Ovine by Design » 8-bit

Ultimate Bruce Lee

StuC — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:00:39 +0000

An opulent, mysterious, and perilous fortress is the setting as Bruce Lee seeks to claim infinite wealth and the secret of immortality from the wizard who dwells within.

You begin your search for the wizard at the entrance to his fortress. This chamber, and each chamber here, is sealed off from the other rooms. The only way to get from one room to the adjoining room is to jump up and take the lanterns which hang from the ceiling. When you get all the lanterns (or at least certain lanterns) for that room, the door opens. (Watch the edges of your screen so that you’ll see when your exit is possible.) Hint: You must get all of the lanterns in the first three rooms in order to proceed. Then go to the middle room and look for the opening through which you can exit.

Throughout your search for the wizard, you are attacked by the ninja brandishing their BOKKEN sticks. Even more dangerous is the Yamo, who runs after you and delivers crushing kicks. Duck and run away to foil their attempts to harm you, then come back kicking and chopping. Take as many lanterns and cover as much ground as you can before these foes reappear.

To get around each room, you can climb vines (up, down, or sideways), ride on waves of particles which change direction at random, leap from ledge to ledge, and jump down from a ledge without injury.

Hazards and traps await you in rooms close to the wizard’s chamber. You must avoid electrical charges passing through gaps between ledges, PAN lights streaming across the floor, and exploding T’SUNG-LIN (bushes) appearing from nowhere.

When you finally reach the wizard, keep away from the fire balls streaming from his head.

Unlock and complete every game mode to become the Ultimate bruce lee. Some modes are unlocked by completing others modes, some by killing a certain amount of bad guys and others by collecting the golden bruce lee statues.

Dan Dare

StuC — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:00:50 +0000

Dan dare the original Super Hero was being featured on the Earth Broadcasting Corporation “This is you Life” programme. The invited guests who spoke glowingly of Dan’s achievements, his bravery and compassion, included . . .

His faithfull friend Digby who had shared so many of Dan’s adventures, Professor Peabody, Space Fleet Commander Sir Hubert Guest, Sondor the Venusian ambassador along with his equivalent from every planet in the known universe.

It seemed the whole world had turned out to honour Dan. Dan Dare, embarrased but deeply moved by these accolades, stepped forward to speak, suddenly the picture on every vid screen in the solar system changed into a series of horizontal lines, slowly clearing to reveal none other than the evil green face of the Mekon.

The Mekon proceeded to tell of his dastardly plan to propel a hollowed out asteroid the size of a minor planet on a collision course with Earth . If the powers that be did not give into his terms Earth would be eliminated.

If they agreed the asteroid would be harmlessly detonated, Earth would be safe and the Mekon would take over as commander of the universe.They could not give in to the Mekon’s threats but what was the alternative?

In the studio the assembled gathering turned their gaze to one man, Colonel Dan Dare knew what he had to do.

To run Dan Dare in a window -
create a shortcut and add /W at the end of ” target”.

Widescreen users:- By default ascpect is left square.

To use a streeeetch screen create a shortcut and add /STRETCH at the end of ” target”.

Hunters Moon

StuC — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 08:00:23 +0000

Each level takes place in a void with two dimensional cities appearing as they are being built by “worker cells”. The worker cells are indestructible but the bricks dropped by them can be temporarily destroyed using the ship’s weapon.

The goal of the game is to collect enough star cells contained inside the cities to get to the next level.

We even managed to include the “PAUSE MODE” where you create a psycadelic screensaver.

Jet Set Willy Online

StuC — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:00:53 +0000

Jetset Willy Online is a remake of the classic game, only this version you can play with all your mates online over the Internet no less. There’s a number of multiplayer game styles and you can even play with your Willy by yourself if you want.

Nameless

StuC — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:00:15 +0000

A remake in the spirit of the classic game Exile. An all new game world and physics based challenges.

Total Eclipse

StuC — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 08:30:43 +0000

Content to add.

Driller

StuC — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 08:30:34 +0000

Content to add.

Jet Set Willy Pet

Andy H — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 16:00:38 +0000

Content to add.

Paradroid

StuC — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 09:00:44 +0000

The aim of the game is to clear all 20 levels of droids, by either taking control of each one, or destroying them. Gaining access to higher level droids allows you to inflict more damage (and sustain less).

Reports indicate that the droid crew of a galactic space freighter has turned against their masters. A droid ‘Influence Device’ has been beamed aboard To help you regain control of the situation.

Use the Influence Device To destroy the droids by shooting them, ramming them, Or temporarily taking control of a droid’s circuitry [transferring] to redirect its energy and armaments against its own kind.

