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 ;D
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!
http://www.indieretronews.com/2018/08/the-dawn-of-kernel-high-quality-game.html
8)
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!
Quote from: Targhan on 22:18, 20 August 18
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!
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.
A very good game ! :)
But i did not go very far, it's hard !
Quote from: reidrac on 20:14, 20 August 18
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 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1504) , thanks for this wonderful game. 8)
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. :(
Quote from: Phantomz on 14:30, 21 August 18
Hi @reidrac (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1504) , thanks for this wonderful game. 8)
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.
Excellent game, much fun, but hard. ;) :) :)
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 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1308) for his help!
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.
:)
Really goos Game Reidrac ;D , thanks for the hard work, i have finished it but with the 87% completed, is there a special ending if you reach the 100%?? 8)
Quote from: jesusdelmas on 02:55, 22 August 18
Really goos Game Reidrac ;D , thanks for the hard work, i have finished it but with the 87% completed, is there a special ending if you reach the 100%?? 8)
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.
Not playing till I get my preordered copy :)
Really looking forward to it!
Played this afternoon on my CPC464 with USB Floppy Emulator by Zaxon, i think it's very playable.
Good game for our beloved machines :)
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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Quote from: ukmarkh on 21:33, 22 August 18
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.
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 :) .
Quote from: Targhan on 22:24, 22 August 18
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! 8)
One life is really cruel, I need an easy option [emoji23]
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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)
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.
Quote from: skylas on 00:08, 23 August 18
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.
I've updated the game to version 1.0.1 fixing a cosmetic bug :picard:
I encourage you to update your copies!
(the readme.pdf shows the version)
Bah, its not that hard everybody, its a game that demands you take the time to learn it. I've been playing dark souls the last few weeks and I find the same principles apply to this game... you level up by getting better at the game, learning the enemy patterns, the movement of your ship and the way the supply drops work ect..
definitely a "one more go" type of game.
What really helps is how rock steady it preforms, every death is your fault (like dark souls).
Quote from: Railslave on 21:20, 23 August 18
Bah, its not that hard everybody, its a game that demands you take the time to learn it. I've been playing dark souls the last few weeks and I find the same principles apply to this game... you level up by getting better at the game, learning the enemy patterns, the movement of your ship and the way the supply drops work ect..
definitely a "one more go" type of game.
What really helps is how rock steady it preforms, every death is your fault (like dark souls).
Do not compare that easy sack of shite to Dawn of Kernel [emoji6][emoji23]🤪
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It seems that i can't pass this one (on stage 4) , any suggestions from someone who had same problem?
Poke it ;)
In this way ?
You go in the safe area when ennemy is in 1 then when it is in 2 you can go down.
Quote from: skylas on 17:04, 26 August 18
It seems that i can't pass this one (on stage 4) , any suggestions from someone who had same problem?
Wait in the border of the gap so you can throw the ship in when the digger arrives; then before touching the energy field, thrust up and you're past that part (the digger will be past the gap). Then just get rid of the turret and when the station is destroyed the way back is easy.
It requires a bit of timing. I've seen people use the thrust to keep the ship suspended in the gap without touching the field, but for me is a bit too hard and that's not what I had in mind.
I think this is one of the harder screens (that same structure appears in another screen, with a tiny twist that makes is a bit different, but is the same idea).
Any screen in the game can be completed without being hit, but this is one of the few that you better have enough shield in case you make a mistake (the digger does damage 4, the field 2).
The used colors are really awesome! :)
As usual I don't have the time to check it out here and now, but judging from the feedback I'm seeing in this thread, I can see I have something to look forward to when I do have the time: At the next retrogaming meeting with my mates, which should be in week 43.
Congratulations for finishing the project. I'm amazed at how fast you managed to create this project and get such an amount of positive comments.
Quote from: reidrac on 17:17, 26 August 18
Wait in the border of the gap so you can throw the ship in when the digger arrives; then before touching the energy field, thrust up and you're past that part (the digger will be past the gap). Then just get rid of the turret and when the station is destroyed the way back is easy.
It requires a bit of timing. I've seen people use the thrust to keep the ship suspended in the gap without touching the field, but for me is a bit too hard and that's not what I had in mind.
I think this is one of the harder screens (that same structure appears in another screen, with a tiny twist that makes is a bit different, but is the same idea).
Any screen in the game can be completed without being hit, but this is one of the few that you better have enough shield in case you make a mistake (the digger does damage 4, the field 2).
finally i managed to pass this point by staying in the field and lose only 2. The problem was that when the digger hits you, it doesnt keep moving the same way, but it goes back, closing again the movement, and hits you again!
