Amstrad CPC game of 2009

[Nreive]

Time to discuss, celebrate and vote for the best Amstrad CPC game of the year.  It's been quite a busy year for the CPC, with around 12 new games releases, not to forget the superb work on enhancing existing titles.  Only one vote per person, and you can't change it, so choose carefully.  If you need your memory refreshed on the games, some convenient links are provided below.

The games:

BeTiled!
by Computer Emuzone Game Studio (CEZ GS)
Weblink: http://computeremuzone.com/ficha.php?id=19

Eternal Light
by Morri
Weblink: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=107.0;attach=53

iLogicAll
by ESP Soft
Weblink: http://amstrad.es/juegosamstrad/decargajuegos/ilogicall.php

Nanako Descends to Hell
by The Mojon Twins
Weblink: http://www.mojontwins.com/juegos_mojonos/nanako_descends_hell/

Nanako in Classic Japanese Monster Castle
by The Mojon Twins
Weblink: http://www.mojontwins.com/juegos_mojonos/nanako-in-classic-japanese-monster-castle-v2/

Orion Prime
by Arkos and Les Sucres en Morceaux
Weblink: http://www.orion.cpcscene.com/

Phantomas Tales #1: Marsport
by The Mojon Twins
Weblink: http://www.mojontwins.com/juegos_mojonos/phantomas-tales-1-marsport/

Platformer Medley Block #1
by The Mojon Twins
Weblink: http://www.mojontwins.com/juegos_mojonos/platformer-medley-block-1/

Robotron 128
by Lachlan Keown
Weblink: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Robotron_6128

Sewer Rat
by Lachlan Keown
Weblink: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Sewer_Rat

Sort'em
by LuBlu Entertainment
Weblink: http://lublu.dk/filer/sortem.dsk

Sudoku Master
by Binary Sciences
Weblink: http://www.binarysciences.com/

Star Sabre 128k
by Axelay
Weblink: http://starsabre.bigblog.com.au/index.do

Special mention must go to the new version of Rick Dangerous:
(Note: this game is not included in the poll as it was felt that, despite being an outstanding effort, it was essentially an update of a previously released game)

Rick Dangerous 128+
by BDCiron, Fano and MacDeath
Weblink: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Rick_dangerous_128%2B

[MacDeath]

Orion Prime.

Despite i'm not that much into Adventure games/clic and point games...

Well.

First : the luxurious fancy release.
Second : the level of technical displayed.
Third : allez la France !!!


Yet I must admit the Spanish scene is awesomely active in game production.

And quality and diversity seems there in 2009 millesime.

I just Hope 2010 will see more PLUS games, as it is the anniversary of the Plus un France.

Also more proper RPGs...
And the developpment of a proper CPC/PLUS network solution would be great too.

Last but not least : we must get a solution in cracking the ACID chip/PLUS cartridge system !
Only this would enable "godlike Amstrad Plus mode ON" with possibility of 512ko cartridge games or even mixed Cartridges+Disc 6128+ games.

Yet despite this, Just getting Games Develloppers implementing the PLUS features or even the 128Ko upgrades in their latest releases may be a nice wish.
Not specifically really impressive stuff, but the PLUS extended palette alows a really better result in Mode0 games, and pehaps adding some stuff in Hardwired sprites may improove static graphix a lot (in HUD or intro pages/cinématics for example).

[fano]

Orion Prime , obviously !

[ukmarkh]

Star Sabre 128k version for me... I'm not counting Orion Prime as a 2009 release, as an English version hasn't been released yet.

[Octoate]

For me it was Star Sabre 128k, too. Orion Prime is very cool, but since I am not able to understand and play it, it is a 2010 release for me, too :-). Btw, I can't vote for Star Sabre 128k - it's not in the list!

[Nreive]

Btw, I can't vote for Star Sabre 128k - it's not in the list!

I was in two minds whether to include Star Sabre 128k and Rick Dangerous 128+ in the poll, as they're essentially updates of previously released games, despite both being outstanding efforts.  In the end, I just gave a special mention to them.

