Ork

An ugly critter with a gun

Ork is a scrolling platform shooter by Psygnosis involving an angry-looking dude with a big gun. Yep sounds good to me already, but Psygnosis has never been a favourite company of mine - it's obvious where their preference lay. Thankfully, they did make a few decent Atari ST games so I'm hoping this is one of them.

We are Ku-Kabul, a wannabe space captain who needlessly has to suffer a series of tests that take place on an alien-infested world. After a nice intro, with images in that famous Psygnosis-style and nice (albeit fuzzy STfm) title music, Ork bears its soul for all to see. It's gorgeous with well-defined graphics that smoothly scroll in all four directions whilst accompanied by colourful backgrounds. The sound effects are made up of crunchy samples that certainly add a punch of attitude as you run around on your alien killing spree.

Time to take 5 to view a pretty nice screenshot of this shooter...

I'm not sure they made the best use of the standard palette as everything is similar.
At least they compensated for that by adding a colourful background.

An original copy?

I'm reminded a little of Shadow Of The Beast and Leander with (hmm) maybe a slice of Killing Gameshow too. This is probably because of the visuals and gameplay style that consists of solving puzzles and killing lots of baddies. Thankfully, we are supplied with a cool laser cannon and a jet booster to defend ourselves.

The puzzles aren't overbearing and the required tasks are pretty easy. Progression to the next level won't be allowed until solved because each has a guardian who won't let you pass until you cross his palm with silver, thus providing a little puzzle element. However, it's the action I enjoyed the most, and it is certainly fun blasting those trippy aliens that frantically race around the screen just asking to be blown up!

Could Psygnosis have pulled out their fingers and made a decent ST game? We'll see...

Leap, run, shoot, kill.
What more could you desire from an action shooter?

The CryptO'pinion?

Ork is a good mix of platformer, puzzler and shoot 'em up, but I feel an extra nip of speed would have made it perfect. Perhaps if they had used chip rather than samples? Or even used the Atari STe hardware? That would have been nice, so I feel like Ork could easily have been far better so perhaps a missed opportunity? (look below if you have a faster Atari). Anyhow, this lack of agility is my only gripe because I've enjoyed Ork.

One of the better Psygnosis games. Highly recommended to fans of platformers with puzzles and guns.

8BitChip has a download to install to a hard drive supporting faster computers!

If stuck with floppy disks then try Fuzion #185 thanks to Stonish.

Here is a MOD file of the Ork theme which is very nice

(Especially when played on the STe using these players!)

The Untouchables

I need a cold beer!

When I first started playing this game, I thought it was a damn fine platform/shooter with some pretty cool graphics that scroll across the screen very smoothly. The gameplay isn't easy, it's frantic and never lets up so is very challenging. But it's all downhill after this stage because the other levels feel rushed and I never did enjoy "shooting gallery" games outside of the arcades. The Untouchables might be showing off its diversity but sometimes enough is enough.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment is the final level which I hoped would share some similarities with Alien Syndrome or Gauntlet. Sadly this wasn't the case and I think the developers are truly sadistic!! An irritating level. So, the first level is brilliant because it's all about killing people but, the other levels? Hmm, not so much.

I feel bad writing this as Ocean are gaming gods with quality Atari ST games within their library. Heck, I remember Ocean when they were called Spectrum Software, but every company made some stinkers, right?

A game with many genres doesn't work. Well, sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. In fact, this game fails because it becomes a jack of all trades rather than a master. The first level is great and I would rate this around 90% because it's really enjoyable. However, everything else afterwards isn't. So, an overall rating for The Untouchables will be 60%.

They should have gone for quality over quantity. Play the first level only!

Cheats for the floppy game -

1. Pause the game first with F10 key and then :
2. Level 1 - type in BRIDGE ROLLS to begin level 2
3. Level 2 - type in MAC N ALLEY to begin level 3
4. Level 3 - type in KID ZAPPING to begin level 4
5. Level 4 - type in A NIT IN TIME to begin level 5

Cheats for the hard drive game -

1. Pause with F10
2. then press N N (twice) to skip to the next level.

Yeah, I own this game!! :o)

The Curse Of Bolda

Crazy Kid Kevin!

