Battlemaster

A day in the life...

Battlemaster was released in 1990 by PSS, but it isn't something I recall playing. Which is a little odd because I remember seeing the screenshots and being captivated by what I saw. They showcased an overhead-action RPG featuring battles against insidious creatures, including Orcs, Spiders, Elves, giant insects, and more. These are the types of games that really appeal to me, so I'm baffled why I let it slip by. What a weirdo!

Booting it up for the first time presents an impressive title that sets the scene for what appears to be a festival of bloody gore. We can be any of 16 adventurers from four races: human, elf, dwarf, and orc. Some venture solo, whereas others are part of a clan. Beginning my first game was fun, with good graphics and a user interface I found intuitive and easy to grasp. Selecting the warrior seemed a great choice, but I made the foolish decision to touch the water, which is oddly deadly - instant death (and you only get one life).

So I restarted as an Orc; an utterly disastrous move, as I was hated by everyone, so I died quickly. Once again, I restarted, this time as an elf, which was confusing because this fella wasn't alone - his party ran around like maniacs. Then my elf fell into a pit that suddenly appeared without a warning. Instant death!

This wasn't going well. So, I did what no guy does: I read the manual. This pamphlet is short, but engaging, with a background story that is both predictable and intriguing. The gameplay basics are nicely explained, including a guide for newcomers, which I appreciated. Also explained are the differences in gameplay styles that concern commanding troops (if applicable) and negotiating with NPCs for items or safe passage.

Incidentally, I chuckled at a section of the manual about the four different races. It's humorously candid and helps you decide who you want to be. I cannot read this blunt piece of text without smiling...

Dwarves hate Elves and Orcs,

Elves hate Dwarves and Orcs,

Humans like no one but despise Orcs the most.

Orcs hate everyone!

I guess it pays to read the manual? Who'd have thunk it? Let's see the first screenshot...

The user interface isn't baffling at all. In fact, it's quite superb:

1) These are our main stats.
2) Depending on the situation, we can access weaponry and inventory.
3) The journey icon is replaced with Parley (returns when the quest is done).
4) The next three text options are relevant for commanding troops.

5) The green area is a scanner; we're the red cross/other characters are yellow.

6) There is an info box that provides location names and helpful tips.

A Cruel World

The first thing that struck me about Battlemaster was how you're hurled straight into the action without a hint of guidance. You then notice the frantic pace at which enemies move about. It's quite chaotic as they run into view, firing off missiles before legging it. The key to surviving is teasing them out and away in smaller groups. Otherwise, you will be mobbed by a bloodthirsty pack of medieval lunatics with a death wish.

This instantly means you must practice with the controls to get anywhere. Battlemaster employs 8-way movement using the keyboard, mouse, or joystick. The mouse is terrible, and I got nowhere with my joystick, but I need a new one, so that could be why. However, I instantly took to the keyboard, which you can redefine with 8-way controls via the numeric pad. I preferred keeping it simple, using the cursor keys.

Exploration is always fun and part of what makes any RPG a fascinating experience. What's better than discovering a new place with potential for enemies, people, treasure, weapons, etc? Well, hold your horses and slow down because you won't get very far without keeping your eyes on the scanner...

• Use it to get an idea of where the enemy is, and begin walking towards them - with a ranged weapon at the ready. If they get close, hit the spacebar to pause and flip to a melee weapon.
• Sounds like real-time with pause? Kinda, and you should use that!!
• Hidden traps are a big thing in Battlemaster, but there is never any indication of where they might be. It's stupid because you only get one life, so falling into a chasm that appears from nowhere is infuriating! So tread softly. Thankfully, their locations are static and easy to remember.

Let's take a break and view a lovely woodland scene where life is peaceful and quiet...

There is an option to parley, but wait, I see a bottle on the ground?
Should I take that, or will it anger the locals into a frenzy?

Riverdale

Battlemaster's world is massive and splits into dozens of sections accessed via a world map. Once you muddle through the initial confusion of the first level, which generously teaches you the joys of hidden traps and punishes you for paddling in a stream (groan), you will blast through the following early stages pretty quickly. Every area is not only visually different but also moves the story forward in its own unique way.

