* I wanna send a shout-out to Chris Sorrell for his striking pixel art. Mind-boggling quality!!* ST Format featured a basic walkthrough of the earlier levels in issues 11-13.
* There are lots of downloads but I preferred playing D-Bug's excellent crack.* Greetings to Maarten from Atari Legend for his incredible fuji support.* What? You missed our review... sheesh why do I bother? :p Go on, click this link!
* Hey, there are more Game Maps on my website, just look to the right for that link...
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Fire & Brimstone -mapped
Thursday, February 02, 2023
Deluxe Nostram
Into the Wonderful
This takes me back and I remember playing the original Nostram thanks to a magazine cover disk. It was a good platformer but some screens were too fiddly as I recall so I didn't get very far. Well, it was a freebie so I shouldn't complain too much! Deluxe Nostram is the sequel and kinda the same game albeit more polished and with better controls.
Released in 1993 by Powerfist, it was programmed in STOS by Daniel Walton with graphics by Ian Wilkinson. The game map is ginormous with an incredible amount of rooms to pillage and that potential, as an adventurer, is something I value. The documentation has a line that I thought was brilliant: "THE GREATEST ADVENTURE YOU WILL EVER EXPERIENCE". Well, that's surely a bold statement and one that only made me excited for great things. (Yeah, I'm easily pleased)
Wait, this sounds too good to be true? Who knows, maybe, but let's crack on and check out two screenshots...
Don't fall asleep
Today's muscular hero is an adventurer in a castle tower of considerable rooms and bizarre monsters. Our objective is to collect five crystals scattered throughout the castle in order to escape and regain the Wings Of Flight. During the journey, there are obstacles, trinkets to collect and locked doors granting access to mysteriously hidden places.
Any platformer demands effortless, instinctive controls that are responsive and precise. Deluxe Nostram nails this especially as the jump mechanic was improved for the latest release so our warrior is very agile. However, numerous screens are void of monsters or dangerous obstacles which means little reason to exercise these controls. Which is very odd!
So that makes this a rather strange game as I expected content similar to any generic platformer. Nope, Deluxe Nostram presents more of an exploration adventure with a few basic puzzles along the way. But it's mostly just us wandering about looking for keys and crystals if I'm brutally honest. Weird right? Are you still interested?
Nevertheless, it's this explorational element that appeals to me as it's possible to visit most of the screens without resorting to a cheat - because there's little to endanger you. It's silly, but I admit to enjoying going through the entire game rather than worrying about defeating impossibly tough screens. Although, I doubt many reading this will feel the same way?
What, you're still here? That's good! Okay, let's take a look at more purple and orange screenshots...
Aesthetics
Graphically, this is <cough> very familiar thanks to a look and design all too godlike, albeit less sophisticated. I do appreciate the overall display because it's clean and concise so works well. However, there isn't enough variation so everything begins to look quite samey and a little boring after a while. I was also weary of seeing the same colour scheme!
The audio is less than favourable because there is no music and the effects are limited to hitting monsters or collecting stuff. Basically, it's silent and that's a massive shame as a chiptune would have been most welcome.
Fancy a gander at even more gaudy purple and orange screenshots? No? Well, I'm in charge, so tough luck...
The CryptO'pinion?
Deluxe Nostram isn't the best platformer I've played but, it's far from the worst. The castle is huge and well-design but sadly, there are too many rooms with little to do. Ie, no moving platforms, slides, acid pools or even roaming monsters! As a platformer, it fails to engage the player and I fear that fact might dishearten a lot of potential players.
To be honest, that factor was actually a nice change, as it enabled me to travel through the castle and that's probably why I enjoyed mapping it? Deluxe Nostram is for those who enjoy exploration so I doubt it will appeal to any generic platformer fan? This is a weird one, I will definitely be interested to know what you guys think in the comments below.
The floppy can be downloaded but PP has adapted a better version that you can grab by clicking here.
The Maps!
Here are the thumbnails for each of the four levels. As you can see, they are all complete but I wasn't able to exit and finish the game as the door (top/left of map 3) loops back (in error) to map 4. And that is the same as the door on the second floor, so I can only assume it's a bug seeing both doors lead to the same place. Yes, I am gutted by this!!
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Uninvited ...not a walkthrough!
