The Atari ST received a great conversion of Enduro Racer programmed by Ian Morrison who also made the amazing Road Blasters. There are five races to compete in against a whole load of other bikers on tracks littered with many hazards. The controls are superb and I found cornering tight and exhilarating. Watch out for the timer which is happy to tick down until it's game over. So learn and practice the tracks! This is the only way you'll beat it and maybe show off those skills by doing a handlebar handstand? It's crazy but it's cool.
Visually, things are a little sparse but that helps to produce a better framerate and boy is this fast!! The music is nothing short of fantastic and typically Dave Whittaker - in other words, brilliant. Enduro Racer might be showing its age a little when compared to other ST racers but I still think it's worth booting up. Cars are best but this proves that even bikes can look cool when leaping over the jumps and thrashing around tight turns.
This is what excellent racing looks like and I guarantee that you will love every second of it.
Bellum Internecinum was released in 1989 by M Goss-Custard and is a Galaga-wannabe. Shoot first and ask questions later because these ETs are incredibly trigger-happy and attack in formations - so take no prisoners. They also swoop down to clutter the screen for some frantic action whilst gaining speed and ferocity as you progress. The controls are great and you have the freedom to move in all directions. However, your ship can only take so much damage before parts begin to fall off so watch out (which is actually superb!)
Bellum Internecinum is a rock-solid shoot 'em up and I've loved every second of it.
This is a story of a fat, obnoxious parking attendant who loves to eat food - a pillar of the community! Chubby Gristle is always hungry and will roam looking for grub to nosh on in Grandslam Entertainment's 1988 platformer. This is a platformer and feels like games I played on my ZX Spectrum. Never a bad thing.
Each screen is designed in a fashion similar to Monty Mole. Chubby Gristle is incredibly tough and perhaps too difficult for the average gamer? As with all platformers, each screen has ledges, moving platforms, ropes, and the expected angry sprites zipping back n' forth (awkward to avoid, without losing a precious life).
Visually, it's perfectly 8-bit with 16-bit enhancements. And I mean that in a good way because it happily blasted me back into the 1980s. The sprites move smoothly and are animated using a style Peter Harrap would be proud of. Sadly, I'm disappointed with the audio which plays the same tune over (and over). It's great, but we really needed a varied selection and I found no way to replace that with the sound effects?
Chubby Gristle could have been a hit, but the joystick controls fail, making it too hard. There's so much going on and it's too easy for the fat man to bump into something or fall flat on his face. Many extra lives are needed to balance it out. There are some great screens but you won't get to see them without cheating.
This is a game that loves to see you suffer. Whoever playtested this should be shot!!
* Klaz' Hideaway who has the floppy and a hard drive installable game (with lives cheat). * I've recorded a video of my dispare, dare you view it?
* Cheating is never good but Chubby needs extra lives like no other game on the planet. To enable infinite lives, type "buuurrp" on the title screen. You will hear a burp that confirms success. (untested by me)
Microprose Golf is a bit of a show-off if truth be told. It's like the rich and successful younger brother of poor old Leaderboard who is green with envy! Now, I'm hardly a golfing connoisseur, but the developers have done a blinding job and created an involving game with a vast array of mind-boggling features that take it into the realm of a serious sim. But, don't panic, that doesn't make it boring!! Oh no, not at all so read on.
Golf fans will shriek with happiness as several game types are on offer. Each are affected by an array of realistic variables that can alter every aspect and the outcome of your shots. Yes, just like the variables that real golfers have to think about: the type of ground, your stance, weather conditions, and so on. I'm sure experienced golfers will be drooling over the intricate settings long before they even consider teeing off? Heck, even as a novice, I was mightily impressed and blown away in equal measure.
One of the things I loved was seeing each hole before playing it. Just like in this screenshot...
Take a look at the course to get a brilliant perspective of what lies ahead.
Whack that ball!!
All control is made using the mouse, of course. The game's GUI is well-designed and intuitive to drastically reduce any learning curve. So setting up a shot isn't a chore when perfecting control and direction.
Microprose has taken 16-bit golfing to a whole new level by introducing its camera-angled viewpoints. That's right, it's like the camera is mounted to a drone that follows the ball along its airborne path. I sat in utter amazement as I watched my first shot in action. It's a gob-smacking moment!! There is also a selection of other cool camera angles and all benefit smoother framerates on faster computers - like my Mega STe.
Don't run away green with envy! Stop and read some more after this screenshot...
Take the shot and let's see how good you really are. Whoosh... SPLOSH!!! :D
Aesthetics
Graphically, this easily stands head and shoulders above anything else I've seen on any 16-bit computer. The artwork is superb throughout and is also nicely detailed with bold colours and designs we've come to admire from Microprose. However, it's the 3D aspect that absolutely blows the competition away. Jaw-dropping.
