SidecarTridge Multi-Device

Multi-Device

Wow, how long has it been since I posted anything in our Hardware section? Well, my dry spell finally comes to an end as I've treated myself to a gadget that plugs into the side of any Atari ST. Yep, no case cutting or soldering needed at all. It's called the SidecarTridge Multi-Device and is based on the Raspberry Pi Pico, designed by Diego Parrilla. I won't pretend to know what that is because it's all black magic to me!

It has many uses, but the main use (for me) is booting floppy disk images as if a real floppy disk were inserted into the drive. Of course, there is much more to this tiny piece of hardware: it can also act as a GEMDOS drive (like in Hatari), features a real-time clock, supports an SD Card storage, and can connect to WiFi to download games and programs on the fly. There's even a USB port to power my Ultrasatan - how cool is that?

This little gadget fits snugly into the cartridge port, and from the moment of power on, you are presented with the option to activate it or boot as normal. Hitting the left shift key takes you into its menu, where you should complete the initial (one-off) configuration for WiFi access (and inverting the screen colours to prevent your eyes from exploding). It's also worthwhile to format an SD Card on your Mac/PC, with three folders...

• An "HD" folder is used by the Multidevice as an emulated hard drive, similar to how Hatari works (GEMDOS). Anything you store within here will be accessed as Drive C by your Atari.
• A "ROMS" folder is for any images you may have.
• Finally, the "FLOPPIES" folder is where you will keep any MSA/ST disk images.

Regardless of what you choose to store within the folders, there is the option to download games and more over WiFi. Yes, on the fly, which is pretty darn awesome!! Anyhow, once you've formatted that SD Card (as FAT16 or exFAT) and created the (above) folders, slide the card inside the device and reboot your ST.

As I mentioned, my primary reason for purchasing this device is to find a more convenient way to use floppy disks again. So, when you have configured WiFi, choose option 5 from the main menu to access a database of ST games. This gives access to thousands of disks by Automation, Medway Boys, and others. All can be downloaded and instantly used, without the faff of using a Mac/PC and manually copying them to the SD card. It’s much quicker, and beats my old method of converting an MSA/ST image back onto a real disk!!

This database is alphabetically listed, and you can filter by letter simply by hitting the relevant key (example: R for Rogue, X for Xenon, etc). Also, you can then use the left/right keys to "quickly" paginate through the list. Sadly, there is no actual search option, so if you wanted to play Dynamite Dux, that means you must wade through several pages listing games beginning with 'D'. That also includes loads of "doc" disks... Not ideal, but hardly the end of the world.

Okay, let's take a break to see the main menu and access the device's game database...

This is the main menu and, as you can see, it's dead easy to use.

Option 5 presents a massive database of programs to download via WiFi.

Compatibility?

I have tested Multi-Device on five Atari computers...

• 520 STM 512Kb TOS 1.00 - I had trouble getting the ST to recognise the cartridge. I had to reboot the device a few times before it worked. Thankfully, things improved afterwards, and I was able to load most disks. Sadly, some still fail, possibly because of the limited RAM or the TOS version.
• 520 STM 1MB TOS 1.02 - Similar to the above, but with much better success thanks to a couple of extra reboots at initial power on. Sadly, it often crashed in the menu with many bombs!! I fear that might be the cartridge port, which felt quite slack. I need to repair this ASAP :(
• 1040 STF 1MB TOS 1.02 - Worked perfectly with floppy images downloaded via WiFi or via the SD Card. However, I was concerned about how reliable TOS would be when used as a 'hard drive'.
• 520 STe 4MB TOS 1.62 - The best of the bunch and remains the computer on my desk. It works like a dream and is fast and responsive when running through different menus/etc/etc.
• Mega STe 4MB TOS 2.02 - Performed perfectly well, just like the stock STe, except that TOS 2 has an annoying feature to keep testing the RAM, which becomes irritating when using the Multi-Device. Nothing major, just my personal feeling, as everything else worked well.

