Say hello to the third album by YM-Digital, Spontaneous Compression which was released yesterday and features nine tracks of awesome audio for us all to enjoy. Of course, each track was created using Atari ST computers!!
01. AdraSTea Orbit (16,61 kHz)
02. Cell Synthesis (16,40 kHz)
03. The Lost Confidence (50 kHz)
04. Aomi - The ST Version (16,40 kHz)
05. Yellow Leaves Are Falling (16,40 kHz)
06. Neutralizer II (16,40 kHz) / original composer: Rudolf Stember
07. Digiloo Digiley (50 kHz) / original composer: Kemal Ezcan
08. Draconus - The ST Cover (22,75 kHz) BONUS TRACK / original composer: Adam Gilmore
09. Aomi - The STE Version (50 kHz) BONUS TRACK
Total Time: 32:33 min.
All songs (except "Aomi - the STE version") have been recorded from an ATARI 520ST computer with YM2149 chip.
Forget playing Candy Crush on your phone because something better is available for the Atari STe. It's called BeGEMeD and is a twist on the Bejewelled theme by Alexander de Vries It's a new game for the Atari STe with 16 beautiful colours and DMA sound effects. Those familiar with the genre will love this version because it plays brilliantly and is challenging - without irritation or frustrating mechanics. You'll be playing for hours!
The graphics were designed by Carnivac and it's difficult to believe that he only used 16 colours. The quality is superb so it appears there are far more on-screen. This talented use of colour is impressive. Accompanying the lush visuals is music by Dma-Sc, one of my favourite musicians and is mesmerisingly awesome. We also have familiar sound effects as we play. This includes samples letting us know how awesome we are.
Very few puzzle games look exciting for screenshots, but let's look at the first anyhow...
The first screenshot... what a nice display with lovely colour and design!
ReadMe.TXT
Nice of you to visit this text, it will give you all the basic information you need to know to get started. Don’t worry it's easy so you will get the hang of it very soon!!
We are visiting Jack Bright, the castle lord of a medieval castle. He has already lived there for a lot of years and the castle needs some work. But his cash flow is a little bit on the downside so to earn some cash he has to swap gems for it.
He has lots of them hidden in his castle but it is a real mess. They are just piled on top of each other in no order at all. To swap them for cash he has to sort them out! But he can only do so if he has 3 or more of the same collection.
How does he do that? Well simple, just align 3 or more gems horizontal or vertical. For every successful swap, he earns those coins. Click the gem you van to swap with one of its neighbours and then choose the one you want to swap. Or even better just drag it over the other one by holding the mouse button, it both works...
As the coin meter reaches the top you have earned enough cash to go to the next level. The aim of the game is to reach the biggest high score of course.
The second screenshot... Well, it kinda looks the same as the first doesn't it. lol
The CryptO'pinion?
I contacted Alexander to thank him for developing a great game and... we got chatting... it was only a short time before I was beta-testing a new version - I'm thrilled to report numerous bug fixes and extra features.
This has been a blast because Alexander is a cool chap and I'm honoured to have played a (tiny) part in producing a fantastic and addictive puzzler. I'm confident with the following statement: BeGEMeD is one of the best Bejeweled games there is. A fantastic puzzler that looks and sounds as good as it plays.
Saboteur 3 was released in 2012 by Shadow Team for the Atari STe and Falcon (STfm if you have a Blitter and TOS 1.04). Okay, I'll start by saying I'm a huge fan of Saboteur 2: Avenging Angel on the ZX Spectrum. It's a game I played to death and mapped - so I'm excited to see this release. Although I'm anxious and wondering how it will compare.
It's obviously an unofficial fan game based on the original games by legends Durell Software. Incredibly, it was programmed using GFA Basic. I know nothing of programming but it seems the perfect tool for developers - to this day!
Saboteur III The Egyptian Mission takes us into an ancient world looking for fragments of a key to unlock a treasure-filled sarcophagus. However, (this might not be much of a shock), but somebody has rigged most rooms with traps! Beware of killer spikes and scary creatures like mummies, bats, and scorpions. So don't expect this quest to be easy!!
Let's pause the read for a screenshot...
Ok, let's begin the mission... Yeah, that means killing Mommies!
Authentic or worse?
Each room is a pleasure for this oldskool gamer - it's like looking at a surreal retake of the original. I like the design layout employed by most rooms and there's always something that needs to be kicked to death using my ninja skillset. Looking at the map, Saboteur 3 is smaller than the previous games on the ZX Spectrum but who cares about that.
Movements are more or less what you expect with a few changes - down/fire makes our ninja hit under the belt without using the kicking mechanic. A slight change, yet not damageable to the playability. In fact, the joystick controls are responsive and I'm impressed with the fluency of our actions, helping make it feel authentically pleasing.
