Switchblade

Ricky D. has a new bandana

Switchblade was released in 1989 by Gremlin Graphics and programmed by Simon Phipps. Yes, he of the Atari ST classic Rick Dangerous. Okay, we are a little dude called Hiro, who wears a bandana and can kick hard. He must explore the UnderCity to locate sixteen broken fragments of the Fireblade to reap revenge on today's evil entity - Havoc! This beast has been on a savage rampage after being dormant for 10,000 years.

So it's time for us to save the day... again! What a shocker :)

I'm usually worried when a big name makes something that is along similar lines to what they're famous for. After all, it's another platformer, so will we get a carbon copy of Rick Dangerous, or will it be different?

I worry too much, right? Well, let's begin with a couple of cool screenshots...

Wow, that is in-your-face aggression, alright!

Hmm, looks easy. Just gotta drop down a couple of levels. Hang on, what's that?

Get ready for a great adventure

We begin on the planet's surface before taking the leap (fall) into the orientally-inspired UnderCity. This labyrinth comprises numerous individual rooms, and exploring each one is fascinating. Tread with caution because you never know what baddies might materialise from out of thin air. Your route is completely "free-roaming", which is excellent (rather than moving from room to room in a specific order i.e. Manic Miner).

Look out for dodgy blocks that crack with a single kick: these can unveil health and weapon power-ups or may even lead you on into hidden rooms with more goodies. Boss characters appear regularly; the first is easy to kill, whereas later ones can be tough and beaten only with patience and lots of well-timed jumping.

The controls are superb, with the usual movements like running, jumping, and climbing ladders, and three types of attacks. Tapping firing allows you to punch like a weak Arnold Schwarzenegger, but you should notice a white combat meter along the bottom/right. This helps with two kicks: holding the fire button for a mere second (so the meter isn't at full strength) will perform a high kick Jean Claude Van Damme would be proud of. Holding it down indefinitely performs a powerful Chuck Norris sweeping kick.

Master these moves before you begin exploring. Okay, let's view more screenshots...

Wake up, there's something creeping up on you, mister!



Tighten that bandana, Rambo. Now, go and kick his monster ass!

NESthetics!

I doubt the visuals will blow your socks off, but they're well-designed, Nintendo-style. Beneath these unassuming graphics lies a functional design featuring mysterious rooms. The characters are excellent with nice details that I adored. Also, the game self-maps in a similar fashion to Ranarama or even Rogue.

Switchblade has killer audio from none other than Ben Daglish. Or you could decide to hear sampled sound effects? I love both and couldn't decide which I preferred in the end (a good predicament)

In most respects, Switchblade looks and sounds different, yet superb. Love it. Screenshot time...

There is a Ricky D. vibe plus a dollop of Saboteur and NES thrown in for good measure.

The level guardians are either daft or plain awkward to hit - I wish they would keep still!!

CryptO'pinion?

Switchblade is amazing. In fact, I could end this gripping review right there, because it is just that.

Okay, this game has a superb blend of adventure and action. Plus, the lack of a linear structure is perfect for an explorer like me, eager to see what's around the next corner. Thus, it keeps you enthralled throughout. The controls are incredible, and I've thoroughly enjoyed every second playing this platformer.

This is one of the few games I've completed, and I will come back to it again (and again). As with Rick Dangerous, this is one of the best platformers available for the Atari ST. Don't miss it!!

Grab the floppy or hard disk installable games.

Tip: You might find these maps useful.

BoinkSave

ST screensaver

I've been digging through the archives and found an interesting piece of software on Atari ST User's cover disk from August 1992. It's a screensaver by Damien M. Jones and works brilliantly to save your old CRT from burning an image of the GEM desktop. This can be fully configured to use other graphics and alter the timeout.

I love finding programs like this, and we all adore a good Boink, so I thought this was great. If you don't have the cover disk lying about, it can be grabbed off the Zogging Hell website. I hope you download it.

Of course, something like this is pointless, but come on, it's incredibly and utterly fantastic!!

Tempest 2000 Music Demo

Remembering the Atari Jaguar...

Tempest 2000 is an incredible psychedelic experience and sure made the Atari Jaguar roar like the beast it was always meant to be. The ST demo group 'Effect' released this music disk for the Atari STe that sure brought back happy memories from the 90s when I first got my Atari Jaguar. Yup, a belting musicdisk this one!!

