It's been a peculiar year, hasn't it? Sadly, it doesn't look likely to get better any time soon but I hope everyone remains in good health. I wanted to thank each and every one of you guys for visiting my humble website throughout another year. Not only that but I appreciate your comments and kind messages.
I would like to thank each of our patrons for their immense support, which is something I cannot express enough. I do hope you guys are still enjoying your Patreon gifts from earlier in the year? I'm drinking my coffee using the mug right now!! That was an exciting project and I would love to try again sometime.
STay safe everyone and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas †
Yep, that's right and Tristam Island is a text adventure for lots of computers including our Atari ST. It's been developed by Hugo Labrande and costs only a few quid (download link is below). That payment grants access to each and every download available, plus some hints & tips. Heck, there's even a free demo for those eager to evaluate it first.
The adventure begins having crash-landed, only to find ourselves stranded on the beach of a tropical island somewhere in the South Atlantic. Okay, my mind is picturing golden sands, blue skies, juicy coconuts, sexy female natives, and freshly running mineral water that's been magically enhanced with more than a dash of whiskey...
But enough of my silly dreaming! We actually begin hungry, tired and rather soggy. Later on, we realise that the island was once inhabited, which is unexpected, and now I can see an abandoned house up on the hill. Let's go!
I found ST High delivered the usual brilliantly crisp display and was my personal preference.
An ASCII Expedition!
General exploration is very easy using compass directions, of course. All locations offer a detailed description without being overbearing with tons of pointless text. Clues are subtle, as are solutions, so I often found myself backtracking when I realised I had foolishly bypassed something. Those muddy steps were a killer... try fishing without a flower!! O_o
This is a text adventure like the old Infocom adventures and is using the Z-code Interpreter Program which is launched as a TTP program. Don't be scared, it can easily be installed as an application for z3 files. Actually, I'm grateful GEM wasn't used as that might have been sluggish wheras this feels fast and fresh in all three resolutions. The ST's Low Resolution felt too cramped but High is pure perfection, of course, you knew that!
The parser is excellent without any of the irritations I had with Ooze not too long ago. It's straightforward using commands like "n" to walk north, x to examine, l to look, I for inventory and so on. This is true for items & objects: pull rope, open compartment, get a fishing rod, smell flowers, etc/etc. The inventory functions are rather restrained with having only one pair of hands so carrying multiple items, or using large objects, will require thought (very important).
Medium resolution works very well but you might wanna change the colours first?
The CryptO'pinion?
Exploring remote islands is a pleasant surprise but there are a few irritating niggles that hampered my progress. I found some of the puzzles quite bewildering and was baffled by oddities that made no logical sense: like struggling to make a hammock and the fishing task is weird. Plus the inventory is (initially) a pain in the bum (ouch!).
However, the story is interesting and I was soon questioning everything like an insufferable Sherlock Holmes wannabe. Tristam Island will appeal to oldskool adventurers rather than the younger players and is nothing less than a charming and challenging adventure. So, if you haven't downloaded this new adventure, then I hope I've helped persuade you to give it a go? Personally, I hope and expect to lose many hours on this island over the coming Christmas holidays.
Whatever computer you use - this is a belting adventure and worth every penny - just make sure it's an Atari ST though or don't talk to me again! Downloads are available from the Tristam Island web page. A fantastic game!!
Yep, changing the default colours almost makes ST Low worth using so I went a bit silly...
I might be a couple of years late but here is Iceblox Plus, a brand new Pengo remake by Karl Hornell for Côté Gamers. It's based on the recent Commodore 64 conversion - which is based on the mobile phone original. That is some history and it's actually strange to think it was something I could have played on my old Nokia!
The game introduces us to Pete the Penguin and explains the gameplay basics which are crushing blocks as the method used to eliminate our enemies. As in Pengo, there are 16 icy screens with blocks to shove or smash; some you break whereas others can slide into the baddies for an instant kill (flames and burning wheels). A few blocks will contain hidden coins and it's these that we should break open to complete each level.
Sounds cute and cuddly doesn't it? Let's check out the first screenshot of our chubby fella...
Wee-SMASH!! This image fails to display my joy at sliding a block for a kill. Points awarded too!
Gaming like it's 1982
Iceblox breaks you in gently with just the one flame lurking, but things soon heat up with the next level having two flames chasing you. By the fourth level, three flames are chasing which is frantic. However, I personally found the difficulty drastically increased by level 6 which is all thanks to those dreaded burning wheels! These do a magnificent job of tracking down poor old Pete for a terrible death by fire. He prefers it cold!
