New game: The Dawn of Kernel

[reidrac]

I've released The Dawn of Kernel, a new shooter for the Amstrad CPC (64k).

 

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Current version is 1.0.1.

You can download the game (CDT & DSK) from: https://www.usebox.net/jjm/dawn-of-kernel/

GX4000 specific build: https://www.usebox.net/jjm/dawn-of-kernel/dawn-of-kernel-gx4000.zip

The game had a development thread here: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/programming/the-dawn-of-kernel-(development)/

As you may know, Poly Play has put together an awesome Collector's Edition available in cassette and 3" / 3.5" disc.

Enjoy!

PS: few hours before the official release date, I hope it's OK

[reidrac]

I tried to make the CRT for the GX4000 but for some reason I can't make nocart work (although I think when I tried few weeks ago it was fine).

If someone can give me a hand converting the DSK file, I would appreciate that!

[Neil79]

http://www.indieretronews.com/2018/08/the-dawn-of-kernel-high-quality-game.html

 

[Targhan]

Very nice! I managed to get to the "second music level", I don't know how far it is. Very playable, beautiful graphics as always, and enjoyable tunes. There are a lot of details that shows this is a labor of love! I'll try to finish it in the next days. Well done!

[reidrac]

Very nice! I managed to get to the "second music level", I don't know how far it is. Very playable, beautiful graphics as always, and enjoyable tunes. There are a lot of details that shows this is a labor of love! I'll try to finish it in the next days. Well done!

That's about a third of the screens; it gets a bit messier on the second part.

Is not an easy game, but the feedback I got from the testers is that each screen is OK, even if you need a couple of tries; the problem is when you need to navigate them all in one go.

I'm gad you like it!

[Targhan]

Not an easy game indeed. However, I didn't know how to switch to other secondary weapons (I never read the manuals , didn't hear about the "double down" trick), so it should be easier next time.

[Xifos]

A very good game !
But i did not go very far, it's hard !

[Phantomz]

I tried to make the CRT for the GX4000 but for some reason I can't make nocart work (although I think when I tried few weeks ago it was fine).

If someone can give me a hand converting the DSK file, I would appreciate that!

Hi @reidrac , thanks for this wonderful game. 

I've converted the disk to cpr , I've also made it stop on the loading screen ( any key to pass ) as this just flashed up so fast from cpr.

I can't change the menu options or even remap the console pause button to pause because the game is compressed the same as your other games. 

[reidrac]

Hi @reidrac , thanks for this wonderful game. 

I've converted the disk to cpr , I've also made it stop on the loading screen ( any key to pass ) as this just flashed up so fast from cpr.

I can't change the menu options or even remap the console pause button to pause because the game is compressed the same as your other games. 

Anyway, the cpr is here mate. 

Thanks! I know some people will enjoy the game on the GX4000

I can make a special edition for the CRT, if you tell me what needs to be changed.

Edit: well, I can give it a go at home, but if is playable I guess it's okay.

[GUNHED]

Excellent game, much fun, but hard. 

[reidrac]

I've added a link to a GX4000 specific build:

 * Press any button to skip the loading screen
 * Joypad 1 to control the ship, skip texts, etc;; see manual for controls
 * Joypad 2 Button 1 to exit the game

There's a README in the ZIP + the manual: https://www.usebox.net/jjm/dawn-of-kernel/dawn-of-kernel-gx4000.zip

Thanks to @Phantomz for his help!

[ervin]

Holy cow this is a great game!

Having followed the development for a long time, expectations were high.
But the game has surpassed expectations!

Looking forward to spending lots of time with this one.
 

[jesusdelmas]

Really goos Game Reidrac  , thanks for the hard work, i have finished it but with the 87% completed, is there a special ending if you reach the 100%?? 

[reidrac]

Really goos Game Reidrac  , thanks for the hard work, i have finished it but with the 87% completed, is there a special ending if you reach the 100%?? 

A 100% is possible, but you need the perfect game, and that's challenging. There are secret screens and things like that to make the game replayable, but it is just a score challenge, I didn't have space to include a different ending.

I think anything around 95% completed is aces.

[Gryzor]

Not playing till I get my preordered copy


Really looking forward to it!

[DanyPPC]

Played this afternoon on my CPC464 with USB Floppy Emulator by Zaxon, i think it's very playable.
Good game for our beloved machines 

[ukmarkh]

What a great little game, easily an 8/10 would have scored it higher, but it’s a really difficult game. I’m looking forward to buying this on 3” disk and downloading to play it on my GX4000


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[reidrac]

What a great little game, easily an 8/10 would have scored it higher, but it’s a really difficult game. I’m looking forward to buying this on 3” disk and downloading to play it on my GX4000


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8/10 sounds good to me, thanks!

It is not an easy game, but is not that hard I think. IMHO Golden Tail is harder and everybody that manages to learn how to play it, loves it. If you get into that "one more go" with Kernel and find how to deal with each type of enemy, it is manageable.

[Targhan]

I finished Golden Tail without too much trouble, but I can't finish this one! I play it every evening since its release (ok... so it's hasn't been for THAT long ), and I always die stupidly. Only one life, it's so cruel! But I'll make it .

[reidrac]

I finished Golden Tail without too much trouble, but I can't finish this one! I play it every evening since its release (ok... so it's hasn't been for THAT long ), and I always die stupidly. Only one life, it's so cruel! But I'll make it .

I decided to implement shield instead of several lives because it is way more forgiving: you get hit, but you're invulnerable for some time and you're in the action. Very often you can resolve the situation and continue playing.

Also there are lots of pick ups, if you stay alive long enough with low shield, you'll find a shield up pickup.

If you're still trying and progressing without getting frustrated, you may be having fun! 

[ukmarkh]

One life is really cruel, I need an easy option


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[skylas]

Very good game! Congratulations!In the first time, i found it very difficult, but after some times it seems not so very hard, but simply difficult!How many stages are they? (if we consider as stage every time that a written message appears)

[andycadley]

Had a quick play and it looks really nice, been following the development of this one and looking forward to actually playing it through properly.

[reidrac]

Very good game! Congratulations!In the first time, i found it very difficult, but after some times it seems not so very hard, but simply difficult!How many stages are they? (if we consider as stage every time that a written message appears)

I can't remember exactly, but there are 3 tilesets (each one with its own sound track) and 64 screens in total.

[reidrac]

I've updated the game to version 1.0.1 fixing a cosmetic bug 

I encourage you to update your copies!

(the readme.pdf shows the version)