Your goal is to clear all droids from Each of the space freighter’s 20 decks. When you have completely cleared a deck of droids, the ship’s computer shuts down the deck lights And you are awarded bonus points.

Cholo

Andy H — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 08:00:25 +0000

The surface of Cholo smolders and glows, no oceans, no trees, no life… only post nuclear fallout and instant sun tan. The days pass slowly in the confines of the bunkers and shelters beneath Cholos ravaged surface.

About

You pass away your pointless life, working at a terminal and listening to the committee reports from Cholo topside. One piece of software is very popular : “RAT” a computer game guiding robots and roving eyes in and around a shattered city, a city similar to the ones that scatter the surface – maybe too similar.

Could you really be in contact with topside? and if so where is the lethal radiation which is reported in the official committee bulletins?

The original

The original game had stark wireframe which by today’s standards is very poor. However the game sucked you in and at the time this was the cutting edge of 3D games. There were versions for the BBC, Amstrad, C64 and Spectrum and all were almost identical with only speed and colour differentiating them.

The remake

In remaking CHOLO we have decided to make a number of improvements. The original has a very simple 3D wireframe view, this will be improved immensely for starters (see screenshots of our early 3D view). But also the gameplay, with more hacks, programs and the ability to enter more or less every building.

The visual design is very specific. We are trying to create the view through the eyes of a robot, hence the colours, textures and TRON-like style. Even video feedback and distortion! So far our trials are giving good results. The screenshots to the right on my lowly Radeon 8500 are giving an average of 80 frames per second updates, and we now have a fair few triangles in the 3D world.

Wunda Walter

Andy H — Sat, 30 Apr 2005 08:00:10 +0000

Content to add.

Jarcadian

Andy H — Tue, 22 Jun 2004 23:33:54 +0000

Arcadia remake from the Commodore Vic20 8-bit computer. A fast and furious arcade shooter updated for Windows.

Instructions

Use the joysticks (two required for simultaneous two player mode) or the keyboard to control player 1 and 2. Shoot the oncoming waves of aliens, known as the Atarians. The key to victory is learning the best method of survival. There are many waves and practice is important!

You have a powerful Ion drive which also powers your deadly twin laser cannons. Your ship can be upgraded with bigger weapons and shields so watch out for bonuses that the Atarians release.

The game was written with a programming system called Jamagic by Clickteam, the authors of past game development systems such as STOS on the Atari ST, AMOS on the Amiga and Klik&Play / The Games Factory on Windows. We have included the full source code for the game. You can find it ZIPPED in the install directory.

Hamster Jam

Andy H — Mon, 31 May 2004 08:00:34 +0000

HamsterJam is a Windows remake of an old game called Rockman. Rockman was released by Mastertronic in 1985 and gave Vic-20 owners a frantic treasure collecting, boulder dodging game, all within 3.5K of RAM. This is one of the few in our most favourite games list.

Rockman has similarities with games such as Repton or Boulderdash, however the gameplay makes it stand out in its own right. Rolling boulders that bounce and split in two gives Rockman its unique charm and challenging gameplay. All the action is on one large colourful screen, and the player can choose which route to take through the twenty rooms in their quest to collect all rings.

In remaking Rockman we have painstakingly recreated all rooms and implemented the same behaviour and game logic. The graphics had a big and bold quality which we did not want to loose and we decided to carry this across by using a high resolution of 1024×768 pixels. The characters were typical of Vic-20 games and in updating them we decided to change them to hamsters and mice. Besides being cute, my son wanted a game with his hamster in. The boulders ended up as walnuts and the grass was scattered with flowers!

So why did we call it HamsterJam? There are two reasons, the first is that the game obviously has the odd hamster in it, but the main reason is that we recently remade a game called Imogen. One level was called Hamster Jam. In this level you had a hamster, a tulip bulb and a very heavy weight on a rope. I won’t spoil the surprise, but be sure to play Imogen to find out!

XOR

Andy H — Mon, 19 Apr 2004 16:00:15 +0000

Complete all 15 levels!

As you go through the door of each level you will be given a letter, note down the 15 letters. These letters will make up an encrypted clue to XOR’s true nature. By the way you cannot pass through the door until you have collected all the masks at each level.

About

There are no random events in XOR’s labyrinthine palace, and there is no premium on hand-eye coordination. You have all the time in the world to work out the precise nature of the hazards you encounter. Logical thinking, strategy and tactical problem solving are part of the XOR experience. And XOR is not simply about finding solutions. If you can solve the entire puzzle (15 levels plus an encrypted anagram), you qualify to be a member of the Order of XOR.