It's interesting how the levels become progressively harder; thanks to their unassuming design and the firey enemies who appear in combinations (up to) four at once. Both use great chasing techniques that feel like H-Mec II. Killing them results in bonus points. Plus a much-needed short breather, before they respawn!
You won't last long without a few practice games, trust me. This next screenshot was a killer...
Run Pete, RUN!!! (He's got no chance because I was controlling him <insert evil laugh>)
Fancy some tips?
Oh heck, I only managed to reach level 12 which isn't bad at all (for me). So I hope this helps you guys:
Don't just run around like an idiot - think before you make your move!
Use the blocks to extinguish those dreaded enemies for a burst of freedom albeit only for a second or so. Hey, don't knock it, every second counts.
Each nasty provides a high degree of cunning chase, rather than blindly heading to your location. However, the wheels can be infuriating so take them out as quickly as possible.
Use the maze design by hiding behind static blocks for cover (see below).
Don't panic. I know, it's easier said than done, but panicking only gets Pete killed quicker!
Pete is a penguin and NOT a chicken. Ahem, you can't hide forever...
Graphics & Sounds
Okay, this is no Gods or Magic Boy but I doubt any version of Pengo would drop your jaw to the floor? Iceblox is strikingly 8-bit with a bold design using colourful and beautifully animated sprites - I love how Pete wibbles as he walks! Plus he turns into a skeleton when dying, which is sad but also funny. It looks old yet sorta new?
The audio is just as cute as the visuals with jingles and chip music by M.D. Smit. Everything has a simplicity I adore - it's not trying to produce the greatest ST music but it's humorously apt for the task at hand.
It looks and sounds like the 8-Bit era should have been? Yup, and it's screenshot time too...
Oh no, things are hotting up (sorry) with both a flame and a burning wheel chasing you!
The CryptO'pinion?
Iceblox Plus is a great twist on the original and, rather than a straight conversion, it comes with added bells and whistles. My only gripe is the limited play area using a grid layout of 12x10 which is a little claustrophobic.
I enjoy how Iceblox Plus transported me back in time. Those old enough to remember the original (or the 8-bit conversions) will appreciate the balance of authentic and updated styles. Although I panic like a big girl's blouse from level six onwards, I'm completely smitten by the exhilarating oldskool gameplay.
Iceblox is quite simply a fantastic game and is highly recommended.
Have you ever booted up something that instantly felt cheap and tacky yet you spent hours playing and never once considered hitting the reset button? Think Club Drive for the Atari Jaguar... Well, here is a game by Gremlin Graphics that tries to blend two genres: car racing and a quiet walk through rough neighbourhoods.
If you hadn't already guessed, we're one of the heroes in blue but, no ordinary policeman. No, we're a Techno Cop under orders to take down various members of the DOA - Death On Arrival. This is a huge gang of thugs who enjoy fast cars, live in abandoned buildings and look like extras from a Death Wish movie!
Being a Techno Cop must be cool because they get to drive a VMAX Turbo Interceptor sports car and use a Magnum to kill anyone they don't like the look of. That's about as technical as it gets and I love that simplicity! So, ignoring first impressions, I booted up this apparently crude and violent arcade game.
Shall we take a gander at a screenshot from the racing part...
It's hardly Crazy Cars 3 or Vroom, but this is a fun section of an insane game!
All In A Day's Work
For each stage (scene of a crime), we begin behind the wheel of a fancy sports car on the way to a troubled hotspot. The roads are cluttered with DOA agents but our VMAX is fitted with a cannon to blast those suckers into smithereens. The dashboard shows speed, revs and even a damage meter that worsens with each roadside skirmish. Also displayed is the distance to a crime hotspot - so put the pedal to the metal!
Upon arriving, get out for a stretch of the legs and the game flips into a scrolling shoot 'em up quite similar to Thunder Jaws or Rolling Thunder. These rundown apartment blocks are full of trash, graffiti, thugs, hookers and even rats that nibble your toes. The thugs are relentless; carrying chains, whips, baseball bats, knives, etc. It's now that you should use the magnum and blast 'em into a gloopy mess of blood. More, later...
