'll need Bread of Life and Magic!

I've since found the Scroll of Scalna (3rd level of this dungeon)

This opens up the dungeon crawling completely with a nifty mapping tool.

This is where I am, with only one more rank to gain before I'm top dog!!

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 screenshot break...

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!!

Backgammon

Thrills & Spills

There are a few Backgammon games available for the Atari ST. Although I'm hardly proficient, it's a board game I enjoy. To rephrase that last line - basically, I’m the world’s worst player, yet I somehow enjoy it!! Anyhow, ARC released this in 1988, and it remains one of the few commercial GEM-based games. A quirky oddity in itself, but that means the Blitter is used by default, which means this release is an enhanced game for the Atari STe. Well, hardly, but it was fun saying that, and you should click the link to check out this growing list.

For those who don't know the game of Backgammon, the manual is excellent and clearly explains the basic rules to follow. This is a two-player board game that blends strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. It’s played on a board featuring 24 narrow triangles, known as points, which are grouped into four quadrants. Each player starts with 15 checkers and uses two dice to move them around the board in a specific path.

Players move their checkers based on the roll of two dice, advancing them in opposite directions around the board. Each die represents a separate move, so a roll of 3 and 5 means you can move one checker 3 spaces and another 5 - or a single checker a total of 8. The aim is to be the first to move all your checkers off the board (known as bearing off) before your opponent does. You can pit wits against the ST or go head-to-head with a friend. Thankfully, there is a demo mode, which is something you should take advantage of.

If you're now tempted to download this game, then all of this typing wasn't for nothing after all. Here are a few tips: It's wise to focus on building a strong defensive position early on. Try stacking two or more checkers on a space to block your opponent from landing there. Avoid leaving single checkers exposed, as they’re easy targets. Just load it up and have a go, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. If you don't, just boot up Turrican!

Whilst something like Backgammon might not immediately be your obvious gaming choice, I say give it a whirl. It's actually very good, and your Atari ST provides a worthy opponent. Also, GEM works very well as an interface for the original board game, which means it will support Blitter, screen accelerators, and even high resolution. Yep, this is a great game for a night in, so I'm giving it a Steve-Is-A-Bore rating of 80%.

• Atari Legend has a couple of floppy disk menus to download.
• The hard disk master, PP/8BitChip, has created a superb version!
• Still not sure? How about a history and guide on how to play?
• You've got the Backgammon bug now, eh? There are loads more listed on Atarimania.

I couldn't leave without a couple of gripping screenshots!

Made a mistake, then use the restore option.

The DM Editor

The Ultimate ST Game

I realised some time ago that I would never find a copy of Dungeon Master at a reasonable price or in decent condition (and certainly not both). So, I hate to admit this, but I gave up searching years ago! However, I have since chanced upon what I consider an oddity. I don't mean the software, but rather the fact that I’ve managed to find something most people would have likely left to gather dust in their attic.

The Dungeon Master Editor was released in 1988 by Edward Penman for Softex. I remember seeing adverts for it in magazines like ST Format, but it was something that passed me by at the time. Only now, looking back, do these things excite, fascinate, and captivate me beyond words! (the wife says I'm a weirdo)

Well, hold onto your hats because I actually own the real thing! This surprises me, as I would have thought it lost to time, in its physical form. I have The Way of the Firestaff, the editor’s manual, and the floppy disk. Not only that, but I also bought the floppy disk and manual for Dungeon Master. Granted, it’s not boxed, so incomplete, but I’m still thrilled. I guess that is a meagre consolation - but a damn fine one at that!

The software can be downloaded at Atari Legend and Atarimania. Also, the Dungeon Master Encyclopaedia website has scans and more information about the Editor. So, a cynic might question why I bought this product. Let's be honest, nothing beats the feeling of holding the originals. So I am one happy bunny!

Okay, I have taken a few photos of my precious warez...

Dungeon Adventure

Ransacking another dungeon

I have a peculiar knack for finding obscure games unknown to most. Some of which I have featured here, like Dungeon, Minefield, Mole Mayhem, and Blob Race. It's this silliness that I love about the Atari ST because, no matter how much time passes, the ST amazes me. Which is why I'm typing my drivel nobody reads.

So, here we have an RPG crawler called Dungeon Adventure. Such an original title, I'm sure you'll agree. It was released in 1988 by John Kinkead of Aces High Software, but I couldn't find much information online. So, let's assume we're a plucky adventurer who loves exploring dark places for treasure? Works for me.

Let's check out a couple of random screenshots and remember, this is not a commercial game...

Oh no, a goblin! There is only one option - let's kill him!!

The lights are beginning to dim, and I then accidentally triggered a teleporter.

First things first

Create a character using the automated stats roll and name him/her wisely. There are six races - Human, Elf, Dwarf, Gnome, Hobbit, or 'other' and each needs to be assigned a class - fighter, mage, ranger, thief, cleric, and healer. Now clothe, arm, and stock your pockets with food and torches before heading out to one of the five dungeons. All are tricky but can reward careful explorers with treasure, magic, food, and more!

Want a few pointers? One, roll well. Two, don't waste cash on items that you think are the best (weapons or armour). Three, you easily get hungry. Four, it's dark down there, and torches burn out quickly.

Once inside the dungeon, you shall discover that it's filled with traps and scary monsters at each turn. Use the cursor keys to control our plucky adventurer, and whenever he encounters a beast, the computer takes over with a new set of options - [A]attack, [C]cast a spell, [R]run away or attempt to [T]talk. Once the battle is over, assuming you're still alive, then you can carry on exploring in fear of what might happen next.

