Hector vs The Mutant Vampire Tomatoes From Hell

Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes?

Hector vs the Mutant Vampire Tomatoes From Hell was released in 1993 by Pete Whitby of Jetpac fame (a superb conversion). Of course, this is a platformer based loosely on the Space Panic genre and begins with a fascinating demoscene-like presentation I loved. Heck, it even has a scroller to read - what a great start.

Each screen has a selection of evil tomatoes roaming like they own the place! There are four types, each with different characteristics and abilities, but the only way to kill them is to dig holes with our trusty spade and hope they fall in. Then we rush over and smash their faces with a spade. Gruesome fun and dead simple.

The monsters have various levels of AI. This means there are the thickos who are all too willing to fall into a gaping hole. Plus, the smarter ones who can jump and brandish weapons. What, you thought these privileges were yours alone? Don't expect them to remain helplessly trapped inside a dug hole - hurry!

Actually, there's little need to hurry because there's no time limit. That's right, no time limit. Fabulous!!

The first level introduces you nicely, so experiment with leaping, digging, and killing.

Joystick Controls

Hector can walk, jump, and climb ladders, and I must say how slick and responsive the joystick controls are. To dig, hold down the fire button and push upwards, whereas pulling down fills it in. A hole doesn't need to be completed to temporarily capture a tomato. That is a superb element, especially on later levels.

Hector is free to change direction in mid-jump anytime and can cling/fall off ladders at will. That's a lot better than it sounds. This tomato-basher can even sneak up on any tomato to instantly begin the joy of clubbing. Try it!! Oh, and don't forget to jump! Have I said just how amazing the controls are? Let me say this - the joystick controls are extraordinary for both function and fluidity of action. Wonderful, just wonderful!!

Splattered tomatoes produce a range of bonuses: points, bigger leaps, extra lives, and more. Do you want guns? We have guns that can shoot, freeze and even throw out sliding landmines (an unexpected and welcome mechanic). Always grab any bonuses as they are an integral part of the gameplay and success!

Okay, let's take a moment's pause with the boring reading for another screenshot...

Okay, I've got a weapon, and I'm not afraid to use it.

Aesthetics

Each level feels 8-bit and is no Rainbow Islands or Magic Pockets. That's okay because it's perfectly apt for the classic Panic theme. The sprites are the best thing with cute expressions and are nicely animated - just wait until you see the Berzerker, so freaky. A great and unique drawing - I love how he looks!!

Music is wonderful, and there's a great reason for that - thank you, Jochen Hippel, for his magical musical talent!! The sound effects are produced from a variety of FM samples, so I imagine Pete didn't have an Atari STe, which is a tremendous shame. Hang on, did I just hear a Rick Dangerous sound effect? Oh yes, excellent!!

Righto, let's break for another screenshot of retro gold...

Don't forget where you dug those holes; otherwise, you're left hanging and vulnerable.

The CryptO'pinion?

Hector provides a brilliant spin on the Panic genre with perfect controls for fluent movements that have us leaping and clubbing the freaky fruits with ease. However, I'm baffled why he climbs the ladder so slowly, as this doesn't gel with the rest of his movements. And that's my only beef with this incredible PD game.

For me, the game design, controls, and AI are marvellous. These help make the game so playable and therefore very, very addictive. Quite simply, this is one of the best platformers I've played in ages.

The all-important download, a cool video by Wasabim, and even more awesome screenshots...

The main menu is ace with a belting chiptune, scroller and helpful information.

The only level I didn't like the look of because it's a bit too green 'n mushy!

Those tomatoes are annoying, so squash them for a great pizza topping!

I love the armour this guy is wearing, but who's sneaking about near the top? Freaky!!

I scored 9301 on my second attempt. Not a bad score if I'm honest. Can you beat me?

The Chaos Engine

Run. Shoot. Kill. Kill some more!

Welcome to another slice of Atari ST history from my own collection, and this time it's the Gauntlet shooter: The Chaos Engine by the Bitmap Brothers. For some reason, I didn't buy this back in the day, and I'm unsure why... Ah, maybe I was too busy roaming the universe in Elite II to care about anything else. Maybe.

Chaos Engine incorporates a Victorian-era steampunk composition with several unique characters who each have their own traits. Quite often with games like this, I have a favourite character that I stick with throughout, but not so with Chaos Engine, as I tend to bounce between them all depending on how I feel.

Credits

Title: The Chaos Engine

Year Of Release: 1993

Developer: Bitmap Bros/Renegade

Programmers: Mike Montgomery, Steve Cargill

Design: Eric Matthews, Simon Knight

Graphics: Dan Malone

Sounds: Richard Joseph

Music: Farook Joi, Richard Joseph, Haroon Joi

Downloads

D-Bug has a fantastic version that can run from a hard drive.

If you're wanting the floppy disks then visit Atari Mania.

I absolutely love this shooter and feel it's one of the best by the Bitmaps. However, I have also found that it's marmite to some who don't like its style, control system, or even the fact that it's a ripoff Gauntletier. I find that baffling, so why not click here to see my thoughts? (from 2015 actually - how time flies!!)

How do you gentlemen feel about this marvellous creation by the legendary Bitmap Bros? A great shooter or a cheap Gauntlet ripoff? Let me know in the comments below. (Oi! Click my link above)

Until then, let's check out the box and its contents...