Credits and the download link...

Alastair Lindsay - Music

Blaze - Graphics

Jovis - Graphics

Kevin Saville - Music

ST Addict - Graphics

Tronic - Code

Wizzcat - Code (Tracker-Replay)

Grab the download via Demozoo and crank up the volume!!

Battle Command

If the tanks succeed, then victory follows

Late last year, I planned to feature BattleZone, but couldn't get to grips with it. I found it sluggish with lifeless controls that didn't feel right. I hated it and came away upset by this deduction. However, I still had an urge to jump into a tank and kill something with a big gun! How was I going to scratch this itch...

It could only be Ocean's Battle Command - which I've recently bought. The story goes that two factions are at war, and we control a heavily armoured Mauler who must complete a variety of missions that have us trawling the landscape for enemy tanks. And much more. But let's not kid ourselves! Yup, let's stop right now because this whiffs of a shameless BattleZone ripoff, and it appears proud of it, too?

Before we begin, Battle Command is crammed with cool spinning 3D objects. Like this...

I think this is excellent and shows they went the extra mile without sacrificing gameplay.

Let's take it for a test drive

The controls are superb, so it was easy to control my tank using the mouse for acceleration, turning and firing. It's worth taking the time to arm your tank properly - I had heat-seeking missiles. Inside the game's box is a nifty reference card that details the extras like: the damage display, a detailed map, and the chance to view our tank from outside - this offers cool perspectives, if kinda pointless. But I loved it all nonetheless!

For those seeking a challenge, mission selection ranges from beginner-level tasks to more advanced ones, such as protecting a bridge, accompanying a transport, or even recovering a U-Bomb! Before any mission, the briefing screen provides essential information and weapon options, accompanied by additional 3D animation. Don't let the thought of tough missions fool you, this is a tactical/action game through & through.

Success isn't simply about driving towards the enemy and opening fire. You'll spend much of your time monitoring the radar, identifying potential threats, and deciding which targets to deal with first. You're not only the driver, but the boss man in charge. The wide-open landscapes provide plenty of room to manoeuvre, while the combination of cockpit displays and tactical information helps create the feeling of commanding a genuine battlefield vehicle rather than simply playing another run-and-gun shooter.

You can (should!) take this game seriously, but it's fun roaming the landscapes looking for enemies. The difficulty is challenging throughout the many assorted ranges of different missions, so you're never likely to get bored. And, if you require even more of a challenge, then Battle Command will not disappoint, as it features many strenuous missions to test your nerve. Some of the levels are incredibly challenging!

It's more than just an arcade blaster, so let's celebrate with some more cool 3D...

You wouldn't believe how much swirling 3D there is!

Aesthetics

Battle Command will be remembered for its 3D wizardry, with objects swirling about like some kind of demo. I was hooked from the start, and then seeing our tank dropped into play by an aeroplane clinched it!! The in-game framerate isn't exactly Resolution 101, but it's smooth, and the enemies look great.

One aspect that impressed me was the sheer sense of scale. The engine presents vast stretches of rolling terrain, allowing you to see far into the distance as mountains, structures and enemy units gradually emerge on the horizon. I'm getting giddy, I know, but it's an understatement to say I admire the graphics!

The music in the title is amazing, whilst the game begins to show off its 3D. Sound effects during gameplay are good, but nothing like Starglider. They do their job well enough to break the silence.

Let's take a look at some of these gorgeous graphics. Carry on scrolling...

Screenshots are great, but this looks even better moving in-game!

Another mission begins,  and I admire the beautiful intro.

Don't dawdle and keep your wits about you at all times!

The CryptO'pinion?

I enjoyed BattleZone... oops... Seriously, Battle Command is one of those games that's surprisingly difficult to review because, on the surface, it seems like a straightforward tank shooter. Yet when you start playing, you realise that there is more to this action shoot than you realise: the missions, briefing screens, weaponry, radar systems, and that impressive sense of scale. It's almost like an open-world adventure!

This is a stonker, and I've enjoyed blasting everything in sight. Even the trees feel my wrath! Battle Command is adventurous and full of tactical fun, with elegant controls. A fantastic tank shooter.

Get it downloaded (on a floppy or hard disk), then jump into your tank to kill every enemy!!

There's nothing quite like flaunting your Atari ST collection! :D

This is the reference card I previously mentioned.