It’s always worth exploring properly to see who is waiting for a chat, and whether there is anything remotely helpful like armour, food, etc. Each zone is fairly compact and has a specific task you’ll need to complete before progressing (use the journey icon, which remains greyed out until the tasks are completed).

Don't expect this game to be a pushover, as most battles devolve into chaotic scuffles where you're hammering the fire button and praying for a win. But think before raising your sword, not everyone is ready to fight. Assuming you win and don't fall victim to a hidden trap, then you will enjoy making progress because each area is uniquely interesting. That said, not everything makes complete sense, like stumbling across food the locals left lying around, hoping you'd politely ignore it. Erm, no! Why would anyone do that???

Once back in the world map, you can move to another adjacent area to continue pillaging! As you can see in the next screenshot, the game shows the available places you can (currently) travel. It's like Baldur's Gate, as you cannot travel huge distances without traversing through. And I liked that a lot!

A huge number of places are waiting for you, dear adventurer. Let's pause for a screenshot...

This map displays the various locations linked via currently available stages.

Graphics & Sounds

I'm not usually bothered by flashy visual effects in an RPG, as the adventure lies in the storyline, characters, action, and exploration. But let's be honest, they're good to have, and Battlemaster's landscapes range from lush woodlands to rocky deserts, and they look impressive. However, it’s the monster sprites that I really love. They’re fantastic and very much in the style of Dungeons & Dragons, constantly providing a 16-bit feast for the eyes to highlight the ghouls encountered, and this is where Battlemaster pleases me.

Sadly, the gameplay window is only about half the size of the screen, as the user interface occupies the other half. That's understandable for a game like this (and helpful), but I'd have expected better scrolling as a trade-off. Don't get me wrong, it's good enough, but still a little bit disappointing if I'm honest.

The audio is a mixed bag. There is no title music, but PSS didn't skimp on the sound effects by using crunchy samples. I like the cries of people dying with such elaborate samples, which is hugely entertaining.

One last screenshot of me avoiding death (for once) before the gripping conclusion...

From the start, Battlemaster shows how cruel it can be. Hidden traps!

CryptO'pinion

Battlemaster certainly plunges you into the thick of the action from the very start. The manual gives a few helpful nudges and starter tips, but nothing really prepares you for the sheer brutality of the first area. Choose your character wisely based on their skills, weapon types, and whether you want backup or to go solo. Then spend a little time mastering the controls and getting used to scrapping with the enemy.

Even once you've got the basics down, you're still likely to meet a quick and ridiculous end, which is hard to initially grasp. It might be a mob of goons hiding in a cave who leave you no chance to react, or maybe it’s an arrow from off-screen, or the classic blunder of sipping water from a deadly river. Worse still, death may come because of a perfectly hidden trap that you had no way on God's green Earth to detect.

Every step you take will be like walking on eggshells, and you will suspect everyone and be wary of everything. Nothing scares me more than a bottomless pit suddenly appearing from out of thin air, but these are always located in the same place(!). Once you grasp how pointlessly illogical these initial traps are, then progress will be made to other areas. Regardless, save your game regularly, as you will be reloading a lot.

Battlemaster's emphasis is always on action and solving obscure puzzles. Discovering new lands is very exciting, as you see the story unfold with new places, tales, and people. Plus, there is a myriad of different beasts just waiting to be killed. Also, if you’ve built a good team, the squad mechanic actually works quite well - even if the AI is a bit thick. Controlling them feels a bit clunky at times, but I enjoyed giving the orders!

When I first played Battlemaster, I didn't care for it. You're thrown in at the deep end, and the pointless traps become tiresome. However, I liked the setting and the opportunity to travel to unique places, so I stuck with it. I'm glad I did. You will get to wander strange lands, slay monsters galore, and do it all in the name of a baloney storyline. It's fantastic, so I’m giving it a trapdoor-dodging, monster-mashing 85%.

• Here are a few screenshots and download links from Atari Legend or Atari FTP Archive.

