Knight Lore

A Falcon game???

AtariCrypt is all about the Atari ST/e computers, but I shall make an exception for its big brother. I recently contacted Janez Valant (Swe from YesCREW), and he mentioned a Falcon release of Knight Lore, which might interest those unfamiliar with it. I was one of them. How did I not know about this game?

I’m a huge fan of Ultimate’s iconic isometric ZX Spectrum game from 1984 (so long ago!!). I vividly recall its release and the sheer awe we felt at the next-generation visuals. Each puzzle was presented as a 3D room, but nothing quite like this. Frankly, it was one of those truly mind-blowing moments in gaming history.

The Falcon version seems to be the complete game with spot-on, perfect gameplay. Heck, it’s probably even better as it lacks the slowdown of the Speccy version. However, the lovely monochrome palette has been replaced with a very colourful one, which is perhaps a bit too much. It feels unnecessary.

A part of me doubted Janez, but here it is running brilliantly on my virtual Falcon (Hatari). I’m sad it doesn’t work on the ST/e. Ignoring the tacky colours, I don’t understand why the ST can’t handle it. Someone must know the answer, but if it’s just because of the extra colours - I’ll be furious!

Playing this iconic game on the Atari Falcon is fantastic. All I need now is a real Falcon...

 Download Knight Lore and relive 1984 ZX Spectrum style!! 

What's wrong with this picture?

Can you spot two wrongs?

Those with a keen eye will notice the larger screen space of my GEM desktop. What about the three resolutions that appear selectable? If you saw these things, then you're an Atari ST rock star. I salute you!

I've been experimenting with a few GEM programs that allow larger resolutions and other cool stuff. Some use interlacing to double the vertical resolution, but that can look odd and hurt my eyes! (use 60Hz!!). Others can create a virtual screen by using the Atari STe's hardware scrolling. Why would you wanna scroll?

Interestingly, some programs feature overscan. This is a technique used to make use of the empty borders, and it sparked my curiosity. Using this extra screen space is great, and without any slowdown. Most GEM programs should work perfectly fine, and I'm left wondering why Atari couldn't have made this standard?

I've made a bundled download of these programs - please let me know if there are others I've missed.

Magic Boy

Prepare to be amazed!

Magic Boy was released in 1993 by Empire and is one of the cutest platformers I have ever seen. Personally, it reminds me of Rainbow Islands because of its ravishing visuals and charming style. It's a stunner!

We play as Hewlett, a young boy with a magic wand who accidentally turned all the animals into cute monsters. Seems plausible, but how do these things keep happening? Not to worry, it's our task to restore everything back to normal, so that means venturing forth through many beautiful worlds to tag & bag the nasties.

Firstly, check out this screenshot. Wear sunglasses and take a deep breath...

Magic Boy must be one of the most colourful games on the Atari ST.

Shoot, jump, bag & grab!

There are four worlds to explore (Sand Land, Wet World, Plastic Place, Future Zone), and each offers eight levels. Things begin relatively easily before lots of crafty tricks and traps are introduced. This difficulty is staggered gradually, which helps to keep things interesting - without being too tough to play properly

This mild learning curve is nothing much on the easier levels. It's easy to pick up and play, so you're instantly leaping your way through. Make sure you collect all the power-ups, which will aid your progress. Just watch out for anything that looks oddly cute. It's not, it's nasty - so shoot and then bag it. Great stuff!!

However, the later levels are challenging, and I really mean formidable!! Those cute critters are actually deceivingly mean and seem to know just when to strike with a perfectly well-timed shot. Also, the level layout adds the usual moving tiles, and others might dissolve or randomly disappear. Infuriatingly difficult, which can be a shame sometimes, as the levels are impossible for me to complete (without a trainer!!).

Wanna see another multi-coloured screenshot? I know you do...

Things are now starting to get serious with cunning-level designs!

Aesthetics

This is literally one of the most stunning 16-bit games I have ever seen. This quality is thanks to John Dale and Leigh Christian, who made everything bright and radiant with many comical characters. Nothing has been sacrificed, which includes your fluent movements and ultra-smooth scrolling. Wonderful stuff!!

Sound effects are excellent and best experienced when using an Atari STe. Yes, I said STe, but that doesn't mean the ST is lacking. Not one bit. Accompanying music is perfect with a high-quality tune that remains in your head all day. Yes, Magic Boy is most definitely one of the sexiest Atari ST games I have ever played.

Why couldn't every game have this much love put into it? Let's view another screenshot...

Future Zone has incredible levels to hop through, as does the quirky Plastic Place.

The CryptO'pinion?

You won't be shocked to hear that this is one seriously addictive platformer. Yup, it's near perfect and a genuine pleasure to play because it's so much fun, and I really cannot think of anything negative to say. Okay, okay, that difficulty in later levels is really tough, but something weirdly reminiscent of games from the era.

The controls, game mechanics, visuals, and audio are stunning and make this game a showcase, but one that is also loads of fun and a thrill to play. Doesn't this prove what the Atari ST/e is capable of when in the hands of talented people? This is one of the best 16-bit platformers ever released.

Grab yourself either the floppy disk and there are loads!

This is a version for hard drive/Ultrasatan by 8BitChip.

