Annex is a homebrew first-person shooter published by LAPD in 1995 and attempts to blend together the action of Doom using the gameplay mechanics of Dungeon Master. Nasty aliens have taken control of the science space station, Annex. Guess what? It's our job to kill every last one of them whilst fixing the life support reactors. Oh yeah!
At first, I didn't think this would work using the old 90° turns but it works out very nicely. Movement is performed using a combination of the keyboard and mouse: the keyboard walks and activates switches with the used mouse to aim and shoot. As you can imagine, this works well and whenever a bad guy sees you - they actually speak. This conveniently acts as a nifty "heads-up" alert so you're not taken by surprise. So, annihilate them for a gory blood splatter :-)
The graphics are great but lack variety for both colour and texture, thus things tend to get a little samey after a while. Sadly, there is also no map function to help us out - the docs do suggest making your own. A very good idea.
Annex is great. I like the way it combines action with adventure but you really need a pen and paper to map it (otherwise, it's easy to get lost!!). Far from perfect but fans of the first-person shooter genre should definitely take a look.
AtariMania has a download available from their Atari ST database.
Zogging Hell has a nice selection of the LAPD library.
Floyd The Droid was developed in 1986 by Paul Lay for Analog Software. We're a droid who loves to explore but this trait got him into trouble so now he's stuck inside a (wait for it) topo-dimensional converter. So you're alone in the void of whatever this existence is and surrounded by weird enemies intent on our death.
This game is simple, shoot everything - robots, spaceships, C64s, etc. We begin each game with 75% health which increases with enemies killed. Sadly, it also decreases if you bump into them or if you shoot an Atari logo. Kill everything and move on to the next level to do it all over again at a faster rate. Don't panic!
Interestingly, you can hit F1-F6 to start on the following stages: 1, 10, 20, 30. 40 and 50. Loved that!!
The graphics are basic but it's all about the sprites which are huge and beautiful in their own weird way. The music is insanely awesome. Insane, because it's so zany and weird yet I leave it playing - I love it. There is also speech which is quite superb for such an early ST game and is excellent. A lot of love went into this.
I believe there was a hi-res version in the making but was it ever released?
Overall, it's a little rough around the edges because it's an early title but this is also a piece of Atari ST history. I enjoy frantically blasting a relentless hoard of invading oddities - it never gets old and it's so addictive. This is ancient retro gaming at its best, so hit that fire button and try to last as long as you can!!
I managed to find the original of Missing One Droid and I just had to buy it!!
After a worrying delay, Gametek released Frontier Elite II in early 1994. It was unlike most other games due to its sheer size within creation. Yep, that's right a whole universe of near-countless stars to explore which basically meant long gaming nights were ahead (over the decades and through to the present day!)
The story begins like this... Commander Jameson has sadly left this realm and you came along just in the nick of time to reap the benefits of his will reading. Being his favourite grandson, he left you 100 credits with strict instructions to stay clear of Vegas. He also left you his pride and joy, an Eagle Long Range Fighter - be careful and don't scratch it. You now have the means and opportunity to explore the heavens! So jump into your ship and begin the journey of a lifetime! And that is no overstatement; I mean it quite literally.
Sounds immense and it was/is so let's check out a couple of screenshots...
There are two basic starting positions and faster computers can even crank up the graphical details.
The Universe Is Yours!
After watching the awesome intro, various menu options are available to begin your adventure and I advise selecting Option 1 which places you safely in the Ross 154 System. Or more precisely, at the Sirocco starport on the planet Merlin. You have 100 credits and a rather funky piece of 3D called your spaceship. Starting at Sirocco is a great place to learn the ropes of the GUI, trading, and brushing up on your piloting skills.
Frontier is an open-world (space!) sandbox game that doesn't restrict in any traditional sense. You are free to travel almost anywhere and do almost anything you like. However, even gaming folklore doesn't come for free and this style of living costs money - use your ship to provide yourself with a living through job contracts and trade. Everyone needs something and this is where you come in to make your hard-earned cash.
It's always about cash but don't let it become the love of money. Chill, and check out some screenshots...
First things first, let's check out the cool spaceships and find dodgy jobs on the bulletin boards.
Trouble at t'mill?
Frontier's universe has two major factions, and this is the Trekkie part, for me. We have the Federation which is based in the Sol system and then we have The Empire which is based within the Achenar system. Both offer a haven to live and trade but aren't the best of friends. Also, outside the safety of their territory, you risk running into pirates who want your precious cargo - and your life!! Who said life was gonna be easy?
These dogfights are difficult to master and possibly the hardest part of the entire game. Gone are the arcade-style controls in favour of realistic Newtonian physics which affect the control of your spacecraft. So, momentum will need to be compensated for you to slow down, stop, or change direction. Perhaps it's now that I should advise saving your game at regular intervals? Learn physics because the pirates are tough cookies.
Do the pirates spoil it? I'll let you decide while you view a couple more screenshots...
Check out your local solar system and then see what goods are best to trade in...
Trade, Respect, Fight!
Ultimately, Frontier is all about trade and trying to earn yourself the means for a lucrative lifestyle through the adventures of space and exploring the heavens. Use your galactic map to explore a 3D perspective of creation to plan a route, dig for information to find out what's needed - then buy in bulk to earn lots of cash.
