The Golden Dawn Mod Disk #14

MCIBTYC!!

The Golden Dawn released many PD and Mod Disks for the Atari ST during their time (Demozoo link). However, this particular disk is something quite different and features a humorous hack of Cannon Fodder. Click play to watch little ST soldiers graffiti the Amiga HQ, which obviously escalates into war. Of course, this will end in bloodshed :-)

A superb idea and one that represents the tensions between ST and Amiga users back in the day. Well, mainly Amiga users because we ST guys were too busy enjoying our machine rather than looking over our shoulders! After the intro, this disk is stuffed with cool tunes and supports various playback options, including stereo playback on the Atari STe.

Thanks to STompy for this piece of gold, and get it downloaded right now. Fantastic stuff!!

Credits

Incubi - Text, Other (Compilation)

Lucid Dream - Code

Stoo Cambridge - Graphics

The F.U. Man - Code

Bombuzal

Dazzling dots!

ImageWorks' 1988 hit Bombuzal is one of those games that I remember seeing in the magazines of the day. Those pixels - I couldn't believe the cartoon-like quality of the main character within a colourful isometric world. We play the part of an odd potato-shaped dude who performs a funny expression as the bombs are exploding!! There are some big names associated with this game, but is it any good to play?

This is quite a simple puzzler at heart. It requires us to detonate clusters of red bombs. Each level contains squares used to help calculate our best route. There are traps to look out for - crumbling tiles that can be walked on only once before they disappear forever. Others might be too slippery, some transport us, and slotted tiles can move bombs to different locations (usually to avoid being caught in an explosive chain reaction).

This is a fun game that looks great while it taxes the brain cells. It's bomb-blastingly excellent!!

Floppies can be found at Atari Legend

HDD by 8BitChip & Klaz

Wow, this must be one of the brightest and happiest games on the Atari ST.



This is interesting, and being able to flip POVs is neat. But I prefer it in 3D myself...



I love its pixel art. Isometric styles always look cool, but this one also uses the palette perfectly.



Oh no, watch out for crumble tiles and (so many) other hazards. This 3D world is dangerous!

Rebellion

How did I miss this?

It's a weird feeling when I come across a game that I've never heard of before. I mean, there are plenty I've heard of yet never played (which is strange enough!), but this is completely new to me. I'm baffled by my ignorance! How do these things happen? Well, I've slapped myself, so let's read the storyline...

A virus has infected the machines on Mars so the robots have captured our scientists and holding them captive. We have no anti-virus program so it's our job to destroy any robots that get in our way and help lead the boffins to safety. Jump inside your spaceship and get ready to save the day, again!

Rebellion is a top-down shoot-'em-up similar to a Gauntlet game. Each screen has several hostages, which are located in different parts of the level. Some are behind a forcefield which can be partially deactivated by disabling a section of its wall, but you won't have long before a repair droid appears. Others can be in locked rooms, which require a key card, which a robot may reveal when killed. Every level has a minimum number of hostages to rescue within a set time. Miss it, and the spaceship will leave without you. Yikes, so ruthless!

Nearly 30 years have passed without playing this game! Dang...

How are you going to break into that complex, rescue everyone, and get out in time?

Tactics, strategy, guns!

Enemy robots have a range of abilities: some are slow, whereas others are much faster, and some can even lay down explosive mines. Some have no projectile weapon, but others are only too eager to turn you into a blood splatter! Watch out for gun turrets, trapdoors, and tanks. Interestingly, when you do lose a life, the robots are paused for a few seconds, thus giving you extra time to whack 'em full of lead. Most satisfying!

Our weapons are superb, and the machine gun can be upgraded with greater power and faster action. Try not to kill any humans in the crossfire! You'll be pleased to hear that there are a variety of other power-ups to enhance shields, invincibility, a radar scrambler, and even a supply of extra lives. Oh yeah, we've got it all.

Visually, the graphics are small and detailed, but hardly groundbreaking for a 16-bit computer. Some might turn up their nose at the pace and tiny sprites, but it's ideal; otherwise, each level would feel cramped and difficult to navigate. Sounds are good, and you hear the bam-bam-bam of your weaponry the most.

Guns, tactics, strategy, and extreme military violence. I'm all in!! This game rocks...

As you can see, each level is swarming with enemies and folk to rescue. It's never easy!

The CryptO'pinion?

I don't normally enjoy games that have me worrying over the safety of people whilst being hunted myself. I panic too much, so people usually end up dead!! However, Rebellion works well, even though the hostages are lame at following you!! They can get stuck behind a wall, so remember that when planning your move.

Rebellion is great, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being anxiously entertained. Each level is captivating, progressing through increasingly challenging situations. It’s addictive and one of those games that keeps you coming back for more. The rush of killing the baddies while guiding the scientists to safety is exhilarating.

Magnificent, and one of the best games I have played in ages. I absolutely love Rebellion!!

• Several floppy disks can be found at Atari Legend
• A cool hard disk version by D-Bug.

9 Lives

Reach out for the power

It's time for more Atari ST box art, and this time we have 9 Lives. Like most Arc games, they've used their template, which is comical with a Bob the cat, who is laughing like a maniac. I must admit, I laughed at the glowing reviews plastered by three popular magazines! This has to be a great purchase, right?

Unfortunately, they were mistaken because 9 Lives is problematic, as something negatively impacts gameplay. Initially, I suspected this was due to the controls, which require some time to master. However, once I got the hang of them, I was easily controlling Bob through the rooms, and the long leaps are guided by a metre for precise control. So, no matter what some say, it's not the controls, which are nicely responsive.

Stop. Let's view a couple of screenshots...

What a massive and unique variety of characters this game has.

Just look at those funny faces! I'm sure these were designed by insane people!!

So what's going on?

I think it's the game's design that presents several awkward flaws that irk me: the sprites are too big, so each screen appears "zoomed in" and very cluttered, thus Bob cannot help but touch something nasty. Sure, I can knock them out with my yo-yo, but soon they're back up and ready to zap more of my lifeforce!

Also, the levels are incredibly unfair and require a psychic gamer to be previously aware of the off-screen traps. Argh, those darn spikes!! And, oddly, for a cat, Bob cannot fall far without dying!! However, this produces a hilarious animation effect not too dissimilar to Wile E. Coyote from the Road Runner cartoons.

The idea is great, but the design doesn't quite feel right. I think it's time for more screenshots...

Another life was lost... Well, at least I'm going up and not DOWN!! Phew.

Another life lost at the hands of the frustrating and overcrowded level design...

Aesthetics?

Simon Butler’s superb cartoon graphics are a feast for the eyes. The sprites are drawn with incredible detail, feeling more like an exhibition than a game. The animations throughout are brilliant, particularly Bob’s confident strut across the screen. And his clinging to a ledge just before pulling himself up is simply fantastic!

Martin Walker and Simon Butler’s gorgeous YM Chipmusic ensures the audio doesn’t lag behind. The music throughout is simply perfect, and I have no complaints about the musak. It's fabulous!

No more screenshots! This time we get to see what's inside the box...

Okay, there's not much in the box, but the manual doubles as a poster!

The CryptO'pinion?

Personally, I believe 9 Lives had the potential to be a fantastic platformer, but I doubt its creators enjoyed playing games. It certainly wasn’t beta-tested before release, which is a shame. I imagine most players will only play it once or twice before giving up, which is a pity. It’s still a piece of ST history that I’ll cherish.

Take it for a spin and enjoy the aesthetics, but just make sure you enable a trainer!!

Floppy disks at Atari Legend & HDD game by 8BitChip.