Best Mode 0 games?

[MaV]

So, now that I have an S-Video Modulator and a colour monitor, I am finally able to see the CPC's colours in all its glory on the machine itself. *lol*

While I still prefer the green monitor for the nice resolution and sharp image (well, for the 80s at least), I am just beginning to understand how many things related to colour have remained unnoticed to me in games.

Take for example Starglider which changes colours in game so that the cockpit in the lower part of the screen shows a different palette than the outside view, something that's barely noticeable on a greenie even if you're aware of it.

I also noticed reminiscing about the past *sigh* that I preferred Mode 1 games over Mode 0, and can recall a lot more Mode 1 titles that left an impression on me than Mode 0 titles.

So to correct my historically narrow POV what are the best Mode 0 titles in your opinion and what makes them stand out from the crowd (gameplay, colours, etc.)?

[tastefulmrship]

On a personal level, my favourite MODE 0 games that I owned on cassette/disc when I still had my CPCs are;

Batman The Movie, Stormlord (except the phallic mushrooms), Zynaps, Exolon, Cybernoid 2, Equinox, Cauldron 2, Barbarian, Addam's Family, Alien Storm, Avenger, Turrican 2 (needed scrolling, though), Trantor, Roland On The Run (hahahahaha, sorry!), Renegade (once you've changed the blood back to red), Netherworld (if you ignore the flickering), License To Kill (those loading screens were lovely), Knight Force (game was rubbish, graphics were lovely), Golden Axe, Gryzor, Forgotten Worlds, Bubble Bobble, Beyond The Ice Palace... to name a few off the top of my head!

However, my all-time favourite MODE 0 game I think stands out from the others is STORMLORD. It's a very pretty and colourful game (with smooth horizontal scrolling), it's easy to play (ie doesn't suffer too much from slow-down), it's as tough as hell (if you don't know where to put the items) and the soundtrack is amazing.
I played it on a friend's green screen and it you could still see a large majority of the graphics.

[robcfg]

I'd suggest some nice spanish games as Game Over, Phantis, Freddy Hardest, Army Moves, Navy Moves....

[TFM]

From the point of GFX? Then...

Orion Prime ;-) And CPC Adventure!

[Devilmarkus]

And CPC Adventure!

CPC Adventure is in MODE 1

For me my best MODE 0 games are Renegade and Gryzor!

[Ythcal]

Guild of Thieves
The Pawn
Defender Of The Crown

:-)

[Optimus]

I would say renegade or gryzor but recently I tried stormlord on my CPC and was baffled by the detail. It's like every pixel is at it's right position regardless the blocky resolution and little space. It absolutely shows that one can draw amazing graphics regardless the machine limitations.

[Devilmarkus]

A thing I find boring is:
When you search for a funny sexy game (you know what I mean),
you or find really crap graphics like taken from VIC-20 or you find a stupid gameplay...
Just "Teenage queen" is an acceptable conversion here...

I want more tits on CPC!!! 

[Ythcal]

@Devilmarkus
"Tensions" is a really great poker simulation with excellent animations (of players and dancers). Unfortunately the dancer has no shading, so the more she removes, the less you can identify...

But all Mode 1

http://www.thelegacy.de/Museum/10243/
http://tacgr.emuunlim.com/downloads/filedetail.php?recid=2211

[MaV]

Thanks for the input, guys!

@tastefulmrship: That's quite a list. I remember playing some of them on my green monitor (and later in an emulator, but that's not the same), Trantor and Exolon for example.
Update: I never knew that the intro sequence before the actual game begins has the spaceship landing on a platform and Trantor jumping into a hole. It seems, I always cut it off to play the game.

@robocfg: the Spanish had some good titles. I remember Game Over, and I wasn't so impressed by it on a green monitor, because it was too dark. This one will definitely play better in colour.

@Ythcal: Ah, Adventures. Strangely, I remember the Infocom titles being text adventures. I'll have a look at them as well.

Ok, so Renegade, Gryzor, and Stormlord are above average games in Mode 0. Anymore votes for these three? Any other contenders for good Mode 0 games?

[Ythcal]

Infocom adventure are text without pictures, at least those published on the CPC, but The Pawn and Guild Of Thieves are not by Infocom but Magnetic Scrolls So they are graphic/text adventures

[MaV]

Infocom adventure are text without pictures, at least those published on the CPC, but The Pawn and Guild Of Thieves are not by Infocom but Magnetic Scrolls So they are graphic/text adventures

*facepalm* You're right. These are made by Magnetic Scrolls.