[arnoldemu]

Orion Prime.

Despite i'm not that much into Adventure games/clic and point games...

Well.

First : the luxurious fancy release.
Second : the level of technical displayed.
Third : allez la France !!!


Yet I must admit the Spanish scene is awesomely active in game production.

And quality and diversity seems there in 2009 millesime.

I just Hope 2010 will see more PLUS games, as it is the anniversary of the Plus un France.

Also more proper RPGs...
And the developpment of a proper CPC/PLUS network solution would be great too.

Last but not least : we must get a solution in cracking the ACID chip/PLUS cartridge system !
Only this would enable "godlike Amstrad Plus mode ON" with possibility of 512ko cartridge games or even mixed Cartridges+Disc 6128+ games.

Yet despite this, Just getting Games Develloppers implementing the PLUS features or even the 128Ko upgrades in their latest releases may be a nice wish.
Not specifically really impressive stuff, but the PLUS extended palette alows a really better result in Mode0 games, and pehaps adding some stuff in Hardwired sprites may improove static graphix a lot (in HUD or intro pages/cinématics for example).

My conversation with Steve Gane has effectively ended Steve no longer replies to my e-mails. So this means no help with ACID it seems

I do plan to have CPC+ additions in a game I am working on. This will be the first game from me with cpc+ features, so at this time I only plan using extra colours and possibly some sprites.
No DMA sound and no hardware scrolling (the game uses a static screen anyway).

[ukmarkh]

The thing with Star Sabre 128k, is although it shares the same name, enough has changed for it to be considered a new version. An extra level has been added and bosses... the ending is also different to the 64k ending. And we now have music.

[Nreive]

OK, fair enough.  There seems to be enough changes to Star Sabre 128k to warrant it as a new game.  I've added it to the poll.

[Gryzor]

I think Orion Prime comes as no surprise, really, despite the lack of an english version. Its scope just stands heads and shoulders above the other efforts.

However! Going through this list (congrats, Nreive, pinning the post!) made me realize that we haven't seen so much and SO GOOD software in ages... and it's actually amazing that we have such great releases and then Orion to top it all!

A great year indeed. Here's hoping for a better one!!!

[Targhan]

(This is not the topic to speak about it, but Orion Prime English and Spanish version are finished and are being beta tested right now. German release should be finished quite soon!

Trg.Aks)

[Xyphoe]

(This is not the topic to speak about it, but Orion Prime English and Spanish version are finished and are being beta tested right now. German release should be finished quite soon!

Trg.Aks)

I think I might wait a bit before casting my vote until I play Orion Prime then - I'm waiting for the English release so I don't spoil the experience not understanding French

[MacDeath]

Concerning Star Sabre, it can be included in the pool because it is an original game from the CPCscene.

Rick was a professionnal commercial release after all, not the fruit from the CPCscene indeed.
And as it gets a "special mention" it's like it is in fact the winner in his own category !

Er...is it me or is Rick128+ the only Plus game from 2009 ?

Also will we see some kind of "StarSabre 2 PLUS" version ?

I do plan to have CPC+ additions in a game I am working on. This will be the first game from me with cpc+ features, so at this time I only plan using extra colours and possibly some sprites.

It is great to read that. Mode0 on a Plus is so good.



Also, I think we should also give a special mention award to the Spanish CPCscene.
Because of the number and overall quality of their numerous efforts.

[Cholo]

Whoa! So many new great games this year. will need a bit of time to make up my mind 

[MacDeath]

Is it still possible to buy a boxed version of sudoku Master ?
My "wife" loves sudoku... And I love her..so...
And it seems to be well done graphically (Vertical rasters there are more than only 4 colours in the same row ?)

Also, is it possible to tell there when games are availlable as a commercial release ? (I mean, if we can buy it on a Disc with a box and stiker on disc and so on...)

Just to support the CPC industry...

The same with all other 2009 games...Where can I order those ?

[Cholo]

Some games you can buy here (tape only i think):
http://www.cronos.toucansurf.com/

Best is probably to check each games link to see where you can get the game from.

