Alien World

STs cannot scroll

Alien World is a shoot 'em up written by Gary Antcliffe (Blazing Thunder/Yogi's Great Escape) and was released in 1992 by Hi-Tec Premier Software. Ignoring the dreadful title tune, the game itself is a cross between the likes of Menace and R-Type, with a dollop of Venus Flytrap thrown in for good measure. Which is always gonna be ace!

The action is relentless and immediately hits you with a ton of pitfalls like red-hot streams of molten lava that shoot up from pools of glowing red death. It isn't long before you feel a little Blood Money creeping in as the scrolling alternates between horizontal & vertical. However, I liked the parts that don't automatically scroll - allowing you to move at your own leisure. Gravity always plays a part in affecting your movement, think Flappy Bird or SantaFly!

Graphically, Alien World is truly outstanding with ultra-smooth scrolling - best experienced using a real Atari ST. Everything is exquisite - rich colours, detailed sprites and fluent movement. Sadly, audio is a different story with no in-game tune and weak sound effects. A few decent chiptunes would have been perfect for a game like this.

Gameplay is what matters and I'm impressed with this tough shooter. Sure, it has a learning curve that is nothing short of immense but Blood Money fans are going to love it. Then again, like so many 16-bit games of the era, it's really really tough and demands a cheat. However, a challenging game that drags you back for that "just one more go".

Alien World is freakishly fun and should entertain for hours. Very hard but I love it. Play it!!

Download the Floppy or HDD version now.

Right from the off you'll need to get used to gravity which is instantly annoying.

The aliens are badass and relentless. This makes Blood Money look so easy!!

The second level is superb with lots of power-ups and different baddies.

I love the Menace-like futuristic feel and it proves the ST can scroll - when in the hands of talent.

What you thought this was only horizontally scrolling? It's now things get insanely harder!!!

Starquake

Stepping back in time...

I thought that I would descend deeper into the realms of retro gaming with an oldie that I've not played since I was 14 years old. Starquake by BubbleBus / Mandarin Software. Like most then, I didn't have an expensive Atari ST in 1985 and used a ZX Spectrum. Yup, I've not played Starquake since the mid-80s!

You're a BLOB (BioLogically Operated Being) who has crash-landed on a planet, and it's your job to save it before it implodes! 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.

Let's pause the reading and view a malfunctioning screenshot...

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. There are tasks to complete, like collecting objects and computer codes, which is a lot harder than it sounds. Oddly, you cannot collect items when using a hover pad... so be prepared to think!

We have a weapon, but the nasties are relentless with a swarm-like attack that never ends. Curiously, we cannot jump but have the ability to build temporary platforms that help 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 shooter/puzzler that never lets up, 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 frantically 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 ever made!

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 neat, but I'm going to shock myself here and say that the ZX Spectrum game is better. How can this be? It's true, as I miss those buzzy Spectrum sounds that this ST 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 something for the casual gamer as it demands time and commitment to get the most from 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 8-bit classic and also 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!!