The codes for those who wanna zip through to the later levels: on the menu screen, press and hold the keys before pressing fire to choose:

Sand Land......(part 1)  =  S + 1

Sand Land......(part 2)  =  S + 2

Future Zone....(part 1)  =  F + 1

Future Zone....(part 2)  =  F + 2

Plastic Place..(part 1)  =  P + 1

Plastic Place..(part 2)  =  P + 2

Wet World......(part 1)  =  W + 1

Wet World......(part 2)  =  W + 2

AtariCrypt box art?

Over the last few months, I've been taking pictures of my own ST games to feature within our box art section here on AtariCrypt. Yesterday, I got quite a shock when a good friend of mine (thank you, Jose Ant) created this fake box using my old avatar (a photo I originally took in Tombstone, Arizona).

You know, the ST world sure has some awesome people, and I absolutely love this image!!

Days Of Thunder

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity!!

Yes, I'm a big NASCAR fan and I've finally got around to playing Mindscape's Days Of Thunder which (I think) is the only stock car racer for the Atari ST. I did wonder how the sport might appear in 16-bits and it started off well with a fantastic title tune by David Whittaker. However, it was soon all downhill... Never have I seen a game look so bad.

The visuals are shocking on the eyes but it's the framerate that is total diarrhoea. The sound effects are actually worse and I truly do mean that. But I could forgive how a game looks and sound for great gameplay. Sadly, this has none. Could this be the worst Atari ST game ever? Well, put it this way, I could not stand to play more than a couple laps before rebooting in anger and utter disappointment. And that's my final thoughts about this disgusting stock car racer.

I wondered how my 16MHz Mega STe might perform with this dreadful game so I contacted Peter Putnik and he created a hard drive version... but even the extra MHz couldn't save it but thanks for trying mate!

Floppy Disks | Hard Drive Version

Elf

Oi, big ears!

Elf was released in 1991 by Ocean Software and is a platformer with simple adventure mechanics for lots of cumulative puzzles. It's not too dissimilar to something Codemasters would crack out. Not only that, but each of the levels appears impressive with lush visuals that appeal to my fickle nature!

We are Cornelius, a cool-looking dude whose girlfriend, Elisa, has been kidnapped by the evil Necriliousr. Armed with his magic ring (stop it!!), you must travel eight incredible landscapes, avoiding strange and wacky creatures, and solving puzzles to rescue the love of your life. That's Elisa and not your Atari ST computer.

Well, hmm... I dunno about that lol. Let's take a peep at a screenshot taken with my phone...

Upgrades are great - I'm flying!!

Finders Keepers?

Playing Elf is never boring, thanks to the world we have to explore and everything in it. That includes the puzzles that must be figured out logically and in order. Oddly, I'm reminded of the old ZX Spectrum games by David Jones. You know, trading items with NPC characters who require the silliest of items before providing something you require. It's brilliant, but only experience and perseverance will grant success.

However, that's not easy thanks to a barrage of critters constantly invading the screen, think Black Lamp. They are often relentless and try to stop you from solving the puzzles. So, look for anything that might help along the way? Heck, items and even animals, to collate as "pets" that will be used as currency to purchase an assortment of power-ups - including firepower, extra lives, the ability to fly and much more.

Elf is a fascinating and long-winded game that won't be easy to finish. The quest is massive but will entertain you every step of the way with humour and cool ideas, like when you are chased up a ladder (impressive AI). Finally, and in true Atic Atac style, a tombstone is erected when dead. It's rumoured to be haunted!

This game is huge and brilliant in almost all respects, so let's view a clearer screenshot this time...

Beautifully drawn graphics with tons of extra colours thrown in. Look at that sky!

Aesthetics

The graphics are tremendous, with outstanding attention to detail for the scenery and characters. The baddies are some of the most detailed sprites I've seen, so killing them almost makes me feel bad (almost). They have cute expressions with integrated novelties, like rocks that watch your every move. Lovely extra touches throughout. I feel confident saying this, but the visuals are some of the best I've ever seen.

The audio is great with amazing sound effects. However, it's the music I love the most by Matthew Cannon (remember Navy Seals?). Awesome tunes throughout, thus proving once again that chip music is immortal!! In fact, I'd describe them as bewitching, so I prefer playing this game with the music on.

This final screenshot is something I see a lot of...

The screen you hate, and in stark contrast to the jolly feel of the game.

The CryptO'pinion?

Here we go, nothing is perfect... yadda yadda! Well, that's true, and it applies to Elf. I felt the number of lives was too restrictive, considering the task at hand. I also found it a little annoying when some critters would walk onto the screen just as I was about to walk off, thus zapping valuable energy. Arghh, irritating!!

However, Elf is a brilliant platform/adventure/puzzler. It will sap the hours whilst you shoot the cuties, trade, and try to figure out how to bribe your way through the game. This is something that you need to experience and is very rewarding. Elf is excellent, and I cannot recommend it enough. Make time for this game!!

8BitChip has a version for hard disks

Floppy disks can be found via Old Games Finder.

Here is a walkthrough, but don't spoil this awesome game!!

--> MY HANDY TIPS <--

Tweet Tweet, that cute little bird is hungry. Easy!

Red Indians love feathers...

Toilet paper? Ahem, surely too easy to solve?

That big guy? Well, he just loves roast chicken.

If you must, type in CHOROPOO during gameplay for 99 Pets.

1632 ATARI podcaST

It's always nice to see someone doing something creative for the ST scene and here is Atari 8-bit legend, Wade with a new podcaST. Obviously, this is about the Atari ST and by a guy that didn't originally care for it. Interesting? Maybe, so let's check this out and his re-discovery of the best 16-bit retro computer! <clickety click>