Speaking of brave games that defy categorization, this title from the 1984 shows the programmer's innovative mind. In order to create a unique multisensory, multimedia experience on an 8bit computer, Mel Croucher realised he needed a different approach, Abandoning the (cid) chip sounds altogether for this game, he introduced an accompanying cassette the player runs synchonous with the action on the computer screen. When I was a kid, one of my friends taped this game for me and I played it on the c64 , but without the accompanying cassette for my audio deck the resulting experience was lacking to say the least. Years later I finally got a hold of the audio recording and played it as it was intended. Yes, it is confusing, and self-indulgent , and artsy, but the very idea that the game skillfully combined a collection of audio art, spoken word and forward thinking electropop music from an external audio source with the limiting graphics of 1984 that lend themselves beautifully to the paranoia shown in this game is pure genius. In a series of mini games you try to preserve the life of a being, a failed lab experiment, while acknowledging the absurd ,the comical and creepy, the futilty of action ("creeping, crawling, occasionally floating") and coming to terms with "second childishness and mere oblivion". Ian Dury, John Pertwee and Frankie Howard all made sure their contributions entertain, confuse the player and leave them with some troubling thoughts. Even if we perceive this game as an interactive video work rather than a game, it is still a brave and singular cornerstone in gaming.
Showing posts with label ZX Spectrum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ZX Spectrum. Show all posts
Saturday, 21 July 2018
DEUS EX MACHINA
Speaking of brave games that defy categorization, this title from the 1984 shows the programmer's innovative mind. In order to create a unique multisensory, multimedia experience on an 8bit computer, Mel Croucher realised he needed a different approach, Abandoning the (cid) chip sounds altogether for this game, he introduced an accompanying cassette the player runs synchonous with the action on the computer screen. When I was a kid, one of my friends taped this game for me and I played it on the c64 , but without the accompanying cassette for my audio deck the resulting experience was lacking to say the least. Years later I finally got a hold of the audio recording and played it as it was intended. Yes, it is confusing, and self-indulgent , and artsy, but the very idea that the game skillfully combined a collection of audio art, spoken word and forward thinking electropop music from an external audio source with the limiting graphics of 1984 that lend themselves beautifully to the paranoia shown in this game is pure genius. In a series of mini games you try to preserve the life of a being, a failed lab experiment, while acknowledging the absurd ,the comical and creepy, the futilty of action ("creeping, crawling, occasionally floating") and coming to terms with "second childishness and mere oblivion". Ian Dury, John Pertwee and Frankie Howard all made sure their contributions entertain, confuse the player and leave them with some troubling thoughts. Even if we perceive this game as an interactive video work rather than a game, it is still a brave and singular cornerstone in gaming.
Saturday, 10 February 2018
THRUST
Does what it says on the tin.It's neither about its minimal design and simple graphics, nor about the unnervingly monotonous sounds of an engine thruster.The plot doesn't affect the gaming experience at all. It was done by one man from start to finish. But it's about physics and inertia and breaking a sweat while grapling the controls of your spacecraft, avoiding cave walls and thinking about your movements before you moved. It's graceful and addictive. it's timeless and unique.The cold design of the world traversed gives the player a common feel of a dystopian world without the usual landscape and machinery visuals.It's truly an inspiration to hundreds of games that came afterwards. A game that could do with more in-game sounds and music, but hey- Rob Hubbard's title theme for the c64 version still rocks hard enough to make you ignore the above mentioned thruster sounds.
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