Warlock the Avenger

Druid

Warlock the Avenger is the third and final chapter in the Druid trilogy. What trilogy, I hear you ask? Well, the first two games were on 8-bit machines, so you may have missed them before upgrading to the Atari ST. I certainly don’t recall either, although I do have fond memories of Electric Dreams’ Dandy (ZX Spectrum).

Warlock the Avenger is a top-down maze game, similar to Gauntlet. You explore labyrinths, blasting monsters with your wand, loot treasure chests, and desperately search for the exit while enemies respawn with irritating enthusiasm. Additionally, Millennium has included the original game, which is an incredible freebie!

Here, we play a druid spellcaster dude tasked with saving the land of Belorn from yet another surge of demonic chaos (I guess we didn't win in the other games?). Anyhow, an evil lord named Acamantor has clawed his way back from oblivion to enslave everyone. Our mission is to reawaken ancient elemental magic by navigating monster-infested mazes filled with passages, magical power-ups, and plenty of treasure.

Sounds pretty cool, right? Yeah, so let's see a screenshot...

The status bar shows what we have. Keep an eye on it, especially spells and keys.

Let's play!

The opening level plonks you into a woodland surrounded by roaming hordes. Some enemies go down easily, while others soak up multiple hits, encouraging you to switch wand types - some spells are more effective against specific foes. That is something you learn early on, with unobvious help from using the F6 key.

A status bar along the top of the screen shows your energy, keys, power-ups, and spells. Keep your eyes on this, especially the available firepower and keys. Sadly, you only get one life, and contact with an enemy drains your energy. Thankfully, there are special floor tiles that replenish it, but they’re pretty scarce.

Treasure chests are scattered throughout and are absolutely central to survival. Inside, you’ll find spells, keys, screen-clearing special powers, and occasionally a friendly Golem ally. But there's a catch: while a chest may contain several items, you can’t just grab everything and run. Only one thing may be taken, and once you've chosen, that’s it - the chest is gone forever. A poor choice can doom your entire run!

This decision-making is the real heart of Warlock: do you take more firepower, or stock up with keys, but risk running out of "ammo"? Early on, it feels forgiving, but later levels flood you with locked doors. No matter how many keys you think you’ve collected, it never seems to be enough. Arghh, so irritating.

Warlock transported me straight back to my 8-bit gaming days as it’s deceptively simple: explore, kill, loot and repeat. However, the real challenge lies in resource management, particularly looting treasure chests. While spells are often your primary weapon against beasts, keys are arguably the most crucial items.

Several levels in, I found myself completely stuck. The exit lay behind a locked door. I couldn't find any hidden passageways, and I had no keys left. Plus, every chest had already been looted. My only option was to backtrack to a previous level, in the blind hope of finding a chest I may have missed. Sigh.

So close, but no cigar? Well, maybe, but let's see another screenshot...

The ghouls are constantly spawning and are up for a chase. Relentless they are!

Big Tips

This is a maddening game, so do you fancy a few juicy tips? Of course, you do...

• Never open a chest unless the immediate area is clear of monsters.
• Different spells work better on certain enemies. So, switch if something took 2/3 shots to die!
• Hidden passageways are literally invisible, so stay close to a wall to find one.
• No matter how many goodies are inside a chest, only one item can be taken.
• Chests can only be opened once.
• Firepower is important, of course, but the keys are essential.
• Try to hug the walls, as there might be a hidden passage nearby.
• Forget the spells unless you have an abundance of keys!
• Control the wizard in the opening screen to access the original game.
• Did I mention how important keys and hidden passages are?

I already have loads of spells, so I chose the key from this treasure chest...

Ah, the chest screen with many goodies, but you're only allowed to pick one!

Aesthetics

Players who started their computing life on the Atari ST may find it looks dated. Those of us who upgraded from 8-bit machines will likely feel right at home. It has the look of a ZX Spectrum game without colour clash. The scrolling is always smooth, and the sprites generally look cool - especially on the later levels.

Talking of 8-bit, the original original game never made it to the Atari ST, but it's included, which is a fantastic addition. It plays the same, but I might be brave here by saying that it's better. The game looks great with gorgeous backgrounds and sprites. Yep, I might actually prefer this!!