I wish this game had a password system or something, so it didn't throw you all the way back to the start, not cool... Saying that, I will beat this b@stard without cheating or snapshots.
I do love this game... In fact this and Orion Prime are keeping me away from my PS4 and Switch
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I finished it! score 82800, 93%
It is a really wonderful game! i enjoyed it very much!
At the first time, i thought it was too difficult, but then i gave it more chances and when i <got into> it i i loved it!
I really liked most the way kernel moves, it is detail-demanding movement in order to go on, but the game supports it!
I also feeled a bit tired playing the first stages again and again, but this is a retro game! It is the way the games used to be, so this is totally understandable.
As for proposals, it would be good to add a screenshot of each enemy in the manual, as it took me some time to understand which enemy is described (i am not so familiar with english)
Also, although not needed, it could be good if there was a map!
Many thx for creating this game and for giving us enjoyment!
Congratulations Reidrac!!!
Quote from: skylas on 00:44, 27 August 18
I finished it! score 82800, 93%
It is a really wonderful game! i enjoyed it very much!
At the first time, i thought it was too difficult, but then i gave it more chances and when i <got into> it i i loved it!
I really liked most the way kernel moves, it is detail-demanding movement in order to go on, but the game supports it!
I also feeled a bit tired playing the first stages again and again, but this is a retro game! It is the way the games used to be, so this is totally understandable.
As for proposals, it would be good to add a screenshot of each enemy in the manual, as it took me some time to understand which enemy is described (i am not so familiar with english)
Also, although not needed, it could be good if there was a map!
Many thx for creating this game and for giving us enjoyment!
Congratulations Reidrac!!!
Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you liked it.
I take note of your feedback (everyone's feedback, actually), thanks!
That's a fucking good game (sorry for my language :)) ! Thanks for it....
I really love it and his technical realisation.
The game is clean with many details, smooth, interesting and clever !
Congratulations, and thank you of course !
Quote from: GUNHED on 17:09, 26 August 18
Poke it ;)
I did. ;D
If it's ok with @reidrac (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1504) I can put up the poke address to get infinite shield, I can't add it to cpr or disk due to compression.
Quote from: Phantomz on 20:24, 01 September 18
I did. ;D
If it's ok with @reidrac (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1504) I can put up the poke address to get infinite shield, I can't add it to cpr or disk due to compression.
Feel free to share the poke!
Quote from: reidrac on 20:45, 01 September 18
Feel free to share the poke!
You need to change 3A to 00 , I believe this is @ 4439 for the Disk and Tape version, and @ 425C for the cpr.
Quote from: Phantomz on 20:53, 01 September 18
You need to change 3A to 00 , I believe this is @ 4439 for the Disk and Tape version, and @ 425C for the cpr.
I've tried to edit the disk, tape and cpr, however when I edit the tape in a hex editor it will not load, I'm not sure how edit a tape file in hex.
I've have however poked the disk and cpr version to have infinite shield, they are below.
See, I'm not completely happy with this. Let's say I fix a bug and make a new release, then it is less useful because there are copies (even modified) available everywhere, with some people not even bothering to link the game website.
It's probably useless to complain about this, people are used to do it with classic games, so for new ones with a website that is not going away is hard to change behaviour.
If someone wants to poke it, you provided instructions. If you want to distribute a poked version of the game at very least don't upload it to the thread where I've released the game.
Quote from: reidrac on 17:26, 02 September 18
See, I'm not completely happy with this. Let's say I fix a bug and make a new release, then it is less useful because there are copies (even modified) available everywhere, with some people not even bothering to link the game website.
It's probably useless to complain about this, people are used to do it with classic games, so for new ones with a website that is not going away is hard to change behaviour.
If someone wants to like it, you provided instructions. If you want to distribute a poked version of the game at very least for upload it to the thread where I've released the game.
@reidrac (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1504)
Sorry about that, I've removed the poked version, I've left the poke up though.
Quote from: Phantomz on 17:30, 02 September 18
@reidrac (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1504)
Sorry about that, I've removed the poked version, I've left the poke up though.
Thanks for removing it.
I've been told the game is reviewed in November's GR issue: scored 93% and awarded a Retro Gamer Sizzler!
This is my best score in RG so far!
Well, certainly worth it!
After weeks of being very busy I played it again last Sunday - even without the charm of the original machine (which is now stowed away) it gave me a bloody nice time.
Very good and deserved score! It must be very comforting and motivating to see your game so well commented and scored in an international magazine as RG. Congrats!
