Utopos

Gravity, Guns, and Glorious STe Action

Yet another game I love, but without a write-up here on AtariCrypt. Which is just weird! Well, from my point of view, anyhow. Developed in 1993+ by Jani Penttinen and Jan Achrenius, Utopos is a slick "Gravitar"-style shooter specifically designed for the Atari STe. And when I say slick, I mean greasy-spoon slick!!

We are dropped into the cockpit of a nimble spaceship, trapped in a series of cavernous levels. As with Oids, Rotor, Thrust, etc, we are still fighting gravity and inertia, but you can alter these settings to your own tastes. Warning: the learning curve is massive, so it pays to tinker with them!! Once you're happy, things become more forgiving, and you will be zipping about, dodging obstacles, and blasting stuff like a pro.

Utopos takes inspiration from games I've just mentioned, but with a more arcade-like approach that favours speed and action over realism. What makes Utopos really stand out is its (overscan) presentation and superfast frame rate. It glides like warm butter on a non-stick frying pan in zero gravity! The backgrounds are subtle but effective, and the STe’s enhanced sound chip gets a proper workout with music and effects.

"This joystick feels like it came from the war." – My daughter, after 30 seconds.

As a single player, it's incredibly tough. Perhaps too tough? It doesn't appear to have the playability or strategic depth of Oids, as it prefers a fast-paced, arcade-style over realism. Personally, I think it's best as a two-player, even though nobody here (ahem) can control their ship. In fact, my daughter hated this game, so I'm left to go it alone - but don't listen to her, she's mad and wrong about this stupendous Atari STe game.

• Atarimania appears to have every version (demo and registered), but it seems that the one-player mode was dropped from the final release? I had to use version 1.52
• A must-watch video by Maarten/Atari Legend.
• A remake appears to be in the works, even supporting the Mac!!
• Being an STe game automatically enters it into the Enhanced List. Check that out!!
• This post is dedicated to our eldest daughter, Katie. 🤍
• If you are one of the few visitors to look back through the Crypt's archives, you’ll see an old recording of mine that I posted all the way back in October 2014. How has over a decade passed so quickly? Anyhow, the link is on the right-hand side if you scroll down a bit (or click here!) :^)

The one-player game is next to impossible without altering the gravity...

...and even then, it's next to impossible!

The two-player game is an absolute killer...

...well, if your family can get their head around the controls.

Sleepwalker

Nightwalker

Imagine me in 1993, a dedicated Atari STe fanatic, but my beloved computer wasn’t valued nearly enough by the commercial gaming world, and its enhanced hardware remained largely ignored. So when Ocean promised an STe-powered platformer, I was ecstatic, imagining a vibrant world of exploration and adventure with extra colours, smooth scrolling, and sampled sounds. Then I got my hands on a cracked copy (99.9% sure it was Flame of Finland), and I was gutted. I wanted a platformer to be a platformer – run, jump, explore, pick up bonuses, and so on. No, it's more like Lemmings, and I hated that with a vengeance (sorry, not sorry).

For Sleepwalker, we take on the role of Ralph, a desperate dog whose owner, Lee, suffers from sleepwalking and might wander into all kinds of hazards. We must guide him safely through a gauntlet of different levels. Not only do we need to keep him alive, but we cannot let him wake up, or the shock kills him (good, I say!).

As Ralph, we rush to clear away any obstacles, some easy, some dangerous (this part weirdly reminded me of Highway Encounter). As you do this, you're opening up a pathway for the idiot kid, but you may still need to give him a (ahem) gentle kick in the right direction. I guess it’s a mix of puzzle-solving, wrapped in a slapstick package - with the ever-present tension that one wrong move could see Lee tumble into disaster.

As you can see, Sleepwalker does indeed share a bit of its DNA with Lemmings. However, I guess it’s more of a distant cousin you don't like, and, even though we're not digging holes or erecting ladders, you still manipulate the environment to steer Lee away from hazards. The challenge comes from being quick on the joystick and remembering the level map, all whilst thinking ahead to react and redirect Lee.