The audio is less impressive, with a decent piece of chip music on the title screen. But in-game, you’re left with sound effects - most of which consist of your wand firing endlessly at respawning monsters.

Let's break up the reading with (you guessed it) another screenshot...

See that daft symbol on the floor? Walk over and stand on it for a while.

CryptO'pinion

I have mixed feelings about Warlock the Avenger. On one hand, it captures the joy of old-school maze games beautifully: rushed exploration, constant combat, and panicked scrambles for the exit. Plus, we get the original game, which wasn’t released on the ST – a fantastic bonus that I wish more games offered.

However, it tries too hard to be different with multiple spells, unnecessary power-ups and a largely unwanted Golem. This muddies what should have been a simple arcade-style game. The single life and brutal energy meter also force you to cheat, which is frustrating. The worst part is having to press F1 to open doors - and only when you’re perfectly aligned with the doorway. Try doing that when monsters are spawning around you!

I’ve enjoyed Warlock, and the inclusion of the original game is a brilliant move by Millennium. Both games play well, though the one-life restriction is a bit of a downer for me. For that reason alone, it falls short. A seriously tough game that forces you to cheat, which isn't good, right? I still enjoyed Warlock, though.

• Dream Weavers #22 is the disk I used, which I downloaded from Atari Legend.
• Atarimania have a download (my greetings to Marko!!)
• Warlock can be installed onto your hard drive thanks to D-Bug and 8BitChip.
• If you enjoyed this, we have a "overhead" shooters group with loads more!

Shoot the snakes and see what treasures lie ahead.

This is as far as I got. I think that I was about 7/8 levels in, but I ran out of keys, and there were no hidden walls or chests. Must admit, I was more than a bit gutted by that. I need a cheat with 99 keys lol

These next four screenshots are from the original game...

The objective appears the same: run/fight/kill/panic/die!

Oh no, skeletons make their way towards me - Thriller style!!

This old game might be better than its sequel. What, really? Yup, I think so.

The Adventures of Robin Hood

(Everything I Do) I do it for Sherwood

A long time ago, I bought Millennium's Men in Tights(!) and proudly showcased its box art. I had the genuine intention of adding it to my playlist, but somehow, that never happened - things get busy here sometimes (ahem). The wait’s over at last - better late than never, right? Let’s see if it was worth it...

The Adventures of Robin Hood is an open-world adventure released in 1991. Set right in the heart of Nottingham, Robin begins his life stripped of his lands and title, dumped rudely into the outlaw lifestyle. He didn't expect that! To make matters worse, the locals aren’t exactly welcoming - you’ll get plenty of snide remarks as you try to scrape together a bit of respect. So we need to rebuild Robin’s reputation by doing what he does best: helping poor people by robbing the rich, and slowly gathering that famous band of Merry Men.

Right then, let's break up this jibba jabba with a screenshot...

Here I am chilling out with Little John.

Let's play

When you begin, you might feel abandoned in the game without any kind of a guide. Don't despair. What makes Robin Hood stand out is its surprisingly open design. Instead of shoving you through a set of levels or predetermined tasks, the game drops you into a living world. So why not explore Nottinghamshire? Maybe talk to some of the villagers as you wander about, but the key will always be exploration!

As you wander, you soon realise that time passes by, people go about their business, and your actions affect how the world reacts to you. However, make too many enemies, and you’ll find yourself called, ridiculed, or worse. It’s not just an adventure; it’s a medieval sandbox where you decide how the legend unfolds as you live your life. Remember, the goal is to rebuild your reputation so people begin to change their opinion of you.

Playing Robin Hood is all about the time spent exploring Sherwood, which is a big place, but not too big. It pays to chat to villagers and sneak about where you probably shouldn’t be. It’s these choices of how to act that shape your adventure, so walk the walk and scour areas to gather allies like Little John and Friar Tuck.

This is going to be tough to provide some help without ruining the adventure. But, here goes...