Off topic: you can get some new C64 games over at:
http://www.binaryzone.org

[Axelay]

Some games you can buy here (tape only i think):
http://www.cronos.toucansurf.com/

Best is probably to check each games link to see where you can get the game from.

Off topic: you can get some new C64 games over at:
http://www.binaryzone.org

I think Cronosoft has moved to here:

http://www.cronosoft.co.uk

I gather they are in the process of repackaging their games (in a style that reminds me of the firebird range), and not all their old range is available yet.

And Psytronik will have CPC games soon enough: 

http://psytronik.blogspot.com/

[Nreive]

I've agonised for days over this now.  So many great games to just pick one, but I've finally made a decision...  While Orion Prime does indeed look like an outstanding game - and one that seems to be my kind of game - I just can't play it at the moment (surely will be my game of the year when the English verion comes out).  Star Sabre 128k is a fantastic shoot-'em-up and despite this not being my fave genre, I enjoyed it greatly.  The Mojon Twins have made some fine games which I've also enjoyed.  But the one game that I've enjoyed most, and have kept coming back to again and again, is BeTiled! - a superb puzzle game with a nice story bolted on for good measure.  Great stuff.

[Nich]

I've been thinking carefully about my choice as well, but in my opinion, the game of 2009 is Orion Prime. I have played and completed the entire game, and the sheer scale and ambition of it is amazing. The graphics are truly breathtaking, and the manner in which the story develops as you gradually explore more of the vessel is also cleverly thought out. Un coup de chapeau to Targhan and Supersly!

BeTiled! definitely deserves the runner-up prize. It has beautiful graphics and a catchy little tune, and I like the way the tempo increases when your time is running out! It is also one of the most addictive games I've ever played! Can anyone on this forum (apart from Supersly ) beat level 16?

[Gryzor]

Btw, anyone played the Arcade Meddley (or what was it called?) by the Twins? The one that, if you finish it, they would make a new one? It's missing from this list, but has anyone managed to get past the FIRST FRIKKIN' SCREEN???

[ukmarkh]

Can I just say I've enjoyed all the games listed above... minus 'Orion Prime' of which I'm yet to play. Eternal Light really impressed me, Locomotive weren't telling porkies all those years ago, when they said games could be coded in basic, with good results and still be quite fast. Apparently Locomotive really went to town on optimising the CPC's basic.

[Nreive]

Btw, anyone played the Arcade Meddley (or what was it called?) by the Twins? The one that, if you finish it, they would make a new one? It's missing from this list, but has anyone managed to get past the FIRST FRIKKIN' SCREEN???

Isn't that Platformer Medley Block #1 you're thinking of there?  Complete the game and you get a code.  Send this code to the twins and they send you #2, apparantly.

[Gryzor]

Yup, that's the one; I sat down with a cup of tea the other day, nice small cigar, ready to enjoy it, but I ended up downloading Atari ST magazines within 5 minues

[khisanth]

Only played and bought Star Sabre and played Robotron and thought both were superb.

Star Sabre wins it though, really love the feel and look of it

[MacDeath]

Locomotive Basic was renowned as the best 8 bit basic.
Amongst all others.

Yet yes, we the french voted a lot for Orion prime (understandable), but hey, starSabre is plain simply the best Amstrad shooter ever !
And mojon twins got the cojones (bolocks, couilles, balles, anything with testicle inside) to produce a shit-ton of great games too.

Nanako is such a hot bitch !

Even Sudoku Master seems to be greatly done.
My darling (wife, love, so on) loves sudoku...

Mode 1 ? looks like having a lot more colours than the mundane 4 colours indeed.


Even Rick Dangerous is perhaps one of the best retro-Addon/update ever on Amstrad.


Most 2009 games were realistic concerning Amstrad's 8 bit capabilities.
No things like a Final fight, with big sprites and all well ported from arcade, but unplayable...
Most games sticked up to the 8 bit limitation, yet managed to go far beyound.

just hope 2010 will be even awesomer than 2009, with a lot of Plus products...
Please developpers : implement the 128Plus features in your productions !