Sleepwalker is technically stunning, demonstrating the Atari STe with amazing graphics, sounds, and brisk hardware scrolling. Sadly, that means nothing when the game is doggy-do-do. Plus, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it's a cheap Lemmings in disguise. Only this time, we're stressing over a child. Something I do in life, and not what I desire from a game. Playing Sleepwalker is like being on unpaid babysitting duty!

It may have been for Comic Relief, but the only relief I got was switching off my STe and going to bed.

• Experience my version of 1993 with the same disks - Flame of Finland (download at Atari Legend).
• The best way to play Sleepwalker is using a hard drive, thanks to Peter Putnik.
• Sleepwalker is now listed in the Atari STe enhanced games list!
• Silly tidbit time... I decided to play Sleepwalker after a poll that I posted on X. While it didn’t quite go as planned (ahem), I would like to thank everyone who voted. Follow me on X.

So, we begin, and straight away, the first level is huge and easy to get lost in.

The next level looks really nice, with a bit of a Pitfall feel to it.

Irritating game!! This stupid kid is really annoying me...

...so, I left him and went exploring!

Lost the will to carry on here. So I let him die, for a laugh. Why not!

Once again, I left him to go exploring. I like to wander, me.

The daft look on my face as I realised games were supposed to be fun!

And after all that stress and hassle, the stupid kid is still asleep!!

(check out his big toes lol)

Bio Hazard

Imperial Transporter Equadus

Bio Hazard is a 3D first-person adventure developed in STOS by Les Greenhalgh. If you’ve ever played Dungeon Master (I can’t believe I just said that), you will know exactly what to expect in terms of its basic gameplay. The documentation claims this is Dungeon Master in Space, and while the style and visuals support that, I’d say this is a completely different experience, being more of an action/adventure shooter.

We're in space, aboard a ship with a radiation leak on its fourth deck. It gets worse: the xenomorph containment vessels have ruptured, and an infestation is imminent - of course it is. Don't worry, a security team was sent to assess the damage. Actually, no - do worry - because all contact with them has been lost!

Meanwhile, the ship's computer is preparing to wake the remaining operatives from hypersleep and has initiated the self-destruct sequence to stop the xenomorphs from falling into enemy hands. Our job is to place plutonium fuel rods into their designated slots. Once that's done, we’ll have two minutes to escape before the entire ship undergoes a thermonuclear implosion. The escape shuttlecraft is located on the first level.

Enough of my jibber jabber, let's see some screenshots...

Based on the Dungeon Master engine, we explore a camp ship with a weird colour scheme.

Look everywhere for items that may help. Hey, what's that camouflaged on the ground?

Let's explore!

First things first, you won’t get far without fully understanding the user interface. It will be confusing at first, but once you get used to it, it’s actually quite good - just a bit clunky. The main window gives you a first-person perspective, while below it, you’ll find details of what you’re carrying along with your vital stats. Over on the right, there’s a cluster of icons that, frankly, could have been better - less is more & all that.

Now, before you charge off to an untimely death (courtesy of a xenomorph that looks suspiciously like a metallic Facehugger), take a moment to get familiar with this interface. Below, I’ve included a screenshot of the main screen and also the inventory, with helpful numbered markings for this guide...

• 1) Use the icons to navigate, but I preferred using the keyboard.
• 2) The two icons in the middle of the arrows are to aim, and the other operates the doors.
• 3) Pickup... Drop items... Load weapon/Battery... Recruit a person to your team.
• 4) Up ladders/teleporters... Same, but down... Inventory... Use syringes/disks.
• 5) These weirdo guys are the team members you've chosen.
• 6) This is where you can view a level map (it doesn't last long!)
• 7) Left and right hands to carry and use items - like laser guns and more.
• 8) Stats - until later in the game, only worry about "S" for Stamina.

The opening area is free from aliens, so take time to explore and get comfortable with this interface. You will find a disk on the floor with a message welcoming you to the game and instructing you to gather your team. Don’t forget to check the wall dispensers for extra goodies - ammo, a battery, and a syringe. Finally, you’ll notice two doorways. One is locked(!), but the other is open and ready for you to step through. Dare you?

You don't need to be brave and open that door - not with more screenshots to view...

They sure made these spacecraft with trippy colours using two main colour types.
Check out the numbered markings and use the key above. It's easier than it looks!