• Drawing your weapon in front of guards is considered a crime. If caught, you'll be arrested. Always ensure you're out of sight before risking that, just like real life when you think about it lol.
• Friar Tuck offers a monk's cloak that allows you to move around without being recognised. That's a big deal - stealth mode!! He might be hard to find, but when you do, just speak with him.
• Little John is a bit of a loner, so I'm sure you can imagine where he is.
• Saving peasants from execution not only boosts your heroism but may also recruit them to your cause, providing valuable assistance. Again, something to act upon when prompted.
• During winter, beggars become more desperate. They're cold and hungry. Donating money to them increases your popularity and helps maintain a positive reputation.
• Wouldn't an in-game map be great? Why not explore NW of your starting location?
• Magic mushrooms can revive fallen allies if used promptly (before burial). They are single-use items, but new ones may appear in various locations. Did you pick up the map?
• Engaging in archery practice reduces the time it takes to reload your bow, making subsequent shots quicker because you're a more proficient warrior. Well, quicker...
• Wealthy merchants can be robbed of money. Oh yeah, this has got to be done!
• Magic mushrooms can revive fallen allies if used promptly (before burial). They are single-use items, but new ones may appear in various locations. Did you pick up the map?
• Don't just speak to Maid Marian, talk with her...
• Ensuring your allies are well-fed boosts their effectiveness. Food can be obtained by robbing merchants, hunting, trading, or (maybe) when rescuing peasants.
• The dragon is a formidable foe that, when defeated, grants a significant heroism boost. To defeat it, shoot it with an arrow, but it runs after you! Perhaps return later to finish the job?
• Walking is a bit of a trek, but if you press the spacebar whilst clicking on an arrow, Robin continuously walks until you tell him otherwise. Saves lots of clicking!
• In fact, hitting shortcuts like the Spacebar is extremely handy for seeing what's ahead.

Break time, and that means only one unsurprising thing. Yep, here is another screenshot...

The seasons come and go very quickly. Shall we make a snowman?

Aesthetics in Tights

I can’t talk about this game’s graphics without getting all mushy inside!! I absolutely love it - this game is an absolute visual treat from start to finish! The isometric world is jam-packed with lovely little details I adore – cosy cottages, winding paths, trickling streams, shady woodland, and bustling townsfolk going about their day - it all feels alive in a way that so few games ever managed. The only downer (for me) is when Robin’s green outfit blends into a grassy hill, and half of him seems to vanish without a trace! I really think a slightly different colour or maybe even a black outline could have been used on the edges of the hills/etc.

The audio is mostly sparse, leaving much of your quest in gentle silence. This actually works well, as a constant tune would have grated after a while. Instead, bursts of sound effects or charming music kick in whenever something exciting is happening or about to unfold. Like during the humorous introduction, with its olde English-style music that fits the Robin Hood and medieval theme perfectly. This game oozes charm, and the aesthetics help to boost the Sherwood atmosphere wonderfully; it’s like stepping into an old storybook.

An overreaction to the Sherwood aesthetics? Nope, so let's see a screenshot then...

Not everyone hates you, so get out there and talk to people.

CryptO'pinion

The Adventures of Robin Hood is something quite extra special. It’s not just another isometric adventure; it actually feels alive. A sandbox world where the NPCs have their own routines and personalities. And because it’s all about your reputation, the way you behave genuinely changes what you can actually do. If you can forgive the plodding treks across the map and combat that’s less than skilful, you will find a witty, atmospheric adventure that quietly steals hours like a certain outlaw in green steals money from the rich.

Sherwood is big, but not too big, which is perfect as it makes exploring, chatting, and nosing around feel fun rather than overwhelming. I feel this game is up there with the likes of Hunter, Damocles, and Midwinter in the sense that it's ahead of its time. As free-roaming adventures go, this is one of the very best.

Right, I’ve got a date with Maid Marian, so before I go, I'll give this game a Merry Men rating of 90%.

• Lots of floppy disks can be found at Atari Legend.
• The hard drive game has been adapted by the mighty 8BitChip.

This gorgeous map is by Kennel and is found at VGMaps.

Robin Hood may walk like a pensioner, but he gets an AtariCrypt SMASH accolade!!

Knightmare

Best laid plans...

For those living on another planet for the last few decades, Knightmare is an RPG similar to one we all know and love. Developed by Commodore legend Antony Crowther, it utilises his excellent Captive engine, but with a user interface that looks much better. I admit, I've been eager to give this game a proper go for ages. I was hoping it would be a good one, as I wanted to attack its dungeon and come back with news of another crawler to recommend. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite turn out as expected, but more on that later.

