Showing posts with label Atari STe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atari STe. Show all posts

Saturday, April 24, 2021

Droid Special Edition



Missing: One Droid

Droid was originally developed by MP Lord (he of Hoog fame!!) and was a smash hit that saw a sequel three years later. Sadly, neither of these games supported the enhanced hardware of the Atari STe which meant chip fx, flick-scrolling and a fair bit of slowdown when things got hectic. Not only that, but the joystick controls were finicky - I would accidently fall off ledges when struggling to precisely time a jump (pulling down and then leaping - arghhh!)

I remember (back in 2016) being excited to hear that Jamie Hamshere was working on an improved version that would take advantage of the Atari STe hardware. I could only imagine what it would be like to play a scrollable Droid. Jamie even planned to tweak those controls to remove the irritation that threatened each and every jump - for me anyhow.

Well, that project was completed late last year yet somehow, I completely missed it. What planet have I been living on? Anyhow, I figured I should boot it up to see how this cult ST shooter played on my Atari STe.

So, without further ado, here is the first sexy screenshot to whet your appetite...



Get out quick, this area is pretty hellish with droids and wall-mounted guns!


An armless Robocop!

Oh yes, we most certainly are. Just imagine yourself as a mechanoid armed to the teeth and able to leap huge heights. Somehow, this beast is trapped inside a massive underground cavern and wants to escape to get home for tea. However, the path through isn't as easy as walking in a straight line into the light ahead. That would be too easy!

The caves are a labyrinth of dangerous rooms and many are guarded or patrolled by other mechanoids all too willing to blast you into smithereens. This is a hideous maze designed with numerous dead ends that require keys to unlock many doorways. It's an underground hell and is nigh on impossible to escape without making yourself a map to help plot your journey. No, wait we don't need a pen and paper because Jamie has added an auto-mapping tool. This helps navigate, find objects and prevent the frustration of getting lost. An exceptional new feature.

That's not all that's changed, the old (large) status panel has gone and replaced by the tiniest bar so we can enjoy more screen space. This still shows the same information for lives, weapons, energy /etc but we now have far more gaming real estate. Are you loving this upgrade already, or what? The various weaponry you're able to carry is also shown - pressing the ALT key will cycle through what you have available. Don't waste your supplies on the wrong monsters!

Come on, let's view another screenshot for all those not wanting to watch the video above...



Oh no, a different type of droid and this one is throwing bombs!


Mummy, I'm scared!

Droid might be a metallic brute but that doesn't mean he's invincible. Watch out for other droids wandering back and forth protecting their part of the cave. They're a few butties short of a picnic but will still shoot on sight. As you progress, you'll see other areas are protected by a variety of strange objects: some shooting out bombs and others like wall-mounted lasers. But there are other things to avoid, like fire or falling into the bottomless pit... It's bad down here!

There is a map and using this is an absolute must! Otherwise, you will only get lost and probably give up. Keep on looking for those keys and carefully plot a route. Mini-bosses appear throughout the entire journey and the first is like an angry prawn! The armoured truck is excellent and an unexpected boss to find in a cavern. I wonder if it's Jet Man?

This game has always been a tough nut for tough nutters and I think this still applies today with this upgrade. Those later rooms are merciless with a cruel design that feels OTT many times with lasers, bombs and mechs all ganging up on you at once. Death results in a life loss which unfairly sends you back to the starting checkpoint. Only a skilled and determined gamer (willing to spend time and effort) is going to succeed. So good luck because I've no chance O_o

Fancy a screenshot that shows a rather weird monster? Don't run away, check this out...



What the heck is that, some kind of sea creature? I hope you saved your better weaponry?


Fancy a few juicy tips?
1) Don't kill everything you see and therefore run out of precious ammo.
2) Collect power-ups for energy and ammo only when you need to!
3) Closely stalking droids is fun plus it's safer and uses no ammo.
4) Learn to use the mapping tool. It's a little odd at first and reminded me of Heartland.
5) Some weapons are best left until you need them for a specific purpose.
6) Learn the controls and enjoy a few practice games before taking on the challenge.
7) Walk away and give up. You're not good enough!! (I'm kidding, I'm kidding!!)
Did those tips help? Are you man enough to play this game? Whatever your reply, here are more screenshots...