Of course, the compatibility isn't just about the hardware alone. We want this thing to play ST games, watch demos, listen to music, view art, read disk mags, and do everything we did back in the day. Sadly, things get a little sketchy, and I had mixed results. Browsing the games over wifi delivers an enormous list, by many crackers. It's huge, but I'm sure it could be even bigger when you consider 95% of crews aren't included (just look at Atari Legend to see what I mean). I hope Diego finds some way to include more from other archives.

Many disks worked great, but some didn't, as they weirdly still attempted to access the hardware directly. So, rather than loading data from within the virtual drive within the Multi-Device, you will instead hear the floppy drive spin up. These disks are the ones that won't work, no matter what I try. Of course, if one crew's disk fails, you can always source another, as numerous games are listed more than once.

Generally speaking, Automation disks are a safe choice and work about 90% of the time. Some disks still fail as they attempt to access the real floppy disk drive, for example, Rick Dangerous II on disk #362. Thankfully, the SidecarTridge lists many games multiple times, and Rick Dangerous also appears on Flame of Finland #49, and that works a treat. Also, Terry's Big Adventure is featured on three different crews' disks - it's fine with the Automation and Pompey Pirates disks, but the Medway Boys let us down. It's not all bad news, as Dan Dare III appears on Pompey, FOF, and Automation, and works flawlessly on all.

Sadly, some games fail no matter which crew you choose to try: Golden Axe as both the Pompey Pirates and the Automation disks attempt to access the floppy, which results in BOMBS. Also, Fire & Forget II has the same crashes from both the Automation and FOF versions. So disappointing :(

Of course, some games that fail are listed only once: Alien Storm (D-Bug), Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Pompey), Lemmings II (Adrenalin), Chaos Engine (D-Bug). However, many work a treat: Sabre Team (Superior), Galaxy Force (Automation), Ballzone (D-Bug), Warlock The Avenger (Medway), War In The Gulf (Adrenalin), Hero Quest (Superior), Moonfall (Cynix), Z-Out (Pompey), etc/etc. This means you should manually download another crew's disk from Atari Legend and manually copy it over to the SD Card to playtest.

Additionally, games on two disks cannot be played unless you download the disk images and mount them manually (using menu option 3). It's not a big deal downloading two disks, but it is a bit of a faff. Of course, the game itself still needs to support Drive B, which is often another issue altogether!! ie, Domark's F1, Cannon Fodder, Cadaver, Ghostbusters II, Magic Boy, and others do not recognise the virtual Drive B.

This has been a lot of work, but somebody's got to do it lol. Hey, it's screenshot time...

Option 3 displays all the floppy images I've copied onto the SD Card.

If you have some hard drive-adapted games, then option 4 is for you!

CryptO'pinion

The Multi-Device is a marvellous piece of kit and only costs around £40 incl. postage. Incredible value for money when you think about it. This offers us a wealth of functions without much initial configuration. So it's a matter of simply powering on and pressing the Left Shift key to begin. It's that simple. And having access to loads of ROMS and floppy disks via the WiFi is a killer feature! Thankfully, no internal soldering or case cutting is required, which is ideal for people like me who are dangerously inept at that sort of thing!

Once again, I know this is a "multi-device", but my main reason for buying this is to access floppy disks, mainly menu disks. I cannot tell you the joy I feel in easily flipping between disk images. It can mount anything (ST/MSA format), which means you could download everything from magazine cover disks to PD Disks to Menu disks and relive the 1990s, which is absolutely amazing!! However, it's not perfect as I've previously mentioned. Plus, the menu is missing a few basic features, like an option to delete unwanted MSA/ST images.

Of course, the device provides those alluring extra features - mounting ROM images and having an alternative type of hard drive are interesting. However, I have my Ultrasatan, which is better than any GEMDOS/GEMDRIVE. Again, I bought the MultiDevice to use ST floppy disks. Have I mentioned that already? :-)

This is a fabulous piece of hardware, which has provided me with the opportunity to relive my cracker days and enjoy menus. No more impaired emulation, or converting disk images into real floppies, whilst hoping that the disk is free of bad sectors. Yup, I cannot recommend this device enough: it's easy to install/setup and provides access to squillions of menu disks with more games than you can shake a stick at. Marvellous.