Now that's what I call a decent collection of screenshots rather than the usual one or two!

Here are the floppy disks. Now it's getting really interesting, eh!

The manual is really good. Although I've never read it until I went to take this snap!!

One day, I will post one of these cards...

I love this, but to me, it feels like an afterthought or the original design for the back of the box.

I've always thought that the computerised player two is an incredible feature.

The Bitmaps always went that extra mile. I only wish DMA samples were implemented.

Normally, I keep everything safely within the box and in pristine condition. But, not this time...

...I couldn't help myself, and the wife was pleased that I was taking over the bedroom. Honest.

Rodney vs KFC

Zinger Burger, anyone?

Rodney is a chap who loves his Atari ST and meeting up with fellow nerds. One day, he was on his way to the Dullsville copy party when he had his compact disc collection stolen by the KFC Gang. No, not the fried chicken place, but a mob calling themselves Klepto Foreign Chickens!! So he went back home, determined for justice. Grabbing an anti-chicken gun, he headed to their hideout for revenge - and his floppy disks!

In case you're wondering, they are ST compact disks and not CDs. Think Automation, Replicants, Fuzion, Pompey Pirates, Elite, Dream Weavers and others - that you can find on Atari Legend.

The plan is to kill the chickens and reclaim his disk collection, but he's only got a few minutes before the bus leaves him behind. And he doesn't want to miss the copy party! Yep, it sounds like a lame '90s dream, but let's help Rodney get his collection back. Then he can meet up with his mates and copy lots of ST stuff.

It's like going back in time, alright, so let's check out the first couple of screenshots...

Chickens everywhere should be scared of Rodney with his anti-chicken gun!

Those look like the unbranded disks we ordered by the 100s back in college :D

Rodney should have locked his disk box!

As you've guessed, this is a platformer in a similar mould to Magic Pockets/etc. Infiltrating the gang's hideout is easy, to begin with. The place is inhabited by the thieving scumbag birds who robbed all our floppies and then foolishly scattered them about their lair. Thankfully, one shot is all it takes to kill them, and if you see your disks, then grab 'em quick! Walk, jump, shoot, collect disks - that's about as complex as it gets.

Interestingly, Padman coded the game in GFA Basic for all 1MB computers. It's best when run on an Atari STe thanks to the extra colours, DMA sound effects, and gorgeous music!

The controls are superb and responsive: left/right walks and pushing upwards leaps Rodney - with diagonal support. The fire button blasts a puny gun that sends the chickens to a slaughterhouse - press once, instead of repeatedly bashing the button. Hey, dying cluckers make a funny noise, which I love.

Don't dawdle with idle exploration or listening to the chickens die. Remember that bus we need to catch? Yep, there's a timer, and it's immensely restricting without any allowance for mistakes. So, if you need to backtrack after missing a ledge, don't bother. It's best to restart, as you'll never make up for the lost time!!

Once all disks are collected and the KFC is dead, you can head towards the exit and then catch the bus to see your ST mates at the copy party. This quest is straightforward: locate the disks and kill the KFC gang members. I won't knock that simplicity because this is fun, and the map is huge with a superb design.

It's that time again. You've guessed it! Let's take a look at a couple more screenshots...

I love how the chickens have beady eyes and fall off the screen when shot.

This is possibly the hardest part of the game, one slip and you fall into the fire!!

Aesthetics

Graphically, this game is great, with a murky palette to represent the KFC's underground hideout. The sprites are few but humorously bright and well drawn - I love the chickens! All animations are excellent, and I adore how Rodney's quiff flaps as he walks (a ripped sprite from an unreleased Amiga game?)

The scrolling is smooth in all directions, but it's a shame that the Atari STe wasn't utilised more. Perhaps I'm being harsh because Padman miraculously used GFA Basic, so the results are outstanding in one respect. However, the cynic within asks why the Blitter/hardware scrolling wasn't used for better movement.

For the audio, we have excellent sampled sounds used for dying chickens, disk pickups, and a 'ugh' as we jump. Okay, it's no Death Chase, but what we have, I like. However, it's the music that sets this game apart from the crowd, thanks to terrific chiptunes. TAO's in-game music (Atari STe) is absolutely phenomenal.

The last screenshots before I give my much-desired opinion that you all crave so badly...

Liking the subtle stamp Padman placed here. Let's turn that chicken into a curry!!



Can you beat my high score? In fact, this was my first-ever attempt. So beat that! :p

The CryptO'pinion?

I’ve enjoyed trying to help Rodney recover his Atari ST disk box, but a few things narked me. Firstly, there’s no indication of the remaining disks to collect, leaving me feeling blindsided and wondering what I’d missed. Secondly, I want a LOT more chickens to kill. Worst of all, the time limit was absolutely dreadful.

Perhaps there is someone out there who can hack it and remove the timer?

I don’t want to be too harsh, as this isn’t a commercial game and is better than some of the rubbish we’ve seen from some companies. Rodney vs KFC is incredibly playable, and while I doubt I’ll ever find all the floppy disks, it keeps me coming back for that "one more go". A cool platformer that is so addictive! Play it.

• Grab the floppy disk from Atarimania.
• Check out this excellent video by Gears Of Games.