Be patient and unlock the doorway barrier only after the droid walks away.


Did you know?

Jame worked with Jonathan Thomas on the recent Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge for the Atari STe. This is an upgrade of the classic racer that brings the game in line with the Amiga version. In every respect, except the tracker music. Now, I know what those guys will think, but I prefer chipmusic over a MOD any day. I personally don't see YM Chiptunes by Ben Daglish as a bad thing. Quite the opposite and it's one of the many aspects that makes the ST so cool.

To play, all you need is a 1MB Atari ST so check it out, folks because the collaboration between these two has proved far beyond fruitful. And the expertise Jamie has for the DMA hardware is jaw-dropping. Lotus has been transformed from a great racer into an awesome racer which, I assume, wasn't easy an easy task? I'm sure you will all love playing it!!
    * The original web feature proved why 2021 might not suck after a year of paranoia.
    * The current release of #LotusSTE is now available so get it downloaded right now mister!!

You not only have Droid for the Atari STe but now Lotus Esprit. How lucky are you!! Very!! So, it's screenshot time...



Another killer area with droids, bombs, guns and fire. RUN!!


Aesthetics

Things might appear similar to the original game but a keen ST gamer will notice the play area has increased by a huge amount. The colours are improved and the Blitter is moving the sprites so that the ugly slowdown has gone. The only thing missing is Droid's minigun graphic from the original. Finally, this shooter now smoothly scrolls in all directions compared to the dreadful horizontal flick-screen method. Jamie, you've (respectfully) blown the original into pieces!!

The audio has also seen big changes with the addition of in-game music and sampled sound effects thanks to his skills in getting the utmost out of the audio hardware. Check out the funky theme music using his own program: Turbochip to knock out 7-channels using the DMA and YM2149 together for phenomenal results. Yes, phenomenal is the word.

So it looks and sounds amazing. So why don't I stick a screenshot of the game's map right here...


The new map tool. Finally, I won't get lost anymore. He says...


The CryptO'pinion?

Miles did a great job and produced a platformer that was different, challenging and stuffed full of action. It's quite incredible considering it wasn't commercial so all credit to his talent, commitment and love for the Atari ST. However, the lack of dedicated hardware had a negative effect on the end product. Plus I found the controls very irritating and I would also get myself lost - a lot. I guess Jamie felt the same way and went ahead to rectify these niggles?

Jamie's project to enhance an already great game was risky but came together well because it's a perfect blend of improved aesthetics with better gameplay. Finally, I'm not accidentally falling off ledges by failing to make those tricky jumps. As remakes go, it's fascinating to think how much hard work he invested into improving this ST classic.

It's still the same shooter but one that has been rolled in glitter so sparkles like it's brand new. And I love it.

- DOWNLOADS -

AtariMania has a floppy disk download.

Jamie bravely recorded a complete playthrough!

Fancy going Godlike with infinite energy and ammo?
Then enter this code on the title: FEELCOSMICALLTHETIME

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Atari STe games [part two]




Let's make use of the enhanced hardware!

I'm sure you were all expecting this, right? :@) Yup, I've put together a second video recording that features even more Atari STe games from the Crypt archives. Once again, just a few seconds of each game is shown accompanied by the same groovy background tune by Tomchi. Greetings to all my fellow STe Nutters out there!


Okay, let's check out those games...

 Uridium - Peter has performed his usual magic and transformed this old clunky shooter into a beauty.
 Operation Garfield - I dare you not to laugh at this silly shoot 'em up!
 Zool - Good on the ST and even better on the STe. Different to Sonic and fun for a few hours.

  


 Giana Sisters - This is what the original should have been like all along! One of the best-enhanced games.
 Chronicles of Omega - More colours on the STf but smooth as silk on the STe and with DMA audio.
 Substation - Doom for the ST? Well, no it's very different but it's still a BRILLIANT fps game.

  


 Stardust - Now we're talking, play this Asteroids and tell me it's not mind-blowing. Superb shooter!!
 Heartland 2000 - An Easter Egg with legs but look how smoooooth it runs!!
 Zero-5 - The STe goes all Star Wars on us and it's utterly brilliant too. What a cracking game this is.

