Frontier: Elite II

The End Of An Era...

After a worrying delay, Gametek released Frontier Elite II in early 1994. It was unlike most other games due to its sheer size within creation. Yep, that's right a whole universe of near-countless stars to explore which basically meant long gaming nights were ahead (over the decades and through to the present day!)

The story begins like this... Commander Jameson has sadly left this realm and you came along just in the nick of time to reap the benefits of his will reading. Being his favourite grandson, he left you 100 credits with strict instructions to stay clear of Vegas. He also left you his pride and joy, an Eagle Long Range Fighter - be careful and don't scratch it. You now have the means and opportunity to explore the heavens! So jump into your ship and begin the journey of a lifetime! And that is no overstatement; I mean it quite literally.

Sounds immense and it was/is so let's check out a couple of screenshots...

There are two basic starting positions and faster computers can even crank up the graphical details.

The Universe Is Yours!

After watching the awesome intro, various menu options are available to begin your adventure and I advise selecting Option 1 which places you safely in the Ross 154 System. Or more precisely, at the Sirocco starport on the planet Merlin. You have 100 credits and a rather funky piece of 3D called your spaceship. Starting at Sirocco is a great place to learn the ropes of the GUI, trading, and brushing up on your piloting skills.

Frontier is an open-world (space!) sandbox game that doesn't restrict in any traditional sense. You are free to travel almost anywhere and do almost anything you like. However, even gaming folklore doesn't come for free and this style of living costs money - use your ship to provide yourself with a living through job contracts and trade. Everyone needs something and this is where you come in to make your hard-earned cash.

It's always about cash but don't let it become the love of money. Chill, and check out some screenshots...

First things first, let's check out the cool spaceships and find dodgy jobs on the bulletin boards.

Trouble at t'mill?

Frontier's universe has two major factions, and this is the Trekkie part, for me. We have the Federation which is based in the Sol system and then we have The Empire which is based within the Achenar system. Both offer a haven to live and trade but aren't the best of friends. Also, outside the safety of their territory, you risk running into pirates who want your precious cargo - and your life!! Who said life was gonna be easy?

These dogfights are difficult to master and possibly the hardest part of the entire game. Gone are the arcade-style controls in favour of realistic Newtonian physics which affect the control of your spacecraft. So, momentum will need to be compensated for you to slow down, stop, or change direction. Perhaps it's now that I should advise saving your game at regular intervals? Learn physics because the pirates are tough cookies.

Do the pirates spoil it? I'll let you decide while you view a couple more screenshots...

Check out your local solar system and then see what goods are best to trade in...

Trade, Respect, Fight!

Ultimately, Frontier is all about trade and trying to earn yourself the means for a lucrative lifestyle through the adventures of space and exploring the heavens. Use your galactic map to explore a 3D perspective of creation to plan a route, dig for information to find out what's needed - then buy in bulk to earn lots of cash.

Enjoy your journey but prepare thyself because nothing beats making your first hyperspace jump!! This automatically ends once you are within the vicinity of your destination, but the distance to travel is still huge, so don't forget to use the Stardreamer buttons to quickly pass the time. Auto-docking is supported and, once you've boarded, get details of goods sold to reap the biggest profits. Before you begin looking for another trade route, remember to refuel your ship otherwise you won't be able to make another hyperspace jump!

It's completely up to you how to live but these two screenshots were entirely my doing...

I love exploring the universe. Hang on, what's that dot? Zoomed in... and saw this beauty!!

But Is It Any Good?

Stick with it and, after earning lots of money, consider checking out the Bulletin Board. It's here you can upgrade your ship or search for jobs like transporting passengers, helping to find a missing person, mining, military work or information. There is even a black market for those without a conscience - trade slaves, weapons, narcotics, or even be assassins. However, this dark lifestyle will definitely take you into dangerous waters so it will almost certainly attract the attention of the law. Are you ready for that kinda heat, bad boy?

Frontier is one heck of a game and one with immense potential and I'm hoping this feature will regenerate your interest to play. Frontier is all about progression and making the right choices to build up your own empire. Don't expect to jump into the pilot's seat and see the entire universe in one sitting because will take time, money and commitment. Frontier: Elite II is jaw-dropping and quite literally one of the best games, ever.

One of the best games, ever. Yes. Thus earning the accolade of an AtariCrypt SMASH!!

Grab yourself a slice of creation and play this immense game which you can play off floppy or a hard drive. The manual is available on AtariMania and you can catch a glimpse of the 16-bit universe right now...