Mission objectives detail how you should uphold the law; be it a hostage situation, a mugging in progress, a boss to eliminate, etc. To help follow these orders, use your wrist gadget that shows lives, score, and jumping energy - plus you can even swap the magnum for a net (to capture rather than kill). Importantly, it also features a radar to help locate each boss. Beware, this isn't a direct route so you may need to use the elevators to avoid a dead-end. Completing a mission grants points and promotion through the twelve ranks:
Okay, now that you have an idea of this whacky game, let's take a look at the next screenshot...
Hey, have I got the time? Erm, no I don't so let's just move on searching for bad guys!
Gimme That Joystick!
The VMAX handles like a wooden wedge, unrealistic. Okay, this is an arcade racer and nothing serious but, even so, it's lagging way behind something like Crazy Cars 3, Test Drive, Lotus 2 or Buggy Boy. And by a mile. Sadly, it's all too easy to crank up the damage by smashing into the roadside objects when preoccupied with shooting enemy cars. Plus, I didn't care for the initially sluggish rate of fire. Road Blasters, this stage is not!!
I learnt that it's good practice to simply rush to the next crime hotspot, ignoring the DOA cars the best you can. This is not only quicker but saves lots of potential damage so your game should last longer too. Plus, quick racers are awarded upgrades such as a turbo boost and (much needed) faster firing.
The crime stages are best - we can walk, crouch, leap, and run through (yet another) condemned building. The leaping is ace, allows you to explore quicker, and is best when surrounded by henchmen. The radar is a huge help and I doubt it would be possible to complete any mission without using it. And learning the map.
Gun love is why we're here and Techno Cop is superb. In fact, there are times I forget I'm a policeman and behave more like an escaped psychopath because it's easy to ignore the plan and go about killing everyone. Even the odd innocent kid stupidly runs by or when playing outside. The death of all victims is bloody and violent as they scream and explode into piles of gloop. Gloop with eyes stuck on top. Brilliantly brutal and I love it.
You won't believe how cool that is. Argh, go on then, here is a screenshot to prove it...
Come on, how cool is that? Play the game and enjoy the effect for yourself lol
Aesthetics 80s-Style!
The driving scenes are bland with little scenery and average framerates. Though I did like the mountains and the palette choices/changes. Weirdly, the DOA cars are cumbersome beasts and the road changes too quickly to be driven well. The fuzzy sampled sound effects are great. Okay, it's not Turbo Cup but I enjoyed them.
The scrolling-crime parts are excellent!! Each building is packed with incredible attention to detail: litter, traps, graffiti, broken plaster, damaged floors, dead bodies, loot, and traps. It's the perfect environment for the Michael Winner movies!! Enemy sprites are nicely animated and detailed, even down to their spikey punk hair. Okay, the scrolling could have been better but at least the developers didn't wimp out with push/flick.
Audio is made using crunchy samples which add to the violent atmosphere although I don't understand why our Techno Cop makes a silly "meow" when he jumps! The best sound effect from the entire game is the screaming explosions when killing a criminal - your gun can turn a human into a horrendous pile of slop! It's brilliant and makes Techno Cop one of the most hilarious killers you could imagine. Fan-freaking-tastic!!
It's fun, fun, fun and looks/sounds the part. So one more screenshot of me getting promoted...
Promotion leads to better gameplay with many more baddies all too willing to challenge me!
The CryptO'pinion?
You can't go wrong with fast cars and big guns. This game has what it takes but there are a few niggles that bugged me: the driving stage feels like a clunky afterthought but the power-ups are a neat touch. The missions are pretty much the same, thus quite repetitive and later tasks require more time.
Techno Cop still scores very highly because of its arcade styles, and killing scumbags is quite simply brilliant. Okay, it could have been better in parts but blasting baddies into a pile of mush is bliss. I loved it.
I've always had a thing for sinus scrollers! I mean, just look at it. Gorgeous!! This screen is called The Two-Screens-Together Demo by Black Byte/Bytechangers and weighs in at 3.5Kb - less than JetPac!! But why so tiny? Well, it was programmed for the first-ever STNICCC in their "VIC Times Revisited" competition. I guess, the rules were obvious with a Ram limit based on the Commodore VIC-20. Impressive results!!
Sadly, there's no music but I guess there wasn't enough space left over, which is completely understandable. I would love to see this updated with music and freed from the shackles of that old competition because it's too good to remain as is. I'm sure something beautiful could be done with this piece of code?