  


 Pac Mania - The original was good but this blows it out of the water!!
 R-Type Deluxe - Good old Bod did us proud right until the end. I miss him and thank him for the pics.
 Team - I ain't a soccer fan but check out this in overscan. Wow!!

  


 Sliders - Looks weird, scrolls like silk, but can you play it? One odd game this. Very odd...
 Obsession - Best pinball game on any ST? Very possibly because this is a jaw-dropper Christmas cracker!

  

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Atari STe games [part one]



Let's get ready to rumble!

I've put together a video recording of 14 Atari STe games. Of course, this isn't complete because there are lots more out there but, in the interest of keeping things short and sweet, my video shows a few seconds from each game. With a groovy background tune by Tomchi, which is just gorgeous! I hope you enjoy this humble presentation?


Come on, man! Get to the games...

 Bombaman - Everyone loves Bomberman and this is a Christmas cracker we both loved.
 Escape 2042 - I bought this and so should you. This is incredible. Frustratingly incredible :)
 Pacman On E's - The little yellow fella pops ecstasy pills for a furious take on the classic!

  


 Alien Blast - Skip by those old bugs to enjoy a tremendous Alien-infested shoot 'em up.
 Death Chase - Quite possibly one of the best games I have ever played. Pure gold this one, folks!
 Ultimate Arena - Punch like Chuck Norris and kick like Bruce Lee in this beat 'em up.

  


 Pole Position - A near arcade-perfect conversion of one of the best racers ever. It is superb.
 PouifOuf - Those graphics might look familiar but the gameplay is furiously different - Wow!!
 Top Banana - The graphics make your eyes bleed and the sounds are... different... but it's weirdly good.

  


 Crackman/Dealer - A different twist on the old pill popper and something you will love instantly love.
 Whitewater Madness - Ignore the demo that's been around for years. Play the full version - an AtariCrypt first!
 Roger - The STe shows us exactly what it's capable of and Spot shines for a truly superb game.

  


 Jinks - Something my mind cannot fathom and PP totally destroys that jerky STf original.
 R0X - Zoom through the heavens, scaping giant rocks, all for a massive arcade adrenalin rush!

  

Friday, July 13, 2018

Bombaman



Bomberman sucks!

Ever since I first played Erik And The Floaters on my ZX Spectrum, I have enjoyed many different Bomberman clones and here is yet another one called Bombaman. Developed by Kevin Callahan for the Atari STe, this conversion is multiplayer for two-four people, with support for those enhanced joystick ports lurking on the side of the computer.

Blowing up stuff is superb thanks to light and responsive joystick controls. Tons of power-ups are available and contain some favourites, like a molotov cocktail and chucking bombs over a wall. Others can increase the number of bombs we are able to drop - but watch out for chain reactions during their explosions as that will detonate others. Roller skates speed up gameplay whilst flap jackets protect us but slower players better watch out for zombies. Fun is the name of this game!

Want a screenshot? Well, brace yourself and get ready to squint...



It starts tame but soon you're using power-ups and blasting everything!


Aesthetics

The visuals are incredibly colourful but may require sunglasses to protect your eyes from all that glare!! Okay, the colour is completely over the top and looks like a child would have picked the colours but who said Kevin was an artist? Thankfully, everything runs smoothly at 50fps thanks to the Blitter and is displayed in overscan too I might add.

Chipmusic plays throughout, which I really enjoyed because it's downright awesome. Thankfully, it never overpowers the DMA sound effects bursting out of your Atari STe and that is how all games should be!!

Yeah, the colour palette is very trippy so let's annoy your eyes on final time with another screenshot...



All that colour could drive you insane - if it wasn't such a great game!!


The CryptO'pinion?

This is a brilliant multiplayer which has lived up to my expectations and I'm sure you will love gathering around the ST to play this. Okay, okay, I admit that I would have loved a single-player option but that's my only gripe as we have thoroughly enjoyed Bombaman - my daughter says it's her favourite Atari ST game [watch our video recording].

This is a cracking game for those who enjoy throwing bombs at their friends. Who doesn't? So download it. Now.

Update: Kevin has since found the floppy disk of the registered version. This is now safely stored on AtariMania. Go on and grab it now!

Sunday, July 01, 2018

Crash Time Plumber (longplay recording)



> Update: Read our review featurette about this beautiful game!!


