Proposal for New Game Review for Summer 2011...
Nate Brazil
friends are okay! This of course includes 'the other Nate'. :-D
Between earthquakes in Japan, New Zealand, and tornados and floods
here in the 'Southern' states, it's been a very crazy time as of late.
Perhaps it's time to suggest a few new games to review? I too got
bogged down in KGB - and, in real life, work in general. Perhaps
something (or a few 'somethings') 'light-hearted' and entertaining
without too much of a time commitment would be ideal right now.
Anyone have any suggestions? I'll dig into my collection and see what
I can find.
I've never played Elite - is it pretty fun? I'm almost embarrased to
say I'm an Amiga fan that has never played Elite... I've been saving
the exploration of this game for a special time, but I'm not getting
any younger! :-)
Nate Brazil
Angus
c3976b...@x1g2000yqb.googlegroups.com>, nateb...@comcast.net
says...
>
> Been following the newsgroup and glad to hear that many of our Amiga
> friends are okay! This of course includes 'the other Nate'. :-D
> Between earthquakes in Japan, New Zealand, and tornados and floods
> here in the 'Southern' states, it's been a very crazy time as of late.
>
I didn't know where you were in the States, Nate - where are you, if I
may inquire? :)
> Perhaps it's time to suggest a few new games to review? I too got
> bogged down in KGB - and, in real life, work in general. Perhaps
> something (or a few 'somethings') 'light-hearted' and entertaining
> without too much of a time commitment would be ideal right now.
>
Sounds good.
> Anyone have any suggestions? I'll dig into my collection and see what
> I can find.
Actually, I think Seppo had a similar idea, about something fairly
light..... Seppers? ;)
>
> I've never played Elite - is it pretty fun? I'm almost embarrased to
> say I'm an Amiga fan that has never played Elite... I've been saving
> the exploration of this game for a special time, but I'm not getting
> any younger! :-)
>
Elite huh? :)
Well, you can play it as a 3D shoot-em-up I suppose, just jumping to a
nearby feuadal/anarchy system in the poorly equipped ship you start
with, and see if you can make it to the safety of the station.
Maybe an accompanying less deep game?
Hidehiko Ogata
Angus-san <angus@_ANTISPEM_angusm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Elite huh? :)
>
> Well, you can play it as a 3D shoot-em-up I suppose, just jumping to a
> nearby feuadal/anarchy system in the poorly equipped ship you start
> with, and see if you can make it to the safety of the station.
Somehow I don't think the two terms "Elite" and "light-hearted" don't
mix all that well... ;)
Weren't there two ports of (the first, not Frontier) Elite, BTW? I
think I have what I think would be the earlier port, which IIRC left much
to be desired, from technical POV.
> Maybe an accompanying less deep game?
Maybe some SEU? How about yak's lesser-known gem, Photon Storm?
--
// }{idehiko ()gata "I'm not like other people.
\X/ Amigan since '86 I can't stand pain.
It hurts me." - Daffy Duck
Angus
wile_e_hide_no@spam_ybb.ne.jp says...
>
> In article <MPG.283eee869...@news.demon.co.uk>,
> Angus-san <angus@_ANTISPEM_angusm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> > Elite huh? :)
> >
> > Well, you can play it as a 3D shoot-em-up I suppose, just jumping to a
> > nearby feuadal/anarchy system in the poorly equipped ship you start
> > with, and see if you can make it to the safety of the station.
>
> Somehow I don't think the two terms "Elite" and "light-hearted" don't
> mix all that well... ;)
>
> Weren't there two ports of (the first, not Frontier) Elite, BTW? I
> think I have what I think would be the earlier port, which IIRC left much
> to be desired, from technical POV.
>
I think you are right, there was a slightly expanded port that was
basically the same with a few small extras - an encyclopedia for one
thing. Extra missions maybe?
No real difference in the overall feel as far as I recall.
But I think its quite a good choice for us, given that you have the
option to play it as a 3D space shoot-em-up or altenatively adopt it as
your religion. :)
Seppo
> nateb...@comcast.net says...
> > Perhaps it's time to suggest a few new games to review? I too got
> > bogged down in KGB - and, in real life, work in general. Perhaps
> > something (or a few 'somethings') 'light-hearted' and entertaining
> > without too much of a time commitment would be ideal right now.