I'm always on the lookout for demos with similar scrollers but I fail to remember which disks I saw back in my youth. So it's been a painful process manually hunting them down. Of course, similar effects are used in many demos for waves, circle scrollers, distorting images, etc/etc... but I'm specifically referring to a sine wave used for a horizontal text scroller - like the one displayed above in all its wavey sexiness.
There must be a ton of cracktros and demo screens that I've forgotten about!! So, if you know of any using this sine scrolling technique, then please let me know in the comments below. Until then, here is a selection of text scrollers using the sinus effects which are all utterly amazing and definitely worth downloading...
Possibly the best-known ST sine scroller I'd say? Okay, there's no sound but the visual effect is great and incredibly well coded. I wish more would have been done but there's no denying how cool this is.
This is such a smooth screen and with gorgeous music by Dma-Sc. The scroller is sine-tastic and works well with the stark palette style which really appeals to me. Oh, and there are some dots too which ain't too bad!
What a great demo this is with a bunch of cool visual fx and great music. The sinus parts are very good throughout but this is all about the sinus text so I loved their big blue sine scroller, which is just lovely.
An awesome screen from the Decade Demo but it spends (most) of its time doing everything other than what I wanted to see! However, as a demo, it's pretty cool with some lovely fx and wonderful chip music.
I don't remember this group from back in the day but here's an intro with a nice sine-scroller. Sadly, there appear to be many of their disks that still need to be found and preserved. Can you help?
An intro for a cool MOD disk that includes (possibly) the best player available for the Atari STe? Well, I was blown away by it! Anyhow, this intro has a dodgy image, cool music, and a neat sinewave to enjoy.
This was released as part of Phaleon's GigaDemo and boy what a screen from an outstanding megademo. Nothing short of mind-blowing. Yes, both the sine scroller and the megademo. What a point in time this was!!
This cracktro was used many times because it's fast, classy, and superb. I only wish the sine scroller had a splash (ahem) colour! One of my favourite intros for the ST. Erm, cracktro I meant to say.
I figured I needed to make a silly video for Halloween and what better than Chainsaw Massacre by The Lost Boys? It's a short and nostalgically entertaining demo but, also a fantastic example of the banter between ST groups back then. I love this a lot and ended my video recording with a beautifully scary image taken from Halloween, by The Black Twins.
Those of you who are too much of a wimp to watch a Swedish Carebear getting mutilated might be better off playing a game or two instead? The Atari ST has many ghoulishly 'scary' games to choose from and many I have yet to feature here on AtariCrypt. But here are some nerve-racking ideas which are highly recommended by yours truly...
Horror Zombies From The Crypt is the obvious choice - because it's fiendishly superb. Ooze was recently reviewed and, while it's a little quirky, there are lots of things going bump in the night to entertain. Following on in a similar vein is The Curse of Rabenstein, a brand new slice of horror which is jaw-droppingly awesome. Frankenstein takes us all on a humerous B-Movie adventure. But now, I feel I need to inject some violence into the world of horror and I personally feel nothing beats Death Chase for immense blood and gore! Finally, there is Nightbreed if you dare to try your luck within the disturbed mind of Clive Barker?
I'm now in the mood for something new (for me) to play: Brides Of Dracula, Munsters or Night Hunter. Has anyone played 'em?? Let me know what you think in the comments below. Oh, and don't forget about ZombieCrypt which is spine-chillingly cool. By that, I mean it's that lame slideshow I made a while back. Watch it and let me know what you think!
Happy Halloween folks and remember, it'll soon be Christmas!! ;^)
Evil Ash, from Evil Dead II and then featured in ZombieCrypt on the Atari ST. How cool is that!
Over the decades, I've seen many neat programs that play a piece of chip music in GEM as a background task. I always thought this was cool and wondered why there wasn't more. Well, it turns out there are a lot on several Budgie UK disks. (I don't think I ever saw these types of programs on any other floppy disks?)
I've spent some time going through my disks to gather a quick, no-frills compilation. Some of these tracks were made by Goth but I'm not sure who else to credit for the rest - possibly Budgie UK? There's also an intro included which is a scroller text by me using a utility coded by Dogue de Mauve of Overlanders.
I hope my floppy disk is of some interest to you ST Nutters? Like it? Let me know in the comments!
(my download is updated to v1.1 -thanks to Tronic of Effect for his new addition!!) :-)