There are a few keys used, similar to Apshai. The save game option is of high importance, which I discovered the hard way (as usual), but there are other keys used to heal, cast spells, eat food and more:

• Stats - The 'Y' key displays your man's attributes along with the number of potions, spells, etc.
• Light - It gets dark in the dungeon quickly, so tap the 'U' key to use a torch.
• Items - When you stumble upon something, the 'G' key gets it and adds it to your inventory.
• Stairs - I've only found stairs when I've completed a level. Just hit 'K' to climb!
• Food - When you get hungry, just press 'E' to eat from your stock of goodies.
• Drink - Like with food, pressing the 'D' key drinks those cool potions you've found.
• Scrolls - Press 'R' to read any scrolls, if applicable.
• Magic - Spell casters can hit 'C' to cast their spells.
• Health - Struggling with an injury, then his 'H' to heal, if applicable.
• Saving - Highly recommended to use this feature! The 'S' key saves, and 'L' key loads.
• Others - F1 restarts / F2 returns to the main menu / F3 will exit to the desktop.

I'm making this sound more complex than it is, so let's break things up with a couple of screenshots...

Sometimes it's best to run away from a fight. If you can, that is, as it's not always possible.

This room is so unfair because traps are everywhere - like these falling rocks!

Oi, come back!

Ignore the visuals because it's never boring exploring a dungeon, and this one is particularly easy to get into. Of course, it soon delivers more than enough challenges to test our nerves. Each dungeon is different, but has enough familiarity with what to expect. It's not long until one of two things happens...

Battles - a confrontation happens often with enemies appearing from out of the darkness without any warning. That's right, you won't see anything approaching from the corner of a room - they simply appear (which is disappointing compared to Rogue). This puts you into battle mode that follows a series of turns, and your performance depends on strength, along with other attributes like your agility, dexterity, and weaponry.

Traps - triggering a hidden trap is a characteristic of Dungeon Adventure that you will need to endure. Sadly, there is no ability to search for what might possibly be lurking nearby, so traps are found only by foolishly walking into them. This system feels unmerited, like you're exploring blindly just waiting for a hit to your HP (and pride!)

Any explorer continues the fight and carries on regardless. Determined players will source items to help, be it spells, potions, and more. Treasure chests are always worth opening and are often located in secret areas that can only be found by uncovering hidden passages. It always pays to investigate everywhere.

However, the dungeon is a dangerous place, which means you need a load of torches and picnic food. Torches do not last very long, so you may wish to stockpile them. Nutrition and health are replenished with the foods you eat. Health comes from spellcasting or using the healing function, if applicable to that character.

This is a bigger game than you might assume. I first imagined a clone of Rogue, but it plays well and feels designed more for action, whilst just happening to look roguelike. Yep, everything feels centred around the battles. Hey, if you think that you can create a better game, then there is an editor to try.

I'm genuinely having a blast playing something new (new to me). Guess what? It is screenshot time...

Hang on, that door appears to lead to a dead end!! Or is there a secret passageway?

Four options are available during any skirmish, but I doubt talking will help here.

Aesthetics

Compared to similar games, this is lame with 8-bit visuals that embarrass the Atari ST. Its design feels cramped with a small gameplay window, leaving much of the screen unused. Well, don't be fooled, because those areas are used for statistical information and notifications - triggered traps, poison arrows, falling rocks, etc.

The sprites are usually the best part of rogue games, but Dungeon Adventure is lacking somewhat. In fact, many enemies are crude without any detail and look as if I've drawn them! However, I'll contradict myself because it oddly works well, and I have no idea why. My favourite creature is the troll; I love that drawing!

The audio begins well - thanks to a title screen chiptune, but there is little else. The sound effects are basically a tapping sound during a battle with a "Burr-Burr" when you are victorious. Oh, there's another chiptune when the Grim Reaper shows up! Hey, games like this don't need booming sfx, so I'll stop moaning.

Do you fancy a couple of screenshots before the gripping conclusion? I hope so...

Hitting the 'Y' key reveals your character's statistics. Along with keys, scrolls, etc.

Why waste time in combat when you can cast a spell? Repel Monster killed this sucka!

The CryptO'pinion?

This isn't a big game, but it feels like a much larger adventure. This is basically because you cannot walk for more than a dozen steps without something popping up for a fight. Or maybe you've fallen into a hidden trap, as there is no way to search. Also, our adventurer has a ravenous appetite, so is constantly scoffing. Additionally, he easily burns through his supply of torches, which never last long.

So, Dungeon Adventure feels unbalanced with some peculiar mechanics. However, we must remember that it isn't commercial and is quite a decent game in its own right. Each dungeon is varied, with an abundance of predictable hazards waiting for you. And I loved that aspect a bunch and thoroughly enjoyed.

I love finding something new (to me), and whilst Dungeon Adventure is far from perfect, it's certainly enjoyable. Gameplay is tough, but successfully beating the odds and making it to the next level is most rewarding. Casual gamers should be warned, this is likely only for dedicated and experienced fans of the genre.

Bearing in mind that this is something of a doomed #roguelike wannabe, I'm scoring it a plucky 64%.

Fearless adventurers should download this from Atarimania. Here are some more screenshots...

Blood Seekers sound cool, but they are actually dead easy to kill!

I guess the whole point of the game is to find the gem & exit? Well, I did that... WooHoo!!

My name is Steve, and I'm an... 'other'. Today's stupid world will view that as perfectly normal lol.

The editor is superb. Either create your own or edit the current levels.

This is the game-over screen, and something we dread seeing. And it's blummin' ugly!