Sleeping Gods Lie

Sticks and stones

Empire Software released this adventure game in 1989 and it's quite unlike anything I initially expected. I'd seen screenshots and was half-expecting something like Drakkhen with a typical dungeon-crawler storyline. Well, it is similar in some regards and with monsters and apt weapons including stones. I know, I know, stones? Yep, just read on!

We begin on Tessera, a world once rich and prosperous but now suffering famine, disease, and a crime wave that only Robocop could fix. Their god, N'Gnir, strangely seems to be in slumber so it's your mission to find him, wake him up, and put an end to all the madness. It won't be easy because you must battle your way through the numerous different lands and each has eight kingdoms. This game is huge so pack butties because it's unlikely you will be home for tea.

Our adventure starts from the comfort of our castle. From the outside, it's impressive but is rather sparsely decorated within. This is situated in a strange, chaotic world with most of its populace being completely barmy. All early encounters aren't welcoming but instead, a brawl without any provocation. They love to throw pebbles without any reason lol.

Okay, let's take a look at my grand castle and the second screenshot is from a peek inside...

From the outside, your home looks awesome.

But on the inside it's a bit bare, so obviously furnished by a guy!

However, the lands outside are populated by weirdos who seem to hate me?!

A game with character

Thankfully, some people are normal rather than fanatic psychopaths so, take time to talk for information. As the box says, this isn't just an adventure game, it's full to the brim with action and puzzles all set within a curious new world. In fact, there are many puzzles to be completed - such as feeding a giant mouse with mouldy cheese. These aren't brain-blasting puzzles, the information you acquire will soon fall into place for these rather odd-level guardians.

The gameplay uses a smooth first-person engine with simple controls. Use the mouse to guide the pointer: push that upwards and you walk. Push it downwards and you backtrack. As you can imagine, moving it to either side of the screen turns you around. You can use the joystick but I wasn't too keen on that. Also, if walking is too slow and you wanna run about then hit the F3 key. This isn't really "run" but speeds up time a little - not only for you but the entire game.

Exploring is a cinch thus making it very easy to get around and find helpful items, weapons, people, and enjoy a good fight. From the start, you will realise people aren't nice so practice and master your skills at throwing stones! Well, until you find something better like a sling or crossbow! I advise taking time to investigate your surroundings properly because there are many objects that you may think aren't important. Collect pebbles and why not check out those trees for fruit?

Sleeping Gods Lie attempts (very well too, I might add) to be an open-world adventure game. It kinda is with each area having full freedom to roam within each segment. Limited exits make it possible to leave and begin exploring the next area. However, it's worth looking everywhere to find helpful items or better weapons.

As you gain better weapons, you will note that each skirmish is easier but this is compensated for tougher enemies as you wander forth. The biggest tips are: rest regularly, explore thoroughly, and save your game like a paranoid madman!

Okay, it's time for some screenshots from this bizarre, yet enthralling, adventure game...

This ain't a peaceful land and most love to start fights by throwing pebbles at you!!

That pixelated mess is the first guardian. The graphics are better when you get closer!

The second guardian is freakishly cute (and hungry)

Aesthetics

Visually, I have mixed feelings. The 3D engine is quite superb and allows full exploration of each landscape. However, sprites are a different matter - unless you get close to something, they are nothing more than a wobbly mess of a few pixels. Walk up and get closer for great scaling - this is something I really admired about this old engine.

Sadly, getting close to a guardian isn't a good idea because they are mean creatures and can slay you with extreme accuracy! So, stay back and use a range weapon - unless you're mad like me and want a better screenshot. I tired my best lol... Scroll on to see an image...

Each landscape features full freedom to roam but is sparsely populated and thus feels quite barren. I'd have liked more to "look at". Having said that, this is a great first-person engine and is very smooth and easy to explore.

The audio isn't as good as it should be simply because there's hardly anything to hear in-game. I'm sure something could have been done, even if it were footsteps! Anything would have been nice - even a delicate background chiptune. Talking of that, the title screen introduction has a fantastic tune which is nothing less than gorgeous!

I later returned to try and get a better screenshot but it's a vicious beast - this is the best I got!

Then it wasn't long before the stone-throw started again lol.

A wise old man restores my faith in humanity.

The CryptO'pinion?

Sleeping Gods Lie has some interesting ideas but it's not perfect. The character integration should have been more inclusive with more depth. As is, it's only used to pass on information rather than any interaction. Also, the weird pebble-throwing battles are initially amusing but soon wear thin. Thankfully, progression comes thick and fast therefore very rewarding because the game gets better once you've found better weaponry.