> >
>
> Sounds good.
>
> > Anyone have any suggestions? I'll dig into my collection and see what
> > I can find.
>
> Actually, I think Seppo had a similar idea, about something fairly
> light..... Seppers? ;)
Sounds like a good idea - may I propose a slightly controversial
platformer called "Stormlord" developed by Raffaele Cecco and
published by Hewson? When released back in 1989 it received
mixed reviews and also some additional publicity for featuring
well drawn graphics containing partial nudity (in some
background statues and also in some the female characters)
More information about the game can be found here:
http://www.lemonamiga.com/games/details.php?id=1005
Should be quite light-hearted mission to fight your way
through the Fairyland and rescue some scandily clad
nymphettes from the bubble prisons created by the
evil Queen.
Stormlord is freely available here:
http://www.back2roots.org/Games/Files/Stormlord%2C1/
> > I've never played Elite - is it pretty fun? I'm almost embarrased to
> > say I'm an Amiga fan that has never played Elite... I've been saving
> > the exploration of this game for a special time, but I'm not getting
> > any younger! :-)
> >
> Elite huh? :)
>
> Well, you can play it as a 3D shoot-em-up I suppose, just jumping to a
> nearby feuadal/anarchy system in the poorly equipped ship you start
> with, and see if you can make it to the safety of the station.
>
> Maybe an accompanying less deep game?
I think Elite would be perfect alternative to Stormlord :)
Bye,
Seppo
Angus
c3976b...@x1g2000yqb.googlegroups.com>, nateb...@comcast.net
says...
>
> say I'm an Amiga fan that has never played Elite... I've been saving
> the exploration of this game for a special time, but I'm not getting
> any younger! :-)
>
If the Elite idea is of interest, I expect to have something to spice it
up shortly - stay tuned.
Nate Brazil
> On Thu, 19 May 2011 10:09:12 +0100, Angus wrote:
I think I'll give StormLord a go... I'll post back my experiences.
Nate
Angus
gro...@nospampp.inet.fi says...
>
> On Thu, 19 May 2011 10:09:12 +0100, Angus wrote:
>
> Sounds like a good idea - may I propose a slightly controversial
> platformer called "Stormlord" developed by Raffaele Cecco and
> published by Hewson? When released back in 1989 it received
> mixed reviews and also some additional publicity for featuring
> well drawn graphics containing partial nudity (in some
> background statues and also in some the female characters)
>
> More information about the game can be found here:
>
> http://www.lemonamiga.com/games/details.php?id=1005
>
> Should be quite light-hearted mission to fight your way
> through the Fairyland and rescue some scandily clad
> nymphettes from the bubble prisons created by the
> evil Queen.
>
Scantily clad nymphettes? I have no particular objection.
Proposal firmly accepted here.
Its also a WHDLoad game which is also helpful.
>
> I think Elite would be perfect alternative to Stormlord :)
>
Right, I will start a sepearte Elite thread, one of the version I had
came in a box with Elite plus written on it, so I'll call it that.
Seppo
> On Jun 14, 6:59�pm, "Seppo" <grou...@nospampp.inet.fi> wrote:
> > Sounds like a good idea - may I propose a slightly controversial
> > platformer called "Stormlord" developed by Raffaele Cecco and
> > published by Hewson? When released back in 1989 it received
> > mixed reviews and also some additional publicity for featuring
> > well drawn graphics containing partial nudity (in some
> > background statues and also in some the female characters) �
> >
> > More information about the game can be found here:
> >
> > http://www.lemonamiga.com/games/details.php?id=1005
> >
> > Should be quite light-hearted mission to fight your way
> > through the Fairyland and rescue some scandily clad
> > nymphettes from the bubble prisons created by the
> > evil Queen.
> >
> > Stormlord is freely available here: �
> >
> > http://www.back2roots.org/Games/Files/Stormlord%2C1/
Anyone else tried this game yet?
I finally managed to try it out on my trusty old
A1200 and was pleasantly surprised. It it imho
best described as "Ghost'n'Goblins with puzzles and
boobies" as you guide the main character through the
level saving the half-naked fairies.
I have managed to complete the first level - which
offered some nice challenges. First, there are number
of nymphettes you need to rescue to complete the level.