I love going into other people's homes uninvited.

Hey, I see a ladder. I'm sure nobody will mind if I take that...

I found a hidden cave and went inside. This is a dangerous place!!

I only took this screenshot because I liked the graphics so much lol

This is where I'm currently up to, and stuck. How can I get through the door?

2026

Dust off your joysticks

We’re all still cold with winter and barely into the new year, yet the Atari ST scene has already tried to warm us up by delivering three brand-new games, with one even taking advantage of the STe. As if that wasn’t enough, Jonathan Thomas has also been teasing us with his next project over on X, and if you don’t know who that is, shame on you - go and play Pole Position or Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge immediately.

So here we are, it’s still only January, and I’m genuinely thrilled by the Fuji passion 2026 is already bringing. Yes, I used AI to create the logo as I cannot draw. Don't dwell on that too much, because there are three cracking games that you should play. Let's take a quick look at each before you click the download links...

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Babaliba, by Carles Oriol

This is a remake of the original ZX Spectrum game published by Dinamic Software back in 1984 (I love their Atari ST games!!). Sadly, I suspect this game never really made its way out of Spain, as it’s one I’ve never encountered before. The Atari ST version retains the look and feel of the 8-bit original, but with bugs squashed, visuals improved, and a map added to help you survive the maze (you'll need it).

We play as Johnny Jones, a fella with a big nose, dropped into a top-down labyrinth that will feel instantly familiar to fans of Sabre Wulf or Feud. Ignoring his rather large nose, the goal is to explore, find treasure, use keys to unlock new sections of the map, and deal with monsters using screen-clearing bombs. All while trying (I think) to rescue a princess along the way. Just don’t hang around after dropping one of those bombs!

You can download the game from his GitHub page and also follow him on X.

This is so authentically Speccy, and wow, Johnny really does have a big nose!

PuckMan, by Laurent Gaillard

The first Atari STe game of 2026 is a fresh spin on the little yellow pill popper. Everything you desire is here: that gorgeous retro theme, frantic ghosts chasing you around the maze, tight responsive controls, and smooth gameplay that feels like the arcade experience. Laurent has even added overscan support, using the top and bottom borders to stretch the display ratio, which makes it feel more like a proper arcade cabinet in this respect. And yes, it’s STe-only as the Blitter and DMA audio are also put to excellent use.

No need to play solo as both 1 and 2-player modes are supported, which my daughter absolutely loved. I feel this plays very much like the original and easily ranks as one of the best "Pac-Mans" I have tried on my Atari. Just don’t forget to hit 'C' to insert coins, and then press keys '1' or '2' to choose the number of players.

You can download Pac... sorry... PuckMan from his itch.io page.

PuckMan is a screen-filling beauty for the Atari STe.

Vlak, by Baky

Finally, we have a 1993 MS-DOS take on the classic Snake formula. Once again, I've not seen this one before, but the core of the game is instantly familiar - it's Snake! Only this time, we are a train, gobbling up objects instead of just fruits. Each pickup adds a wagon, and as your train grows, the challenge comes from avoiding crashes - not just with walls, but with yourself (as I often find out). Once the level is cleared, an exit opens up, letting you move on to the next screen, where things get trickier on a harder screen.

The download is available from Atari Portal.

Hilariously addictive, but very hard after the opening level. Be warned!

Phantasie - Day 6

I came, I saw, I conqu...

Well, no, I didn’t actually beat it - but it’s been an engrossing slog over the past few months. I hope you've been following my ventures here and on Twitter (oops, X) over the past few months. Well, hundreds, if not thousands, of monsters met a bloody end, and I can’t thank the lads over at Into The Vertical Blank enough for their teaser that got me hooked in the first place. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every second of this olde classic.

Phantasie helped lay down the groundwork for party-based RPGs where you get to build your own custom team from scratch, then head out into the wilds of Gelnor to battle many different types of creatures. It might look a bit plain now, but the GEM interface works superbly (yeah, I’m shocked too) with an uncluttered layout and nicely drawn fantasy world featuring more monsters than you can shake a stick at... or a sword!!

