Welcome to my adventure - day two

Animals = Protein

Hello and welcome to the second part of my Cosmos Chronicles adventure. If you missed it, you can read part one by clicking here. To recap, we have witnessed the remainder of our family murdered! Thankfully, our uncle managed to pass on vital information before biting the dust - to the north is a man with a wicked sense of humour and information. I wanted more, but he's a stubborn old g*t, so I left, slaughtered his animals, and headed to my spaceship.

Yes, you heard me correctly - gather your food by killing bunny rabbits and other cute creatures. YUM!

Wait, did you listen to Cepece? I hope so because your first task is to seek somebody called Grostonton, on a space station outpost. Until you have found him, the adventure cannot begin because your spaceship is quite crippled and restricted to the solar system. You should seek him to see what all the fuss is about. So hop into your spaceship!

When aboard, a robotic assistant called Wilson appears for a chat. At this stage, he has little to say, so have a wander about. There are many different stations; it's overwhelming and quite a Sundog moment with a hefty learning curve. Each part of the ship has a unique function, which will eventually require care, repair, and maintenance.

I plan to cover this in part three because it is a complex moment. Until then, have a play with your spaceship; get a feel for it. Here are some screenshots from today's slice of the adventure. I'll see you soon for part three :-)

"Old Cepece" ... I think... means "old man". And he is just that!
(Sadly, there's no way to interact with cupboards/etc to search for items)

I'm on board Dad's old spaceship. It's called Cosmos, and it's all mine!!
(The circled tiles represent each of the ship's different functions)

As you can see, the Cosmos isn't in perfect condition. Three systems are damaged.
(It's way too early at this stage, but you will learn how to trade, repair, and install ship parts)

Having seen my family murdered, I was feeling... nervous. Thankfully, I found a toilet!
(hey, don't blame me for my typically British sense of humour!)

Cosmos actually has a shower. So, I took a shower. Much-needed water usage ;)
(I thought this was hilarious, and the tiny graphics are superb)

Ah, this will be helpful - a log of all outstanding quests.
(Hit return for the side missions, below. Again, it shows "pokindex" (your combat victories)

The ship also holds a list of side missions. One is near a black hole! :o
(Unlike many games, these are fascinating side events and doable)

I forgot about Grostonton and decided to take Cosmos for a spin instead...

(I was getting used to the game, so I experimented... I then got ambushed!!)

Welcome to my adventure - day one

The trouble with me is...

Wow, where do I begin with that one? I'd better not! Anyhow, with regard to the ST and AtariCrypt, I'm a bit daft and usually annoy myself. I always have far too many games on the go! I hardly ever finish writing before moving on to the next. Sigh, I'll never change, but I have decided to try to concentrate on one game. Something that I find truly fascinating.

Cosmos Chronicles

If you're sitting there - bored stupid - wondering what Cosmos Chronicles is,   then you're either dead, been in a coma, or just insane. I previewed it yonks ago. Perhaps you should check that link out? This is such an engaging adventure, a unique mash of ideas and somewhat a futuristic Ultima you might say - with touches of Sundog and Frontier!

So, I figured it would be a great game to feature my progress, as and when it's made. Kinda like I did for Atari's Super Pack and when mapping Sword Of Kadash. However, this time, with smaller posts, I can knock them out quicker (he says). However, note that I'm no expert rogue slayer! I'm merely an ST Dude having fun with a wonderful new game :)

The game

We are a young chap called Floyd Cooper, and we live on Acriel, a small rock orbiting a larger planet called Nova. Here we work the land as farmers with my Auntie and Uncle Vetea. Long story, cut short, the military turned up and killed them! Our father's spaceship is inside the barn, and a friend is located northwards. Better check all that out, eh?

Exploring Acriel is easy, similar to what you would have seen in the Ultima games. Move using the cursor keys and enter a building (like the farmhouse) by walking up to it and tapping the 'up arrow' to enter. Once inside, explore as you did outside. Additionally, to interact and select/talk/pickup, you should hit the 'Return key'. The cursor keys are now used to select items in the inventory, plus relevant actions. Hitting "backspace" cancels and returns to the game.

Interestingly, Cosmos Chronicles supports the Blitter Chip so will feel faster on the Atari STe.

Additionally, backspace will be used inside the Cosmos to take off and enter space. The 'spacebar' is also used, but more on that later in this series. Finally, the 'ESC key' can be used to quit. Are you a quitter, boy??? I expect not!