This is not an easy task as you need to perform the
rescue operation by solving some rather interesting
puzzles as well as fighting against the evil characters.
To make things more interesting you need
to find out the correct order to rescue the fairies.
The level design is very strict about this. It is possible
to end up in a situation that you cannot save the last fairy
if you have chosen the wrong order. Finally there is a time
limit on a level which means you have to act quickly.
The playability is on a acceptable level - the main character
reacts to joystick instantly, collision detection is almost
perfect and puzzles and combat are challenging in a
right way.
The "icing of the cake" is the game graphics - they are
really well drawn and animated (excluding the rather
"stiff" animation of the main character). There are plenty
of nice details you'll notice when progressing through the
level.
Bye,
Seppo
Angus
gro...@spamp.inet.fi says...
>
> On Sat, 18 Jun 2011 09:23:37 -0700 (PDT), Nate Brazil wrote:
>
> > On Jun 14, 6:59 pm, "Seppo" <grou...@nospampp.inet.fi> wrote:
>
>
> Anyone else tried this game yet?
>
Yup, just had a session with the nymphettes.
> I finally managed to try it out on my trusty old
> A1200 and was pleasantly surprised. It it imho
> best described as "Ghost'n'Goblins with puzzles and
> boobies" as you guide the main character through the
> level saving the half-naked fairies.
I was happier with the nymphettes!
(This maybe an English slang language subtlety) :)
>
> To make things more interesting you need
> to find out the correct order to rescue the fairies.
> The level design is very strict about this. It is possible
> to end up in a situation that you cannot save the last fairy
> if you have chosen the wrong order. Finally there is a time
> limit on a level which means you have to act quickly.
I'm not sure what it was that was causing a Game Over, probably the
sequence - I didn't see a timer, but got 4 of them.
Hands up who waited around after releasing a nymphette hoping for a
reward? :)
> The "icing of the cake" is the game graphics - they are
> really well drawn and animated (excluding the rather
> "stiff" animation of the main character). There are plenty
> of nice details you'll notice when progressing through the
> level.
>
Yeah, I like the "nice details" too, Seppo.
I'm a bit rubbish at these games and usually find my patience
disappears, but I stayed wuith it for a while, and will try again.
Seppo
> > > On Jun 14, 6:59 pm, "Seppo" <grou...@nospampp.inet.fi> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Anyone else tried this game yet?
> >
>
> Yup, just had a session with the nymphettes.
Hmmm... ;)
> > I finally managed to try it out on my trusty old
> > A1200 and was pleasantly surprised. It it imho
> > best described as "Ghost'n'Goblins with puzzles and
> > boobies" as you guide the main character through the
> > level saving the half-naked fairies.
>
> I was happier with the nymphettes!
>
> (This maybe an English slang language subtlety) :)
I agree "nymphettes" sounds better :)
> > To make things more interesting you need
> > to find out the correct order to rescue the fairies.
> > The level design is very strict about this. It is possible
> > to end up in a situation that you cannot save the last fairy
> > if you have chosen the wrong order. Finally there is a time
> > limit on a level which means you have to act quickly.
>
> I'm not sure what it was that was causing a Game Over, probably the
> sequence - I didn't see a timer, but got 4 of them.
The second icon in the panel shows a sun which slowly
turns to moon - if you have not rescued all the nymphettes
when the moon is fully visible it is game over.
> Hands up who waited around after releasing a nymphette hoping for a
> reward? :)
Guilty as charged :)
After completing the first level you get to see lots of
them flying around and you can then shoot them with
hearts. If you hit a nymphette she drops a tear which
you can collect - nice way to restore some of the lifes
you might have lost in the actual level.
> > The "icing of the cake" is the game graphics - they are
> > really well drawn and animated (excluding the rather
> > "stiff" animation of the main character). There are plenty
> > of nice details you'll notice when progressing through the
> > level.
>
> Yeah, I like the "nice details" too, Seppo.
:)
> I'm a bit rubbish at these games and usually find my patience
> disappears, but I stayed wuith it for a while, and will try again.
The game does pose certain addictiviness - propably because
of the puzzle element (that or a possibility to see even more
nymphettes) :)
Almost completed the second level today - things get a
bit more hectic as there are more foes to eliminate.