Before we begin, pessimists might judge this game as nothing more than a Dungeon Master wannabe. They could be right, but the box has a line boasting, "It makes Dungeons and Dragons seem like newts splashing around in a muddy puddle". Needless to say, I booted it up feeling cautiously wary but with great anticipation. After all, who doesn't enjoy romping through dark, creepy dungeons, killing the unearthly beasts?

This 1991 computer game is based on the 80s TV show, and being of a certain age, you might assume I was a fan. Well, no. I don't remember much, as I thought it was cheesy. I recall a medieval environment with kids pretending to be in a cryptic dungeon - all thanks to bluescreen computer-generated graphics.

I have no idea how closely the game follows the show, but I know its opening intro is cool...

This is the Knightmare castle? Awesome pixel art!! Wanna step inside with me?

Arghhh!! Lord Fear turns up to ruin everyone's day. Miserable sod isn't he!

What's the story?

As a party of four adventurers, we have the noble task of seeking out magical objects held within these dungeons: The Shield of Justice, the Sword of Freedom, the Cup of Life, and the Crown of Glory. By the sounds of it, the adventure will be huge and spread over four "episodes". Once all are found, we hope to destroy the evil sorcerer, Lord Fear. It sounds melodramatic, but show me the dungeon entrance. I want in!

The manual pulls no punches and instructs the player that 'fear will be with you constantly". There are other cheery lines like "death is always around the next corner". It's grim and aims to prepare you for the difficult challenges ahead. Of course, it's not all bad. Treguard is the dungeon master who tries to provide helpful tips and advice. Well, I said, "Tries". Nonetheless, heed his words, but don't expect too much.

Dare you to enter the Knightmare and battle the minions of Lord Fear? Of course, you do...

First things first, create your own team or head out with a default crew of dungeoneers?

Choosing your own is best, but make sure you name 'em better than I did!

Controls & User Interface

Beginning with the basics, the controls instantly feel familiar to fans of Dungeon Master and the ilk. Exploration is done through a grid layout with 90-degree turns. Directional buttons are used for walking, sidestepping, and turning (there are buttons for up/down, but I've yet to find a use). The user interface is clean, uncomplicated, and concise, with our party's stats illustrated with bars for health, stamina, and magic.

The layout (and execution) of our actions is expected, whilst also fresh, using a design that performs perfectly. With the mouse, a left click interacts with the user interface and the world (picking up and throwing objects). Any character can also assign an action (like kicking and punching) to his/her default. This is superb, especially when holding a weapon, and a spellcaster's abilities expand greatly when using a wand.

This excellent design continues for other aspects, like the inventory with its many available slots. Encumbrance is conveniently detailed, so don't ignore it whilst lugging everything you find. There are also slots used to equip clothing and weaponry. That alien-looking dude in the middle indicates hunger and should make perfect sense regarding food. I found the user interface a breeze, which is odd for a nitpicker like me!

Yep, I'm often slow to grasp a game's user interface, but Knightmare's is far beyond excellent...

The inventory screen is beautifully designed and so easy to use.

YES, click this thumbnail for a larger image!! Go on, you know you want to :)

Welcome to the dungeons of Dunshelm

So, who will you venture into the wild with for companionship and support? Well, you can decide whether to stick with the default or assemble your own band of merry men/goblins/elves/etc. I have a couple of Clubber Langs at the front with others helping with range, magic, healing, etc. The starting area is void of anything interesting, with no items or puzzles. Isn't that bizarre, but wait, I see a cart. Let's jump inside that...

Once you've arrived at the woodlands, exploring is mind-boggling. The area is a confusing jungle labyrinth. A Goblin soon appears, but is easy to kill, and he disappears into the void after a few kicks. Soon, you will stumble upon a 'ghostly thing', which is super easy to defeat and made me wonder what the point was. Look out for rabbits, these nip at your heels the moment you turn away - give them a kick and watch them scarper. Actually, it's worth chasing these blighters because their death rewards with a rabbit pie. YUM!!