There are two heroes on the screen represented by two shields (MAGUS and QUESTOR). These shields can be moved around the maze, picking up masks – by moving over them – and endeavouring to solve the puzzles with precise combinations of moves, sometimes involving both heroes.

Complete all 15 levels! As you go through the door of each level you will be given a letter, note down the 15 letters. These letters will make up an encrypted clue to XOR’s true nature. By the way you cannot pass through the door until you have collected all the masks at each level.

In your exploration of the mazes you will encounter: falling fish, two kinds of force field, spring loaded chickens, fizzer bombs and pressure bombs, BMUS (Beam Me Up Scottie), dolls, doors, maps and masks which aren’t always quite what they seem.
We won’t tell you any more – because half of the game consists of discovering the properties of these different features. Needless to say, you often need both your shields

In 1987 you could send in the completed puzzle to recieve some badge and certificate. Alas some 17 years on Im sure they have stopped sending them out. However when you complete a level you can submit your solution plus score to the Xor website. Go there now to see who is currently the champion of Xor.

The original

Published in 1987 by Logotron developed by Astral Software.

There were versions for the BBC, Amstrad, C64 and Spectrum and all used the same maps but had differing screen designs. Our remake is based around the C64 – as
always (only because StuC can hack 64 games). A google search even reveals a RISC OS version.

WARNING – this is NOT a rockford or Boulderdash clone. The game does not reply on lightning reflexes to complete it. The solutions to the levels require alot of thought!!!!!

The remake

This has been the number one requested remake for some time now. So we decided to start it.

We are extending the replay function – so that completed levels can be sent to friends etc.
The GFX are been given an overhaul and some sound will be added. Hopefully a nice tune can accompany your gaming experience.

Imogen

Andy H — Tue, 23 Dec 2003 16:00:22 +0000

A classic BBC Micro puzzle game. Cartoon humour and fiendish puzzles. Guide your wizard around the many rooms, using your powers to transport into a monkey and cat to help you along the way. A comedy in game form!

Instructions

IMOGEN is an animated adventure game in sixteen sections containing a number of puzzles based on a particular theme (usually comic and funny). It is not possible to be killed off although the number of times you can change character has been limited. The number of permitted changes is given at the top-right of the screen.

The goal of the game is to solve the puzzle on each level and collect the spell fragment. When you have all sixteen, you can complete the game.

Full details on the Imogen website.

Sacred Armour of Antiriad

StuC — Thu, 14 Aug 2003 16:01:55 +0000

One of our entries for first Retro Remakes games competition. An epic game from the classic Commodore 64.

Instructions

You are Tal, the last hope for mankind’s successors in a post-apocalyptic world which has been destroyed by the invasion of a hostile alien race. The legendary sacred armour of Antiriad, an advanced anti-radiation suit, is the only weapon available to overthrow them. You have to find the suit and its components that are strewn about the landscape and then to use it to free your people.

This is a popular game from the 8-bit computers, and we feel we have done a faithful remake. However, it is not an easy game and exploration and learning is essential. If you are stuck, do a search on Google for Antiriad and you will find plenty of maps and solutions. If you are really stuck, try our getting started video 2Mb (Windows Media file)

Remake Details

So many rave reviews about this one – we just had to attempt a remake of it. The main code has taken a little over a week to complete. The graphics elements of the game will be recreated in a hybrid style of spectrum/c64 and Amstrad – all in glorious 32 bit colour.

Each 8 bit version has its own merrits – each of which will be recreated into an “easier” game than its original.

Now completed I can also tell you that we improved the gameplay slightly by allowing TAL (when not in his suit) to throw his little rock with a varying throwing arc. This is accomplished by pressing up/down whilst holding the fire button.

We sprused up the sfx by having the suit announce its status rather than just having it scroll across the status bar.

Game Background

Original game publisher : Palace Software (UK) 1986

Terra Cognita

Andy H — Thu, 07 Aug 2003 08:00:22 +0000

One of our entries for the first Retro Remakes game competition which came in at 10th place out of 83. Terra Cognita, a frantic action maze shooter from the Amstrad and C64, updated in glorious 3D!

Instructions

The game is shown on plan view with the landscape scrolling down or from third person. You play thre role of the Mining Engineers, escapeing in their small scout ship. You have to make your way over 100 screens of tortuous terrain to the mothership waiting at the end.

Fly over the terrain passing over “tiles” that active to add extra fuel – speed you up – slow you down. Avoid the “time slips” that return you right back to screen 1 !!!!

