Bold / Wiliness III

 

 

BeST laid plans...

I recently discovered an unreleased shooter called Bold by Laurent Kermel.  Rather than my usual approach, I delved into the documentation and found his website listed, which is still working. It has an Atari ST section detailing unfinished ST games. Take a look at these pictures (above) of Slug Dragoon Twins Tenesis and Empire. These are truly impressive ST games, I’m sure you’ll agree, but sadly lost to time.

I messaged Laurent to express my gratitude for Bold and Wiliness 3 (Dungeon Master). Laurent is a genuinely kind person, and I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. Maybe he'll complete his works, one day?

Here's the link to the Atari ST section of his current website, along with his superb YouTube video.

- B O L D -

Lazy programmers say the ST can't scroll

Bold is a fantastic shoot ‘em up for the Atari ST/e, drawing inspiration from several games. It’s a cross between Zynaps and R-Type, offering fast and frantic action as enemies zoom across the screen like they’re on steroids. Yes, quick reactions are essential!! I love the graphics, but it’s a shame that a large portion of the screen remains unused (an intended status panel?). Bold isn’t controlled with a joystick but the mouse, which took a few games to fully grasp. However, I soon realised it’s absolutely perfect for sharp manoeuvrability.

Any ST model is compatible, but Bold performs better (and smoother) with a Blitter chip. While all Atari STe computers meet that requirement, other users might need to purchase one to fill the empty socket inside their STFM. Unfortunately, those old pre-1987 STs might not even have an empty socket. YMMV.

Despite its unfinished state, Bold is incredible with precise mouse control. It’s a thrilling shooter!

• The Bold web page has the download and a nifty walkthrough of each level.
• I made a video, but I hate YouTube, so advise you not to watch - instead PLAY the game :-)
• A cheat code is mentioned in the interview with Laurent within Alive Magazine #09.
• Chris Swinson, aka Exxos, sells Blitter chips, but I've now exhausted my hardware knowledge...

- W I L I N E S S  III -

Grab a flask and sword, we're going in!!

Laurent developed a Dungeon Master clone called Wiliness 3, which is shockingly professional and could have been a rival to the FTL classic. The RPG experience is amazing with a familiar user interface as we crawl through another creepy dungeon. Of course, it's unfinished, but 6 levels are playable, plus I liked the control system and those eerie sound effects. Wiliness had the potential to be something quite extraordinary.

This is something I need to spend a weekend on sometime. A brilliant dungeon crawler!

• The Wiliness web page has the download and a BUCKET load of helpful information!
• Check out Walls Of Illusion and the newly updated Dungeon Master for the Atari STe.

 

Bootblock

First impressions

There are many different boot sector programs to add cool FX to a floppy. This helps prevent virus infections, but we all love the dazzling effects! Some are technically amazing! Bootblock by The Fingerbobs is one of my favourite programs that writes a number of boot sectors, and the one above is Bladerunners!!

Credits: Bootblock was coded by Oberje of Fingerbobs with music by Jochen Hippel.

I love finding awesome programs like this, and it's one of the reasons the ST never fails to impress. I'd bet there are more lurking out there in ST Land. Let me know in the comments what programs you find :-)

Flappy Bird

I said I wouldn't do it, but here we are!!

Yes, the most annoying game has finally arrived on the Atari ST, and I’ve tried to play it. I managed about 30 minutes before I was ready to chuck the joystick out my bedroom window. The animation above just gives a taste of the misery I endured. I hope you find my suffering amusing - it was absolutely dreadful!

Well, I’ll say this about this maddening game: it looks fantastic as it torments you. The graphics are bright and colourful, and it runs in 1VBL for ultra-smooth scrolling. However, I just don’t get it. Why is the whole world so enamoured with this flappy little flyer? What am I missing? I think that the world gone mad.

I never enjoyed or appreciated this game; I simply hate Flappy Bird so much!

• Fools can grab the download from the AtariMania website.

The Seven Gates Of Jambala

THALION!!

The Seven Gates of Jambala was released in 1989 by Grandslam thanks to talented Thalion sceners. I bought this a few years ago and paid handsomely. Not only because it's by Thalion, but it was sealed in pristine condition: opening it was immense when I got close and breathed in that trapped 1980s air. Mmm!!