Compared to a typical dungeon environment, the woodlands are incredibly bewildering, so it's advisable to make a map as you explore. North of your starting location is a walled area and the place where the 'ghostly thing' would often appear. Hint - look around for anything obscure that could be usable. Getting around the woodland is tough, but a map now proves its worth because I struggled to see the wood for the trees!

To the west is a prison, and inside it are several Giants. They are like goblins, only bigger and much stronger. This is where my progress hit a brick wall because this seemed to be the only way through the woodlands. They constantly killed me, no matter what tactics I used (I was losing the will to live). So, I eventually concluded that this was something to return to later. There must be another exit, somewhere...

I continued on and, by sheer chance, I found talking trees. One wanted her baby back, another asked, "Have you seen my cup?", and another wanted a weapon. By this point, I had collected quite an inventory of junk, and I had a thought about the first tree's request. What did it need? I'm sure you can guess. Well, she rewards our kindness with entrance to The Shield of Justice. FINALLY, I'M GETTING SOMEWHERE!!

You don't want to know how many hours were spent to get this far! Let's see some screenshots...

You thought a rabbit was timid? Not these buggers!! Kick 'em to death lol

You won't be able to beat these Giants so early in the game!

The Shield Of Justice

After (finally) escaping the woodlands, I arrived in what can only be described as Dungeon Master World (ha!). A nearby plaque announced that this was indeed "Quest One, the Shield of Justice". Instantly, I was relieved to be playing something that I originally desired from Knightmare, a dungeon and not a forest!

Yes, this relief of standing in a dungeon after many wasted hours in those damn woods is intense. As you begin, the first thing you will notice is the visuals. This is one enchanting place illuminated by a colourful design that makes Dungeon Master look decidedly bland. So, as I carefully tread and begin discovering interesting pathways, bizarre objects, and doors just waiting to be opened. This is great, I thought to myself.

I begin mapping and exploring the corridors, and I stumble upon an obvious trap involving a switch that launches a fireball to light you up like Blackpool Tower. However, I can also see something in the next room through the wall's bars. These problems are easily overcome, and a few corridors later, I find myself using pressure plates in the floor to access a hidden area. This episode is becoming increasingly exciting!!

Sadly, my elation doesn't endure because something's not quite right. The deeper I get, the more frequently I fight the bad guys. Unfortunately, it's more of a struggle than a challenge because I found few weapons, and my health was suffering. Not only this, but all combat is extremely tough, and soon to the point where you cannot win any battle without running away to hide and gather yourself behind a closed door.

Thankfully, there is a ridiculous cheat I discovered by sheer chance - use the doors. There is no standing your ground like a man here. No, it's better to draw out an enemy and lead them towards an open door. Stand there, and when a monster gets close enough, shut the door on it. This action will eventually crush it to death, which is similar to Dungeon Master, Space Crusade, and others. However, I was using this method all the time rather than my weapons/spells because it was simply too difficult. It didn’t help that so few items were accumulated within this dungeon, aside from fatigue. Unfair, unbalanced, and disheartening.

I'll be honest, I was starting to wonder by this point why I had bought the game. Yes, bought. What a sucker I am. Anyhow, it wasn't long before I discovered the game's next oddity - sharks! That's right, there are flooded areas with sharks swimming about. Getting safe passage is a pain because this aspect of the game's engine doesn't work well. Try as I might, I've completely lost interest in defeating Lord Fear.

From what little I remember, I cannot imagine this game comes close to following the TV show. In fact, it's an abomination!! I’m at my wits’ end and completely lost interest. I suppose I’d eventually find an object to unlock the next quest, but I won’t be returning to the nightmare of Knightmare anytime soon.

So, umm, shall we carry on? Well, I suppose so with a couple of screenshots...

This is the first object you come across. Wanna risk touching it?

Unlike this guy, most enemies are tough. So use the doors to crush them!

The CryptO'pinion?

Of all the Atari ST games I have played, this one took the longest to get into, perhaps even more than Armada (and that's saying something!). But it was all for nothing. Sure, the graphics are great, and the thought that went into the user interface is impressive. But all that effort is for nothing as the game is utter tripe!!