Here's the review. I dislike reviews that just describe the game instead of, you know, reviewing it, but the score is right :)
Quote from: Gryzor on 06:26, 03 November 18
Here's the review. I dislike reviews that just describe the game instead of, you know, reviewing it, but the score is right [emoji4]
Kudos, I think this would easily achieve 'Master Game' status. For Amstrad games, I wish they would use 'Rave' or 'Master Game' instead of the 'Sizzler' thing. But yes, great game, I was able to complete using snapshots.
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Oh, I haven't done that. It's hard but fair so I hope some day I'll finish it fair and square. ..
I think this is a good review of the game (OK, and a positive one too :P).
It doesn't have big spoilers, but if you haven't played the game yet, skip it for now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoKiElGV74A
Quote from: reidrac on 12:14, 13 January 19
I think this is a good review of the game (OK, and a positive one too :P ).
It doesn't have big spoilers, but if you haven't played the game yet, skip it for now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoKiElGV74A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoKiElGV74A)
One of my favorite 2018 games.
Congratulations!
Quote from: Gryzor on 06:26, 03 November 18Here's the review. I dislike reviews that just describe the game instead of, you know, reviewing it,
Me too!
Though I think the above was written nicely.
Has anyone ever scored 100% on RG?
Quote from: mr_lou on 08:11, 20 January 19
Congratulations!
Me too!
Though I think the above was written nicely.
Has anyone ever scored 100% on RG?
AFAIK not on CPC: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Retro_Gamer
Easter Eggs's R-Type got a 94%, which is the higher score so far for a CPC game.
I was just thinking about this game this morning.
I think I'll have to give it another play over the weekend, it's definitely one of my favourites.
Attached is my review from Issue 3 of Colour Personal Computing, the joint highest score given to a game so far (alongside the equally superb, Baba's Palace).
Quote from: Skunkfish on 12:04, 19 March 21
I was just thinking about this game this morning.
I think I'll have to give it another play over the weekend, it's definitely one of my favourites.
Attached is my review from Issue 3 of Colour Personal Computing, the joint highest score given to a game so far (alongside the equally superb, Baba's Palace).
Wow, what a nice review! I'm very happy you enjoyed the game.
This is a weird one. While I love the result and I wouldn't change anything, sometimes I wonder if is too challenging for current gamers. And I totally understand that, because there are so many good games out there, why would you like to put time on a frustrating 8-bit game? IMHO the learning curve, being fair (I hope), and that "one more go" is part of the package.
May be this one (and Kitsune's Curse as well) are on the hard side, but the players that persist and win the game, definitely have a great experience; despite the risk that a lot people won't appreciate the challenge. And that's OK!
I actually *love* its difficulty, although I'm unable to finish it (and mind you I had finished both Cybernoids back in the day).
Perhaps it needs a tutorial level. And an achievement awarded when you complete it. And infinite continues? Respawn points every 20 pixels? Just saying :D
Quote from: Gryzor on 14:07, 19 March 21
I actually *love* its difficulty, although I'm unable to finish it (and mind you I had finished both Cybernoids back in the day).
Perhaps it needs a tutorial level. And an achievement awarded when you complete it. And infinite continues? Respawn points every 20 pixels? Just saying :D
That's interesting... because if you use an emulator, you have save-states, isn't it? It may or may not make the game less fun for you, but using them is totally fine!
I may have set some difficulty level, but that's never going to be perfect for all players. I guess with the real hardware there are less options, but you still have pokes on CPC Power.
Oh I know. From time to time I've used save states, but only when I just wanted to finish a game and see the whole of it, not actually play it. Similar to watching a YT walkthrough, but more involved. Somehow when I actually play (and these days it's more often that I play on a real machine than an emulator because the only free time is at night, in front of the tv, when Gryzor Jr is asleep :D ) I forget that save states exist...
In terms of the gameplay experience itself, I think that the level of difficulty is spot on.
It's challenging but fair and I'm sure that a very skilled player could complete without losing any energy. There are no 'cheap shots' where the player gets punished unfairly, or where things happen that are out of their control.
It finds the right balance between technique, tactics and memorisation. The level of reactions and dexterity required are not such that they exclude players. The tactics are important, but can be learned quickly as the enemy behaviour is consistent. And the game doesn't require you to memorise massive sequences to be able progress.
Sure, most modern day games nanny the player and would have you restart from the current screen when you die, but the unforgiving old school approach is welcome here.
Perhaps a compromise where you restart from the current section when you die might be reasonable as an 'easy' mode, but its by no means necessary.