The game tells the tale of a lone adventurer who enters the forbidden land of Jambala, a realm sealed by seven magical gates that imprison an ancient power. To restore balance, you must pass through each gate, uncovering fragments of lost knowledge and confronting the evil force hidden at the heart of the land.

This platformer boasts some big names from the ST demo scene. These talented guys knew how to get the most from the ST and prove what this computer is capable of. Unfortunately, like Enchanted Land, it looks and sounds better than it plays. While the basic mechanics are solid, something feels 'off'. The shooting feels awkward, and the momentum and slippery floors are strange, especially on tight platforms.

Frankly, I’m quite disappointed with my purchase and haven’t booted up the game since. I fear it was a hasty reaction born of my disappointment (and I'm being polite there!!). Anyhow, please let me know in the comments if I’m being too harsh about this platformer. Perhaps I’ll revisit it for a proper playtest sometime.

Downloads are available by Klaz (floppy and hard drive w/ trainer). You will need that trainer!!

- SCREENSHOTS -

We begin in a village, but beware the threat of drowning in tiny purple puddles!



Where could these doors possibly take us? Let's knock and find out...

Woo!! It's really creepy down here, and there are monsters, too. Watch out!



The tunnels reminded me of No Buddies Land! You can find THAT on this website too :o)

Mudpies

Time for a Food Fight!

Mud Pies is one of the oldest Atari ST games we have and stars a kid called Arnold. He loved the circus - until it came to his town, so he threw a pie at one of the clowns. Unfortunately, these clowns aren't known for having a sense of humour and chased after him! There's only one thing left to do - throw more pies!!

Each screen represents a tent in the circus with an invading army of clowns - they're like jelly monsters dressed up as Ronald McDonald! They wander, waving their arms and chucking juggling pins. This invasion lasts forever, but the pies won't! Look for an open door to another tent full of mud pies - and more clowns.

Throwing a mud pie at a clown will see them flying off the screen (even more will score extra points). However, try not to get trapped in a corner; otherwise, you might receive a juggling pin knockout blow!

I can imagine this is starting to sound insane. Well, check out the 1985 graphics and try not to laugh...

Just imagine the look on today's kids if you show 'em this 1985 game. Will they "get it"?

Simple, yet brilliant!

Challenge rooms are different from the standard tents because they have no mud pies, but instead, lots of clowns to avoid whilst grabbing the prizes, for 1000 points. Every 20,000 points, a secret door will appear for the chance to enter into a Mudslinging Round where you have 30secs to throw pies at wandering clowns!!

Don't clown about too much! Getting hit isn't good for your health, and dying shows your body being carried away on a stretcher to the first aid tent. That can happen only three times before it's game over. Talented pie chuckers will be delighted that lives are awarded every 10,000 points. A nice bonus.

Keep an eye on the health meter displayed top/left - this is split into three segments, with the middle one enabling you to run fast. However, this speed is reduced if you become too hungry or overly bloated on burgers and fries. The trick is to keep your health in a happy medium throughout for maximum agility.

Come on, let's pause this reading and take a look at another quality screenshot...

Always frantic, always fun, and always so addictive. This game is eternal!!

Aesthetics

Graphically, this isn't stressing the Atari ST in the slightest. But remember that it was developed and released in 1985, before programmers knew how to push our computer. Having said that, it's got a certain Charley Chuck charm to it and, as a gamer since the early 1980s, I love its retro feel. No, I absolutely love it :)

Spot-sound effects are fine, but it is best to leave the music on. Again, this isn't anything near the quality we are used to hearing, but it's still surprisingly enjoyable. No complaints, it's an old game, remember!

Come on, no game's looks and sounds ever matter. Mudpies certainly proves this...

Oh, just take a look at the high-score table!! Can ya' beat me??? ;-)

The CryptO'pinion?

It's impressive that MichTron (Philip McKenzie and Jeffrey Sorenson) knocked this out for a computer that was practically unknown back in 1985. I can't imagine how exciting that was - and daunting too. When Mudpies came along, it must have been a breath of fresh air to all those rich people who could afford an ST!

Think what you will, but Mudpies is a terribly entertaining take on Food Fight with silly gameplay that transports us back to our youth. Abusing clowns is never dull. I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than slinging mud pies at them. This is so much FUN, and that's what matters. Please, play this game.

Grab a piece of this old skool action for either floppy or hard drive. Enjoy!!