Wait, Master, it might be dangerous. . . you go, first!
One of my favourite lines from the cult classic movie that is also fitting for Zeppelin's Frankenstein, a "horror-themed" platformer that had us searching for gruesome body parts for an ungrateful (and mad) scientist. Of course, there's nothing much original about this but its structure, challenge, scary graphics, and perfect joystick controls help make this one of my favourite Atari ST games. It's the bee's knees; you can read about it by clicking here. (go on, click it!!)
So, why am I telling you again about this old platformer? You've guessed it - it's now fully mapped for your viewing pleasure! Now, before the negative nelly's love to tell me, I do know there are maps already out there (based on another computer's version of the game). Regardless, I wanted to make an official Atari ST map - without a watermark :-)
Hey, do you want more Atari ST game maps? Of course, you do so click here for my new section! (WIP)
The map is horizontally-enormous so it's pointless including a thumbnail of the entire thing as you wouldn't be able to see anything. So here are a few snippets from different parts and you can download the hi-res map by clicking here. I hope you enjoy the map so much that you are persuaded to play the game? Let me know in the comments below...
The morgue area really pushes that time limit so it might be worthwhile shifting a few items a little closer?
The crematorium area was one of my favourites because it's simple but superbly designed with hidden touches.
This is the first area that most found challenging because of the stupid hidden platforms... not a good idea!!
Ghosts, creepy hands, bats, dead people... what more could you ever want from a horror game!
Incredibly, it was 7 years ago that I first featured a game by Titus called Prehistorik (go on, click that link). Unlike most games programmed in STOS, I found this cute, playable, and instantly very addictive. So I figured I should map this beautiful platformer right away and there are many more web pages of mapped Atari ST games here. Check 'em out!
Okay, it's been superb playing this game again and I still appreciate its simplicity; each level is pretty much the same albeit with different graphics and a few extra baddies. That's no bad thing, I hate it when developers attempt to bulk up a game with extra stages that often end up overbearingly bloated and unnecessary. So, it's great to see Titus sticking to their guns with lots of mindless animal bashing and yes, I have not changed my opinion of Prehistorik whatsoever.
I've tried to map everything correctly with all the items shown properly. This includes each of the caves and the secret rooms - I've added directional arrows to help navigate properly. Prehistorik has been an absolute blast and I hope you enjoy these maps as much as I've enjoyed making them? Let me know in the comments below if anyone's here?
Here are a few sneaky thumbnails of what to expect and you can download the hi-res images by clicking here.
Level one is very easy to play and features lots of caves with a few hidden screens.
Perhaps it's now I should warn of spoilers? Nah, download the maps and enjoy it for yourself!
Things are getting tough with new monsters (I really like those crafty snowmen throwing snowballs)
Actually, the snowmen are very tricky and this level has some formidable screens. The boss is rubbish...
We're in the woods for the penultimate level and guess what? It's a brilliant level!!
Well, except for those squirrels who throw their nuts with such annoying accuracy. Ooer!
The final level is a belter, and really enjoyable with great gameplay. I genuinely loved it!!
After all your hard work you return home to the family. Hey, check out my wife!
Hello everyone, it's been a while since I last updated my website. Due to different reasons, I've had little time to play and write reviews, which meant putting everything on hold. In fact, 2022 was even the year I almost threw in the towel but things are getting better so I'm back and ready for ST action. Hey, wasn't that a magazine?
Anyhow, whilst playing a couple of ST games, I came up with the notion of making maps. Now, if you've been following AtariCrypt for a while, you shall already know that I'm a sucker for making maps with pen and paper. I guess these are more like rough scribbles in Steve-talk? That is great for me but, I wanted to make something 'better'.
As you have guessed, I have begun my quest with the Hewson blaster, Cybernoid. Ignoring the peculiar slowdown, this is a brilliant shooter and I'm a big fan. The ST game is a remarkable conversion developed by Tony Cooper with challenging gameplay and superb graphics plus audio that lovingly bursts the eardrums with stunning chip music. Okay, there is the odd killer screen which discourages some gamers - I don't get it, haven't they heard of infinite lives?
The mighty D-Bug have a sumptuous version featuring their excellent presentation style.
Atari Legend has an excellent review, which is more than my lazy website can offer! :} Eurogamer has an interview with Raffaele Cecco creator of the original game. (sadly, I've not been able to source anything similar for Tony Cooper)
I must say, this new mapping venture has begun strong and I'm proud of myself for completing the first three levels. However, the fourth has a killer screen that I cannot beat. No matter how much I try, it's simply too tricky for my meagre gaming skills. So I'm leaving it be (before I violently damage my already-dodgy joystick in anger). Can't win 'em all but, I must admit, I've done better than I originally imagined. So yeah, I'm happy with how this turned out.
