Road Wars

There's always one

For the most part, my Super Pack run has been a glowing success featuring lots of brilliant Atari ST games. Okay, there's been a couple of bumps along the way, but that's only to be expected and even Atari wasn't able to please everybody all of the time. Although I seriously doubt I'll ever load up Chopper X or Marble Madness again.

Well, up next is Road Wars by Melbourne House which looks a bit like Eliminator. Apparently, a computer controls the safety mechanisms of the highways but it isn't working properly so the roads are no longer safe. Perhaps it was running Windows, who knows? So hop into your Battlesphere droid and rid the roads of menaces!

   
Weirdly, I like that the title screen gets straight to the point with the instructions!

Fast & Furious!

Road Wars is a 3D racer but, instead of a car, we're a mounted gun sliding down a yellow highway. We're also inside something called a Battlesphere which looks like a giant bowling ball and acts as a shield. Two players are supported and solo gamers will be happy to see the computer automatically assume the role of an absent friend.

The highway is walled on both sides with several types of enemies and other problems. Some wall panels are blue and fire electricity across the highway. Shooting either panel will disable that or you could just roll through hiding inside the safety of the Battlesphere. When both panels are gone, you're free to zip onto the next level.

Controls are simple to move left/right and pushing UP activates the Battlesphere's shield to hide inside. Pulling DOWN removes this so you're free to kill stuff using the fire button. The controls work okay but there is a noticeable lag when things get busy. I also found it way too easy to kill my friendly opponent. Clumsy me... Oops!

We're not alone! Beware and look out for the dangers on these futuristic yellow roads...

• Red balls. Yup, red balls. These can kill you with one touch unless you're shielded - but even then, it'll completely destroy your sheid leaving you vulnerable. These can also appear in clusters which obviously gives you much more to shoot at. Also, beware of those that turn into missiles!!
• Chevrons are an unusal surprise and it worth rolling over one...
• Spikes are a pain in the rearend so cloak up quickly and hide inside your protective sheld!
• Satellites frequently flyby and some can fire a deadly laser beam.
• Barriers are quite fun and something to enjoy ramming through. Well, if cloaked!

   
We begin on Electric Avenue hunting down the evil villain, Eddy Grant. No, not really!! :p

Aesthetics

The graphics are drab. When I say drab, I really do mean drab. The only thing I actually like is the loading screen which features the two developers - because I felt had a demoscene vibe to it. Oh, I also like the rolling moon animation which isn't too shabby. Well... However, what disappoints me the most is its ludicrously sluggish framerate.

The audio is freaking annoying with the one tune that plays constantly. Aggravating!!

   
Taking screenshots is usually a mad rush during the fun of frantic gameplay. Not during Road Wars! Yawn...

The CryptO'pinion?

Road Wars had the potential to be so much more, but its limited design lets it down because there ain't an awful lot to this shooter. I did wonder if we had another Quadralien on our hands but, no matter how long I played, I was bored by the repetitive gameplay, laggy controls, terrible framerate, and the constant music only made matters worse!

Overall, this has to be one of the most disappointing games I've played and I'm struggling to think of something nice to say. Well, for what it's worth, Road Wars comes on the same floppy disk as Chopper X. I rest my case.

Masochists will be happy to know that AtariMania has the download!!

Atari Legend

It's Hollywood time!

I'm taking a break from my ST gaming to share something special. Well, it's only special for one reason - I shall let you guys decide what that is - Atari Legend has a YouTube channel run by Maarten Martens. This channel has the most professionally produced content. Actually, it's on another level compared to most channels.

It shocked me that many Atari ST gamers don't know about his channel. Maarten has a fantastic sense of humour which is equally matched by his video production skills. Everything always comes together for an excellent presentation. I hope you will enjoy this video as much as I enjoyed participating.

Hang on, what did I just say? Just watch the video...

Return To Genesis

Dream Team?

Firebird released Return To Genesis the same year I got my Atari ST and it was developed by the incredible "ST Dream Team". Yup, Steve Bak, Pete Lyons and David Whittaker: three masters in their own field. These guys aimed for quality and always pushed our computer without ever resorting to excuses or using a lame Amiga port. #respect

RTG is basically a funky take on Defender where Mechanauts have forced scientists into slavery. We've gotta rescue each of these guys which means jumping into a spaceship to skim the surface of 50 psychedelic worlds. At great speed!!

Wanna see the first bunch of screenshots? Then wait no longer because here they are...

Weeeee..... swooooosh..... ZOOOOM......... dead!

Can you see the Mechanauts? Not easy, is it? Wait, now I see a scientist waiting to be picked up!

I'm getting too old and slow

If you've ever played Defender then you should be right at home with RTG. It only has a tiny learning curve - fire and kill everything. But let's play properly? It's worth slowing down to pick up the scientists rather than killing them: once onboard, hit the HELP key to see what cool power-ups they might provide. These guys are useful and could improve weaponry, shields, invisibility, etc. However, Festus might be less than fun as the master of self-destruction!!

A scanner shows the location of each scientist but this sadly falls short of detailing the level layout. I don't know why, but this doesn't work well for me. Sigh... how many more times must I be rebounded back and forth like a yoyo. Yes, this is one incredibly FAST shoot 'em up that has you on the edge of your seat. Blink and you're dead!!

Screenshot time and here are twelve scary-looking people from the future...

This is an incredible idea that uses who you rescue in a positive way for the next level. It's superb!

Aesthetics

Pete Lyon designed everything you see but I'd be lying if I said this was his best work (I personally think Zynaps won that accolade). Don't get me wrong, RTG looks lovely but it's also pretty gorky and I sometimes found it difficult to distinguish the aliens against those funky backgrounds. The scrolling is smooth to prove, once again, that the Atari ST needed no custom chips when in the hands of talented people who care about the product they're working on.

Audio is such a treat. Dave Whittaker sure knew how to get the best heard from our computer - his work proves "chip" will last forever. Okay, it sounds <cough> familiar but it suits the gameplay perfectly. Heck, our ST talks to us which is a zillion times better than Gold Runner. Dave certainly gets the YM processor rocking like this!

It looks, moves, and sounds superb! This is definitely a dream team production so let's see a couple of screenshots...

Oh, look, a weapons upgrade. I knew it was better to rescue these guys rather than blasting 'em!

Shall we rescue him or not? Erm, I shall.... try....!!

The CryptO'pinion?

RTG is one of those games that appears to have it all. Sure, it looks, scrolls and sounds brilliant yet I'm left feeling unsure. Is it me? Is it the game itself? Well, I'm not sure but I do know that I love a good Defender-inspired shooter.

However, this game is way too difficult thanks to its blistering speeds! After a few pointless games, it's not long until I get tired of hitting lots of objects and suffering humiliating deaths. However, the scientists have great power-ups available. These are a wonderful idea that somewhat compensate for this maddening gameplay.

Return To Genesis is an iconic shoot 'em up for Atari ST gamers! It truly is and represents what the ST is capable of. Sadly, it's way too furious for me and thus another Anarchy. Sorry, but give me Xenon or Menace any day of the week. I wanted so much to love this game but I couldn't. It's brilliant but sadly, not for me. I guess this gamer is too old and slow?

Download for floppy or hard drive.