Carrus

Not a car

Carrus was developed in 1992 by Thilo Jantz and is something I stumbled on while browsing through Atarimania. I love platformers, but this one looked rather peculiar with its black & white screenshots. They show a car attempting to drive on unrealistic roads, so I was intrigued because I like anything "odd" like me!

The objective is to collect the white signs on each level using a car that moves left/right without acceleration. Very odd for a car, right? Imagine that the sprite isn't a car but a person like Miner Willy or Henhouse Harry. So this "car" travels one step at a time rather than driving. There isn't a need to jump in at the deep end, as there are four difficulty levels - beginners, normal, advanced, and Expert. It's best to choose beginner because the levels are simple and you are introduced to various game components one step at a time.

Collecting the white signs sounds easy, but the strategy comes from knowing and mastering the level's design. For example, some roads are inaccessible without a bridge, van, or elevator to assist. Others dissolve after one use, but there are other dangers like mines, bouncing barrels, hidden traps, and robots. Importantly, the order of collecting the white signs matters, as you could end up trapped (first experienced on level B-3).

Extra features are the ability to alter the speed by pressing keys 1-9 (fast/slow). Also, if you get stuck, the Z key is used for suicide, but you will lose a life. If you need a wee, pause using the P key until you return!! Also, I found the controls much more responsive using a real computer rather than an emulator (YMMV).

I won't pretend this is the greatest game because it isn't. Nevertheless, it is nice to play something unexpectedly different, and Carrus fits the bill nicely. I liked the idea, but later screens present too much of a massive challenge for me. I only wish there were an option to restart particular levels using a passcode.

I enjoyed this a bunch, so my rating would be a wholesome 70%.

A download can be found in the Hang Loose section of the Atari FTP Archive.

Beginner levels like this are perfect for grasping the controls.

The stars are explosive mines. The jaggy road will dissolve after one use.

The third level introduces lifts and also a hidden trap (very cruel).

The fourth level is tough! The roads are impossible to reach without using lifts.

I've moved on to the "normal" difficulty here. As you can see, it's a lot harder!

The third level on "Normal". It's a killer so think before you move! Don't get squashed...

I don't mind admitting that "Advanced" is way too tough for me o_O

And you can forget about the "Expert" level. Yowzers!!

The ending screen says: The last driver was also hit (ie game over)

Not brilliant but, not a bad first attempt... Can you beat me?

Alpha Waves

Boing... Boing... Boing...

Alpha Waves is a unique game released by Infogrames in 1990 and is nothing like I first imagined (back in the day, I mean). In fact, I still remember the first time I booted it up. That was a weird moment, and one of those times that I had to pick up my jaw from the floor. Not because I was seeing wondrous graphics or anything I might have hoped for - but simply because I was experiencing something brand new.

Yes, this is a new genre of 16-bit gaming that had us piloting an odd spaceship (it looks like a wedge of cheese). We guide this craft whilst trapped in a multi-roomed cube, and each inner room is littered with platforms. These function to progressively propel us higher into the air, our means of transportation. Ie, reaching other ledges. Hey, I guess they forgot to include an engine in our little wedge of cheese? Well, almost...

Anyhow, this mechanic allows our ship to bounce independently, as if on a trampoline. But that effect only happens when using the platforms; otherwise, gravity takes over fully, and we sink to the floor like a lead balloon. All that is because this wedge of cheese has no upward thrust, only forward. So skim from platform to platform - to ultimately reach the dizzy heights. Ultimately, to reach the exit door.

A cool concept that is well-executed and easy to pick up and play, so let's view a screenshot...

That's me there, and you can see my shadow. Use that for guidance.

But is it any good?

We have two gameplay modes: "Action" has a time restriction, whereas "Emotion" gives you all the time in the world and is useful for newcomers or those simply wanting the leisurely experience. Controls are best with the joystick, and navigation can be improved by pushing up/down to change your world-view angle.

Interestingly, a shadow is cast by your craft - this helps to pinpoint your position in each position perfectly, and it's totally necessary. Some rooms contain obscure baddies which can annoyingly get in the way and knock you about - watch out for the "snake" creature!! Alpha Waves will never disappoint, no matter which gameplay style you prefer. Of course, I like to play the "Emotion", which is absolutely superb for explorers!

As you can tell, it's tough to explain, but much easier to play! So let's see a screenshot...

What is that weird thing? An enemy ship or someone coming over to help?

Aesthetics

This game might appear crude based on the screenshots. Playing will reveal how great everything moves in what I can only describe as an abstract world of 3D-filled vectors with zero distance clipping.

Faster computers will knock it out of the park, but the 8MHz Atari ST performs fluently. Heck, it even runs in high resolution, so you can see all the polygons at 640x400 without any slowdown (but I personally preferred the wacky colours in low resolution, which look a lot better to me, IMHO).

Sound effects are samples and nice too, but there is little else to hear. If I'm honest, you spend most of your time listening to your ship bouncing on platformers. I love the door sound effect, very Interphase.

It looks weird but brilliant at the same time, so let's check out a screenshot...

The CryptO'pinion?

I personally rank this as one of the best Atari ST games I have ever played. Bold statement, but this is an amazing experience and a perfect example of the gems lurking within our archives just waiting to be discovered. It may not appeal to everyone, but Alpha Waves certainly helped invent a new genre that nobody ever expected. It offers many unique challenges that require considerable skill and perseverance.

A flabbergasting moment in gaming and one I absolutely adore. Who would ever have thought bouncing a piece of cheese through cubic rooms would be so much fun? A historic game that you need to play!!

• Downloads are available for both floppy and super-zippy hard drives!