There's no denying that this is an enthralling adventure and I loved exploring the lands wondering what I may find. If you have lots of time to set aside, this is definitely something to dig your heels into over a weekend. A fast-paced adventure that's perfect for explorers who are looking for something different in a weird, new world.

I enjoyed this game a lot so don't forget your pebble stock and prepare yourself for lots of mindless squabbles!

Download HDD and FLOPPY.

HUNTER

Behold, the best 16-bit game?

Hunter was developed by Paul Holmes for Activision in 1991 and many consider it one of the first open-world/sandbox 3D productions. Now, that's a pretty big claim when you think about it? It's also relevant to today's younger gamer who might assume there was nothing before the likes of GTA or Battlefield. As if. Bah, kids today...

So the game takes place within a huge three-dimensional world that's filled with danger. However, this is also a game of vehicles and gadgets. Yes, we are essentially a James Bond with various mission objectives (should you decide to play the game properly). All are far-reaching with the key to success being strategic exploration plus interaction and communication with everything. Oh, and common sense won't go amiss before heading out into the wild:

For example, I wouldn't drive off in a jeep without carrying a spare jerrycan! It might be a good idea to find a medkit? It's dangerous out there... Of course, it's a good idea to stock up on extra ammo. And use the maps!

Never will you play a game that offers so many different types of vehicles to drive, pilot, ride, etc...

I knew this was gonna be good and it wasn't long before I was Howling Mad Murdock!!

I start well, but it's going dark and I'm on foot. Then I got rundown!

No rules only fun!

Incredible is the word for Hunter's many options - I love riding a wonky bike or going for a stroll to enjoy the fresh air and watch birds fly. The hippie in you might wanna go for a swim with the fish? Or chase cute rabbits? But why would you do any of this when you can drive an army jeep, steer a speedboat or pilot a helicopter? Heck, you can even hop into a tank and blow stuff up, like somebody's house!! Yes, let's be a psychopath and terrorise the world lol.

I often boot up Hunter 'just' to drive around its fascinating landscapes - what's better than exploring the world and maybe even blowing stuff up? Life can be boring, so create mayhem and have yourself some fun? Actually, it's this freedom that is the best aspect of Hunter - because we are completely free to roam. Go anywhere you choose and do anything.

Hunter is limited only by your imagination. Be heroic. Be ambitious. Be an explorer. Whatever you like!

There's nothing quite like this game - jump into a jeep and be a Mud Muppet for a day?

Armoured cars are every bit as good as they sound. Love these so much!

Polygons and squeaks?

Visually, Hunter's world is fantastic thanks to a concise design by Paul and Christian Roux who have the Atari ST exhibiting fast and fluent visuals. The 3D objects look cool with a vast array of vehicles and buildings. I love the fine detail, which never disappoints, everything from the chequered landscapes to your bike looks and moves great.

Faster computers will benefit a bunch; like my 16Mhz Mega STe that performs brilliantly.

Sonically, we have sampled music on the title screen. Everyone knows I prefer Chip, but I quite enjoyed this tune. In-game sound effects are good with some funky booming effects. Along with hilariously silly ones - like those seagulls!

A lot of love went into Hunter and it shows with stunning aesthetics. So let's see more screenshots...

Forget the objective, I'm going sailing on the open oceans. It's up to you what you wanna do!!

Hangers are always worth checking out. Always.

The CryptO'pinion?

In some respects, this is years ahead of its time, with comparisons made to GTA and Battlefield 1942. It's remarkable exploring this strange place - heading out into the unknown never fails to please so who knows what you might find out there? Tread carefully and leave no stone unturned in this thrilling and dangerous world.

However, even when played properly (yeah I should do that more!) this is an immersive and engrossing experience with taxing missions that require a tactical and explorational approach. The emphasis is always on your freedom and this priority extends into how you choose to complete a mission - there are no linear paths to blindly follow. That, I find utterly exciting and enthralling, to say the least. Yes, they're difficult but never boring and always enjoyable.

An extraordinary adventure and I guarantee it's one of the best 16-bit games you can play. Hunter is epic.

Epic is a strong word. But it's also very true so Hunter earns the accolade of an AtariCrypy SMASH!

Download FLOPPY and HDD.

 

~~~ Interesting Map Coordinates ~~~

Security pass = 90, 153

Master key = 164, 169

Old man = 181, 197

Second man = 99, 61

Third man (In rock) = 195, 119

Professor = 49, 115

Prisoner = 135, 239

Injured man = 10, 36

Antibiotics and saw = 151, 121

Monk (in tree stump) = 85, 174

Scroll = 91, 173

Disk = 100, 225

Computer = 244, 199

General's bunker = 135, 239

Officer's red uniform = 190, 65