The level also seems slightly bigger. Would be great
to have a possibility to start from level two if you
lose all your lifes instead of starting all over again,
Bye,
Seppo
Hidehiko Ogata
Angus-san <angus@_ANTISPEM_angusm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Yup, just had a session with the nymphettes.
Woohoo! Half-naked nymphettes, here I come!
*ahem*
...well, other than *that*, I have to say the game is kinda meh.
But it's not so bad in the historical context - let's see, back in '89
Psygnosis was throwing Baal at us, and there was Probe's ohhhHHHHGGGG
SAVAGE!!! (sorry couldn't resist), but it reminds me of Thalamus'
Hawkeye (C64 version) more than anything else.
Speaking of which, the main riff sounded somewhat familiar, and sure
enough, the C64 version has Maniacs of Noise in the credits. But
I have to say the mighty SID version won out this time round. What is it
that's lost in the adaptation to the "improved" 32bit platform?
Haven't been able to clear the first level yet - those pesky fly-traps!
It could use the defender-style radar display too.
Seppo
> In article <MPG.2882b0bf1...@news.demon.co.uk>,
> Angus-san <angus@_ANTISPEM_angusm.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> > Yup, just had a session with the nymphettes.
>
> Woohoo! Half-naked nymphettes, here I come!
>
> *ahem*
>
> ...well, other than *that*, I have to say the game is kinda meh.
> But it's not so bad in the historical context - let's see, back in '89
> Psygnosis was throwing Baal at us, and there was Probe's ohhhHHHHGGGG
> SAVAGE!!! (sorry couldn't resist),
We also got some excellent (New Zealand Story) and some
above average (Strider, Ghouls' n' Ghosts) arcade conversions
and also some rather good original titles (Rick Dangerous) during
that year.
>but it reminds me of Thalamus'
> Hawkeye (C64 version) more than anything else.
Did that game have half-naked nymphettes? :)
> Speaking of which, the main riff sounded somewhat familiar, and sure
> enough, the C64 version has Maniacs of Noise in the credits. But
> I have to say the mighty SID version won out this time round.
My understanding is that music of Amiga version of this
game was not done by MoN.
>What is it that's lost in the adaptation to the "improved" 32bit platform?
I just checked some screenshots of the C64 version - is it my
imagination or are the C64 nymphettes even more nude? :o
> Haven't been able to clear the first level yet - those pesky fly-traps!
> It could use the defender-style radar display too.
Flytraps are easy to avoid - just be ready to jump when the platform
above them crumbles.
Where do you need radar - for the flying dragons? :)
Bye,
Seppo
Hidehiko Ogata
Seppo-san <gro...@spamp.inet.fi> wrote:
>
> We also got some excellent (New Zealand Story) and some
> above average (Strider, Ghouls' n' Ghosts) arcade conversions
> and also some rather good original titles (Rick Dangerous) during
> that year.
Good catch. I'd say it was a transitional year when we had started to
get some *really* spectacular stuff (Battle Squadron, Rainbow Islands
etc.), so the range in quality was kinda wonky.
> >but it reminds me of Thalamus'
> > Hawkeye (C64 version) more than anything else.
>
> Did that game have half-naked nymphettes? :)
Nah, just some half-cybernated guy running around. How boring :)
> > Speaking of which, the main riff sounded somewhat familiar, and sure
> > enough, the C64 version has Maniacs of Noise in the credits. But
> > I have to say the mighty SID version won out this time round.
>
> My understanding is that music of Amiga version of this
> game was not done by MoN.
On closer inspection, the Amiga version too credits MoN for the music.
I guess they hadn't "figured out" Paula yet.
> I just checked some screenshots of the C64 version - is it my
> imagination or are the C64 nymphettes even more nude? :o
Blasphemy, you are right! So that's why the right arm of the statue is
in such an awkward position. DAMN YOU HEWSON, DAMN YOU ALL TO H*LL! %)
> Flytraps are easy to avoid - just be ready to jump when the platform
> above them crumbles.
My bad - I meant that volcano-like creature which spits out peas upward.
It became dead-easy when I realized you are supposed to walk *under* it,
instead of jumping over it.