Sounds are excellent but I do feel more ambient effects would have been nice during the times you're setting up a shot? It would have been good to hear birds chirping, a little breeze, or background crowd chatter?
There's always something isn't there? Never mind, it's time for another cool screenshot...
This is superb how I can get a feel for how my shot might go with a little practice...
The CryptO'pinion?
Microprose has done what they always did and released an Atari ST game that blows your socks off. At every level, it's beautiful and comes with a perfect blend of strategy and arcade to lose yourself in. Whether you're a casual fan or a golfing expert, I'm positive you will love playing what is a superb game.
Sounds familiar... Anyhow, Terry's Big Adventure was released in 1989 by Gary Walton for Shades. It plays with more than a pinch of Mario (I cannot help but wonder how moneybags Nintendo let them get away with it, but I'm glad they did). His adventure takes us through twelve lands and, like his Italian cousin, he is stuck within a 2D world of silliness. Get your joystick ready because this means lots of platforms, gaps to jump, magic mushrooms, and iddy biddy critters.
Terry isn't a mean guy and he certainly doesn't like squashing any living creature so instead, has brought his own weapon of choice. Now, if you're expecting something like a shotgun or a sword then you might be disappointed because it's actually a yo-yo. Okay, this is unlikely to impress the girls but it's different... and kinda works very well too.
Power-ups are frequently available and you can exchange the yo-yo for pebble throwing by hitting the spacebar. Terry is such a badass, right? Many kills will reward a random letter in a tiny parachute, collect 'em and eventually make the word "terry" to earn a temporary shield. This comes in handy allowing you to plough through the enemy hoard.
Tip, it's worth collecting the mushrooms for juicy points with an extra life awarded every 20,000 points. There are bonus levels stocked to the brim with even more mushrooms - just don't get yourself addicted!
Fancy a screenshot? No? Hmm, about an animation instead? Better check this out then...
The Atari ST cannot scroll, right? Well, that's what the talentless programmers say...
Visuals, Sounds, Controls.
Personally, I thought that the graphics are NES in style. The first thing to notice? The tiny sprites, but these suit the console experience perfectly and everything you see is colourful and detailed. Scrolling is silky smooth and it's obvious Gary took pride in his work and achieved beautiful results - using a computer without any hardware scrolling.
The audio is a little disappointing with the option of chip music or sound effects. The tunes are cute and my preferred choice in comparison to the dullness of the sparse sound effects. Don't get me wrong, the effects are okay but few and far between - so much of your gameplay will be in silence. Stick with the music!
Any Mario game needs responsive controls and Terry has a precise feel that is great. It's perfectly "console" which I know sounds odd but it's true! This works hand in hand with the laws of physics which means how and when to use the Yo-Yo. This beastly weapon has a knockback that affects Terry - so watch out for that when near water. Splosh!!
Splish... Splash... Splosh... let's see a screenshot...
Terry's world is filled with colour and cute things. But even little things can hurt!
The CryptO'pinion?
Terry's Big Adventure is a great platformer and one that will appeal to those who enjoy Giana Sisters or the Stario games. It might very well be a total ripoff but Terry has enough personality of his own to make this feel interesting and entertaining. The only kicker (for me) is never knowing about this wonderful platformer back in the day.
Yup, I thoroughly enjoyed playing yo-yos with my new spiky-haired friend. What a fantastic platformer!!
Samuel (aka Zamuel_a of Pac-Mania and Giana Sisters fame) is working on a third game for the Atari STe. This time it's based on "Metroid". Bear in mind, this is a WIP, we can walk, jump, fire, and explore the levels using a 16-colour-limit-busting display! The Blitter will handle the sprites with hardware scrolling being utilised for a silky-smooth display. Heck, even the analogue ports will be used (now, where's my Jag Pad?)
As you can see, it looks fantastic but Samuel is also asking for help: with music, sound effects, sprites, and level design. If you can help, please contact him directly via the Atari-Forum website. I wish him luck.
It looks like Samuel might have another winner on his hands! I cannot wait to see how this develops over time; it looks great so far!! Check out a couple more screenshots below and... watch this space...
Circus back²STage demo for the Atari STe, by BlaBLa, Cocoon & Sector One.
With such an unusual style, Circus back²STage is a fascinating Atari STe demo. It features a bucket load of crazy, colourful effects in overscan with the most wonderful chip music. Some people hate clowns but get over it - this is literally one of the best demos I have ever seen. Okay, it's hard drive installable and downloads are available via Demozoo.