I feel like Phantasie is pretty much timeless. It's a classic with all the main aspects of any RPG, but it’s fantastic fun without much difficulty to begin playing. What I immediately got from playing this was...

• Storyline - You're up against the evil sorcerer Nikademus, who's causing all sorts of grief. However, the plot is hidden somewhere amidst the fighting and isn't really integrated into the adventure.
• Create your own party system – Roll up six custom characters, cleverly mixing their classes from races like humans, dwarves, elves, gnomes, and even mighty trolls. What a mix!
• Open world adventuring – Travel across the vast continent of Gelnor, exploring towns, dungeons, and wilderness areas. It's a bit sparse, but riddled with dangerous monsters and treasure.
• Turn-based combat - Strategic party battles; think before stabbing something too strong.
• Dungeon crawling with traps and puzzles – No mapping is necessary, though you’ll quickly realise you still need to remember to make reliable notes. Get that pen & paper out!
• Progression and loot galore - Level up your party, learn new spells, and gather better gear.

Explore everywhere; this builds experience points and offers many treasures.

Life-Sucking-Fun

Phantasie 1 is everything that I expected from a turn-based adventure and more. It keeps everything simple without the complexity of a modern RPG. From the start, it plays as an action-adventure and remains so. The above points are relevant, but for me, Phantasie mainly focuses on three gameplay aspects...

• Levelling up your party, of course. Grind like mad, collect loot, and beef up your stats until you're an unstoppable force. And that's what you will become, because out in the wild, the difficulty doesn't exactly ramp up. It just throws in stronger-looking enemies that often turn out to be more bark than bite. A strong team that spent time grinding will have no problems.
• See how far your party can walk before being jumped by random monsters. You walk, you fight, you walk, you fight, it's all about conflict, and I love it! Well, who doesn't enjoy a fisticuff?
• Collecting the elusive runes from within each dungeon. Love these parts the most, but some of the puzzles are about as clear as a glass of Porter - aggravated by conflicts purposely positioned on certain tiles with no way to avoid them. Also, I found myself locked out of some rooms without a clue. Only if you properly looted the previous dungeon will you possess the right items/knowledge.

Yeah, Phantasie's strength lies in the ability to immediately begin without the need to study the backstory, seek out people, gather information, etc. You're here to grind, earn cash, level up your team, and hack, slash, and fling magic at anything that looks at you funny. Everything revolves around fighting, looting rewards to gain strength, and fighting some more. Erm, you will battle all kinds of weird creatures, a lot!

However, while the exploration and action are genuinely engrossing, the storyline fails to unfold without the lore, character interaction, and secrets. Magical spells are just what you’ve seen before many times, and there's limited room for a progressive experience. A few extra grumbles stood out: remembering it’s the first game, the interface lacks refinement, scroll usage is clunky, and there’s no journal – meaning you’ll need pen and paper like it’s 1986 (which I suppose it is!). Item management? Forget it. You simply can’t equip what you find until you’re back in town, so don’t get too excited about that shiny new sword you just picked up.

My ideal party always seems to lean towards melee! With that in mind, consider running with these guys...

1. Fighter (Troll or Dwarf) – Hit like a truck and soak up damage like a sponge.
2. Fighter (Minotaur) – Brutal strength, smashes through anything.
3. Ranger (Half-Elf) – Solid melee, doubles as a backup healer too.
4. Monk (Human or Gnome) – Punches hard, helpful with spells.
5. Priest (Human) – Your main healer; one is enough when there are few spellcasters.
6. Thief (Halfling) – Absolutely essential for traps/locks, and quick with the blade!

Oh yeah, dragons appear, and we're ready with cunning, magic, and a bloody sword!

CryptO'pinion

This game has kept me hooked since February, and that’s saying something as I often get distracted and move to something else far too easily. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a straightforward fantasy RPG centred on action and exploration. It’s easy to get into, and refreshingly simple. Sure, parts of it have aged like warm milk, but the core gameplay holds up surprisingly well today. It's a whole lotta fun!