Remake Details

This has been a great game to work on. Not the most popular in terms of remakes, most people scratch their heads when we told them what we were remaking, but it’s been fun and I think we have been able to improve it a lot.

For the purists out there we are keeping the 2D viewpoint in as an option.
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Game Background
Original game publisher : Codemasters Ltd (UK) 1987

Mole Attack

Andy H — Thu, 24 Jul 2003 16:00:10 +0000

In times of old, on the Commodore Vic20, where graphics were a luxury, one game turned the table on big and bold. Mole Attack is a big, brash computerised version of the game you see in the fun-fairs, where you whack plastic moles over the head with a hammer

Instructions

Press F1 to start a new game or F2 to reset the game. Hit the moles as they poke their heads from their mole holes. Hit them early on to get more points. However, the moles also stick out their bums too, don’t hit them as you’ll loose points.

Press the T, Y and U keys to use the hammer on the top row, G, H and J for the middle row and B, N and M for the bottom row.

Reach 150 points and get extended play to rack up your score. The high score is saved on your computer.

Have fun and bash a mole on the head!

Remake details

The game was created for the Vic-20 and distributed on a cartridge by Commodore ( cart # VIC-1912).

Sky Hawk

Andy H — Sat, 25 Jan 2003 08:00:27 +0000

The city is under attack from enemy planes. Scramble into your Hawk aircraft and shoot down the waves of enemy planes. Defend the city! A classic game from the Commodore Vic 20 and Commodore 64.

Instructions

Control your Hawk aircraft with the arrow keys. At the beginning of the game your SkyHawk will descend onto a platform to refuel and reload its ammunition.

The claxxon sounds when each new wave of enemy fighters is approaching the city. Use your radar to track where they are and intercept them. Shoot them down with the CTRL key, Space bar or TAB key.

You only have a limited supply of fuel and ammunition, so stock up regularly by landing on a platform.

The game has many progressive levels of difficulty. How long can you survive? You have three SkyHawk aircraft. Remember to protect your city and importantly protect your platforms!

Good luck pilot!

Galaxy Defender

Andy H — Wed, 06 Nov 2002 16:00:40 +0000

Space action shooter. A worm hole has opened leading a hoard of hostile aliens towards Earth! Fight drones, homers, death ships and formidable massive end of level bosses.

Instructions

Galaxy Defender was inspired by an old simple space shooter on the Commodore Vic20. It was simply a game where the player ship moves in a beautifully smooth motion, with pixel perfect inertia (a feat for the time on a Vic20!). Pitted against the player you start with just one other ship who moves in a similar way. The aim is to destroy the other ship, simple as that. The next level you are set against two enemy ships and they start to shoot back! The next level, shock horror there’s a mind boggling three enemy ships. Suffice to say the action does not get any more frantic than that. Looking back on that game now, its not that impressive … ten sprites (including the missiles), but I do remember the addictiveness, the just one more go appeal.

This homage to that simple game brings the concept up a few gears. There’s colour graphics for a start and loads more on screen. There is some influences from games such as Omega Race, Robotron and Smash TV in here, but I have tried to keep the ‘just one more go’ appeal of the original Commodore Vic20 game.

Select your difficulty level to start with. Easy gives you a gentle start and your ship is slower and easier to control. Hard will throw you deep into the action with plenty to shoot and a fast and responsive ship.

Playing the game requires you to stay on your toes and to learn and anticipate your opponents. They all have a unique behaviour, so learn how they respond to you early on.

You can shoot with the SHIFT key only when you are applying thrust in one of the four directions (the cursor keys) you can not shoot when you are just drifting.

Every level gets harder and pits you against more opponents. At key stages you will be presented with a large end of level boss. Shoot away its shield pods before attacking its core, but watch out for its tentacle!

Ovine by Design » 8-bit

Ultimate Bruce Lee

See also ...

Dan Dare

See also ...

Hunters Moon

See also ...

Jet Set Willy Online

See also ...

Nameless

See also ...

Total Eclipse

See also ...

Driller

See also ...

Jet Set Willy Pet

See also ...

Paradroid

See also ...

Cholo

About

The original

The remake

See also ...

Wunda Walter

See also ...

Jarcadian

Instructions

See also ...

Hamster Jam

See also ...

XOR

About

The original

The remake

See also ...

Imogen

Instructions

See also ...

Sacred Armour of Antiriad

Instructions

Remake Details

Game Background

See also ...

Terra Cognita

Instructions

Remake Details

See also ...

Mole Attack

Instructions

Remake details

See also ...

Sky Hawk

Instructions

See also ...

Galaxy Defender

Instructions

See also ...