* After escaping the car, look around before entering the scary mansion.* Once inside, you'll notice an unlit fire and comfy chairs. Rest a while.* Inside the library room, there is an interesting book to read.* Anything readable is often helpful for information, words to speak and numerical combinations.* The hallway on the first floor has access to bottles for critters and phantoms.* Hey, there's a spirit in the hallway on the ground floor, that's handy!* Any books left lying about need to be examined and read.* Flowers can be a sign of respect, especially when placed at the graveside.* I always carry a box of matches with me because you never know...* Aren't knives great for cutting stuff up? Vandals use them to slash things like chairs.* Did you find a box in the Master's bedroom? If you're stuck, highlight all the shaded text with your mouse: "pick up the box from inside the locked cabinet. This needs to be burnt in the fire"* Gems make great keys for (erm) aptly shapely keyholes.* The greenhouse is another enigma. Highlight this text if you're stuck: "use the watering can on the empty plant pot which is on the table on the left. Pick up the plant pot afterwards"* Those dogs aren't that bad, they just need to hear a friendly voice. Reading is always helpful, right?* If you don't go to church then you should - but the chapel is so vague and if you need help then highlight this text: "light the candlesticks and pick up the Cross. Don't forget to speak to the head..."* The maze is its own entity of annoyance. Explore if you must but this is the part of the game where I "cheated" to find my way through. I know, I know but at least I'm honest! So, if you're fed up wandering around the maze like a fool, then highlight this text for directions: "north, west, west, north, north, west, west, north, north, east, east, north, north, east, east".* It's here that you stumble upon a zombie! This is an easy kill but only if you were listening and paying attention right from the start? After the car explodes, you needed something. Can you go back? Ha!* The maze still isn't over with and after killing the zombie, these are the directions to continue on: "East, east, south, south and you better have brought those flowers!". Hint? "only birds go inside a bird cage"* Now we can leave the maze. Can you remember the way out? Okay, here you go: "north, north, west, west, west, west, south, south, west, west, south, south, east, east, south, south, east, east, south, south".* Ice caves need melting. If you need help, highlight this text: "that brass pentagram which you thought was pointless is actually the way to melt ice. I know, I know... what a rubbish puzzle".* Remember that little red demon that flies by every so often? Highlight time: "he loves cookies and can be found in the Recreational room on the ground floor".* Dead body? Police might assume the worst so why not try dumping it?* Drowning in the bathroom? Look up and keep trying.* One final tip for the last task? John 14:6 ... Yep, you need a †
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Uninvited
User Interface
Additionally, you can double-click on most things for a default option. Like the closed doors: double-click once to open it and again to walk through. The same goes for the Exits window, double-clicking in that is nifty.
* Go slow and don't rush as you will only miss what is obvious.* Learn the user interface properly, it's dead easy but can be finicky.* Just escaped the impending death of a car wreck? Snoop before entering the house...* Inspect absolutely everything, even the smallest thing can get you out of trouble.* Read the object descriptions carefully, subtle hints are usually given.* Don't be a vandal, not until the time is right later...* 90% of the items are useless so remember their locations rather than carrying everything.* Make a map. I know, I know, but this is the time for pen and paper!!* Install to hard drive - the experience is miles better with audio on cue.* This next one is obvious but never more so for a game like this - save regularly!
Aesthetics
The artwork is really good with each room well detailed to represent each scene nicely. Okay, it's not exactly The Pawn but I admire what they were trying to do and I thought it worked very well much of the time. The horror aspect is feeble, to say the least, but Scarlet is a babe and Romero would love to cast her I'm sure of it. The guy with the severed head is brilliantly drawn but what's even better is the glimpse we're given. That timing works really well for maximum effect.
I know some will disagree, but GEM works well for our version of AtariVenture. I think it's made great use of the windows, especially with the ease of issuing commands and the use of Exits and Inventory. But this also means it's slower than other similar games but a Blitter helps, as did my 16Mhz Mega STe.
I love Uninvited. So I looked on eBay and there it was, going cheap as chips too. Excellent!!
Sunday, January 22, 2023
Frankenstein
Wait, Master, it might be dangerous. . . you go, first!
One of my favourite lines from the cult classic movie that is also fitting for Zeppelin's Frankenstein, a "horror-themed" platformer that had us searching for gruesome body parts for an ungrateful (and mad) scientist. Of course, there's nothing much original about this but its structure, challenge, scary graphics, and perfect joystick controls help make this one of my favourite Atari ST games. It's the bee's knees; you can read about it by clicking here. (go on, click it!!)
So, why am I telling you again about this old platformer? You've guessed it - it's now fully mapped for your viewing pleasure! Now, before the negative nelly's love to tell me, I do know there are maps already out there (based on another computer's version of the game). Regardless, I wanted to make an official Atari ST map - without a watermark :-)
Hey, do you want more Atari ST game maps? Of course, you do so click here for my new section! (WIP)
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Rotor
On the left-hand side, is a map detailing your position, the dots above that are your remaining lives. The coordinates of zeros will change once the mission is complete to show the exit location to rendezvous (the other coordinates are your current location). The three icons between these are 1) the time left until a bomb explodes. 2) The time left until a disabled laser resumes. 3) The required number of crystals to gain exit coordinates.At the bottom of the screen is the radar and this shows helpful information like the state of your armour, cargo, and remaining fuel. However, it also displays potential enhancements that can be gained by collecting pearls. For example, the second icon is for the ship's rotational speed. The third icon improves upon its lethargic thrust.
* Don't even think about skipping the training missions. Trust me!* Bombs automatically activate after first shooting the pod. You have two options, leave the screen safely and survive or collect the extra cargo and take it home.* Beware of how much cargo you're carrying. Extra weight means a slower ship using more fuel.* Watch the walls, take your time and let the scrolling catch up with you.
* If something is able to shoot at you then it's best to shoot that first and clear the way.
* I hate to say this, but don't worry about ship upgrades as this wastes time (and fuel).* I said don't skip the training but, if you really can't wait, here are the level codes:
Level 1 = GAG,Level 2 = LIP,Level 3 = SLY,Level 4 = MEW,Level 5 = AWE,Level 6 = TNT.
PP has adapted Rotor to be run from a hard drive and Old Games Finder has the floppy disks.