• SidecarTridge's Mult-Device is awesome, so click here to buy one yourself.
• They have loads of other cool gadgets you'll love right here.
• Why not follow Diego's ST passion over on X/Twitter!!
• Check out my 'Hardware' section for other goodies I've bought.

Phantasie - Day 5

Into the Dungeons!

It's been a long time since I last wrote about Phantasie. No, I haven’t given up and run away scared! Things have just been a bit hectic lately at Crypt Towers, what with us now having DOOM (grin). But I’m back, sword in hand, and ready for possibly the most important part of any adventure game - the dungeon.

Since the last post, my progress has exploded, and I’ve explored huge chunks of the western island. The game feels like it properly opens up after all that early grinding in and around Pelnor. We're now rocking decent gear and are highly trained. That said, it's more of the same with a battle around every corner, and the difficulty keeps creeping up. But thanks to all that early farming (as the kids say), I find my party handles it.

Let’s rewind a bit and talk about that first dungeon close to Pelnor. Unlike many crawlers, these aren't procedurally generated; the physical layout stays the same, but your experience is different. For me, the dungeons are where Phantasie excels. Outside is fun, but it’s "just" the road between towns, loot, and trouble. The dungeons are enticing, as you must examine everything and question each move. There are several dungeons packed with puzzles, traps, weapons, and of course, runes. Their appearance reminds me a little of Rogue, a view of overhead corridors and rooms that slowly reveal themselves as you explore.

Encounters work in two ways: some are random, and others appear tied to specific tiles. Step on the wrong one and it's battle time - even when returning to that tile, which makes it tricky to avoid (yet another) conflict in a doorway or corridor!! That said, Phantasie gives you a range of options, so try greeting your would-be attackers. It doesn’t always work, but it’s worth a shot - especially since it doesn’t cost you a turn.

One of the best features is the mapping system. Because the dungeons don’t change, you can rely on each map for reference as you poke around. Yes, the game offers to record your exploration! It’s surprisingly helpful and saves a lot of faffing about, especially when you need to return. Each dungeon contains a special rune reward, but you’ll need to survive traps, puzzles, and the usual monster mayhem to get it.

This is the fifth post, wrapping up my run through the basics of Phantasie. I shall hack & slash a bit more before my final conclusion. Until then, grab a sword, light a torch, and get inside that dungeon!!

This post is dedicated to my mate Tom for his support since day one. Talking of days, if you missed the earlier posts then I have the links here: Day One, Day Two, Day Three, and Day Four.

The green marker at the top is always the dungeon's entrance (and exit)
As you walk, the dungeon is revealed; watch out for traps and encounters.
The yellow markers are doors, and the green blobs can be interacted with.

The red/yellow marker is me, and I'm in the Storage Room.
The southwestern part of this dungeon is a minefield that took many attempts!!
Scroll down for the correct route...

I had to look twice when I entered this room!
I see a locked door and something curious in the east of the room.
This is actually a deceptively difficult dungeon with many battles.

Yes, there are people in the dungeons, and they're not all angry beasts.

The quests are interesting, but the user interface begins to show its age.
Phantasie needed a better way to check on quests, items, and more.

When you're out adventuring, you may return to town to catch your breath.

The game saves mapping progress for when you get back. Fantastic!!

2 left

2 down

1 right

2 down

3 left

2 down

5 right

1 up

3 right

Phantasie - Day 1

I've arrived on the Isle of Gelnor

Some of you might remember the fun I had sharing my progress in Cosmos Chronicles, Sword of Kadash, Galdregon's Domain, Uninvited, and others. No? Oh... Well, I enjoy RPG and Adventure games and was in the mood for something new to experience. Lately, I’ve spent plenty of time crawling through LARN, Rogue, Nano Cave, etc. All brilliant, but none offer that sense of a larger "journey" or long-term quest.

I was craving something fresh to really sink my teeth into. Then I remembered a video by Into The Vertical Blank about Phantasie, which I’ve never played. You’ve got to love Jeff’s enthusiasm! He made it seem like a grind worth taking on, and that was all the encouragement I needed to start on my own adventure!

Let's embark on this new adventure, a journey I've missed out on for the past four decades...

