Persistence Of Vision (aka POV) was one of the best demo-packers for the Atari ST. They made 165 compilation disks, most programmed by Mac Sys Data, with members including Ozymandias, Boris, Gonzo, Aly, and Dr Syne. Numerous disks featured music by Tao, Lotus, An Cool, David Whittaker, Ben Daglish, and more.
I admire POV because they brought multiple productions to users like me. People who couldn't afford to buy (or ... ahem... freely source) everything flooding the ST world back then. Plus their compilations were professionally produced and crammed with loads of extra goodies I would probably never have seen.
I've chosen to record their 99th menu because it's a great screen and marked the end of an era (not the end of the group as they continued). Along with their copier, this floppy disk features four demos: Life's A Bitch by TLB, The New Year Demo by X-Troll, Stuffy's Demo, and TSB/Adrenaline Intro by Kids Ghost Brothers.
This disk isn't the greatest measure of what made the POV menus so appealing - there are better - but I'm sure the infamous sampled soundtrack from Life's A Bitch will put a smile on your face. So funny!!
Credits for Menu #099 Boris - Code & Graphics Ozymandias - Graphics
Count Zero - Music
Links and a bundle of other POV Menu screenshots Persistence Of Vision are on YouTube! Exxos has a great POV section on his website.
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 in 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 nicely introduces you to the game 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 temporally 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 and 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? Okay, 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 but that's okay because I like the style. This is perfectly apt for the 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!!
Argh! 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. All 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.
Okay, the all-important download, a great video by Wasabim, and 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 that 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?
Hello and 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 the game back in the day and I'm unsure why... Ah, I've remembered! I was probably too busy roaming the universe in Elite II to care about anything?
Anyhow, 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.
Personally, 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 it's a ripoff Gauntletier. I find that baffling so why not click here to see what I thought of it a few years ago. (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. 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.