I spent ages trying to leap off the moving cart before being rewarded with a woodland nightmare. Then, the joy of finally entering a dungeon was short-lived due to the ridiculous, unbalanced gameplay. Constantly needing to crush enemies with gates takes the... Michael!! However, I did enjoy the tasty rabbit pies.

Knightmare has clawed its way into my Hall of Shame, and I'm rating it an unforgivable 35% because it's the Atari ST's worst RPG (I've played). Straight to the eBay pile with this. Just play Dungeon Master.

Fools may download PP's hard drive version or the floppies via Atari FTP Archive

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 it, 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!

Mega Twins

Chiki Chiki Boys

Once upon a monster-infested time, when the peaceful kingdom of Alurea was overrun by a horde of nasties, leaving the royal castle in ruins. With their father, the brave King, tragically slain, his young twin sons were left powerless to stop the chaos. But time passed, the boys grew stronger, and now they’re ready to take back what’s theirs. Armed with courage, oversized swords, and matching outfits, the dynamic duo set off on a quest to reclaim their homeland - and track down a mythical stone said to hold the key to peace.

I’ve wanted to feature this platformer for ages. It’s been sitting in my downloads folder for several years, and today I finally booted it up! Who says I’m slow? Mega Twins is an absolute corker of a platformer - instantly fun, with slick joystick controls and colourful, comical visuals. The earlier bosses aren’t too tricky - even I managed to beat them - with a few credits! The latter ones are a real challenge for anyone playing solo (so use your extra powers wisely). Wait, that’s right, two people can play at once - which is absolutely fantastic!

The visuals are absolutely superb, with a charming cartoon vibe running throughout the levels. The sound effects are excellent, but oddly, I didn’t notice the lack of in-game music until the underwater stage - probably because I stopped hammering the fire button to figure out how to clobber things down there!

I'd rate this platformer a Double Trouble 85% because it's brilliant with perfect controls, loads of levels, and supports two players. However, be warned, some of the later levels are way too hard without a cheat or better reactions than mine! Enjoy my gameplay video of the opening level before clicking on these links...

• There are great floppy downloads available at Atari Legend (I used the Fuzion disks).
• Peter/8BitChip has a superb hard drive-installable version.
• More floppy cracks are over on the Atari FTP Archive.

The first level is so good that I almost wanted it to continue throughout.

TWO players can, erm, play - at the same time. BRILLIANT!!

We've now gone underwater. The controls are very different, but still cool.

Didn't want to kill this cute beast. But I did.

One of those bosses that moves/jumps too fast for our little hero.

Those blue bats are gorgeous. Then again, everything in this game is!

Probably the best of all the bosses before a Nebulous stage, that is superb.

We're on the way down - as it explodes!

Made it to the end. Wait, no... There is one more boss before we're done.

Lethal Xcess

Play fast, die faster

Certain games, I am never going to bother reviewing here on AtariCrypt because everyone already knows them. For example, Eclipse's amazingly sadistic shooter, which is the 1991 sequel to Wings of Death. So, instead, I've created a gameplay video to showcase the levels (I tried to last as long as possible without dying!). Okay, I know that there are already squillions of video recordings out there, but I feel I must add my own. Plus, this gives me the perfect opportunity to add Lethal Xcess to this ever-growing list of enhanced games.

If, like me, you are struggling to successfully play this zappy shooter, then check out my previous page for Wings of Death (linked below). Many of its gameplay tips apply here, and it's not always a case of rushing to collect every power-up dropped by these ferocious enemies! Switching weapon types will only get you into trouble, so I stick to the same weapon and upgrade it rather than switching to something else.

Grab a coffee, sit back, and watch my talented gameplay video before clicking on these links...

• Floppy disks are best sourced from Atari Legend, and I used Fuzion #128.
• Both PP and D-Bug have hard drive installable versions.
• Hey, check out my Enhanced games list for the Atari STe :)
• The original Wings Of Death is slightly easier and definitely worth playing!

The first level is a killer, and here I am - dying!!

The second stage feels easier, but, oddly enough, I still die.

The difficulty cranks up for the third stage, and it looks rather Xenon'y too!

Guess what? Yep, that's right, the fourth stage is rock hard.

Call me daft, but the fifth stage is less painful compared to the others. I still died.

Using the cheat on Fuzion #128 allowed me to finally watch the end sequence.