3d Starstrike
I think I’ve mentioned before how much I adore 3d Starstrike on the Spectrum. Contrary to what some people say, for me - it’s the definitive Star Wars arcade tribute - the speed, the graphics and most of all the playability still stand up today as a testament to Realtimes brilliance.
I think I might have also mentioned previously of how much I adore the look of Uncles forthcoming remake of the game.
But don’t just listen to me on this.
Shoot the core!
Now, it looks pretty sweet static. If you’re not drooling already, then I highly recommend you check out this video that Uncle has posted on YouTube.
Man, now that’s what I call lovely. Forum thread thisaway.
Betiled
Taking the name of Retro Remakes rather literally, Computer Emu Zone Games have been hard at work with a demake of sorts.
As you’re all no doubt aware, Windows has a littany of match 3 games for you to play with. Now, all this is fair enough and each to their own - but how about if I said that CEZG have managed to demake the popular jewel based game by a certain company that have caps that are known to pop in the night and bring it to the humble ZX Spectrum?
Yes, I know. It’s crazy - but it exists and it’s available for you to download to your emulator of choice.
I hope these drugs wear off soon…
As you may have guessed from the heading of this post, it’s called Betiled. And there isn’t an Egyptian theme in site. Quite the difference in fact, as it looks like what happens when you slip acid into a developers coffee whilst their backs are turned.
Interesting stuff, you can grab it right about here and feel free to drift into our forum to leave some feedback.
Top-Down 2D Dungeon Competition
‘Tis the season to get coding, tra-la-la-la-la la-la la-la… The mini-comps are back with a vengence with the TOP DOWN 2D DUNGEON trial, which starts about now.
That’s not top-down 2D, you beardy twonk!
You have from now until December 8th to create a game based on our theme. It really does what it says on the tin, so do you need any more information than that? Ok greedy guts here is a little more…
You can make it look 3D or use a 3D engine as long as the game is based on a 2D plane and seen from above. I guess you can even do it isometric if that is what floats your boat, as long as it’s still pretty much seen from above and you don’t get all silly.
It doesn’t ALL have to be in a dungeon, you can have outside sections too as long as the game features a dungeon as a main part of the game.
The rules are deliberately open so that they cover a wide range of possible games. Do something from Zelda to Gauntlet or beyond as long as you stay in theme.
Most of all enjoy the competition and the coding it’s not like we are going to be dishing out thousands of dollars of prizes, it’s mainly just for the kudos of your peers and maybe a little badge or a pat on the head or something.
Well, get coding your cotton socks off. There are Orcs to kill, or something, I guess. Princesses to save? Who knows - it’s up to you isn’t it?
The official forum thread for the competition is in my basement.
ASS - Orion Remake
I dunno. It’s hard to know where to start really when you’ve got a game called ASS. The obvious place would be to begin with a load of backside jokes, but I wouldn’t want to be that obvious. Of course, it’s not helped when you discover that ASS is an acronym that stands for Advanced Shiny Simulator. As in Shiny, the games company. You know - the one with the ubiquitous Dave Perry (not that Dave Perry, the other Dave Perry).
That’s indie games for you, kids. You never quite know what’s going to happen next.
Someone set up us the bum
Anyway, as much as I’d like to claim I’m featuring it on the front page simply because it has Dave Perry in it, I can’t.
The game is a remake of the rather simple but enjoyable at the time Software Projects game, Orion. The remake is by Sokurah, and the forum thread for all your informational needs, well that’s about here-ish.
Wizball
Calm down, calm down - it’s not out *just* yet. But word reaches me on the street that Mr Gorings remaking swansong, as ably assisted by Smila and Infamous is so close to completion that if you stick your tongue out of the door you can taste it.
It’s not very sensible to hang your balls like that…
Personally, I’m with WOTR’s Achay on Wizball but it has to be said, that having had the opportunity to have my computer blown up by the game previously that not only is it an incredibly faithful version, but it’s fupping gorgeous to boot. Graham has a crack team of testers on the case right now making sure that everything is kicked into shape. Now we just have to wait for the siren of all clearness to sound and it’ll be in your grubby mits.
Hold on tight…
Ooh Shiny… New Features!
If the admins of Retro Remakes had a freshly minted pound coin for every time someone asked us a question like “Where is the big remakes list?” or “What happened to the front page and that a big list of remakes? It was there there that last time I visited!” then we would probably all be living in a beach house sunning ourselves and drinking Piña Coladas.
Today sees the public beta launch of the new RR Showcase which will hopefully put an end to these questions. Created by the genius and talents of The Codex & Oddbob, this new big list replacement is more of an open version, and anyone with a forum account can add their remakes themselves (after reading the AUP of course).
Hopefully we will see the contents fill out over the coming days and weeks as the word spreads and people come and add their games. Let’s make it as comprehensive as we can. The final aim is to have a complete list of all the freeware remakes that exist, and vastly surpass the information that was contained in the old “big list”.
Our second new feature is a Team Blog where the administrators and moderators of the site can let of steam and perhaps air opinions or waffle about whatever takes their fancy. It is a place for things that are perhaps not suitable for the news pages, but that will give a rounded and more human feel to the site.
The news page will be business as usual but if you want to get more of an insight into who the people behind the site are (you sick puppies) then you will have the option of reading more personal views and opinions over there.
Feel free to leave your thoughts below in the comments or over on the Team Blog introduction post. I hope you all enjoy the new features.
