Durell on the Atari ST?
Saboteur 3 was released in 2012 by Shadow Team for the Atari STe and Falcon (also STfm, if you have a Blitter and TOS 1.04). Developed by George Lefèvre [Shadow 272], with graphics by Mister DID, and music by Mathieu Stempell [DMA-SC]. It's obviously an unofficial fan game based on the original games by legendary Durell Software. Incredibly, it was programmed using GFA Basic, a tool known for many great games.
Right, I’ll begin by saying I’m a massive fan of Saboteur 2: Avenging Angel. I played to death and mapped it, so I'm excited to see this release. Although I'm anxious and wondering how it will compare.
Saboteur III: The Egyptian Mission takes us into an ancient world, looking for fragments of a key to unlock a treasure-filled sarcophagus. However, somebody has rigged most rooms with traps! Beware of killer spikes and scary creatures like mummies, bats, and scorpions. So don't expect this quest to be easy - ha!
Let's pause the reading for a screenshot...
Ok, let's begin the mission... Yeah, that means killing Mummies!
Authentic or worse?
Each room looks like a surreal retake of the original. I like the design layout employed by most rooms, and there's always something that needs to be kicked to death using my ninja skill set. Looking at the map, Saboteur 3 is smaller than the previous games on the ZX Spectrum, but who cares about that?
Movements are kind of what I expected: down/fire makes our ninja hit under the belt without using the kicking mechanic. A slight change, yet not damaging to the playability. In fact, the joystick controls are responsive, and I'm impressed by the fluency of our actions, helping make it feel authentically pleasing.
I expected differences, but some irk me: like falling off a ledge. That is instant death, rather than draining you of (replenishable) strength. Yes, I miss that red bar and wonder why it was dropped. Also, I fail to see the point of those spikes that pop up to impale you each and every time (even during mid-jump!!). However, the most annoying oddity is the ladders because too many of them go nowhere, and that's just absurd.
Quite harsh, eh? Better calm down a bit and view another screenshot...
As you progress, things get odd and very difficult! Perhaps too difficult?
Aesthetics
Visually, it's superb, albeit overly colourful in places. Or is that how Egypt looks! I'm glad they didn't try replicating the original look and style (can you imagine the horror of monochrome graphics?). The characters and their animations are great, which makes kicking the baddies to death an absolute joy!
The in-game music is by Dma-Sc and thus a beautiful example of his extraordinary chiptune talent. I would have liked an option for (DMA) effects to play alongside the music, but I'm being rather picky! Sorry :p
I think we've got time for a screenshot? How about one of me, dead...
Sooner or later, I usually end all my games looking this good! ;o)
The CryptO'pinion?
Saboteur 3 is a good platformer, but far from perfect. I fear hardcore fans will enjoy picking at it, as many Saboteur characteristics are altered or missing. However, this is still a great game in its own right, and I think that even Clive Townsend would enjoy playing this alternative take on his classic game. I sure did!!
A challenging platformer; admiringly recommended for both Saboteurs and Ninja wannabees.
Grab the download if you think you're tough enough! I've recorded a cool gameplay video!