Phantasie earns itself a bloodthirsty 80%, so dust off your +2 axe and hit those dungeons like it’s 1986.

For reference, here are the previous Phantasie articles I posted, and a little bit more...

• Day One - Almost 4 decades too late, I discovered Phantasie I.
• Day Two - The basics are covered in and around the town of Pelnor.
• Day Three - It's why people boot up this game - let's fight!!
• Day Four - Expanding on Day Three with a dollop of magical information.
• Day Five - My progress report before this gripping conclusion.
• Twitter/X - I posted many silly screenshots as I played Phantasie I.
• Into The Vertical Blank's channel - always worth checking out!!
• Lastly, but most certainly not least, my sincere gratitude and greetings to John Heritage for being a true ST knight and twice supporter of my Phantasie quest! :-)

We found the body of an Elvin Fighter, but the ceiling caved in!

This left us trapped, looking for a secret passageway...

Oh no, what shall we do? Well, they wanted equality, so help the man for a cryptic clue.

The dungeons are amazing and full of wonders. Can you find this warrior?

Sometimes the fights feel a little unfair. Make sure you command your party well.

Arghh, a Hill Giant and Kobolds decide to try their luck!!

A few more steps, and I'm attacked by Skeletons and Wraiths. Great!

Right, that's me done! Three Black Knights are two too many for my weary party...

SHOTGUN

Click Click BOOM!!

One of the latest games for the Atari STe is from Thomas Ilg, a bloke known for his passion and dedication over the past few years. It all began with the marvellous Laserball and has since blossomed with a string of crazy-stupid-silly games!! The latest comes from the same Froggy stable and is a Commodore 64 port of a rather unassuming shooter. Imagine yourself in an arena with a sole objective - massacre everyone!

This game is for 1-4 players, whether human or computer, and uses various control methods - keyboard, joystick, JagPad, and even the option to use the parallel port via the ST4PLAYER adapter. Shotgun offers a selection of gameplay styles, including battle/deathmatch and a treasure hunt (which I absolutely loved). There are also Marathon/Tournament modes and more to take Shotgun beyond its humble 8-bit roots.

Let's reload our shotguns and take a quick break for some sexy screenshots...

Forgetting the treasure chests, I try to shoot my daughter. Dad of the year, eh?
( Atari STe graphics )

There aren't many games I can win these days, so I'll take anything I can get!
( Commodore 64 graphics )

Let's Play

Each player competes in a walled arena, similar in design to a Bomberman maze. Players begin in their specific corner of the screen and must rush to find a shotgun. Once armed, the goal is to blast your opponents into smithereens. If you die (and you will), you are respawned, unarmed, at your starting position. And that's pretty much the gist of Shotgun - running around a maze trying to take out your friends & family.

Actually, there’s more to it than meets the eye. This simple format has been expanded in several ways to add more playable and aesthetic content. You aren't restricted to Battles and Deathmatches, as you can also run a Marathon of events and compete in Tournaments. There is also a Treasure Hunt, which I personally adore. This takes the basic design one stage further by adding shootable chests filled with goodies.

However, for me, it's best when the co-op part is activated in normal games. That feature brings everything together very nicely. Why? Well, it's good to have backup rather than struggling alone. Especially with my reactions! (AI can still be used in the tournaments - see below)

Thomas has created a variety of unique options to alter the play length and includes the Extended C64-smashing features. The computer can take over idle players with impressive AI. They may frantically dash about like headless chickens, but their reactions are sharp - I dare you to outmatch a trigger-happy ST!!

The audio is incredible with outstanding music and sound effects; you can swap between them from the menu. The graphics constantly run at 50fps, which is jaw-droppingly smooth. Even better (is that possible?), the visuals can be swapped - like we saw in Frogs - for an assortment of styles. I shouldn't say this, but the C64 graphics are my favourite. Sure, they might look clunky with less detail, but they suit the vibe perfectly.