The Curse Of Bolda is a scrolling platformer by Ben Pritchard for FloppyShop's platinum range. Once again, Kevin is the star with five levels. These are split into three segments, the first two are free-roaming worlds collecting jewels, shooting monsters, and solving puzzles (locked doors & operating platforms). Tools can be collected and (using the function keys) provide a variety of uses - like a jetpack!! The third stage is an automated arena where Kevin must manoeuver through the hazards until reaching the scary rock demon, Bolda!

A good platformer and you can now download the full registered version :)

Cybernoid - The Fighting Machine

8-Bit conversions suck!

Cybernoid is a shooter developed by a legend - someone who rocked the 8-bit world, Raffaele Cecco. Yep, I was a Spectrum owner and it seemed everyone was crazy about him back then and rightly so. However, the 16-bitters received many dodgy conversions so I was more than a little dubious upon loading Cybernoid.

Our game is by Tony Cooper and is thankfully amazing. Offering the same level of thrills as the original, its gameplay is smooth with comfortable controls that are responsive throughout each of the spruced-up screens. Yes, graphically, this is head and shoulders above the original with eye-popping colours and lovely animations. The sound effects are a joy, accompanied by a fantastic chiptune. I really do mean fantastic!!

However, this is one tough cookie. No, it's an incredibly tough cookie with a few intense screens!! It will take many attempts to master its cruel personality. It's especially annoying when enemies can seem to fire their weapons through solid walls or objects. Stick with it because Cybernoid is awesome and ultra-addictive.

Crack the cunning learning curve and you have a wonderful and challenging shooter!

>>> UPDATE <<<

see the latest posting for Cybernoid which is mapped!

Obsession

Obsessive gaming!

Obsession was released in 1994 for the Atari STe by Unique Development Sweden. Yes, I said the Atari STe for once - rather than its older brother. UDS has made magnificent use of the enhancements -  Hardware scrolling moves the screen at 50fps for an ultra-smooth feeling. Heck, it's even utilising overscan too! The audio is a blast thanks to the DMA stereo - so crank up the volume!! This game is tremendously entertaining.

It's loud, it's fun, it's one of the best "arcade" games I've ever played. Marvellous!!

- Atari Legend has loads of Menu Disks to choose from (link)

- Atarimania has the official download and loads of information (link)

Turbo Cup

ROOAARRRRR!!!

Turbo Cup was released in 1988 by Loriciel and places us behind the wheel of a Porsche 944. First, we get to drive a practice run before moving up to the thrilling race events against computer-controlled competitors. The graphics are still great and, even though I'm no Porsche fan, I think it's one of the best-looking 16-Bit racers. Sound effects are equally nice with the roar of that engine which beats the YM buzz used in lesser titles.

What I love is the player's point of view because the perspective is quite unique and gives an illusion of a greater view. There are also some neat physics which prevent the race from being easy, so perhaps you should take the corners a little slower? It's no sim but it's still a tough cookie and one that will take a time to master.

Overall, Turbo Cup is a hard racer and will take many attempts before you've mastered the control mechanics. Stick with it and you've got yourself a great racer for a few hours of fun which looks and sounds great. Love it.

8BitChip has a hard drive installable version to download.

Old Games Finder has all the floppy disk images you could ever need.

Erik

Erik The Viking!

Erik is a peaceful Viking who happens to keep himself to himself and bothers nobody. Unfortunately, that evil god Loki isn't too pleased about Erik choosing a pacifistic lifestyle over one of pillaging so he casts a spell and turns the world rotten. Erik must travel to these infested lands and battle sadistic evil before returning home. Wow, the problems computer characters must face daily... It's just not fair, is it?

Atlantis Software released Erik in 1992. It is a vertically scrolling platformer with dozens of levels spread over four worlds. Of course, each contains a fair few baddies, cool traps, and scary end-of-level bosses. The graphics are cute and cuddly, with nice detail and super smooth scrolling, with raspy samples for sounds.

Overall, this is a really simple platformer which is entertaining and challenging. Loads of fun!!

Floppy disks can be found over on AtariMania.

Klaz has a fantastic hard disk download!