Here are the Hi-Res images that I know you're all itching to grab and print out - thx Atari Legend for hosting!!
Merry Christmas and I wish everyone all the beST for 2023. Heck, even the Commodore boys too ;)
Level one is shockingly easier than most people think. If I can do it...
Careful timing and furious fire button-bashing are required more than ever for the second level!
Nobody will ever play Cybernoid without infinite lives and the third level demands that so much!!
This part of level 4 is oddly incomplete because I'd overwritten my saved game... :(
I really enjoyed level 4, right up until THAT screen. I never managed to beat it :(
Greetings to all of our supporters, but especially Loggins, Tweety, Mug UK, Marko Latvanen & Peter Putnik for their friendship whilst AtariCrypt has been off the air - a fantaSTic community!! Thank you :)
Okay, get playing Cybernoid and let me know in the comments below if you managed to beat level 4.
This is Xenomorph by Pandora, a 3D RPG that I'm going to be playing for eternity and thus will never get around to completing. But, I wanted to map it and share that with the world. Sadly, I don't think that will ever happen with life getting in the way. But it's a brilliant RPG and something that everyone should take a stab at because it's far more than simply "Dungeon Master in space". It's an exciting and unique adventure in its own right - plus the visuals are quite literally outstanding and probably the best of any similar 3D RPG available for the Atari ST.
Many moons ago, I found a map of this game on the internet which I hope you will find as helpful as I currently am (all credit for the mapping goes to Thiima). Anyhow, I've zipped it up along with the manual and some hints (again, ripped from the net). I just wanted to share what I had found, so get that downloaded and play this superb game.
Here are thumbnails taken from the PDF within the above download. Tempted to play now? I really hope so...
It gives me the greatest of pleasure to present Manic Miner for the Atari ST!!! This has been InDev throughout much of the year by my mate Peter Jørgensen. It's a brand-new remake with redesigned graphics and incredibly funky music (sound effects are yet to be completed). Each, and every one, of the twenty screens is included but there will also be a few surprising extras which I'm excited about. However, we are wickedly keeping these under wraps for the time being!
Those who have played the original game on their old 8-bit computers like ZX Spectrum or MSX will instantly be at home with this new Atari ST platformer. The basic game control mechanics and physics are perfectly replicated. This means it feels just like it should with authentic gameplay that hasn't been altered (or spoilt, like we saw with Chuckie Egg II).
Please note, this is still a WIP as there are a few niggles to be ironed out. Each level faithfully follows the same playable mechanics of the original but, don't for a second think this means we have a boring ripoff. Willy's adventure has received a cool makeover with beautiful YMT audio and each screen has been designed with painstaking accuracy.
Peter has kept the keys familiar and also included extra keys for a few additional features...
During the title intro, press 1, 2, 3 to change the music.
Pressing R will display a CPU usage raster for the geeks.
In-game, use the cursor keys to walk and he jumps by slapping the spacebar.
You can quit and kill poor Willy anytime by hitting the K key.
Need a wee? Just pause the game by hitting the P key.
Crazy fools who don't love the gorgeous thumping tunes can hit M to mute.
Without cheating, I have reached level 14 - Skylab Landing Bay. However, I have never beaten this terrible screen in 40 years - either on my ZX Spectrum or Atari ST. It's a killer room that blows my mind. Let me know how you do!
Okay, keeping this project quiet from everyone has been tough - but months of beta testing have been an absolute joy. It's impressive how its development has progressed into a fully playable game. The final version is near completion - so you know where to come when it's ready. Genuinely, this is one of the best Atari ST games released in recent years.
Finally, the latest version is now available to download via the Demozoo website. Go on, grab it now!!
A few words from Peter...
I wrote Manic Miner because I have a friend that was very sad that this platformer didn’t exist for the ST. So I thought that I would make him happy and began drawing the title picture which soon lead me onto designing the intro screen - but I only wanted to make a prant screenshot for April 1st. Sadly, I did not finish in time. But then the idea started to continue on with the programming to see what happens. However, I’ve not made a game in decades because life always got in the way but I wanted to do this remake just to stop my friend from crying.
So you could say that this is a Manic Miner AtariCrypt Edition! (I love that -Steve)
My goal was to make the gameplay feel as close to the original as I could but still take advanced of the Atari ST's hardware. Thus, this is a remake rather than a conversion because I have not used a single piece of the original code. I have spent many hours analysing each level, and I’ve used the original sprites and recoloured them but some needed minor changes to work. The map graphics were changed in a big way, to what I think was the idea was behind each level. I played the MSX version so I could see how the game acts and I also think this is close to the Speccy original.