You can store everything in the inventory, from a spanner to a grenade.
However, there’s a catch: you can’t transfer items directly between team members.
Instead, you must drop the item on the floor and get another character to pick it up...

Let's kill aliens!

I’m guessing you’ve taken that next step and opened that door? From here on out, things get dangerous - especially since you’re unarmed! Thankfully, after a few steps, you will see several wall dispensers. Surely, one of them has a weapon we can use? You will also notice some with faces - these people you can add to your team. Strangely, there’s no real info about them, so I suppose we’re judging purely on looks?

Make sure you grab the map and, more importantly, find that weapon - which, as it turns out, is an axe. Not exactly sci-fi, but it gets the job done because there are no electronics or moving parts. A reliable weapon that is effective at close range. Later, you’ll come across a laser gun, though it’s not quite as dependable as you shall discover. Hey, did you happen to spot a repair terminal back there? That might come in handy!

The first level is big and nicely "divided" into sections using closed doorways, each crawling with aliens just waiting to be smashed with that axe (remember to close these doors!). As you push forward, you'll start getting access to other weapons, like a laser gun, mines, and grenades. Be careful with anything explosive - if you’re too close when it goes off, the character leading your team is going to take some heavy damage!

Each level has "hidden" areas you can access by what looks like a rubber swimming ring. It’s actually a teleporter that whisks you away to a separate section packed with rooms to explore and wall terminals to loot. Eventually, you’ll reach a point where the enemies are getting bigger and nastier. Your axe will do the job, but whatever you do, don’t stand still and soak up unnecessary damage - keep moving and stay sharp!

This game is probably starting to sound very familiar. A rip-off? But I'd say, Bio Hazard is very much a game of action and exploration - walk, search, find, use, and take down anything that gets in your way. I really like how the game eases you in with a simple map packed with useful items. This helps you get your bearings while also letting you experiment - reloading weapons, using syringes, reading disks, and so on.

The learning curve extends to the enemies as well. Before long, you’ll start coming across eggs. They may look harmless at first, but don’t be fooled - think of the Alien films! Once they (somehow) sense your presence, they crack open. And that’s when something jumps out - something that looks suspiciously like a spider. Or maybe an Alien Facehugger. Either way, it's time to put that new axe to good use!

At this point, you’ll probably start paying attention to the stats at the bottom of the screen. For now, it's only worth keeping your eyes on the first as the others won't really come into play until later.

• "S" for Stamina is essentially your health. This can be replenished with items you find.
• "R" for Radiation - though I never actually saw this increase.
• "I" for Impregnation - I have no idea if that applies to you or the ship!
• "C" for Countdown kicks in when you’re racing to escape at the end.
• "L" for the level of radiation during the final moments.

Dungeon Master in space? I’m more like Jason Voorhees in space! Let's have more screenshots...

The first real enemy on level one is a big mother with teeth!

Kill her, and a few Facehuggers, then you will see the exit to the next stage.

Aesthetics

The colour scheme in this game is... interesting. The early levels are drenched in beige and purple, which doesn’t exactly scream "stylish". However, it’s not a massive issue, and not commercial, so I'll not moan. Regardless, this beige theme actually works well for the user interface - it’s clean and precise.

This front-end feels overwhelming at first - so I jotted down notes about the function of each icon, ensuring my old brain wouldn’t get confused. But after half an hour, it becomes second nature. There are a lot of icons, maybe too many, but you get used to them. The real pain comes with swapping weapons and items between characters - it’s a bit fiddly. But overall, the display works well, even if the colour choices are peculiar!

The audio is absolutely spot on with a wide range of effects for nearly every action - doors sliding open, the dispensers, and that gratifying clonk when you smack an alien with your axe. You’ll love hearing your own cries in action! The only letdown is the lack of footstep sounds, though I guess that’s not surprising.

I think I've yapped on enough! Let's see some screenshots before the gripping conclusion...

Something big is coming, and I can fight or close that doorway and run.

I was being beaten senseless. So... Game over, man. Game over!

