Evasion II

Ignore the looks - play it!

Evasion 2 was developed by Chris Skellern for Budgie UK and is a maze game where we run around collecting pills whilst being chased by the nasties. Yes, I know this sounds all too familiar but the structure of the gameplay's mechanics is different for a frantic rush. Each level offers a chance to collect power-ups - to freeze the baddies, drop smart bombs and gain extra lives. Heck, you can even drop mines in their path which is a brilliant touch I thought. The enemy's AI is really good and makes the game demanding.

There might only be 8 levels but completing them grants the chance to do it again - with insanely zippy baddies!! You know, this is a perfect example of how cool Atari ST retro gaming is. Evasion is maddening and I enjoyed the frenzied challenge. It's brilliant and I'm sure you will love its adrenaline rush. Highly recommended!!

Grab the download off AtariMania and why not also play Starburst (another corker by Chris Skellern).

Ignore how it looks. Yes, it isn't 1982 but since when did aesthetics matter? #GameplayMatters

Beware, these humble-looking tiny blighters are actually infuriatingly intelligent and fast!

Arghhh!!! I came so close to finally completing the game - and without cheating! :o)

The Galactic Miner

We dig for diamonds, we dig for gold...

Galactic Miner was developed by William Anderson of Willie Wonka And The Software Factory. How ludicrously funny is that? This started life on the TI-99 4/A and is basically a Digger developed using STOS. However, it doesn't appear compatible with many models of the Atari ST/f/e, but more on that problem later.

We begin with a terrain map that details the quality of possible mining locations: white areas are the best, brown is good, whilst green is poor. Sadly, travelling costs money, and we don't have much to begin with, so it's best to keep things local. Once a decent spot is found, a fantastic animation shows us driving in a truck before stopping to erect a mining shack. From here, we can lower ourselves into the mine.

Choose the location of our shack wisely. Here is a screenshot of the mining map...

We're the red block, and this is the map used to pick ourselves fertile lands. In theory!

Shack Attack!

Our shack wouldn't be complete without a credit-munching Vendomatic! This machine not only has the best name I've heard for a machine, but it's also used to restock dynamite used to clear a path through the mines. Droids are bought to help protect us from sneaky thieves, and Clones aid with extra lives. The final option is another shack, which will be used at the next dig site. Sounds expensive, right?

But wait, that's not all the magical shack offers! There's a copy machine, which is used to exchange mined ore for credits. Eagle eyes will notice a save game feature - which you should use regularly! The doorway represents an exit onto other sites, but the computer isn't something I've used, as I've never earned enough credit. Finally, use the hatch to return to the mine, but don't forget to turn out the light on your way out!!

Let's take a peep inside our shack, it's pretty cool actually...

Not your typical mining operation, but everything you need is available from inside your shack.

Too scary for Miner Willy!

Once we've built ourselves a shack and have a fistful of dynamite, get inside the mine. Instantly, the gameplay feels familiar but with a few differences. Freely moving through the dirt is only possible when something collectable is within your grasp. Use dynamite when thicker dirt or rocks are blocking the way to the goodies. Dynamite has no effect on the larger rocks, which are too strong, so look for another way.

Beware of ugly creatures lurking within the depths! There are monsters that will roar onto your screen at intervals in random areas. Thankfully, these can leave behind a present to pick up. Also, it's a good idea to protect your shack from thieves by purchasing a Droid - it's expensive but has security. There's nothing worse than being underground whilst someone's on the surface robbing you blind (great to watch!)

Check out these fantastic screenshots, which detail my busy route looking for stuff...

What's wrong with the world today? I'm working, and that no-mark turns up to rob me blind!

The attention to detail is pretty cool, and I love my truck. I want one!!

As you can see, each mine is always different, as is the quality of your dig with gold, gems, etc...

Grab as much loot as you can and run!

Each screen is randomly generated, including item locations, monsters and cave-ins. It's also possible to run low on dynamite, but there is the option to return to the shack to cash in and restock. Deciding if/when to do that is entirely up to you, based on how much of the good stuff remains. Also, bear in mind that it costs us money to detonate a stick of dynamite. There is more to this game than I first thought!

So, it's decision time: should you restock and return to the mine to collect what's left or move on to new pastures? It's up to you based on your finances and what remains to be collected, but if you do go back, then I advise using a Droid. Yup, there is actually a lot more to this game than just digging. Good luck!!

It's time for more screenshots, so keep on scrolling ST Nutters...

I've pretty much cleaned out the mine!

Wait, a monster... at least he didn't bite me!

I forgot to clone myself... How often have I said that? And then this screen mocks you!

Aesthetics?

Graphically, this feels oldskool and appealing thanks to its landscapes, good use of colour, well-drawn decals, and funny sprites. It's the cartoon animations that steal the show, and it's a blast watching your Ford Ranger (I'm daydreaming!) drive along the landscape before stopping to build a shack. Heck, even the truck's suspension rises as its cargo is removed!! So much effort obviously went into this, and I love it!!

The title screen has a neat chiptune, and in-game sound effects are all made from rough, crunchy samples, which I really enjoyed. Okay, I'm gutted the STe hardware wasn't utilised (1992!!) as the samples sound rather STFM'y, but I love what there is. Watch out for those roaring monsters!

Sadly, I couldn't get Galactic Miner to work on my Atari STe (TOS 1.62). It booted up fine but then appeared to hang on the title screen. Sadly, things didn't improve with Hatari on my Mac - using my usual default ST/STe configurations (TOS 1.02/1.04 and TOS 1.62).

I had better success using an ST (Hatari), but the miner lost his position on the screen, which got worse with every movement!! So, I went back to the basics and emulated the original ST (TOS 1.00) and everything worked. Looks like this game only works with that, but YMMV?