> Where do you need radar - for the flying dragons? :)
I guess I just like fly-by-radar games - Defender, Bosconian, Rally-X
etc., IYKWIM.
Cleared the first level now. The game is not so bad after you've figured
out some quirks - nothing spectacular, just mild fun.
Seppo
> In article <12246139285744.NC...@News.Individual.NET>,
> Seppo-san <gro...@spamp.inet.fi> wrote:
> >
> > We also got some excellent (New Zealand Story) and some
> > above average (Strider, Ghouls' n' Ghosts) arcade conversions
> > and also some rather good original titles (Rick Dangerous) during
> > that year.
>
> Good catch. I'd say it was a transitional year when we had started to
> get some *really* spectacular stuff (Battle Squadron, Rainbow Islands
> etc.), so the range in quality was kinda wonky.
IIRC the developers were still doing lots of conversions
from various sources (arcades, C64, Atari ST) during
that time. Amiga originals were still a bit of rarity back then.
> > >but it reminds me of Thalamus'
> > > Hawkeye (C64 version) more than anything else.
> >
> > Did that game have half-naked nymphettes? :)
>
> Nah, just some half-cybernated guy running around. How boring :)
Indeed ;)
> > > Speaking of which, the main riff sounded somewhat familiar, and sure
> > > enough, the C64 version has Maniacs of Noise in the credits. But
> > > I have to say the mighty SID version won out this time round.
> >
> > My understanding is that music of Amiga version of this
> > game was not done by MoN.
>
> On closer inspection, the Amiga version too credits MoN for the music.
> I guess they hadn't "figured out" Paula yet.
My mistake then :)
> > I just checked some screenshots of the C64 version - is it my
> > imagination or are the C64 nymphettes even more nude? :o
>
> Blasphemy, you are right! So that's why the right arm of the statue is
> in such an awkward position. DAMN YOU HEWSON, DAMN YOU ALL TO H*LL! %)
At least we were luckier than those Sega Genesis owners - their
version was completely censored - no boobies for the console
gamers! :o
> > Flytraps are easy to avoid - just be ready to jump when the platform
> > above them crumbles.
>
> My bad - I meant that volcano-like creature which spits out peas upward.
> It became dead-easy when I realized you are supposed to walk *under* it,
> instead of jumping over it.
Ah, those. Fine example of the pixel-perfect collision
detection in the game. You can sneak really close to those
volcanoes and then slip past them (easily, like you said).
> > Where do you need radar - for the flying dragons? :)
>
> I guess I just like fly-by-radar games - Defender, Bosconian, Rally-X
> etc., IYKWIM.
I can understand a radar in a shoot'em up like Defender but
do no see them as useful in a platformer like Stormlord.
Would you like to elaborate a bit?
> Cleared the first level now. The game is not so bad after you've figured
> out some quirks - nothing spectacular, just mild fun.
I think it is simple innocent fun - real old-skool stuff imho :)
Bye,
Seppo
Seppo
I finally managed to complete the second level - and was
surprised the third level was again using the graphics
from the first level (with different level design of course).
Kinda put me off playing it more. Seems the game really
is quite straight port from 8-bits (where this kind of
graphics re-usage would have been more acceptable).
Just wondering if we should try the sequel (Deliverance) too?
It is available at Back2Roots site.
Seppo
Daniel Mandic
> I've never played Elite - is it pretty fun? I'm almost embarrased to
> say I'm an Amiga fan that has never played Elite... I've been saving
> the exploration of this game for a special time, but I'm not getting
> any younger! :-)
You'd need at least a 020/28MHz to play the sequel 'Frontier', Elite II
I'd suggest you play Elite III (First Encounters, FFE). Assembler coded
Masterpiece.... intel Pentium I 133MHz recommended.
I play it on my P3-S/1400MHz, under MS-DOS or any other 16bit DOS
Variant.
My P3-S PC (DOS/XP) plays anything from 1974 up to now (except
Battlefield and such monstrous 3D Games.... off course, it's just a
Matrox Parhelia which can do amazing fast DOS VGA and SVGA GfX, like
its predecessors Mystique and Millenium, and a little bit DirectX7 and
8... 3D under XP).
But it's starting any software since PC... and having air to start more
modern software too!
AMIGA is having the best soundchip ever!
--
Daniel Mandic