The CryptO'pinion

To recap, the interface is (initially) awkward and cluttered with icons for actions that don’t need them - like separate buttons for picking up and dropping items instead of a simple click-&-drag. Recruiting teammates makes sense, but the system is clunky - item exchanges are cumbersome, and equipping them becomes a chore that’s easy to overlook. Worst of all, the map. It's super handy until its power drains way too fast!

That said, despite these gripes, for a homebrew adventure, this game absolutely rocks. Navigating through the ship is quick and easy, with no lag. The maps are cleverly crafted, hitting that sweet spot - engaging and progressively tougher, yet never impossible. And, unlike similar games, Bio Hazard is generous with its items, such as ammo and health, which makes it possible to progress deeper into the unknown.

It’s funny, but I wasn't expecting much when I first saw the graphics. I thought it would lack the charm of the commercial games and be nothing more than an “also-ran.” How wrong I was. Bio Hazard is a blast! It's well-designed, fun, and worth checking out if you fancy a break from a traditional crawler.

Think of it as more of a Lite Dungeon Master that earns a respectable 75% rating from yours truly.

• The only download worth getting is the registered game from Atarimania!!
• However, there is a demo version with a simpler user interface/etc, which may tempt other players to take a stab at this rewarding game? I hope so. This can be found at Atari Legend that has a few Menu Disks. AtariUpToDate has the demo on a Floppyshop disk.

Sleuth (mapped)

Inspector Clouseau

Many moons ago, when the Crypt was young, I stumbled upon a Berzerk game called Sleuth. It's by Larry Scholz and originally came on an ST Review cover disk. It sucked compared to the Dave Munsie conversion, but I still liked it. In fact, I liked it enough to warrant spending many hours over Christmas mapping it.

However, without a trainer, I had to save my progress each time I entered a new room. It was a tedious process, and I desperately needed a better solution. That’s when Mug UK came to the rescue, kindly creating a hack for extra lives. Remarkably, the change only required 4 bytes. Not that I'd understand the jargon:

"I disassembled it using EasyRider4. Then converted the huge source file using Stew's Convert program to make it smaller.

Using Notepad++, I search for all occurrences of '5' being moved into a value. I then worked out which address the lives were (at a guess) being stored in, then looked elsewhere in the code for that same address.

Found a SUBQ.W #1, address and removed it using 2 x NOPS (4E71 twice, hence 4 bytes). Tested it and it worked the first time 🙂 "

This was a game-changer. It's remarkable how such a small change made a big difference - I could suddenly map Sleuth a hundred times faster, so it wasn't long before the entire game was fully mapped - complete with all the extra details: key locations, locked doors, and bonus lives. I might be the only person left on Earth to play this quirky Berzerker, but I hope my map sparks curiosity and inspires someone else to try it.

And you should download it because Mug UK went the extra mile - Sleuth now boots up with a trainer option screen before the game begins. So I’ve created a floppy disk image (which you can optionally copy to your Ultrasatan or hard drive). Of course, it’s free to download and exclusively available first here on AtariCrypt. Now, the big question: what should I name this new disk? Arghh, surely not SleuthCrypt, you cry? O_o

All credit goes to Mike Mee ~~> aka Mug UK <~~ for his fantastic hacking skills. My sincere gratitude, as I doubt I would have made it past the first locked door without the extra lives (not without spending several months of my life). Okay, I imagine somebody out there is eager to play the Crypt version of Sleuth?

I sure hope so; keeping my fingers crossed. Here are all the links...

• SleuthCrypt: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/d1djl0biy8twqm030e4b4/SleuthCrypt...
• The map: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/on5on2sewc895oekjlyr3/Sleuth-map...
• Atari Legend: https://www.atarilegend.com/games/sleuth-majicsoft
• Mug UK: https://demozoo.org/sceners/2542/
• Mike's website: https://mug-uk.co.uk
• More ST game maps: https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/game-maps.html
• Even more ST stuff I made: https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/MySTstuff/

I would never have seen the final room without a trainer. Flashy place, uh?

Can you beat me? Will anyone ever play this game again?

It was only after completing the game that I noticed it was on "Novice".
I replayed on "Expert", the controls seem quicker, but everything else is the same.

Yep, I have fully mapped the game, and the download link is above!

