Welcome to another slice of Atari ST history from my own collection, and this time it's the Gauntlet shooter: The Chaos Engine by the Bitmap Brothers. For some reason, I didn't buy this back in the day, and I'm unsure why... Ah, maybe I was too busy roaming the universe in Elite II to care about anything else. Maybe.
Chaos Engine incorporates a Victorian-era steampunk composition with several unique characters who each have their own traits. Quite often with games like this, I have a favourite character that I stick with throughout, but not so with Chaos Engine, as I tend to bounce between them all depending on how I feel.
Credits
Title: The Chaos Engine
Year Of Release: 1993
Developer: Bitmap Bros/Renegade
Programmers: Mike Montgomery, Steve Cargill
Design: Eric Matthews, Simon Knight
Graphics: Dan Malone
Sounds: Richard Joseph
Music: Farook Joi, Richard Joseph, Haroon Joi
Downloads
D-Bug has a fantastic version that can run from a hard drive.
If you're wanting the floppy disks then visit Atari Mania.
I absolutely love this shooter and feel it's one of the best by the Bitmaps. However, I have also found that it's marmite to some who don't like its style, control system, or even the fact that it's a ripoff Gauntletier. I find that baffling, so why not click here to see my thoughts? (from 2015 actually - how time flies!!)
How do you gentlemen feel about this marvellous creation by the legendary Bitmap Bros? A great shooter or a cheap Gauntlet ripoff? Let me know in the comments below. (Oi! Click my link above)
Until then, let's check out the box and its contents...
Now that's what I call a decent collection of screenshots rather than the usual one or two!
Here are the floppy disks. Now it's getting really interesting, eh!
The manual is really good. Although I've never read it until I went to take this snap!!
One day, I will post one of these cards...
I love this, but to me, it feels like an afterthought or the original design for the back of the box.
I've always thought that the computerised player two is an incredible feature.
The Bitmaps always went that extra mile. I only wish DMA samples were implemented.
Normally, I keep everything safely within the box and in pristine condition. But, not this time...
...I couldn't help myself, and the wife was pleased that I was taking over the bedroom. Honest.
Rodney is a chap who loves his Atari ST and meeting up with fellow nerds. One day, he was on his way to the Dullsville copy party when he had his compact disc collection stolen by the KFC Gang. No, not the fried chicken place, but a mob calling themselves Klepto Foreign Chickens!! So he went back home, determined for justice. Grabbing an anti-chicken gun, he headed to their hideout for revenge - and his floppy disks!
In case you're wondering, they are ST compact disks and not CDs. Think Automation, Replicants, Fuzion, Pompey Pirates, Elite, Dream Weavers and others - that you can find on Atari Legend.
The plan is to kill the chickens and reclaim his disk collection, but he's only got a few minutes before the bus leaves him behind. And he doesn't want to miss the copy party! Yep, it sounds like a lame '90s dream, but let's help Rodney get his collection back. Then he can meet up with his mates and copy lots of ST stuff.
It's like going back in time, alright, so let's check out the first couple of screenshots...
Chickens everywhere should be scared of Rodney with his anti-chicken gun!
Those look like the unbranded disks we ordered by the 100s back in college :D
Rodney should have locked his disk box!
As you've guessed, this is a platformer in a similar mould to Magic Pockets/etc. Infiltrating the gang's hideout is easy, to begin with. The place is inhabited by the thieving scumbag birds who robbed all our floppies and then foolishly scattered them about their lair. Thankfully, one shot is all it takes to kill them, and if you see your disks, then grab 'em quick! Walk, jump, shoot, collect disks - that's about as complex as it gets.
Interestingly, Padman coded the game in GFA Basic for all 1MB computers. It's best when run on an Atari STe thanks to the extra colours, DMA sound effects, and gorgeous music!
The controls are superb and responsive: left/right walks and pushing upwards leaps Rodney - with diagonal support. The fire button blasts a puny gun that sends the chickens to a slaughterhouse - press once, instead of repeatedly bashing the button. Hey, dying cluckers make a funny noise, which I love.
Don't dawdle with idle exploration or listening to the chickens die. Remember that bus we need to catch? Yep, there's a timer, and it's immensely restricting without any allowance for mistakes. So, if you need to backtrack after missing a ledge, don't bother. It's best to restart, as you'll never make up for the lost time!!
Once all disks are collected and the KFC is dead, you can head towards the exit and then catch the bus to see your ST mates at the copy party. This quest is straightforward: locate the disks and kill the KFC gang members. I won't knock that simplicity because this is fun, and the map is huge with a superb design.
It's that time again. You've guessed it! Let's take a look at a couple more screenshots...
I love how the chickens have beady eyes and fall off the screen when shot.
This is possibly the hardest part of the game, one slip and you fall into the fire!!
Aesthetics
Graphically, this game is great, with a murky palette to represent the KFC's underground hideout. The sprites are few but humorously bright and well drawn - I love the chickens! All animations are excellent, and I adore how Rodney's quiff flaps as he walks (a ripped sprite from an unreleased Amiga game?)
The scrolling is smooth in all directions, but it's a shame that the Atari STe wasn't utilised more. Perhaps I'm being harsh because Padman miraculously used GFA Basic, so the results are outstanding in one respect. However, the cynic within asks why the Blitter/hardware scrolling wasn't used for better movement.
For the audio, we have excellent sampled sounds used for dying chickens, disk pickups, and a 'ugh' as we jump. Okay, it's no Death Chase, but what we have, I like. However, it's the music that sets this game apart from the crowd, thanks to terrific chiptunes. TAO's in-game music (Atari STe) is absolutely phenomenal.
The last screenshots before I give my much-desired opinion that you all crave so badly...
Liking the subtle stamp Padman placed here. Let's turn that chicken into a curry!!
