Tag Archives: Let’s Play

Atari A to Z, Videos

Atari A to Z: Diamonds

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I do enjoy a good “dirt and boulders” game. And Simon Hunt’s Diamonds, published by English Software in 1983, is certainly a good “dirt and boulders” game.

Casting players in the role of Digger Dan, part-time member of Blue Man group and long-time precious stones enthusiast, it’s up to you to gather the titular diamonds while avoiding the unwanted attentions of Brian the Blob, Philip the Filler, The Fireflies, The Eyes, Simon the Snake and The Demon. Brian also wants diamonds; the others just want you dead. Which isn’t very nice.

This is a longstanding personal favourite of mine from the Atari 8-bit era, and a game I still like returning to today quite often! Check it out when you get the opportunity.

Find a full archive of all the Atari A to Z videos on the official site.

Split/Second, Sunday Driving, Videos

Sunday Driving: Boneyard Rush – Split/Second #10

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We’re closing in on the end of Split/Second now; only a few more episodes to go!

Today’s episode, Boneyard Rush, takes us out of the city and into a few areas rather devoid of life… the desert, the canyon, the industrial zone. Bring on the Bridge of Death!

Hit the jump to see how things went today… and to admire a stupid gag that took me probably more time and effort than it really deserved.

Continue reading Sunday Driving: Boneyard Rush – Split/Second #10 →

Videos

Atari A to Z Flashback: Destroyer

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As we’ve previously seen with Canyon Bomber, sometimes all you need to make an addictive, enjoyable game is a simple concept… and perhaps some gimmicky controls.

Such is the case with Destroyer, a game that featured some satisfyingly clunky physical controls on its original arcade release, which are obviously lost somewhat in this home translation. Interestingly, this never got a home port of its own prior to the release in Atari Flashback Classics; it was instead incorporated into the Atari 2600 port of Canyon Bomber, which was developed by David “Pitfall” Crane.

It’s a simple idea, but an effective one… and one that really does not like being captured at 30fps, so if you can’t see the depth charges for part of this video… uh, sorry! Such are the limitations of my hardware!

Atelier Arland Trilogy, Videos

New Game Plus: Cabbage Girl – Atelier Rorona DX #6

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“It’ll be a short episode,” he says, then proceeding to play for an hour and a half. I was having fun, though!

Yes, this week’s episode of New Game Plus runs a little longer than intended, but, well, there were important things to do. Very important things. Like the cabbage competition in the annual festival!

Hit the jump to see just why everyone is calling Rorona “Cabbage Girl”…

Continue reading New Game Plus: Cabbage Girl – Atelier Rorona DX #6 →

Videos

Atari ST A to Z: Xenon

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The Bitmap Brothers were a force to be reckoned with in the 16-bit computer era.

Across a wide variety of different game styles, they demonstrated their absolute mastery over not only the technical aspects of programming for these popular home computers, but also how to make a thoroughly enjoyable game, too.

Although relatively straightforward by modern standards, the original Xenon remains a great time, and is absolutely worth checking out if you’re a fan of classic vertically scrolling shoot ’em ups.

Find a full archive of all the Atari A to Z videos on the official site.

Videos, Warriors Wednesday

Warriors Wednesday: Wu Warriors vs Orochi – Warriors Orochi #29

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It’s that time again… time to face down Crazy Snake Guy and decide the fate of ancient China and/or Samurai-era Japan once and for all.

Yes, our playthrough of the Wu campaign in Warriors Orochi has finally reached the final mission (aside from the last side mission, which we’ll take on next week) and thus, there’s just one thing left to do, having reunited the Sun family beneath the banner of the tiger…

Hit the jump to see how the Sun bros (and sis… err, and dad) got on with this one last challenge…

Continue reading Warriors Wednesday: Wu Warriors vs Orochi – Warriors Orochi #29 →

Split/Second, Sunday Driving, Videos

Sunday Driving: Scorching Rubber – Split/Second #9

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Well over the halfway point through Split/Second now, and we’re starting to unlock some of the top-notch cars.

There are still some significant challenges ahead of us, but today’s installment goes strangely smoothly… perhaps it’s down to the amount of gas I fill myself with before getting underway properly.

Whatever the reason, hit the jump to see how things went… and beware of the flatulence.

Continue reading Sunday Driving: Scorching Rubber – Split/Second #9 →

Atari A to Z, Videos

Atari A to Z Flashback: Crystal Castles

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Do you know what “trimetric projection” is? If not, take a good look at Atari’s Crystal Castles. That, dear reader, is trimetric projection at work.

This 3D perspective take on the Pac-Man formula is a popular game from Atari’s early days, and enjoyed numerous home ports over the years, particularly on Atari’s own platforms. It’s a fun — if challenging — game, and remains noteworthy from a historical perspective for being one of the first arcade games out there that it’s actually possible to “beat”. Although good luck with doing that.

Also, if you score first place on the high score table, you get to enjoy your initials presented in 3D trimetric projection for everyone to admire on the first level of each new playthrough!

Find a full archive of all the Atari A to Z videos on the official site.

Atelier Arland Trilogy, New Game Plus, Videos

New Game Plus: Replicating Ancient Tool – Atelier Rorona DX #5

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Get out your ancient tool, boys and girls, because Rorolina Frixell is most certainly going to replicate it good and proper!

Yes, in today’s episode of New Game Plus, in which we are presently enjoying a second playthrough of Atelier Rorona DX on Nintendo Switch, we take on the poor overworked girl’s third assignment, which is somewhat vague on the specifics but nonetheless proves not to be too much of a problem for her.

Hit the jump to see how we got on today!

Continue reading New Game Plus: Replicating Ancient Tool – Atelier Rorona DX #5 →

Videos

Atari ST A to Z: Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood

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Nostalgia is a funny old thing. Since starting this project, I’ve found myself really appreciating some of the games that, for one reason or another, had an impact on me growing up. Not necessarily the best games, but those which have some sort of meaning to me.

One of my favourite examples to date is today’s game: Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood, an early title from Sierra during their partnership with Disney. As well as being a game I loved playing with my family as a child and possibly one of the most charming, kid-friendly adventures of all time, it’s an interesting game from a historical perspective, too, since it’s one of the earliest titles Al Lowe put out.

Al Lowe, if you’re unfamiliar with your Sierra history, is the man who would later give us the Leisure Suit Larry series, a mainstay of Sierra’s portfolio alongside King’s Quest, Space Quest and Police Quest for many years… but a little different in subject matter to what we have here!

Find a full archive of all the Atari A to Z videos on the official site.