The Chaos Engine

Is it time for another ripoff?

Not too dissimilar to Gauntlet, is The Chaos Engine the Bitmap Bros released in 1993. It's a top-down arcade shooter where you choose from a selection of characters before running around levels with one purpose, killing baddies! Okay, there is a [minor] puzzle element but this game is about reaping death!!

It's now that I can imagine the look on your faces. Why attempt to take on Gauntlet? Read on...

" Sometime during the last century, an experimenter with time, space and early computers created a bizarre machine. The inventor's name was Baron Fortesque and the machine was... THE CHAOS ENGINE!

Although primitive the machine became incredibly powerful and went crazy, turning ordinary humans and household pets into razor-toothed, armour-plated killing machines. "

The characters; you can be one of six mercenaries each with their own skillset. Chose wisely...

 

 

 
So who are you gonna be? Let me know in the comments who you choose.

Who ya gonna be?

Each character has unique skills so I advise that you should play each one to find out what you prefer. Personally, I tend to prefer the Mercenary or Thug! Each of the environments is extremely interesting with wicked mechanics and beautiful visuals, helping to create a wonderful Victorian England theme, etc.

Co-op is enabled whether you play solo or with friends and is a treat. I love having a computer-controlled player alongside you and that extra firepower comes in handy. That helps, especially in the later levels, and is implemented well without ever taking over. However, it's embarrassing when he grabs the coins so quickly!! Argh, this is one of those games that demands practice before you can even think about beating it!

Hey, let's take another break for a couple of screenshots...

The first level is brilliant and works well with the computer-controlled guy.



Level two increases the difficulty but it's still damn good fun!

Bitmap aesthetics!

The graphics are literally outstanding. From start to end, beautiful artwork, detailed sprites, and gorgeous landscapes. I love each of the environments which have all been enhanced for the lovely Atari STe by using the hardware scrolling and extra colours. One of the best-looking games on the Atari ST/e. Period!!

All audio is cool - the chip music will stay playing in your head all day and the sound effects do their job well. However, I must admit to being a little disappointed that this talented bunch failed to use the DMA audio for sampled sound effects. They're already utilising the STe so why not use the DMA for samples?

So, it looks and sounds great especially when played on the Atari STe. Agree or disagree? Let me know...

I struggled with the third level or rather my old man reactions did!



...and again for the frantic fourth. So tough!!

The CryptO'pinion?

I have always ranked the Bitmap Brothers as one of the best 16-bit developers. The freakish charm of Chaos Engine certainly helps to prove that. I cannot say whether it's better than Gauntlet because it's similar but, different. It's marmite and I think people will find themselves split over these two crackers?

My only gripe is the difficulty on later levels which I fear is over the top. This means I need to cheat, which isn't good if you think about it. However, there is a passcode system which is a fantastic feature to have.

This is a remarkable and addictive shooter stuffed full of action. Glad I bought this - I love it!!

8BitChip and D-Bug have created superb hard drive installable games!!

Chaos Engine floppy disks: Adrenalin #37A  #37B disks.

LEVEL CODES

World Two = T6MV6J4LGLCZ (Thug + Mercenary)

World Two = 73VBPXY1PZV1 (Brigand + Navvie)

World Two = QLVKM4YKJQVS (my own code!)

World Three = 4WQZTTRG61MZ (Navvie + Gentleman)

World Three = 2#YNLN7SR94W (Navvie + Brigand)

World Three = JSP99G416LY2 (I've no idea where I found this!)

World Four = PK2R9J6G5W4K (Navvie + Gentleman)

World Four = C8737KFPBCDB (Navvie + Preacher)

ST Format has a guide and a walk-through solution (issues: #51 #52 #53 #54)

Bitmap Bros have a cool website with maps, guides and more.

Let's Play has a great page with loads of info.

I love this game so much that I went "out" and bought the Apple Mac version.

The Mercenary Site

Update: Paul Woakes sadly passed away on July 15th 2017. RIP †

The Mercenary Site

I love finding websites that are active and buzzing with great content for games that are available for the Atari ST. The Mercenary Site is run by a great guy called 'Symoon' and is dedicated to the entire Mercenary series. He's a bit of an obsessive and it shows when you browse his immense website!

Personally, I'm all about the second game, Damocles which is a cracker thanks to an open-world environment that isn't hampered by linear restrictions. Yep, you're free to do whatever you like and how you choose to do it is up to you. That's something that holds dear because I'm a sucker for messing about!

Before you rush off to his website, we chatted and I asked him a few questions about it...

My site is horribly old but, to me, the content is more important than its look - and spare time is a rare thing these days ;) .... (we then began to talk about Hunter!) ... I also have fond memories of Hunter, except that the energy was dropping way too fast! I cheated to stop that and finished all the missions a long time ago. Really good fun using helicopters or hovercrafts!