Yep, Shotgun has an impressive array of configurability; I love how I can customise the look and feel so easily. Being able to change how an ST game looks is quite unique when you think about it. I dare you to dislike C64 graphics when playing the Treasure Hunt on Arena G (a gorgeous map). Whatever you modify, gather the family around your Atari and enjoy the chaotic panic of killing them. That's great family entertainment!

Okay, enough yapping. Let's take a peep at some more screenshots...

Marathon is the right title because it's certainly a marathon quest.
This game can cause conflict - my daughter stormed off in a huff during this!

No, this wasn't a real Tournament as I just wanted a playtest. Like I've that many friends!
Although it would be nice to play with Daisy Duke... sigh...

Big Tips

• The AI opponents are annoyingly quick, so why not disable that to practice?
• Afterwards, enable the AI and practice in Battle/Deathmatch modes.
• Just a thought... if the AI is active, you could (ahem) be a big, fat cheating camper waiting for an enemy to cross your path. Surely not?
• The AI is good for shoots but less so when navigating a tighter maze. Something to think about?
• Each shotgun only carries 3 bullets, so don't get caught unarmed!
• Getting your ass handed to you on a plate - try co-op.
• Don't double-shoot the chests in Treasure Hunt.
• Type in "xmas" on the main menu for a Christmas mode with our Shotgun guys in Santa outfits.
• Don't forget to use the different display modes. I'm a sucker for the C64 and Stony graphics.
• Gamers can use all of the different ST/STe controllers, but those with more friends than me should consider buying the ST4PLAYER adapter. Links below.
• No friends for the Tournament? Create a name using this format to assist "AI <name>".
• Great on the ST but even better for the Atari STe 🎧
• Best played with a friend(s). Or friends you hate and wish to lose quickly!

Words of wisdom? Well, maybe not. Let's take another break for some more screenshots...

Co-op is great, and the threat of friendly fire made it feverishly exciting!!

( using the Stony theme )

Probably the hardest map of all to play any game, as it's so open.
( using the "Bunker" theme )

The CryptO'pinion

When I first played, I immediately liked Battle/Deathmatch, but I could tell there wasn't much longevity, especially solo. However, I thought the Treasure Hunt mode was better by a long shot (no pun). This introduces random treasure chests for points rather than merely playing a form of deathmatch. Better still are the Marathon and Tournament events because they can use random game modes that spice it up further.

For me, the best is the slick integration of co-op into all but Tournament and Marathon. Having someone to fight alongside is an outstanding feature that won me over big time (this works with the AI if playing alone).

I hope you guys download Shotgun because it's a blast(!). I enjoyed frantically scurrying in a frenzy, looking for a weapon and someone to kill. It's an exciting adrenaline rush far beyond my meagre words.

Waste no more time and get this game!

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+ Game download for only $4 https://anarcholab.itch.io/shotgun-st

+ Can I tempt you with the boxed game? https://www.hd-videofilm.com/shotgun/boxed

+ Full credits and a demo download https://www.atarimania.com/shotgun.html

Even more Atari ST games by Thomas

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+ Laserball https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/2015/06/laserball.html

+ Anarcho Ride https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/2016/10/anarcho-ride.html

+ Frogs https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/2019/12/frogs-v12-update.html

+ Randomazer https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/2020/04/randomazer.html

Completing a Tournament/Marathon rewards with extra maps.

Bonus map #1

Note the doorways that can be opened, a simple but nice feature.
Bonus map #2

Of the three bonus maps, this one is my favourite.
Bonus map #3

These are photos of goodies Thomas generously sent me.
This one is going on my Atari ST wall asap!!

Unfortunately, this isn’t the boxed game I had originally hoped for.

This is like a flyer and will also be going on my ST wall.

Thank you, Thomas, for the ST4PLAYER adapter!!!
Whether they like it or not, my family will enjoy getting beaten by me. (gameplay-wise lol)

Caverns Of Larn

Roguelikey!

Over Christmas, I spent a lot of time eating, drinking, and exploring the ST's 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.

Walking (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 went 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 first Atari ST game to earn the prestigious AtariCrypt SMASH award.
Maybe prestigious is rich, but it's well deserved. Amazing game!!