Overall, I'm quite pleased with the results and I hope people enjoy playing Manic Miner :-)
Atari ST Music and Game Map
Ugh, what is this??? A map of the Atari ST game which you can now download :)
Mystic Realm is an action/adventure that feels like an early 80s mash of Gauntlet with limited RPG elements. It may scream "1985" but it was actually released in 1990 by John Lince for STart Magazine. Impressively, it's programmed in GFA Basic, a powerful language that has produced many games over the years so I already have high hopes.
Okay, the story is about an evil vagrant who has kidnapped a Princess (or Prince if you prefer the only other gender). Man or woman, it doesn't matter, as both will plunder monster-infested dungeons for a valiant rescue. Expect to fight zombies, ghosts, bats, etc. Obviously, I chose to be the prince even though I think he looks like a gingerbread man!!
Please, ignore its 8-bit appearance and enjoy the first screenshot. Dull decor but exquisite characters...
Wait, don't run away!! Remember that golden rule? Gameplay matters - not the graphics.
Plunge the depths!
There are 14 massive levels to explore with the basic objective of finding keys to venture through and ultimately rescue our beloved. Each is made from a number of separate rooms and navigation is aided by directional arrows displayed at the top of the screen. These show us the sides of the screen that will lead us through the dungeon.
The levels are mapped and included on the floppy disk (scroll down to view 'em here) and each is designed to be challenging but, never to a point where you feel bewildered or bored. Battle against a range of monsters and solve puzzles that are slowly integrated into your adventure. For example, a wooden gate may block your path but that isn't a strong obstacle against a couple of hits. However, later puzzles require more thought than simple brute force.
Fun, but requires some thought later on so use your brain. Hey, it's time for another screenshot...
Hang on, am I a gingerbread man? lol maybe! But there are still many monsters to kill. Oh yeah!!
Tread carefully, adventurer
Various weapons can be collected and each translates into a specific number of knives for our adventurer to throw like a ninja. Do note that no other weapons are actually used but collecting a high-ticket item - like an axe - will reward your inventory generously. The firing method will instantly feel familiar to Berzerk fans: just hold down the joystick button and tap the direction you wish to throw a knife. It's apt and works superbly well.
Health points are displayed top/left of the screen and detail our vitality from 0 (you're dead) to 999 (the maximum). It's hungry work being a heroic gingerbread man so chomp on whatever you find to keep yourself alive. If you are already near the max then it might be worth leaving food behind until later? Sadly, health isn't regenerated at the beginning of a brand new level and you will transform into a skeleton if you foolishly starve to death!!
Tips? Easy, be a savvy adventurer! Beware not to waste ammo because you never know how long it will be before you can top-up your arsenal. Remember to eat only when hungry. Finally, there are lots of locked doors - but use your keys wisely because not all doors need opening. Use your brain, Rambo!!
Oh dear, it looks like I've run out of energy and thus instantly became a skeleton. Love it!
Aesthetics
Don't be fooled by the humble graphics, I find Mystic Realm quite fascinating as it reminds me of the games I played as a kid in the earlier 80s. Sure, there are more colours and a higher resolution but the feel remains authentic without having any unnecessary bloatware that would ruin the authenticity. Also, the sprites are all nicely drawn and with comical details: like the wobble of a zombie walk! The ghosts are fantastic and are my favourite.
Even the meagre sound effects transport me back to the 80s. Hearing a knife skim through the air on its way to hit a fiend flat-bang in the face is brilliant!! I'm not ashamed to admit I adore the 8-Bit atmosphere.
So, we got teleported back to pre-ST days? Well, with extra colour, but let's see another screenshot...
Prince or Princess, here are the details for power, weapons, your enemies and everything else.
The CryptO'pinion?
Mystic Realm is one of those games that proves jazzy graphics and sonic boom sound effects aren't required for a great gaming experience. And that is exactly what we have here. Even though I don't imagine many people reading this article would agree - well, not until you take the plunge and play a few games for yourself.
Fans of the RPG/Dungeon Crawling genres will love Mystic Realm, I am positive of this. It's no thrills with fantastic adventure elements and I have thoroughly enjoyed the arduous task of rescuing another damsel in distress!
An enjoyable, dungeon-crawling romp with frivolous graphics. Humble yet I loved every second of it!!
I needed a picture of the Dungeon Master maps so I created this image to hopefully help stop me from getting lost. (right-click the image to view - it's huge!!). Also, I have zipped up an Atari ST folder which contains lots of files for maps along with help and information concerning various spells, etc... Clickety click to download it :-)
Also, it's worth taking a peep at issue six of ST Action (I loved that magazine!!) because they featured a fantastic five-page Dungeon Master guide. This can be viewed over on AtariMania.
