Bugziacs

1983 has come knocking!

A new remake of Don Priestley's Maziacs is released by Bello Games with coding by George Nakos (aka GGN), graphics by Niels Kleine (aka Tinker) and Kevin Dempsey (aka SH3). At the moment, it's unfinished, but I loved the ZX Spectrum original so much that I couldn't wait to get my grubby mitts on the olde classic.

I expected differences, but this feels authentic, and with a remake of the old DK'Tronics loading screen. Surprisingly, there is a good reason Bugziacs feels so much like the original - "This version actually runs the original Spectrum code translated to 68000 using a custom tool and then some routines replaced with ST-specific code". Extremely interesting, and I hope many more Spectrum conversions are in the pipeline.

Check out the first screenshots. I feel like I'm 12 again looking at these Speccy delights...

Ohh, the menu system is just like the original. Even the font...

...and these silly sprites too. Comical and I love it.

I wish more games had an intro detailing what to do. Brilliant idea.

Wow, it really is Maziacs!

Once the game begins, things feel familiar, but the look (and movement) is better than my favourite Z80 computer could ever manage. The goal remains the same: explore a maze for hidden treasure and make your escape. It sounds easy, but you cannot carry both a weapon and the treasure at the same time.

Each maze is randomly generated, which means a different game each time. The one thing that remains constant is the angry Maziacs who roam the corridors looking for a scrap with our plucky hero. Thankfully, some kind soul has left swords scattered throughout. Sadly, these can only be used once per battle! So this is where the map comes in handy, along with your memory for those weapons you may have missed.

This might sound weird and rather limiting, but it works well to keep you on your toes. The ST game plays like I remember and, unlike most 16-bit updates, it doesn't feel like it's lacking that 'je ne sais quoi'. This is authentic yet also a unique improvement. That in itself is impressive, as I'm tired of classic games being spoiled by better graphics or unnecessary changes. Yes, I mean the terrible Chuckie Egg II as an example!

Bugziacs also boasts a surprising and fascinating feature: you can play the game using either the original Spectrum graphics or the updated and delightful Atari ST graphics. This is incredible and something I’d love to see in other games being ported to the Atari ST. It’s a truly wow moment.

You don’t believe how good this is? You’d better check out some more screenshots then....

The Atari ST version looks amazing. Authentic, yet a cracking advancement too.

Of course, you could step back in time and use the original Speccy graphics?

Whatever you decide, it's always best to use the map. Don't get lost!

Don Priestley would love this!

Keep an eye on your energy levels (displayed using a red vertical bar) because that ticks down as you explore. Fear not, whoever left the swords has also kindly left energy drinks. Also, I advise chatting with the prisoners who are usually willing to aid you on your travels. Although it's odd, they know so much yet never ask to be freed? Finally, please use the map, which will be incredibly helpful at crucial times!

This is well-balanced and incredibly playable. Sure, it's got some quirks/bugs as those randomly generated maps can sometimes be rather unfair: more than once, I began with a Maziac standing beside me!! But let's not forget this is a work-in-progress, so I'm extremely eager and excited to see the final product.

I’m absolutely thrilled to be playing this game on my Atari ST! Here’s a screenshot...

Maziacs... oops!! Bugziacs has the most helpful prisoners you could ever imagine.

The swords are necessary but probably made in China - they don't last very long!

Hang on a mo, three monsters and only one sword? Oh no!!

The CryptO'pinion?

What an absolutely fantastic version this is, and being able to switch between Atari ST and ZX Spectrum visuals is just too good for words. It's always great to see a "new" game in development for our computer. I hope GGN can put this tool to use in the future and get other Speccy games converted. GGN - please develop Chuckie Egg 2 next, as this is my favourite 8-Bit platformer, but I also have a massive list ;-)

Whether you're old enough to remember the original game or not, Bugziacs is a bundle of frantic mayhem. It's a simple idea, and it's a rush hunting down the treasure before panicking to quickly escape. Yes, it's tough, but it's so much fun. This is a brilliant game, and I cannot help but highly recommend it to everyone.