I expected differences but some changes to the gameplay mechanics irk me - like falling off a ledge. That is instant death rather than simply draining you of (replenishable) strength. Yes, I miss that bar and wonder why it was dropped. Also, I fail to see the point of those large spikes that pop up to impale you each and every time. And even during mid-jump!! However, the most annoying oddity is the ladders because too many go nowhere and that's just absurd.
Quite harsh there, eh? Better calm down a bit and view another screenshot...
As you progress, things get odd and very difficult! Perhaps too difficult?
Aesthetics
Visually, it's superb albeit overly colourful with too much yellow? Or is that how Egypt looks! However, I'm glad they didn't try replicating the original look and style (can you imagine the horror of mostly monochrome graphics?). The characters and their animations are great which makes kicking the baddies to death - an absolute joy!
The in-game music is by Dma-Sc and thus a beautiful example of his extraordinary chiptune talent. I still would have liked an option for (DMA) sound effects to play alongside the music. But I'm now being rather picky I guess?
I think we've got time for one more screenshot? How about one of me, dead...
Sooner or later, I usually end all my games looking this good! ;o)
The CryptO'pinion?
Saboteur 3 is a good platformer beat 'em up but, far from perfect. Sadly, I fear hardcore fans will enjoy picking at it as many official Saboteur characteristics are altered or missing. However, this is still a great game in its own right and I think that even Clive Townsend would enjoy playing this alternative take on his classic Saboteur. I sure did!!
A highly challenging platformer; admiringly recommended for both Saboteur fans and new Ninja wannabees.
Grab the download if you think you're tough enough!
Somewhere in the far reaches of the universe is a planet called Blot. Much like Eden, this is a wonderful place; everything is perfect and everyone is happy. The inhabitants are creatures called the Blotians. However, for some peculiar reason, these guys got bored with their paradise and wanted something better so came up with the daft notion of a brand new identity - on a different planet. They're now called Fuzzy Wuzzies!!
Creatures was released in 1992 by Thalamus and programmed by Philip Watts of WJS Design. Yes, he of Leander and Ork, two decent scrolling games you should check out.
What these sad creatures didn't realise was that evil demons already lived on this new planet. And are a bad-tempered bunch too! Needless to say, they should have been happy where they were because everyone has been captured and awaited a cruel and bloody fate. You are Clyde Radcliffe, your breath stinks terribly but it is your job to rescue all of your simple-minded friends from these fiends! So good luck - you'll need it.
What an insane story, so let's view an authentic screenshot taken with my phone...
Actually, this is quite sadistic!
Clyde is the cutest thing and is equipped with a rapid-firing weapon, which is handy because many of the baddies annoyingly take numerous hits. Power-ups are available, I love the 'wriggler' but there are many others to choose from. However, your superpower is the funniest weapon of all, press and hold the fire button to breathe bad breath over anything that gets too close. A bad-breathed hero must surely be a first?
A good tip for Creatures is to not rush. The enemies can take more than a few hits which is a little weird and can often feel a little OTT. Try to kill what's already on the screen before moving on and being overrun by evil cute critters. That's a simple and obvious tip, but there ya' go. Take it or leave it!
Controlling Clyde is a cinch thanks to great joystick controls and fantastic level designs which are fun to navigate. The monsters come in all sorts and manage to bring a smile to this ugly mug of mine thanks to great attention to detail and cruel personalities. End-of-level scenes are particularly cruel (but funny) but employ a harsh time limit before a fellow Fuzzy Wuzzy meets their bloody death at the hands of a sadistic demon!
Wait! It's not screenshot time. Oh, no let's jazz this up with a video recording...
Sexy Pixels & Smooth Audio?
I love the lush aesthetics with beautiful colours and artwork - the attention to detail is amazing. Wow, the sprites are as cute as they are evil and never fail to impress. However, everything might look nice, but is spoiled by rubbish push-scrolling! Sure, that method works fine for games like Rick Dangerous, but not here.
The audio is excellent with a theme tune that has you bobbing away to its funky beats. I love it. The sound effects are making use of the DMA hardware - if you're lucky enough to own an Atari STe? They are ace!!!
Let's break up the silence! The shock of that push scrolling means we have another screenshot...
The CryptO'pinion?
Creatures is enjoyable with well-balanced gameplay and a fantastic (sadistic) sense of humour. However, it was originally designed as a scrolling platformer and a scrolling platformer needs to SCROLL. It sadly falls short of the mark compared to other versions and appears a rushed port. Maybe I'm too fussy? Tell me!
Don't get me wrong, Creatures is worth downloading because it is a good game with a superb theme, humour, controls, and audio. However, it's a shame they didn't make full use of the Atari STe. Or even push the STfm like so many other companies did with their platformers already out by 1992. Disappointed, Thalamus.
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...