Deluxe Nostram

Into the Wonderful

This takes me back as I remember playing the original thanks to a magazine cover disk. It was a good platformer, but some screens were fiddly, so I didn't get very far. It was a freebie, so I shouldn't complain too much! Deluxe Nostram is the sequel and much the same, but with better controls.

Released in 1993 by Powerfist, it was programmed in STOS by Daniel Walton with graphics by Ian Wilkinson. The map is ginormous with an incredible amount of rooms to pillage. The documentation has a line that I thought was brilliant: "THE GREATEST ADVENTURE YOU WILL EVER EXPERIENCE". Well, that's surely a bold statement and one that only made me excited for great things. (Yeah, I'm easily pleased)

Wait, this sounds too good to be true? Maybe, but let's crack on and check out two screenshots...

Oi, you with the helmet head, this is the starting screen where your adventure begins.

Ah, a doorway and it looks wide open too. Don't be fooled, a key is still oddly required...

Don't fall asleep

Today's muscular hero is an adventurer in a castle tower with bizarre monsters. The objective is to collect five crystals scattered throughout the castle to escape and regain the Wings of Flight. During the journey, there are obstacles, trinkets to collect and locked doors granting access to mysteriously hidden places.

Any platformer demands effortless, instinctive controls that are responsive and precise. Deluxe Nostram nails this, especially as the jump mechanic was later improved, so our warrior is agile. However, numerous screens are void of monsters or dangerous obstacles, which means little reason to exercise these controls.

That makes this a rather strange game, as I expected content similar to any generic platformer. Nope, Deluxe Nostram presents more of an exploration adventure with a few puzzles along the way. It's mostly just us wandering about looking for keys and crystals if I'm brutally honest. Are you still interested?

Nevertheless, it's the explorational element that appealed to me. It's possible to visit all rooms without resorting to a cheat, as there's little to endanger you! So I enjoyed the entire game rather than worrying about impossibly tough screens. Although I doubt many reading this will feel the same way?

You're still here? That's good! Okay, let's take a look at more purple and orange screenshots...

A weird purple monster walking against the purple background. Hmm...

One of the more bizarre enemies you will come across. I'd say kill it before thinking of moving on...

Aesthetics

Graphically, this is <cough> very familiar thanks to a design all too godlike, albeit less sophisticated. I appreciated this display because it's clean and concise, so it works well. Sadly, there isn't enough variation, so everything looks samey after a while. I was also weary of seeing the same colour scheme!

The audio is less than favourable as there is no music, and the effects are limited to hitting monsters or collecting stuff. Basically, it's silent, and that's a shame as a chiptune would have been welcome.

Fancy a gander at even more purple/orange screenshots? No? Well, I'm in charge, so tough luck...

One of the stupidest screens, as it's impossible to pass the two blades without losing energy!

See that crystal over there? You need that, but how will you get it? Make a map!

The CryptO'pinion?

Deluxe Nostram isn't the best platformer, but it's far from the worst. The castle is huge, but there are too many rooms with little to do. Ie, no moving platforms, slides, acid pools, or even roaming monsters! As a platformer, it fails to engage the player, and I fear that might dishearten a lot of potential players.

Oddly, for me, this was a nice change! It enabled me to travel through the castle, and that's why I enjoyed mapping it. Deluxe Nostram is for those who enjoy exploration, so I doubt it will appeal to most platformer fans. This is a weird one. I will definitely be interested to know what you guys think in the comments below.

The floppy can be downloaded, but PP has adapted a better version that you can grab by clicking here.

The Maps!

Here are the thumbnails for each of the four levels. As you can see, they are all complete, but I wasn't able to exit and finish the game as the door (top/left of map 3) looped back (in error) to map 4. And that is the same as the door on the second floor, so I can only assume it's a bug seeing both doors lead to the same place.

Yes, I am totally gutted by that!!

On map 1, the door on the first level takes you to the dungeon level (which is map 2).

On map 1, the door on the fifth level takes you to map 3 (bottom/left door there).

On map 1, the door on the third level is used as an entrance only.

On map 3, the door on the first level takes you to the entrance door mentioned above.

On map 3, the door on the second level takes you to map 4.