I find myself on an island called Gelnor, which is riddled with danger at every turn. I can see an entrance to a distant dungeon amongst the lush woodlands as I enter the town of Pelnor. Seeking answers, I step into the local inn, where a hushed conversation unveils a grim truth. I learn that a sorcerer called Nikademus who uses Black Knights to wreak havoc across the island.

Should I rise to the challenge and seek to defeat Nikademus, freeing this island from his reign of terror? Of course, I will. Yet it’s only a matter of time before I come face to face with the Black Knights. So I need allies - strong and fearless - because no one has ever triumphed against them. To the Guild, then. Let’s see who has the courage to stand with me on this journey!

The basic objective is to explore and kill lots and lots (and lots) of monsters and collect nine runes. These will help to defeat the Black Knights. I see a dungeon... Odds are I need to plunder that to find the first!

Hmm, I feel I should warn you that this won’t be over quickly, and I’m bound to make plenty of rookie mistakes. But rest assured, I'm enthusiastic and always welcome to receive any feedback along the way. So, over the coming months, I'll post regular updates on how I'm getting on. Unless, of course, I give up! O_o

Yes, folks, here I am, starting something new and daring enough to share it with the world.

Let’s hope I don’t end up looking like a complete knob.

• Into The Vertical Blank website https://intotheverticalblank.com
• Worth The Grind video https://youtu.be/xFsqb6I4v54...
• 8BitChip has an excellent hard drive installable version https://atari.8bitchip.info/phantasie.html
• Old Games Finder has access to all the different Phantasie floppies http://www.oldgamesfinder.com/phantasie
• Atari Legend has the manual on a lovely Sewer Doc Disc https://www.atarilegend.com/phantasie
• Look to your right for all the previously mentioned ST games ~~~>

Caverns Of Larn

Roguelikey!

Over Christmas, I spent a lot of time eating, drinking, and exploring the STs catalogue of "1st gen" roguelikes. I think my curiosity was sparked by the fun I had creating floppy disks for Rogue and Asterix in the Dungeons of Doom. By the way, did you download those floppy disks? Well, you should as they're totally free!

The fun continued into the new year, and if you follow me on Twitter/X, you will have caught glimpses of my trials and tribulations. I thoroughly enjoyed the playtesting (with many failures) as the Atari ST boasts a treasure trove of early roguelikes that took me back to the era of Terminals - or at least Terminal Emulators!

The first game I played was DDST online at Darkforce BBS. It’s incredibly easy to dive into, and I downloaded the standalone version for my ST. What a fantastic game! Be warned, the difficulty will hit you with a wallop early on. My advice: get straight to the Inn. I also tried Hack, Moira, and Omega (yikes, that one’s brutal).

The game that instantly clicked with me was LARN, which I found most appealing. Originally released in 1986 by Noah Morgan, the Atari ST version was created by Cornelius Caesar in 1988. Additionally, another "Larn" is listed on Atarimania by Howard Chu which he released a year earlier in 1987 with a slight display variation.

I genuinely took to Larn from the start and found it different and curiously interesting because:

There is no Amulet of Yendor instead, the goal is to find a potion to save your sick daughter.

We can be male or female and choose a name (via a config file) but nothing more. No rollable stats, class, race, etc. because you are who you are!

Each game starts in your hometown, which offers access to the dungeons as well as a variety of places to buy, sell, and trade. There’s even a college for training.

The dungeon consists of "only" 10 levels, but they aren’t structured with corridors and isolated rooms. Instead, it uses a close/interconnected feel plus wide-open caverns.

As you would expect, each level is randomly generated. But its design offers multiple routes rather than following a linear design to the exit.

Heck, there's even a 3-level Volcano dungeon but don't bother unless you're strong and experienced. That's me out then!

Backtracking up through the dungeon is also possible.

Oh, and we're no longer the @ but a block. Perhaps we've put on some weight?

Let's break up the yabbering with a screenshot of the plot regarding our daughter...

A heartbreaking tale that I hope to assist with. Ahem, maybe not today!

Almost five decades later!

Playing LARN is charming from the get-go and screams, "I'm old and proud!". The adventure begins in our hometown; healthy, poor (ie, no gold), armed with a dagger, and wearing leather armour. The town has many sights, so explore to see what's what. But you will return at a later time to purchase better gear.

