Starquake

Stepping back in time...

I'm delving deeper into retro gaming with a favourite I haven't played since I was 14 (how did that happen?). Anyhow, Starquake was developed by BubbleBus/Mandarin Software and was released in 1985. Like most of that era, I didn’t have an Atari ST, but we'd have to wait three more years for our version!

So what's the story? Well, deep within the caverns of an alien world, catastrophe is imminent as the planet’s core begins to fracture in a devastating "starquake". We take control of BLOB, which means "BioLogically Operated Being." Our mission is to descend into this subterranean labyrinth and restore stability by locating and correctly positioning the scattered neutron plugs needed to repair the planet’s reactor. With time running out and danger lurking in every tunnel, Starquake becomes a desperate race to save an entire world.

Let's pause the reading and view a screenshot of a malfunction...

The intro is short but not without good humour, which I love!

Run, Shoot, RUN!!

Starquake is a big game, and it's easy to get yourself completely lost wandering from screen to screen. Each screen is basically a platformer in design, filled with cutesy baddies that can zap away your energy or kill you outright. To me, it always felt like Atic Atac, but visually, it reeks of Underwurld. There are tasks to complete, like collecting objects and computer codes, which are a lot harder than they sound. Oddly, you cannot collect items when using a hover pad... so be prepared to think and make lots of backtracking!

We have a weapon, but the nasties are relentless with a swarm-like attack that never ends. Curiously, we cannot jump but can build temporary platforms to reach those higher places. It's kinda cool and makes climbing fun and different - also dotted about the map are hover-pads used to climb.

Starquake is a frantic shooter/puzzler, and yes, it reminds me of Underwurld by Ultimate Play The Game with its schematics, styles and mechanics. The puzzler and exploration elements are as tough as they are interesting, and this is the part of it that makes you think, all whilst shooting at everything.

I've always liked Starquake, and that Atari ST version doesn't disappoint...

As soon as you begin, cute critters appear from nowhere - constantly!

Colour clash and bleeps?

Fans of the original will absolutely adore the updated Atari ST version, which looks the same but tarted up with gorgeous 16-bit colours and lots more detail. Wow, I wish the old Speccy game looked this good back in the mid-80s. I mean, come on, check out those sprites - this must be one of the cutest games!

The audio is superb with fantastic music by none other than Jason C. Brooke. I could listen to it all day! All in-game effects are excellent, but I'm going to shock myself and say that the ZX Spectrum game is better. How can this be? It's true, as I miss those fuzzy-buzzy sounds that this 16-bit conversion lacks.

Right, we've got time for just one more screenshot. So, here you go...

Finally, an upgraded 8-bit game that isn't bloated and ruined!!

The CryptO'pinion?

The Atari ST version is harder than the Speccy original. It took some time to get used to that, if I'm being honest. This difficulty zapped some of the fun, especially for a casual gamer. However, Starquake isn't for the casual gamer, as it demands time and commitment to get the most out of it.

Yes, it's tough. Yes, it's crazy. So you may need to cheat for infinite lives! Also, you will need a pen and paper to map it and make notes. However, it's definitely a brilliant conversion of the classic 8-bit game and an excellent game in its own right. It offers a massive, long-term challenge, and I love it. Highly recommend!!

Download Starquake via Old Games Finder.
Here is a map of the Speccy game!

Lotus Turbo Challenge II

Buckle up!

If there was one racer I adored on my old Atari ST, it was Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge. The semi-realistic physics helped to make it utterly addictive without ever crossing over into boring old simulator land. It has such amazing graphics, almost an arcade-like quality, with fun gameplay that was both exciting and challenging.

Lotus 2 offers more of the same excitement but is different from the original in several ways. Firstly, we aren't racing a set number of laps around a circuit, as there are checkpoints to reach during a road trip across the lush American continent in our flashy car! Also, don't drool, but the entire screen is now used!

Do you wanna see a cool screenshot with blue skies and an open road? Let's road trip...

Vroom!! The roads are absolutely superb to provide a thrilling challenge!

Fast open roads...

This isn't just a racer but more of a road trip adventure across the States. Also, the environments can change depending on the conditions, as we have the weather to endure, which adds an element of pseudo-realism. Even if the other drivers fail to use their headlights at night (what? Am I being too picky lol)

I also think they captured the feeling of speed incredibly well - it's almost Vroom standards. Strangely, our car appears to be running on fairy dust because there is never a need to refuel your Esprit or Elan. Which is good, who needs that kinda realism? These differences certainly help Lotus II leap away from the original and into a whole new driving experience, whilst still remaining familiar with the original.

It's now time for another screenshot, but this one is of a lawbreaker. What? You heard me...

Come on, it's nighttime, and nobody is using their lights. Where's the police? Ha!

The CryptO'pinion?

Lotus II is incredible and one of the best racers on the Atari ST. It perfectly combines elements of a good race with the feeling of a Bullrun combined. So we get to see the 16-bit world in this speedster.

I cannot stress enough how much I recommend Lotus II. It's just as enjoyable as the magnificent original, so it zooms in high on my Top 10 list of Atari ST drivers. Download it right now - you won't regret it!!

Downloads for floppy or hard disk!!

Carlos

Not Batman, it's FATMAN!

Les Adventures de Carlos was released in 1994 by Microids and isn't the best example of an Atari ST platformer. We are in control of a bearded fat man wearing a rather odd costume! This might sound strange, but our best friend appears to be a parrot who shadows and attempts to help us. There is no gun, so he must use our enormous weight to squish the baddies! You can even use some of that blubber to create a miniature earthquake when falling farther. It's hardly original when you think about it, but whatever works, right?

Aesthetically, Carlos looks and sounds good. The visuals feature stunning colours and beautiful sprites. However, the engine features no scrolling, which is odd for a game that requires 4-way scrolling to be playable. What that means is the gameplay stops while the screen is pushed along. This becomes extremely irritating, especially during diagonal jumps, which may require the screen to STOP and scroll in two directions!!

This could have been great, but the end result looks good, but it plays terribly. In fact, I found it quite agonising because of the constant pauses as the screen scrolls in four different directions. A platformer like this demands real scrolling. The Atari ST has a wealth of decent platformers, so we don't need rubbish like this.

This is what a lazy port looks like. Stay well clear of this utterly terrible game!!

I may not recommend Carlos (lol), but masochists can give it a play using these download links floppy & hard drive.

Access Codes for the brave

Level 2=BONGO

Level 3=GALET

Level 4=PATAU

Level 5=SIRTA