"Day one"

For those who read what I previously published, does this appear to be a repeat? It is. Apologies, but I decided to restart from the beginning again - which makes perfect sense for this run of articles covering my progress. I hope!

The initial parts of this tragic storyline are perfect for learning the gameplay basics. It allows easy learning of the interface, exploring, collecting items, using the radar, and interacting with the soldiers (ie, learning how to fight). The interface is straightforward - top/right is the planet's conditions under the radar. Further down are details on health, fatigue, food and water. Under the play area is your inventory and an area for messages/communication.

I'll no doubt die and restart multiple times, but I hope this will be an enjoyable adventure to document. Perhaps this might inspire you to buy the game for yourself? Please note that this isn't a walkthrough - not possible - it's merely an enjoyable romp through a fantastic adventure. Wish me luck - my only wish is not to embarrass myself (too much).

I would love to hear from anyone who is playing this game.

How deep into it are you?

Share your tips!

Okay, are you ready? Let's view the trials and tribulations we go through before the game properly begins...

We've been rumbled! Skiving under a tree, we hear a distant noise at the farm.
(Note the radar, top/right, this helps to show where the farm is)

Heading northwest, we arrive at the farm, but our uncle has a worried look on his face!
(Hey, there's a field of food... I wonder what is inside that barn?)

Of course, we decide to check out the farmhouse first... Ah, a weapon!
(Note the inventory - food/water. On the right are your stats)

Those soldiers are cruel. At least they didn't kill that cute cow!
(Mmm, there's nothing tastier than a big, juicy steak)

This takes us into our first battle. Note the new options and helpful info on the right.
(Your first battle is confusing - choose to arm yourself first and then attack)

Buried them quick, didn't I? Anyhow, our uncle survived long enough for a few final words.
(You could walk north, it's not far. But you have a spaceship now...)

We're scared but bravely head northwards into unknown lands.
We find food, animals, and a house. Let's investigate inside that house!

Brace yourself for the second daring part of my adventure...

Money For Nothing

Money for nothin', chicks for free

I was going through some older video recordings on my channel and found this one by the Glasgow Computer Centre. The Picture And Sound Show is a partial sample sound recording of the legendary song Money For Nothing, Dire Straits. I must admit, I'm curious about how they came up with that title. Yikes!

Your ST requires 1MB RAM and a double-sided drive. Don't scoff, this was 1986, and my family couldn't afford an Atari ST for two more years. Heck, I didn't know the joy of 1MB RAM until around 1990 when I got the SIMS for my STe. Additionally, they released a now obsolete half-meg version for those unwilling to upgrade! ;-)

It's incredible that this "demo" was released in 1986. I would easily have assumed 1988/89 if I didn't already know. Of course, this isn't the complete song; the ST would need multiple floppies and a bucket load of extra RAM. Look, for 1986, it is jaw-dropping, so leave it playing while you search your CD collection.

BTW, I've made many changes to AtariCrypt and worked hard (trying) to group things better. You will note different sections on the right-hand side of my website. Hey, do you want more demos/etc featured here on AtariCrypt? I hope so; the #demoscne is crammed with quality from many talented people.

This is a timeless song. A rock classic. Let me know in the comments if you want more...

Credits

---

Glasgow Computer Centre
John Ray - Code

Scott - Code

Picture And Sound Show - https://demozoo.org/productions/70016/

Glasgow Computer Centre - https://demozoo.org/groups/38699/

Download in POV #085 by Persistence Of Vision - https://demozoo.org/productions/73899/

Audio-themed section - https://ataricrypt.blogspot.com/Demoscene_Music
AtariCrypt YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AtariCrypt/

Allein Gegen Die Mafia

Alone Against The Mafia

If Allein Gegen Die Mafia looks familiar, it's based on a ZX Spectrum game: Saboteur by Clive Townsend/Durell Software. Developed using GFA Basic by Diethard Zellmann in 1990 and translated into English by me. It only works in monochrome and isn't something I'd heard about until a while back (greetings Jim!).

The narrative was changed... just enough... to stop Clive from getting annoyed. This time, we aren't a ninja but a secret agent for the police force. It's our mission to infiltrate the Mafia's hideout and destroy their secret data. Oddly, their headquarters look much like those in the original, but if you keep quiet, so will I.