The dungeon's entrance is marked by an "E". Once inside, only the closest (explored) parts are visible. Walls are made using the hash # symbol. Monsters, objects, and items are all represented by different letters, H = Hobgoblin, B = Bats, ! = Potion, A = Altar, and so on. The bottom of the screen displays your HP, along with other stats, available spells, and feedback information. Also, active spells are shown on the right side.

Walk (or running) through the first level is quick and done in relative safety. Killing should be easy as the monsters are mostly Hobgoblins and Bats. Bag all the goodies you can but, remember that many items will require identifying - unless you're willing to chance it? That is a massive risk as some potions won't work favourably. Interestingly, reading/quaffing activates identification for the remainder.

As you progress, hit the I key to see your inventory and an indication of what you could sell in town for gold. Afterwards, purchase armour, learn a skill, or buy a better weapon. The inventory also shows Mobuls. This is a timer that displays how long your daughter has to live. This isn't nearly as restricting as you think and can even be extended with the 'Expanded Awareness' scroll. Your progression works differently with experience earned as we hack and slash our way through. The more killed, the stronger we become.

So far, I've reached level eight, but that didn't last long as an Xorn ended my journey. I had no chance of success; my magic & melee skills were no match for that beast! Perhaps I should have used the college? Of course, there are no extra lives as Larn uses Permadeath. It pays to be a savvy adventurer!

Okay fellow adventurers, let's take a peep at another screenshot...

I was doing well until I fell into a trap and down a level. No way out!

Juicy Tips

Firstly, press the "?" key to access help. This explains how to identify everything in the dungeon and lists the key commands. It may seem overwhelming at first, but I promise you'll get the hang of it quickly.

• You start with no gold, equipped only with a dagger and rags. Fortunately, the first level is easier than the rest, so why not clear it of monsters? Collect the gold, gems, and chests before returning to town like Mr Moneybags. The first stop should be the Trading Post (S) before visiting the Thrift Shoppe (=).
• Just don't sell your books!
• Check out the college. Have I hinted enough about that?
• Initially, buy better armour as a priority over a weapon.
• Missing a turn (and running) are great ways to recover HP.
• In the first couple of dungeons, I often ignore potions. I'm tired of quaffing myself with forgetfulness or blindness!
• Scrolls are superb and there are no negative effects. (Expanded Awareness is helpful)
• Press the D key to see what spells are available and you shall note each has three letters. This is the code used to [c]ast spells. This is an excellent system!
• Scrolls and potions used are automatically identified after one use.
• Pits are dangerous and sometimes you might fall down a level. Beware! However, they are good for leading monsters to their demise!
• Don't waste spells on lesser monsters unless you're low on HP.
• Only got a small amount of gold? Buy the spear!
• Don't try to wear clothing (ring, belts, shields, etc) as everything other than armour is automatically worn by sitting in the inventory.
• Fountains, Thrones, and Holy Alters are objects you can interact with. Their results vary!
• Be respectful of the throne. Or maybe not? It's risky!
• I have a theory about the Volcano levels. I aim to sneak in, grab an item of high value and sneak out as quickly as possible. Should work. It hasn't yet...
• If you've noticed a "?" for the level, this is normal after falling down a trap.
• Rust monsters aren't too deadly but check your inventory after!
• Mobuls are plentiful but there is a Time Warp scroll to ease concern.
• Don't worry about paying your taxes, that's for those who completed LARN. Yes, there is a tax to pay on your gold, and I believe it was Starmer's commie idea!
• You can launch the game with various parameters (read the docs). It's possible to change the difficulty... but... are you really THAT good?
• Works in Medium Resolution & Monochrome.
• Read the docs.

Never has plain text been this rewarding! So let's celebrate with another colourful screenshot...

As you progress, you will discover many locked doors to tempt you!

CryptO'pinion

LARN offers a fantastic introduction to classic #roguelike games, transporting you to the nostalgic charm of the 1980s. Unassumingly rather bland, and initially intimidating, but this is one hell of an adventure. In fact, Larn provides the perfect opportunity to learn what it is to hack through an ASCII dungeon. After playing Rogue with its delightful sprites, I genuinely didn't expect to enjoy Larn. Well, I blummin' did. Big time!