Maziacs is superb on the ZX Spectrum, but guess what? So is Bugziacs on the Atari ST. Absolutely superb!!

Both AtariMania and Demozoo have Bugziacs to download.

UPDATE = a new version is released!!!

Tony - Montezuma's Gold

Montezuma's Gold

Many excellent productions came from this year's Silly Venture, but it was a platformer that caught my eye. Tony Montezuma's Gold is a conversion of the C64 original by Rafał Dudek, based on the explorer Tony Halik. Coded by ST legend George Nakos (aka GGN), its gameplay is like a mash of Rick Dangerous and Pitfall Harry.

"Embark on a pixelated journey inspired by Tony Halik, the real-life Polish explorer and filmmaker whose adventures spanned continents and decades. He was exploring ancient civilisations for NBC, Tony's love of discovery knew no bounds. Now it's your turn to step into Tony's digital shoes and unravel the mysteries of Montezuma's Castle in this nostalgic 8-bit homage."

You know me. I love platformers, and this one is outstanding with superb joystick controls that feel natural and responsive. Each screen features ledges to jump, spikes to avoid, crushing pillars, and more. Look out for helpful items like keys to unlock doors and potions to help prevent death. Only four items can be carried at once, so think before blindly encumbering yourself with something you might not immediately require.

Most games are tough, and soon I'm searching for a trained version. Let me ask, are there any LAMERS here? I'm looking for a show of hands... Good, because there is an option for infinite lives in the game's settings. What a fantastic feature, albeit at the expense of labelling you a lamer. Don't care; I've no shame :D

You may have looked at the graphics and assumed they were high-resolution. No, this is in low res with a black-and-white design by Rafał Dudek. His effect works flawlessly to represent the aged theme, but can be tinted using a variety of colours. Likewise, the audio can flip between sound effects or music, but you would be insane to disable the incredible tunes by Adam Gilmore. A minor quibble, I only wish the STe hardware was used so (as an option) we might be able to hear sampled sound effects alongside the incredible music.

I've only been playing for a short while, but I'm eager to report this as a wonderful platformer. It's extremely playable, and I'm enjoying the exploration and old-school excitement of reaching new screens!! Heck, I even managed to map the first level. I hope to find time over Christmas to complete all of the levels.

Don't waste any more time reading. Download the demo before purchasing the game - enjoy!!

• Demo and full commercial game https://monochrome-productions.itch.io/...atari-st
• The boxed version https://retronics.eu/?a=cat&id=50&l=en
• Silly Venture 2024 https://demozoo.org/parties/4780/#competition_19577
• GGN https://demozoo.org/sceners/10489/
• Rafał Dudek https://www.youtube.com/@rafaldudek3731/videos
• Adam Gilmore https://www.mobygames.com/person/5192/adam-gilmore/credits/

Settings can be changed for colour tints, sfx/music, and even a lamer mode!

The first level begins in the jungle. Loads of pitfalls and great fun.

The swamp level is a lot tougher. Go lamers!

The catacombs crank up the difficulty but remain so playable.

I mapped the ST's first level. Scroll back up for the download link!

Smile and be as happy as Tony because the ST has a brand-new platformer!

The Bugziacs man did us proud for a wonderful conversion!!

A boxed version is available to pre-order!!!!

Adam Is Me

Think. Push. Win.

I know I’m really slow to get this featured, and I can only apologise as everyone seems to have played it already! Adam is Me was released as a "party version" a couple of years ago at Sommarhack, but I’ve finally managed to boot it up and have a play (and pull out loads of my hair). This is a 2023 conversion of the Retronics' 8-bit game developed by a range of ST heroes, and programmed by George Nakos of Bello Games (do you remember the incredible Bugziacs?). The graphics are superbly designed by Sebastien Lucas and Niels Kleine. Mesmerising audio by Per Almered and Mathieu Stempell, with sound effects by Stephen Lavelle.