Can you beat my high score? In fact, this was my first-ever attempt. So beat that! :p
The CryptO'pinion?
I’ve enjoyed trying to help Rodney recover his Atari ST disk box, but a few things narked me. Firstly, there’s no indication of the remaining disks to collect, leaving me feeling blindsided and wondering what I’d missed. Secondly, I want a LOT more chickens to kill. Worst of all, the time limit was absolutely dreadful.
Perhaps there is someone out there who can hack it and remove the timer?
I don’t want to be too harsh, as this isn’t a commercial game and is better than some of the rubbish we’ve seen from some companies. Rodney vs KFC is incredibly playable, and while I doubt I’ll ever find all the floppy disks, it keeps me coming back for that "one more go". A cool platformer that is so addictive! Play it.
I've returned to eBay after a few years away and, lo and behold, I spot a sealed copy of one of my favourite platformers, Chronicles of Omega. Yes, one of my favourites, I actually said that. Please note that I am not saying it's one of the best platformers for the Atari ST/e. No. It's just one of my favourites.
For those new to this little-known website, I featured Chronicles Of Omega back in 2016 so you can read all about it by simply digging through our archives (loads of links on the righthand side) or by skipping straight to that page by clicking here. Go on, you know you want to. Enjoy yourself.
I liked ARC, but they didn't seem to last that long, so I reckon that I was dead lucky to find this sealed. In fact, being sealed means I carefully sliced it open to breathe in some of that 20th-century air before inserting the disk and praying it still worked. Well, it does, and I'm happy to stand by my earlier thoughts about it - it's one of my favourites, albeit with clunky mechanics that should have been better. Click the link above, folks.
For those interested in other Atari ST games that I've purchased, click here to see lots more. Okay, let's check out the cover art of this ST/STe platformer! And also see what goodies are inside its box...
I must admit, a part of me wanted to keep this sealed and safe from the insanity of the 21st century!
Is anyone else reminded of Thunder Jaws? No, I mean the game...
Wow, what incredible cover art!
A good storyline and cool Atari ST screenshots. Nicely done, Arc!
Inside the box, we have a poster. That the wife won't let me pin to the wall... :(
No guys ever read the manual? Well, it's tiny and enough even for us blokes to bother with.
Decades after being told the Atari ST had died, another game is out by Côté Gamers. It's a puzzler by demo crews Dune (José Martins) and Sector One (François Galea & Denis Huguet). Each screen has a 5x5 board of square tiles, and the challenge is to flip these (in order) to display the correct pattern. Easy Peasy!
This is done by group-selecting a particular number of tiles and flipping them over until you obtain the desired pattern (shown on the opposite side of the screen). You select these tiles in either a vertical or horizontal line, but not diagonally. I know it sounds like a superficial idea, and one that is probably very easy.
Wait a minute - you're only allowed X number of moves (indicated on the right). That means staring at the screen - before making a stupid mistake - as each action must always be correct. Toogle is demanding but would be boring if it were easy, right? Are you ready to be tortured and entertained in equal measure?
Visually, this ain't no Enchanted Land. But that's a good thing, right? Let's check it out...
Level 6 is actually one of the easier boards to fix. It's almost like the game is spelling out a word ;-)
Six Juicy Tips
Take a gander at the instructions in the title menu for initial guidance.
Toogle is very simple, but that doesn't mean you should go rushing in like an idiot.
Stop. Look at the screen for what feels like an eternity and think.
Mull over each move that you might be thinking about - how will that affect the next move?
Take care to note how many moves you're allowed. A cruel but necessary limitation.
Basically, you're dead unless you can think like a Vulcan. Or reboot the ST!
This is a game of learning and trial & error. And then more trials and more errors! But it's always entertaining and has that addictive factor you cannot deny. Yep, this game puts you through agony, but somehow you keep coming back for more! So take your time, think, and you'll get the hang of it. Or cry trying (bring a tissue).
On that tearful note, let's take a gander at another funky screenshot...
I was proud of myself for finally completing this one. Only took about 25 attempts!
Aesthetics
Graphics are by Mic of Dune, so everything looks very cheerful with colourful, bold visuals. I don't know of many games that have a scroller and jazzy background smoothly whizzing about all over the screen - is this a demo or a game? Either way, Toogle looks downright superb and crammed with 16-bit sex appeal.
Music has been composed by Mathieu Stempell, aka DMA-SC. There are two outstanding chiptunes which are both absolutely chip-tastic!! You can listen to either tune, at any time, by pressing the F1/F2 keys (never hit F3). Yep, killer tunes once again, and my only gripe is wanting more from this incredible musician.
This is possibly the best-looking/sounding puzzler made for the ST? Truly, stunning stuff!!
I got so close to beating this screen. I'll smash it next time!!
The CryptO'pinion?
I'm often sceptical of puzzles, but Toogle is as sweet as it is sour, using an elegant design that hides its devious soul. There are screens that had me stumped for aeons, and remembering that agony is almost unbearable! Level 3 had me stumped for longer than I care to admit, but I breezed through others.
So, if you're wondering why I would purchase something so sinister. Think again. Toogle is unique in many respects and a tough brainteaser that entertains by design. If puzzlers are your thang, I highly advise you to head over to Côté Gamers' website and grab a boxed copy. Quite simply, this is a fantastic game.
Sigh, I doubt I'll beat all 99 levels but... hang on... there's an envelope inside the box...
The box is nice, and I love the colours. Plus, today I finally learned what 'jeu' means... doh!
Hmm, I wonder what sadistic reason Cote Gamers had for sealing this envelope? ;-)
Guys, this is the one time you really must read the flipping manual!!
The disk design is superb, but "a 3D printed stress reliever". What's one of those? heh