Larn's strengths lie in how easy it is to pick up and play compared to the others, especially Omega. It's balanced well and offers an adventure that's, not only worth playing but, also possible to conquer. I highly recommend Larn to all budding adventurers, especially those willing to embrace the past and enjoy gameplay over flashy visuals. Now, this might not happen often - so brace yourself - my rating is a stonking 10/10.

Atarimania has both Larn games available for download: https://www.atarimania.com/...

LARN is the very first Atari ST game to earn the prestigious AtariCrypt SMASH award from me!
Maybe prestigious is rich but it's well deserved. I hope you guys play this #roguelike

With Asterix in the Dungeons of Doom

Crawling with Asterix

Following the success of RogueCrypt (yes, that’s what I named it and I shall be forever sorry), Mug UK asked me to create a similar image for the Asterix-themed Rogue hack. This version is essentially the same game with graphical modifications. Asterix in the Dungeons of Doom allows us to take on the role of Asterix instead of the Rogue character while keeping most other aspects unchanged. I’m tempted to call this disk AsterixCrypt. Have I hit an all-time low? Yeah, maybe I’m taking this naming convention a bit too far.

Regardless, here are all the links you need for the file download and more...

• Download the (.ST) disk image of AsterixCrypt = https://www.dropbox.com/DownloadTheGame...
• In case you missed it, RogueCrypt = https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/2024/12/roguecrypt.html
• Atari Legend = https://www.atarilegend.com/games/asterix-the-adventure-game
• Rogue for Atari STe (uses STe DMA) = https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/2017/08/rogue.html
• Mug UK = https://demozoo.org/sceners/2542/
• JayMSA to convert to a real disk = http://jaysoft.atariportal.cz/stapps.htm#msa
• Other ST stuff made by me: https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/MadeByMe

To tempt you to play, I'll end with screenshots of the Gaulish warrior's adventure...

Asterix isn't used to a dungeon so let's help him beat the monsters and grab the loot!

Shush, the bat is asleep. Quietly get that potion, treasure, and scroll...

Kestral's are mean beasts and this one wasn't alone.

I spent time searching for a hidden door but the exit was hiding under a sleeping bat!

I wanna run and escape but a slime beast is in my way.

Avoiding the Leprechaun as best I can in a darkened room.

Phantoms are strong, a zap from my wand helped a bunch!

I guess the dungeons proved too much for our little warrior?

RogueCrypt

ROGUE!!

I've been considering doing this for a while. Why it's taken me so long is anyone's guess, but I can imagine most of you already use Peter's excellent hard drive version. Nonetheless, I have created my own preconfigured bootable version of Rogue, which I have named RogueCrypt. Yes, I know the name is awful.

My disk is built on Peter's excellent hack, but I've added a few optional extras to make the Rogue's quest even better. QuickST is used for a much faster display (hopefully), and XControl automatically disables the key clicks. You also have the option to switch between 50/60Hz, which I love to use. I've tested with Atari ST/STe running TOS 1.02(1MB) and TOS 1.62(4MB). Oh, there might be a couple of extra surprises!!

I hope someone finds this disk interesting enough to download. Rogue is such a fantastic game and the perfect reason to take a break from your PC or Xbox. Download my disk and enjoy the dungeons of Rogue.

• The RogueCrypt download: https://www.dropbox.com/.../RogueCrypt...
• Peter's original hack: https://atari.8bitchip.info/ASTGA/R/rogue.php
• JayMSA if you wish to create a real disk: http://jaysoft.atariportal.cz
• Rogue again, but with a STe twist: https://ataricrypt.blogspot...rogue.html
• Game maps can be sourced here: https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/game-maps
• Other ST stuff made by me: https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/MadeByMe

After creating the disk image, I decided to test my luck and take a stroll through the dungeons...

Rogue is quite possibly one of the best Atari ST games. What say you?

Oh no, I've hit a dead end? Use the search, dummy!

In the dark and set upon by a zombie and a rattlesnake. Life's not fair.

