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. In fact, I hated it and came away quite 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 are in control of a heavily armoured Mauler who must complete a variety of missions that have us trawling the landscape looking for enemy tanks. And much more. But let's not kid ourselves! Yup, let's stop right now because this is basically 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, but not at the expense of 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, the mission selection ranges from beginner levels to more advanced tasks like 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 more 3D animation. Don't let the thought of tough missions fool you, this is an arcade game through & through.

You can 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 has excellent 3D, which reminds me of a cross between the obvious and Mercenary. I was hooked from the moment I saw the 3D imagery swirling. Seeing our tank dropped into play by an aeroplane clinches it!! The in-game framerate isn't exactly Resolution 101, but everything is smooth, and the enemy crafts are great up close. It's an understatement to say I admire the graphics!

Music is amazing on the title, whilst the game begins to show off its 3D. Sound effects during gameplay are good, but nothing like Starglider, for example. 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?

Battle Command is a great tactical shooter, but it's not perfect. What I didn't like was the immense size of the play area, which felt like a slog for my little tank (I sound like Hubert Gruber!). This means some opponents feel like they're a zillion miles away - not good for a 320x200 display. Making distant attacks would be impossible, but for some suspect collision detection - that actually balances things out rather well...

With the bad stuff out of the way, I enjoyed BattleZone... oops... Battle Command. This game is a stonker, and I've enjoyed blasting everything in sight. Even the trees feel my wrath! Battle Command is adventurous and loads of fun with eloquent controls. A brilliant action shooter and one of the best in my collection.

Get it downloaded (floppy or hard disk) and then jump inside 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.

Muzzy

Wait, come back!!

Muzzy was featured in ST Format (#58) and is a puzzler by Enigma Software Developments. It caught my eye because I liked the oldskool visuals, plus it's something I've never played before. It should be compatible with both the ST and STe (it crashes on my STFM, but works dandy on the STe. The download).

An intro kicks things off at the start, accompanied by stereo music on the Atari STe. Playing my first game was quite confusing, and I wasn't sure what to do, but I soon learnt the game's crazy personality. The object is always the same: collect every gem before being whisked off to do it again on the next zany screen.

The trusty joystick is used to control Muzzy, which is easy. At first, it feels sensitive, but stick with it because pushing against something, whilst pressing fire, will be the most complex action you will learn. Of course, the difficulty constantly increases, as does the variety of silly mechanics and enemies (who kill you instantly). So fight back by blowing up these pesky critters using bombs. That is always going to be great!

Visually, I doubt Muzzy will blow you away with its tiny sprites and 8-bit style. By ST standards, they suck. But since when have graphics made a game better? (I'm talking to you - Dragon's Lair). The audio is basic, and it's disappointing that the DMA wasn't used for the sound effects, but the YM does an excellent job.

Muzzy is a strange game with many weird levels that make little sense - it's different from what I expected. Attack each screen with a 'trial and error' method to see what solution works. In my video recording, the last screen had me stumped, but it was actually annoyingly obvious - but that's Muzzy for you.

To sum up, I'd say it is infuriatingly good fun!!

ST Globe

By 1999, we will be living on the moon!

In a time long ago, when there were no search engines, we had to read something called a "book". We had other strange things to contend with, too. For example, if we wanted to see a friend, then that would mean leaving the house to meet up - in person - to have a real conversation. Crazy times, right? Well, I've found something cool that takes us back to this prehistoric age (that we'd give our right arm to return to!).

ST Globe was developed by Jean Pierre Cazes, which you can find on the Page 6 website. I thought it was rather amusing (respectfully) but interesting. It definitely put Encyclopædia Britannica to shame... Sadly, my daughter was having none of it and prefers to use Siri or Google. Sheesh, what's up with kids these days?

Grab yourself ST Globe and live in the past.

Capy

Crappy... Capy... Uh, what?

Capy is a spin on Sokoban and was released in 1998 for the Atari Falcon by YesCREW. We are a shiny ball that desires refuge on an 'exit' tile - usually located on the other side of the screen. Initial levels are easy and break you in nicely, but it soon gets tough, so careful thought is required to execute the correct route.

Interestingly, there is an option to create your own "worlds" in an Editor, but read the docs before jumping in at the deep end. This is a cool addition, and I hope somebody picks up the gauntlet and has a bash.

Take a look at these screenshot animations to get a feel of what to expect...

Sokoban in space

The goal is to guide the ball into a black hole exit. That may sound simple, but it's not... Well, it is based on Sokoban, so what did you expect? Anyhow, there are often obstacles in your way, routes that need to be followed correctly, and even the risk of falling into the gaping deep space that stands between you and your exit. So, take a moment to think about how you're going to get to your target as efficiently as possible.

Each screen employs different tiles in various ways. Push tiles are highly versatile, able to be moved almost anywhere and even allowing access to other areas by filling in holes. Be careful not to push them into a useless part of the map, or get yourself trapped. Look out for cracked tiles that disintegrate after one use, thus altering potential routes. Sliders are fun and can transport you across the void easily, and Movable tiles have an arrow pointing in a one-way direction with which to travel. Don't forget to collect the goodies for points.

This game is a tough nut to crack, with each screen requiring logical thought and planning. My first stumbling block was on Level 6, which my old brain struggled with! This was mainly due to the time restriction (which isn't necessary), so it spoils what should be a difficult puzzler, played carefully. I asked Swe [Janez] if that could be removed, and it wasn't long before it was - and Capy got its first upgrade in 20 years!!

Okay, let's check out another animated screenshot from one of my games...

The CryptO'pinion?

I've had a blast playing Capy, but sadly, there just aren't enough levels for me. Thankfully, there is an editor, so perhaps I should pick up that gauntlet and take a stab at creating some of my own? Also, the timer was a problem for me that been removed, so I can now enjoy Capy to its full potential without rushing.

Capy is an odd spin on the Sokoban genre, but it works. I'm sure its cunning levels will have you stumped for ages! Capy is fresh and addictive, using a beautiful style and presentation. The levels are fascinatingly cruel to solve, and I love it. A fantastic puzzler, and I hope it gets an ST conversion soon!

Capy has humble requirements:

a Falcon with a VGA @ 640x480/16 colours.

My download contains the original and the newly updated "Crypt" version!

My greetings to Janez :)

One day I'll get to see this screen for myself. One day...