There isn't much to say about me - I can't call myself an active Atari ST owner. But my brother bought an Atari ST and we mainly played games with it. I remain attached to it, but not as much as I am to my very first computer (the Oric!). You'll find a few occasional posts from me on some Atari forums under the nickname Symoon, but nothing worth talking about really ;)

I began the website around 1996, learning HTML to make a solution page for Mercenary III while I was doing the compulsory military service in France. I had struggled so much to get my copy of Mercenary III (I guess it hasn't been imported at all in France then) that I played it and found a way to complete it with all the solutions. There was almost no information about Mercenary III on the Internet at the time, and I had discovered the great Mark Sachs' guide to Damocles which inspired me. So it all began as "the Mercenary III solution page", designed in the same way...

Then the site grew little by little, as I added content very quickly thanks to many, many contributors. I recently read old emails and was puzzled at how many people wrote to me about it, and how interesting many of the messages were. I got in touch with many people from Novagen (first was Mo Warden), all very kind, and even met some of them. I'm so sad that Bruce Jordan, who lead the Novagen company with Paul Woakes, passed away 9 years go.

Firstly, because he really was a friendly man! Of course, on more Mercenary-driven motivations, because he was a great source of information. The MDDClone, that appeared around 2002, also was a source of real motivation. Its author hadn't been here, I might not have kept updating the site so long - and certainly not with so much detailed content.

What I loved about the games? I can't tell you really, I'd say the freedom feeling, and the first-person 3D which put YOU in the world (it wasn't that common at this time). The fact that a whole world was created for the player to simply walk around and the mix between adventure and some kind of flight simulation too. Also, it's humour. As a French young man though, I didn't always notice or understand the fun there was in Benson's words!

I was visiting each and every location hoping to find something significant at any corner. I found (and still find) it amazing that a whole universe was there on a disk. Thanks again, I hope you spend many pleasant hours in the Gamma system soon!

Black Lamp

Fancy a medieval adventure?

Let's cut to the chase: you’re a clown. Well, you are plucky Jack The Jester who happens to be in love with the Princess, Griselda. Sadly, she will never look at you with the same love-struck passion (probably because of your silly costume!). Fortunately, for you, the kingdom of Allegorid was attacked by dragons!!

Since when was that fortunate? Well, they stole all the magical lamps which helped to protect everyone in the kingdom from evil. This also includes the most acclaimed lamp - a cherished and powerful Black Lamp. So, let's get going and rescue our dolly bird princess Griselda. Fail and death awaits you... great storyline, uh?

Okay, let's take a little break because it's time to see the first screenshot...

The thing I adore about Black Lamp's visuals is the detail - from backgrounds to sprites!

How about a medieval nightmare!

Black Lamp is a flip-screen platformer with ledges to hop on, ladders to climb, items to collect, and monsters to kill. Not to mention what feels like thousands of rooms to visit as we undertake the honourable lamp quest. Interestingly, once our plucky jester ventures outside, that visual mechanic becomes a scrolling platformer. Here we can walk the castle walls, woodlands, and streets looking for areas to visit. Various bonuses are offered for points and also special abilities like increased firepower and invincibility.

The monsters reign supreme and this is perhaps the game’s greatest and possibly most annoying characteristic? Not only are their numbers countless but their assaults are relentless!! Wherever you go, they appear like magic - they don't need open doors because they can walk through the walls. This means there is literally no safe place that can offer a quiet moment of refuge which is brilliantly insane but can also be OTT.

This ain't a boring yawnfest and will entertain throughout. Let's check out another screenshot...

Beautiful locations and lots of monsters to kill. Just look at that ogre!

A beautiful looker?

Throughout, the graphics are awesome. It feels like a cartoon chronicle of England's medieval age. The monsters are incredibly alluring with so much charm. My favourites are the Imps and Trolls which are bewitching to watch with beautiful animation. It's hard to imagine better than this in 1988 on a 16-bit platform.

The audio is perfect. Not only is there an incredible theme tune but, all in-game sound effects are zappy and exciting. This is exactly how a game should sound and makes it enthralling to play. Do I need to mention the in-game music? Like, wow!! Greensleeves, the olde English folk song. Wow, the audio is superb!!

And with that revelation out the way, let's see the final screenshot before the gripping concussion...

Black Lamp was one of the first games I saw after leaving the Spectrum. Can you imagine my joy!

The CryptO'pinion?

Black Lamp is a brilliant game but it's not perfect. My beef is with Jolly Jack's controls that react slowly due to his (superbly) animated movements. Imagine that you are walking right, and need to turn left to kill oncoming monsters. This action does not immediately happen because his walking animation must finish.

Black Lamp is up there with other ST legends. It's a classic and nothing short of a fun-filled, hectic adventure that looks and sounds amazing. Sure, the aesthetics don't matter, but it's good to have them.

Everyone should play this platformer and experience what the Kingdom of Allegorid offers. It's challenging, addictive and rewarding. You won't regret booting up Black Lamp whatsoever, I guarantee it.

One of my favourite Atari ST games.

Available on both floppy and hard drive.