Enjoy your journey but prepare thyself because nothing beats making your first hyperspace jump!! This automatically ends once you are within the vicinity of your destination, but the distance to travel is still huge, so don't forget to use the Stardreamer buttons to quickly pass the time. Auto-docking is supported and, once you've boarded, get details of goods sold to reap the biggest profits. Before you begin looking for another trade route, remember to refuel your ship otherwise you won't be able to make another hyperspace jump!
It's completely up to you how to live but these two screenshots were entirely my doing...
I love exploring the universe. Hang on, what's that dot? Zoomed in... and saw this beauty!!
But Is It Any Good?
Stick with it and, after earning lots of money, consider checking out the Bulletin Board. It's here you can upgrade your ship or search for jobs like transporting passengers, helping to find a missing person, mining, military work or information. There is even a black market for those without a conscience - trade slaves, weapons, narcotics, or even be assassins. However, this dark lifestyle will definitely take you into dangerous waters so it will almost certainly attract the attention of the law. Are you ready for that kinda heat, bad boy?
Frontier is one heck of a game and one with immense potential and I'm hoping this feature will regenerate your interest to play. Frontier is all about progression and making the right choices to build up your own empire. Don't expect to jump into the pilot's seat and see the entire universe in one sitting because will take time, money and commitment. Frontier: Elite II is jaw-dropping and quite literally one of the best games, ever.
One of the best games, ever. Yes. Thus earning the accolade of an AtariCrypt SMASH!!
Grab yourself a slice of creation and play this immense game which you can play off floppy or a hard drive. The manual is available on AtariMania and you can catch a glimpse of the 16-bit universe right now...
AtariCrypt is all about the Atari ST/e computers but I shall make an exception for its big brother: the 32-Bit Atari Falcon. This is because I was recently contacted by Janez Valant (Swe, of YesCREW) and he mentioned a Falcon release of Knight Lore that might be cool for those who don't know about it. I was one of them. How did I not know about this game?
I'm a big fan of Ultimate's famous isometric Spectrum game from 1984. I can even remember it being released and we were blown away by the next-gen visuals and also how each puzzle was presented as a 3D room. Okay, I had seen similar in 3D Ant Attack but definitely nothing at this new level. To be honest, it was one of those mind-blowing moments in history.
The Falcon version appears to be the complete game, featuring spot-on perfect gameplay too. In fact, it's probably better because there is no slowdown that the Speccy version suffered. However, gone is the lovely monochrome palette for something that is now very colourful. Ahem, perhaps too colourful for my liking? It feels unnecessary.
There was a part of me that didn't believe Janez yet here it is running on my virtual Falcon (Hatari) and it's brilliant. I must admit that I'm saddened it doesn't run on the ST/e. Ignoring the tacky colours, I don't see why the ST cannot handle it. Perhaps somebody out there knows the answer but if it's because of the many colours - I'll be very angry lol.
Anyhow, 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!!
Those with a keen eye will notice the larger screen space of my GEM desktop? What about the three resolutions that appear selectable? Well, 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 interlace to double the vertical resolution but that can look odd and hurts my eyes! (use 60Hz!!). Others can create a virtual screen by using the Atari STe's hardware scrolling. But, do you really 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 excellent 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 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 visual quality and ravishingly charming styles. This is gonna be good!
We play as Hewlett, a young boy with a magic wand who accidentally turned all the animals into freakishly cute monsters. Seems plausible to me 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 I've taken. 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 massive 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 through the levels so helps to keep things interesting - without being too tough to play properly
This mild learning curve is nothing much for the easier levels. It's very easy to pick up and play, so you're instantly leaping your way through in no time. 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 really. It's very nasty so shoot it and then bag it. Great stuff!!
However, the later levels are challenging and I really mean really 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 increases with the usual moving tiles and others might dissolve or randomly disappear. Infuriatingly difficult which can be a shame sometimes as these later levels are impossible for a guy like me to complete.... lol... not without a cheat enabled!!
Wanna see another multi-coloured screenshot? I know you do...
Things are now starting to get serious with cunning-level designs for a tough challenge!
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 have created a game with bright, radiant visuals and so many comical characters. Nothing has been sacrificed and you will see your Atari ST looking this good AND that includes 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 fun-themed 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 some 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 and I loved it. Yup, it's almost perfect and a genuine pleasure to play because it's so much fun and I really cannot think of something negative to say. Okay, okay, that difficulty in later levels is really tough but something weirdly reminiscent of games from the era.
The perfect game? Well, the controls, game mechanics, visuals, and audio are... Look, it's a showcase product but 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? So stop what you're doing and load it up - right now - because it's one of the best 16-bit platformers ever released.
Grab yourself either the floppy disk or a version to install onto a hard drive/Ultrasatan thanks to 8BitChip. For those who wanna flick through directly to the later levels then you will enjoy these codes. On the menu screen, press and hold down the desired keys before pressing fire to begin:
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, Jose Ant, created this fake box using my old avatar (a photo I took in Tombstone, Arizona).
You know, the ST world sure has some awesome people and I absolutely love this image!!
