Storm 94

Alien Breeding

Storm 94 is an overhead shooter by Marcus Platt/Fugitive Freelancers, released by LAPD in 1994 for the Atari STe. It's obviously based on the Alien Storm theme, and reminiscent of Alien Blast and Alien Thing.

Like other similarly inspired games, we explore a spaceship whilst suffering a constant onslaught by the ravenous aliens. They are relentless, so shoot first and never ask questions!! Ammo, health, and security keys are scattered throughout the levels, but if you need more, they can be purchased from the computer terminals. Our job is to find key cards to operate the airlock, allowing us to escape this Sci-Fi hell.

This game is superb. However, my quibble is the unnecessary time limit. So, if you notice the screen turning red, you're near death!! It doesn't need a timer, so it spoils everything good about the game. I hope somebody gets a hold of this and adapts/removes its timer. Then we should be able to see more of the game.

I thoroughly enjoyed Storm ’94; its action and strategic elements are simply superb. However, the timer severely hindered my progress and prevented me from fully appreciating it. I genuinely hope someone reading this can hack it and remove the timer! Grab this game from the Hang Loose archive on PigWa.

ATARI STM (...continued)

I thought it was time I followed up on my previous article concerning my Atari STM. I have opened it up for a good clean, and it powered on perfectly. Sys Info reports: 1mb Ram / TOS 1.2 / GEM 0.13 / AES 1.20, and I have successfully connected up my external floppy disk drive to play games. Yes, I'm a happy bunny :)

This is such a cool-looking computer and super-compatible for games. I now need to buy myself a pair of midi cables for Midi Maze against my 6-year-old daughter. Yes, I sense so many easy victories ahead!!

NES

Nintendo on an Atari website?

Nesulator is a collection of programs by Ed Cleveland that emulate five Nintendo games: Donkey Kong Jr, Castlevania, Dig Dug, Mario, and The Legend of Zelda. Each program is the same emulator but dedicated to that particular game. This package was released at STNICCC 2000, but sadly never completed. However, as is, the potential is outstanding - with Dig Dug performing the best I thought (relatively speaking!)

Thankfully, we can still enjoy these games to a degree - remembering that they are unfinished!! However, you will need an upgraded Atari ST or a Falcon because each game demands lots of horsepower to run at an acceptable speed. A fantastic piece of software, but I sure wish Ed had finished his work.

I wish I could go back in time to tell myself NOT to sell my TT or Falcon...

- Screenshots and the download at Demozoo -

Midi Maze

FPS - long before Doom!

Midi Maze is a multiplayer first-person shooter that hit the shelves in 1987, thanks to the talents of Xanth FX. This really is an early taste of multiplayer first-person gaming, similar to a typical deathmatch. It takes place inside a labyrinth of weird smilies who roam looking for blood. So ignore their happy faces because they're anything but nice - and need killing!! You could say, the last sphere "standing" wins?

The controls are rather straightforward and very easy to master. You can use either the joystick or the mouse, but I personally think the joystick works the best (and I never expected to say that, as I figured the mouse would be best). Those without MIDI cables can play in Solo mode, which allows up to 15 computer-controlled bots with three levels of AI. Those with MIDI cables and other Atari STs can invite friends over with the potential to link 2-16 computers. Think about that, it is quite staggering for an '80s deathmatch. This was 1987, folks!!

The graphics are good, but nothing like Wolfenstein, Substation, and others. The walls are "paper-thin" and also without any texture or ambient lighting - but remember just how old this game is. Frame rates are fast and exceptionally smooth, and I was impressed to see the baddies have a shadow, thus adding to the 3D perspective. Sound effects aren't going to win any awards, but they do their job.

There is nothing I enjoy more than a good first-person shooter, and Midi Maze certainly packs a punch! Single-player is welcome and works well, but Midi Maze comes into its own when linked with other Atari computers. Midi Maze is one of the best games I have featured and is easily a true Atari ST gaming legend!!

• Check out this Midi Maze fanzine (It's in German, but Google Translate will help!
• Here is a PDF document of the original game manual
• Atarimania has all three games listed in their Atari ST database.
• Floppy disk images are available from Old Games Finder.