I love the neat touches, like being able to collect a dead clone's loot.

I never did get why the old shack needed to be blown up.

...but then I'm eaten alive. What a great day!

The CryptO'pinion?

Ignoring the need to emulate with TOS 1.00, Galactic Miner has a couple of other issues I didn't care for. The cash/credit system feels unbalanced. Everything is far too expensive compared to the rewards earned through mining. Also, we get charged for detonating dynamite and then charged again for supplies... Ugh!

Ignoring my sneaky plea for a credit cheat (any hackers reading this??) Galactic Miner is one of the silliest and most addictive games I've played in ages. Enjoy digging in the mud like a kid from the '70s.

Download now to become a Galactic Miner

NIBE

Wiggly Slimy snakes!

NIBE is a Nibbler/Snake game by Marc Bourlon that features an ever-greedy snake who wants to chomp his way through lots of apples. However, this gluttony makes him grow longer with each bite so it becomes harder to protect him from bumping into walls or even his own tail. You get the idea, so it's our job to help him eat his way through lots of screens - and many are pretty cruel in their design. You can even change the game's speed (if you dare!!)

The graphics are humble and suit the retro theme perfectly. Plus I love its title screen which is actually a really good intro. Sadly, there are no sound effects so Mad Max music plays throughout - never a bad thing!! Overall, Nibe is pretty straightforward yet also extremely challenging thanks to a sinister design. Stick with it because the basic mechanics are spot-on and Nibe will certainly test your reactions, patience and concentration so prepare thyself to be tormented!!

Here are a couple of links for downloads, screenshots, and another game you might enjoy...

Floppy disk downloads appear to be quite rare.

And if you enjoyed Nibe then try N.o.B.I. - Racing!!

This is a level that looks so easy but it's completely the opposite! So tricky so be warned.

Oh yeah, I definitely think this is going to be easy. Ask me if I ever completed it...

Harris Went Skiing

Horace?

Let's rewind the clock to 1982 for a skiing adventure with an 8-bit hero, Horace. Developed in STOS by a couple of brothers calling themselves OllySoft, and released a decade after the ZX Spectrum original. However, for his Atari ST appearance, he didn't want to upset Psion and changed his name to Harris to avoid confusion!

Anyone old enough to remember the original will feel at home with Harris, who is once again looking to enjoy a skiing trip. However, it didn't start off well... Harris finds himself in a pickle as he didn't bring along any skis, so he must hire replacements from the resort - who built their shop on the wrong side of a busy highway.

The Frogger part is way too easy in comparison to what I remember! Simply waiting for a large gap in the traffic allows Harris to run all the way across the road! The skiing part is great, with many obstacles to avoid. Once the skiing is finished, somebody robs your skis, so you head back to the hire shop to repeat everything.

OllySoft has done a great job with Harris Went Skiing, and "Horace" brought back lots of warm and fuzzy feelings of nostalgia. The Atari ST game is simple and very silly, so is highly recommended if you're bored.

Grab the download of Atari Legend and play like it's 1982!! But hold on, cowboy. There are more OllySoft games, but looking at these makes me think that the boys had serious issues! Or a belting sense of humour?

I'll go with the latter, so let's take a quick look at each one...

Who Maimed Roger Rabbit

Imagine Operation Wolf but set in President Trump's backyard which is overrun by rabbits! Aka lefties. Grab a gun and let's fix this problem once and for all. Gameplay is as you might imagine; successful hit turns the rabbits into a bloody mess of gore. I'm sure animal lovers will appreciate this game! Overall, it's a humble take on the famous title but quite enjoyable, if repetitive.

SubHunt

A pointless two-player game without much enjoyment. Playing solo is even worse and I didn't like this game whatsoever. However, it does feature a fantastic hidden easter egg and that's worth the download!!

 

Ayatollah Invaders

An endless supply of ayatollah chaps running down your screen - straight into the path of your tank. It's actually mind-numbingly repetitive but, I gotta admit, darn good fun. Very enjoyable for a couple of games but boring afterwards. It's worth booting up once just to witness the superb somersault deaths.

Motorway Death

Perhaps we can lower the bar even further? Hmm, how about a game of hit and run? Yep, you heard me right!! And, on this road, people appear glued down so drive into them and watch their bodies turn into blood splatters. It's a sick Carmegeddon and so funny... well... for a few minutes!

Pommitus

I recently read a posting by Tatu Salmela, who created Pommitus back in 1996. I contact him, we got talking and I found out he learned to program by reading ST Format and he is still patching and improving Pommitus to this day. Since then, it has been converted from Finnish into English and you can now find a download on AtariMania.

Pommitus is a multiplayer strategy game which involves using calculated tactics to bomb your opponent. At first, I wasn't too keen on the user interface because I often clicked outside the control box, thus mistakingly taking my shot. Thankfully, it soon becomes second nature and is great fun bombing your neighbour to kingdom come! Sounds are minimal but good enough and the mono graphics are sharp and detailed - that's right, you will need a monochrome monitor for the best experience. Being GEM-based, it should work on all Atari computers and even supports those lucky enough to have a maths coprocessor installed!

Oddly, an emulator like Hatari might run Pommitus slower than a real Atari computer but that is easily fixed by flipping the CPU setting to 16 or 32MHz. Nothing ever beats the real hardware...!

I am incredibly impressed with Pommitus and so grateful Tatu shared his works with AtariCrypt. Oh, and also this little tidbit of news - he is developing a new Atari ST game similar to Pommitus which will work in ST Low. It is in the early stages but I am very excited to see yet another Atari ST game in development! Watch this space, folks. :-)