Let's pause this boring read to gander over a couple of screenshots bursting with colours...

Right, we've arrived and are ready for action. Bring it on, Mafia boys!

Hardly a ninja! I practice with the controls and end up looking like a knob.

Gameplay

The moment the game begins, it feels familiar yet excitingly surreal. Fans will note that the mafia's lair is faithful. Many rooms have slight visual changes here and there, but the layout remains comparable. This also applies to the enemy placement, albeit less so. I remember the Speccy game having more guards (?)

Arriving on a dinghy, we climb onto dry land and immediately notice that there are only two types of enemies: guards and dogs. Our four-legged friends will chase, but the soldiers remain, reacting only when you're within line of sight. So, in true ninja... sorry... secret agent style, explore using stealth and tactics. If you enter a room and see a guard, but are unarmed, leave. He could be facing the other way when you return (tip).

The mafia's hideout is large with many areas to explore. Several doors are locked, thus blocking access to further areas. This is probably the only puzzle element in the entire game. These locked doors have an ID number. Remember that number. To unlock, seek the corresponding computer terminal with that number.

To succeed in Allein Gegen Die Mafia, you must be stealthy and quick on the draw. Explore carefully and unlock doors only as and when you need to. Don't waste time blindly roaming around; have a plan. Also, look for bricks to throw at the guards. That never gets old! Of course, a gun is much better, with ammunition.

Fancy a couple more screenshots? I hope so because here they are...

Oh no, that guard is facing the wrong way and will kill you. Find another route!

The guards are tough, but I'm tougher. He's dead, and I'm alive. What more do you need to know?

Interface & Controls

The status panel is like the original. On the left are the items you have found and are currently carrying. On the far right, you shall see an empty box; this will only display an item if nearby. Next to that is the timer. I hate timers, but this isn't so bad. Finally, along the bottom, you shall notice the replenishable energy bar.

This bar decreases as you move and falling great distances also has an impact. However, I'm not sure it was needed, as a single shot from a guard kills instantly, regardless of its level.

Ditch the joystick. It's a fact that secret agents are best controlled with the keyboard. He can run, leap, and shoot/throw. Unlike the Speccy game, there are no fighting moves. Well, we're not a ninja now!

The keyboard control initially seems odd. They're not as bad as you first assume. Well, yes, they are. No, they're not. Look, it's gonna take a couple of goes before you fully grasp it. Practice makes perfect. He says.

Take a look at this nifty table box I made...

cursor left = run left cursor right = run right cursor up = climb up cursor down = climb down	shift + cursor left = jumps left shift + cursor right = jumps right shift + cursor up = item pick up shift + cursor down = item drop
spacebar = fire gun or throw an object shift spacebar = use computer when at a terminal or switch weapons

Aesthetics

Saboteur was a game of little colour, so black & white offers the perfect ambience. I love the backdrops that use a repeating tiled effect, copying the original idea well. Also, the characters look good with extra details in high resolution. However, I still find it odd that the guards don't walk - like they're skiving, frozen solid, or waiting for trouble to come to them! Still, without combat moves that makes sense, I guess?

The audio is light on the ground with only a few spot effects for the gunfire. Sadly, nothing for footsteps. In fact, almost all the gameplay is silent, which, I fear, heavily detracts from the atmosphere. Disappointing.

Enough yapping, let's see some more sexy secret agent screenshots...

Deeper into the adventure, I find a room with an exit sign. Surely a trap?

Talk about overkill, I accidentally killed the guard with dynamite. Sod it, I'm still leaving!

CryptO'pinion

When I began playing, I thought this was nothing but a lame ripoff. I wasn't happy with the controls, getting killed by the guards, and having to restart from the beginning. Thankfully, I didn't walk away and translated the instructions into English. Once learned, I could properly play. And boy, am I glad I did.

The keyboard controls work well with responsive movements. Even with missing mechanics for the guards/combat moves, I'm blown away by such an authentic conversion. Once you are over its initial learning curve, you can run around like an angry ninja with a gun, blasting guards in the Mafia's labyrinth.

Diethard must be a massive Saboteur fan who spent months beavering away in GFA Basic. Sure, each screen has slight differences, but everything marries up to form the same map in the ZX Spectrum game. A fantastic remake that I proudly rate a marvellous 80%. I suggest you download Allein Gegen Die Mafia right away!!

Download the floppy disk via Hang Loose at the Atari FTP Archive.