Crash Time Plumber is an astounding platformer but I struggled to beat level 6 with my joystick skills. So that meant there was only one thing left to do - cheat! The later levels are killers!! Even with a cheat, all I would do is die-die-die!! But, eventually, I did it, as you can see in the recording. I dare anyone to complete it without extra lives...

This is most definitely one of my favourite platformers. It's nothing less than infuriatingly awesome!!

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Escape 2042



Fancy playing a slick and exciting new game?

Escape 2042 has just been released for the Atari STe by Cedric Bourse (yes, he of Yopaz IceStar). It's a platformer that can be downloaded - for only a few pounds - which is insane value for money I'm sure you'll agree? Your purchase will get you both the floppy and hard disk versions - the only requirement being an Atari STe with 1MB of Ram (2MB for HDD installation). Also, a boxed release is planned for later in the year for all those interested!! (I hope to buy this)

The story goes like this: In the year 2042, a socialist government is in power, but nobody had foreseen progressive dictatorship that settled in. The elites of the government hid behind a sham democracy, disconnected from the life the people were leading and acted solely in their own interests.

The regime considered the dissidents as conspiracy theorists, treated them like terrorists and locked them away in highly-secured prisons, to prevent them from telling the people the truth about the manipulating medias accomplice of the government power.

You are Shun, a computer engineer and member of the Truth Defenders coalition.

After a clandestine operation to inform the people, you are locked away in the highly-secured prison Bulor 24. But your knowledge of security systems will enable you to escape.

Your turn now to escape as fast as you can from this place!


The Atari STe is looking good with detailed visuals and ultra-smooth scrolling.


Watch out for those cameras flipping between two points of view. Time those tricky jumps!!

Monday, April 02, 2018

Enhanced Games



New game updates!

Everyone knows that Peter Putnik has adapted hundreds of games for hard disk installation. These often include extras like bug fixes, TOS compatibility, 4MB patching, and so on. However, some are also super-charged with cool coding that utilises the Blitter coprocessor and other hidden chips lurking inside the Atari STe.

I thought it would be nice to offer a brief round-up of these enhanced games as a compilation here on AtariCrypt. Oids and Uridium are particularly impressive as both updates improve tremendously upon their original counterparts. I also enjoyed playing my own music during a game of Xenon 2 (read the docs and convert music from your library). There's something here for everyone and I hope you find this useful. Let me know what you think!




Let's play...

Okay, let's take a look at some of these enhanced games that you can download and play right now...

 Xenon II - updated for the Atari STe and features DMA streamed music. Turn up the volume!
 Cannon Fodder - enhance this lame port with your chosen DMA streamed music.
 Prince Of Persia - allow the DMA hardware lurking inside the Atari STe to replay the game's sounds.

  


Did you enjoy that? Well, here are three enhanced FTL games that are nicely improved...

 Dungeon Master - far cleaner samples are heard thanks to the DMA hardware within the Atari STe.
 Chaos Strikes Back - Again, the DMA hardware allows cleaner sample playback for this awesome sequel.
 Oids - the potential for double framerates deliver a smoother experience when rescuing the stickmen.

  


Right, let's take a peek at three more which aren't exactly favoured well by the average ST gamer...

 Jinks - this jerky game is weird but at least it now uses the smoother STe scrolling [original disks still required]
 Menace - I cannot thank Peter enough for replacing that horrendous yellow ship with a white one!
 Uridium - Blitter-boost that sluggish ship and add DMA-streamed background music while you're at it!

  


Now let's take a little run-around with these three you might never have expected to boot up...

 Giana Sisters - this Zamuel_a enhanced game now also comes with optional DMA streamed music!!
 Hard 'n' Heavy - gone is that embarrassing flip-screen gameplay, all thanks to cool Blitter programming.
 Road Runner - Improved and also Blitterized for faster scrolling - but it's still a rubbish game (sorry!)

  


Okay, let's end in style! Here are two ST classics and (wait for it) a PC classic too! Ooh, nice...

 Goldrunner - Some might not like this, but I love hitting the F3 key to disable that fuzzy speech!
 Gauntlet - this sluggish hack 'n slash arcade game gets big improvements but still needs extra CPU grunt.
 Wolfenstein 3D - Ray's jaw-dropping FPS now has bugs removed with decent save game support.