On map 3, the door on the fourth level also takes you to map 4 (perhaps a bug?)

Don't hang around, come and get the hi-res maps downloaded!

[Map 1] This is where we begin our adventure...

[Map 2] The Dungeon, a tiny level that (erm) looks nothing like a dungeon!

[Map 3] Possibly the best level of them all, albeit still with few monsters to contend with!

[Map 4] presents another place to explore. See what I did there? You would if you had played it... ;)

Hector vs The Mutant Vampire Tomatoes From Hell

Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes?

Hector vs the Mutant Vampire Tomatoes From Hell was released in 1993 by Pete Whitby of Jetpac fame (a superb conversion). Of course, this is a platformer based loosely on the Space Panic genre and begins with a fascinating demoscene-like presentation I loved. Heck, it even has a scroller to read - what a great start.

Each screen has a selection of evil tomatoes roaming like they own the place! There are four types, each with different characteristics and abilities, but the only way to kill them is to dig holes with our trusty spade and hope they fall in. Then we rush over and smash their faces with a spade. Gruesome fun and dead simple.

The monsters have various levels of AI. This means there are the thickos who are all too willing to fall into a gaping hole. Plus, the smarter ones who can jump and brandish weapons. What, you thought these privileges were yours alone? Don't expect them to remain helplessly trapped inside a dug hole - hurry!

Actually, there's no need to hurry because there's no time limit. That's right, no time limit. Fabulous!!

The first level introduces you nicely, so experiment with leaping, digging, and killing.

Joystick Controls

Hector can walk, jump, and climb ladders, and I must say how slick and responsive the joystick controls are. To dig, hold down the fire button and push upwards, whereas pulling down fills it in. A hole doesn't need to be completed to temporarily capture a tomato. That is a superb element, especially on later levels.

Hector is free to change direction in mid-jump anytime and can cling/fall off ladders at will. That's a lot better than it sounds. This tomato-basher can even sneak up on any tomato to instantly begin the joy of clubbing. Try it!! Oh, and don't forget to jump! Have I said just how amazing the controls are? Let me say this - the joystick controls are extraordinary for both function and fluidity of action. Wonderful, just wonderful!!

Splattered tomatoes produce a range of bonuses: points, bigger leaps, extra lives, and more. Do you want guns? We have guns that can shoot, freeze and even throw out sliding landmines (an unexpected and welcome mechanic). Always grab any bonuses as they are an integral part of the gameplay and success!

Okay, let's take a moment's pause with the boring reading for another screenshot...

Okay, I've got a weapon, and I'm not afraid to use it.

Aesthetics

Each level feels 8-bit and is no Rainbow Islands or Magic Pockets. That's okay because it's perfectly apt for the classic Panic theme. The sprites are the best thing with cute expressions and are nicely animated - just wait until you see the Berzerker, so freaky. A great and unique drawing - I love how he looks!!

Music is wonderful, and there's a great reason for that - thank you, Jochen Hippel, for his magical musical talent!! The sound effects are produced from a variety of FM samples, so I imagine Pete didn't have an Atari STe, which is a tremendous shame. Hang on, did I just hear a Rick Dangerous sound effect? Oh yes, excellent!!

Righto, let's break for another screenshot of retro gold...

Don't forget where you dug those holes; otherwise, you're left hanging and vulnerable.

The CryptO'pinion?

Hector provides a brilliant spin on the Panic genre with perfect controls for fluent movements that have us leaping and clubbing the freaky fruits with ease. However, I'm baffled why he climbs the ladder so slowly, as this doesn't gel with the rest of his movements. And that's my only beef with this incredible PD game.

For me, the game design, controls, and AI are marvellous. These help make the game so playable and therefore very, very addictive. Quite simply, this is one of the best platformers I've played in ages.

The all-important download, a cool video by Wasabim, and even more awesome screenshots...

The main menu is ace with a belting chiptune, scroller and helpful information.

The only level I didn't like the look of because it's a bit too green 'n mushy!

Those tomatoes are annoying, so squash them for a great pizza topping!

I love the armour this guy is wearing, but who's sneaking about near the top? Freaky!!

I scored 9301 on my second attempt. Not a bad score if I'm honest. Can you beat me?