Now, as you've seen over the years, I'm not the best person to judge a puzzle game! I've played many, but I've only gelled with a few that I thought were fantastic, as my lamer brain holds me back. So, with great apprehension, I booted up Adam Is Me, and the first thing that struck me was the incredibly colourful loading screen, a Star Trek take featuring GGN's name displayed alongside scrumptious chip music.

Beginning your first game takes you into the stars, as the puzzles are batched into groups. We are a plucky little robot called Adam, wandering through a world where the rules are written out in plain English. The first level is easy (even for me) as it shows you the gameplay basics, with the rules clearly displayed. All levels have instructions, and these change the format depending on whether they're active or not.

So, level one begins with the command "Box Is Push", which means you can push those boxes out of the way. There are other commands shown on the screen, like Vial is Pick and Wall is Stop. This means you can collect the vials, and a wall will stop your movements (like you'd expect from a wall). You will also see Ship is Win, which means you complete the level by walking in (once you have collected all the vials).

The concept is peculiar yet simplistic, as it influences each puzzle in unexpectedly baffling ways. Later levels don’t just display these instructions off-screen - they become part of the puzzle itself. This means you might split them apart to disable a rule, or merge with another rule to cleverly solve the problem. I’ll freely admit that I didn’t fully grasp this unusual concept the first time I encountered it. Ahem...

These puzzles are pure brain-twisters; one moment you’re tweaking commands to, say, open a hidden pathway, and the next you’re staring at the screen in disbelief, wondering if the level designer was a fruitcake, because nothing makes the slightest sense. The idea is genius, but also undeniably sadistic - after staring at the same puzzle for longer than I’d like to confess, the logic eventually began to make a kind of sense. But wait - there is no timer to rush you through the experience, which is perfect for a game like this. I also appreciate the "Undo" option, which has been particularly helpful after I made silly mistakes. And I made many!

I must say, this game is marvellous. Not only is the concept unexpected, but the aesthetics are beautiful to boot. This is the sort of puzzler where you sit down for a "quick go" and fail miserably (or is it just me?). Then, hours later, you’re still playing. It's absolutely fantastic and one of the best puzzlers there is.

• Atarimania has the official party version released at Sommarhack 2023.
• There is a new version on Atari-Forum with bug fixes!
• GGN has been involved in loads of excellent stuff, and here are some I love!
• Can use the DMA/JagPad on the Atari STe. Here is a list of some more enhanced games.

The first level introduces you nicely. Look at the rules listed at the top.

As you can see, it states: who you are and that you cannot walk through walls.
Also, vials should be collected, boxes can be pushed, and the ship exits.

By the fourth level, things are tricky. Did you know that these rules can be changed?

How can we cross the lake when it says "Lake is Sink"? Try flipping the other rules?

You wouldn't believe how long it took me to beat this screen!!

It's so simple, the answer is right there staring at you...

As I type, I've still not figured this one out.

Can anyone help? It's driving me insane!!

The second stage blows my mind in whole new ways.

Surrounded by water, it says Deep is Sink. That means you die!

But this is the first level (easy), so push a little before altering the rules.

This is another puzzle I've yet to suss out!!

Maggie

Can you believe it?

After FAR too long, Maggie/25th Anniversary issue was released this weekend!! Yes, a lot of time has passed since the previous issue, but the latest edition is now available to enjoy. I'm about to download myself a copy and spend the evening reliving my ST days by reading this ace diskmag - 90s style! Yes, it's been far too long, but I'm incredibly excited and hope to see more ST disk mags. My congrats to everyone involved!!

Grab the floppy disk, but you can read it online. Here are the links...

• Download Maggie #25 for your Atari computer.
• Or download an HTML version to read in a web browser.
• You can find everything on their website.
• The Maggie Team is featured on Demozoo.
• "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money."

Credits

---

CiH CiH [main editor, compiling]

Felice [deputy editor]

havoc [graphics]

mrpink [articles]

DBA_Slimer [articles]

ggn [articles]

dml [interview]