Exploring another corridor, and something from a children's TV show appears!

My adventure ended soon after. I need a cheat (joke!)

Welcome to my adventure - day one

The trouble with me is...

Wow, where do I begin with that one? I better not! Anyhow, with regard to the ST and AtariCrypt, I'm a bit daft and usually annoy myself. I always have far too many games on the go! I hardly ever finish writing before moving on to the next. Sigh, I'll never change but I have decided to try and concentrate on one game. Something that I find truly fascinating.

Cosmos Chronicles

If you're sitting there - bored stupid - wondering what Cosmos Chronicles is then you're either dead, been in a coma, or just insane. I previewed it yonks ago, perhaps you should check that link out? This is such an engaging adventure, a unique mash of ideas and somewhat a futuristic Ultima you might say - with touches of Sundog and Frontier!

So, I figured it would be a great game to feature my progress - as and when it's made. Kinda like I did for Atari's Super Pack and when mapping Sword Of Kadash. However, this time, with smaller posts I can knock out quicker (he says). However, note that I'm no expert rogue slayer! I'm merely an ST Dude having fun with a wonderful new game :)

The game

We are a young chap called Floyd Cooper and we live on Acriel, a small rock orbiting a larger planet called Nova. Here we work the land as a farmer with my Auntie and Uncle Vetea. Long story, cut short, the military turned up and killed them! Our father's spaceship is inside the barn and a friend is located northwards. Better check all that out, eh?

Exploring Acriel is easy; similar to what you would have seen in the Ultima games. Move using the cursor keys and enter a building (like the farmhouse) by walking up to it and tapping the 'up arrow' to enter. Once inside, explore as you did outside. Additionally, to interact and select/talk/pickup you should hit the 'Return key'. The cursor keys are now used to select items in the inventory plus relevant actions. Hitting "backspace" cancels and returns to the game.

Interestingly, Cosmos Chronicles supports the Blitter Chip so will feel faster on the Atari STe.

Additionally, backspace will be used inside the Cosmos to take off and enter space. The 'spacebar' is also used but more on that later in this series. Finally, the 'ESC key' can be used to quit. Are you a quitter boy??? I expect not!

"Day one"

For those who read what I previously published, this appears a repeat? It is. Apologies but I decided to restart from the beginning again - which makes perfect sense for this run of articles covering my progress. I hope!

The initial parts of this tragic storyline are perfect for learning the gameplay basics. It allows easy learning of the interface, exploring, collecting items, using the radar, and interacting with the soldiers (ie, learning how to fight). The interface is straightforward - top/right is the planet's conditions under the radar. Further down are details on health, fatigue, food and water. Under the play area, is your inventory and an area for messages/communication.

I'll no doubt die and restart multiple times but, I hope this will be an enjoyable adventure to document. Perhaps this might inspire you to buy the game for yourself? Please note that this isn't a walkthrough - not possible - it's merely an enjoyable romp through a fantastic adventure. Wish me luck - my only wish is not to embarrass myself (too much).

I would love to hear from anyone who is playing this game.

How deep into it are you?

Share your tips!

Okay, are you ready? Let's view the trials and tribulations we must go through before the game properly begins...

We've been rumbled! Skiving under a tree, we hear a distant noise at the farm.
(Note the radar, top/right, this helps to show where the farm is)

Heading northwest, we arrive at the farm but our uncle has a worried look on his face!
(Hey, there's a field of food... I wonder what is inside that barn?)

Of course, we decide to check out the farmhouse first... Ah, a weapon!
(Note the inventory - food/water. On the right are your stats)

Those soldiers are cruel. At least they didn't kill that cute cow!
(Mmm, there's nothing tastier than a big, juicy steak)

This takes us into our first battle. Note the new options and helpful info on the right.
(Your first battle is confusing - choose to arm yourself first and then attack)

Buried them quick, didn't I? Anyhow, our uncle survived long enough for a few final words.
(You could walk north, it's not far. But you have a spaceship now...)

We're scared but bravely head northwards into unknown lands.
We find food, animals, and a house. Let's investigate inside that house!

Brace yourself for the second daring part of my adventure...