[MacDeath]

So, now that I have an S-Video Modulator and a colour monitor, I am finally able to see the CPC's colours in all its glory on the machine itself. *lol*

You means the brand new amstrad 6128PLUS of yours with colours monitor ?

Anyway a new world of Raster wonders is being revealed to you.

[MaV]

You means the brand new amstrad 6128PLUS of yours with colours monitor ?

Anyway a new world of Raster wonders is being revealed to you.

Exactly, the S-Video modulator for the bigger LCD-TVs and the 6128+ and its monitor for the regular tasks.

[TFM]

CPC Adventure is in MODE 1

Haha, as you see, it's looking as well as a Mode 0 Game ;-)

I want more tits on CPC!!! 

Well, so nobody (up to now) found the nude patch for FutureSofts Giana Sisters Clone?

[TFM]

I would say renegade or gryzor but recently I tried stormlord on my CPC and was baffled by the detail. It's like every pixel is at it's right position regardless the blocky resolution and little space. It absolutely shows that one can draw amazing graphics regardless the machine limitations.

Yes, but it totally lacks backgound. And f. e. Trantor is way more smooth.

[MacDeath]

I want more tits on CPC!!!

Which is such a shame actually...

I mean, Tits card games don't really need over the top sprite routines nor awesome scrollings...

But something actually harder to do : a decent Poker engine.


I remember the game Gal's Panic, which is actually a Qix game.

But I agree a decent Strip Poker could be so neat.



Also a Texas Holden multiplayer poker (online ? network ?) but that's a different story.

I tried to explore this area but found some problem : I couldn't manage to find a decent Picture set that would be suitable to port on CPC for a Strip poker...
A clever solution would be to ask a cute girl to model especially for me but i don't thinlk my sweetheart would aggree (both to model or to let me another girl model for me...)



Does some one of you know a bunch of girls who would be eager to supply ?

[tastefulmrship]

From the point of GFX? Then...
Orion Prime

Orion Prime isn't a game... oh, no... it's a work of pure art!

It should be worshipped in a temple, and regular human sacrifices should be made in it's honour! Hell, I don't mind being the first sacrifice... to get the ball rolling, as it were!

[Bryce]

Finally, a meaningful use for C64 Fanboys Where should we bring them to be sacrificed?

Bryce.

[sigh]

Robocop, Operation Wulf and Chase HQ have nice Mode 0.

[TFM]

Finally, a meaningful use for C64 Fanboys Where should we bring them to be sacrificed?

Bryce.

Great idea ;-) Let's make a c64 burning contest. Just let's see how long they still work... after pouring some gas over them including a spark ;-)

[MacDeath]

Let's make a c64 burning contest.

A clever method to get them to produce bright colours at last...



Anyway I think most cool Mode0 games were cited.

Ocean, dinamic and Spanish games, also french games... you can't go wrong.

Try Mystical perhaps, PickNPile looking is nice too.
Most Silmarils few games are also Awesome 16bit looking :
XyphoesFantasticFantasy of course, Windsurf Willy, Targhan...

Ubi soft managed a few decent looking ones but still a lot of well used Mode1 too.

Loriciel was really one of my favourite french company on CPC.
Bactron is great isometric, Sqweek is saucy, Disc looks great, Best of the Best too, Golden Eagle2...
Those late production really have great Atari ST graphics...

Many Titus games also managed to get awesome graphics despite not so OK gameplay.

Try :
Titus the fox/Moktar... Prehistorik series, Arachnophobia, most Car/*racing games too...

But to be fair, while being an awfull game, knightforce is truelly awesomly amazing good looking !
amongst the best Graphix ever produced in CPC games.


Lol this reminds me of Barbarian...
Sadly the gameplay is not as good...

Feel free to also try the rare PLUS production on disk...

[TFM]

Yes, for a short while, but it's worth. Else they never ever see it

[Gryzor]

Really surprised noone mentioned Rainbow Islands. The palette use was really excellent and the overall aesthetics really great.

PS Gals Panic was actually a very good game...

[TFM]

Really surprised noone mentioned Rainbow Islands. The palette use was really excellent and the overall aesthetics really great.

Yes, very true. And maybe Rodland a bit. Well, a lot of CPC games are damn great (if they are no speccy ports or cheap prods.).

Ikari Warriors btw...