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General Category => Games => Topic started by: Puresox on 20:16, 18 March 16

Title: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Puresox on 20:16, 18 March 16
I expect reading the instructions will help no end in a lot of these , but many times can't find the instructions in the language I'm familiar with. Anyway some that come to mind are


Armageddon Man
Contamination
The Fourth Protocol
Apocalypse -ERE


If anyone has any good tips on any of these games or has any idea whether they are worth trying to understand ?
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Singaja on 20:20, 18 March 16
There was a submarine game I couldn't not ever figure out (it had a nice animation when the sub was actually sinking inside the control room). I can't recall the title.
And Dun Darach too. I had no idea what to do - I could buy stuff (with the infamous Iridi currency), steal and give away my money but basically that's it. I never got a clue what the items were supposed to do.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: TFM on 20:43, 18 March 16
Hunt for Red October, or Silent Service?
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: khaz on 20:51, 18 March 16
Haha I should list every game I've ever played as an 8 year old :D
Especially as those were disc copies that my father got without any instruction manual.

Thanatos: no indication on what to do ingame. Replenishing gas is undiscoverable, and the princess sprite is the same colour has the soldier, basically invisible when flying at great speed. The spectrum version has her in a different colour, so sort of clues you something has to be done with her.

Saboteur: After wandering for a while, I was able to routinely evade in the helicopter. I had no idea the difficulty level was actually different missions with different objectives, and I only recently found out on youtube that there was a massive underground area that I had never explored, complete with underground base, rocket pad and underground train!

Saboteur 2: way too huge a map for my tiny brain lol. I only tried a few times and got slaughtered by the guards and their flamethrowers each time.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Puresox on 21:15, 18 March 16

Quote from: Singaja on 20:20, 18 March 16
There was a submarine game I couldn't not ever figure out (it had a nice animation when the sub was actually sinking inside the control room). I can't recall the title.
And Dun Darach too. I had no idea what to do - I could buy stuff (with the infamous Iridi currency), steal and give away my money but basically that's it. I never got a clue what the items were supposed to do.
Some of the submarine games intrigue me loads , And there are a fair few out there , Even that amsoft title Hunter Killer looked pretty cool for Amsoft.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Zoe Robinson on 00:47, 19 March 16
Quote from: Singaja on 20:20, 18 March 16
There was a submarine game I couldn't not ever figure out (it had a nice animation when the sub was actually sinking inside the control room). I can't recall the title.


Was it the one that was on an AA cover tape and allowed you to pump your own air? I never understood that one.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: alex76gr on 09:45, 19 March 16
Avenger (avenger &copy gremlin graphics software (1986) (http://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=333))

Iron Lord (iron lord &copy ubi soft (1989) (http://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=1178))

Kinght Lore (knight lore &copy ultimate play the game (1984) (http://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=1258))

Usagi Yojimbo Samurai Warrior (usagi yojimbo &copy firebird (1988) (http://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=2235))

I had these games back in the days but they always baffled me on how to play and proceed.
Today with the internet it's easy to find the manual but back then it was a no go. :)
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: dirtybb on 10:14, 19 March 16
Eden blues  :-\
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Puresox on 14:30, 19 March 16
Eden blues, ha ha , yes that was a git of a game if you didn't know certain things, which I didnt at the time.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: khaz on 15:10, 19 March 16
Quote from: alex76gr on 09:45, 19 March 16Kinght Lore (knight lore &copy ultimate play the game (1984) (http://www.cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=1258))

Oh this one. I got a copy of it back in the day. I never understood what I was supposed to be doing, and I'm still clueless about most isometric games even today. I don't understand the popularity of these games.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: ivarf on 16:44, 19 March 16
Quote from: Puresox on 14:30, 19 March 16
Eden blues, ha ha , yes that was a git of a game if you didn't know certain things, which I didnt at the time.
Please give a hint...
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Shaun M. Neary on 23:19, 19 March 16
Purple Saturn Day

End the thread...
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Puresox on 23:43, 19 March 16
The buget rereleaseof Captain Blood! Instructions ? What Instructions do you need for this very straightforward game!! :o :laugh:
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: EgoTrip on 23:47, 19 March 16
Knight Lore is easy to understand. You pick up objects and take them to the cauldron room, when you are Sabreman (going in that room as the werewolf results in pain). The cauldron will tell you what item to drop into it. Do it 14 times to complete the game.

As for the main topic, Codename MAT was one I never understood. I had it back in the day but didn't have any instructions. The Freescape games also. I guess I had little patience with them because they are so slow.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Puresox on 01:35, 20 March 16
Quote from: EgoTrip on 23:47, 19 March 16
Knight Lore is easy to understand. You pick up objects and take them to the cauldron room, when you are Sabreman (going in that room as the werewolf results in pain). The cauldron will tell you what item to drop into it. Do it 14 times to complete the game.

As for the main topic, Codename MAT was one I never understood. I had it back in the day but didn't have any instructions. The Freescape games also. I guess I had little patience with them because they are so slow.
I agree , Knight lore was not a difficult one IMO. KnightForce game however (With superb graphics) that one was baffling. Codename Mat that was  one I need to get my head around , especially getting all the keys familiarised. Back in the day , I would never have enjoyed Codename mat
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Zoe Robinson on 01:57, 20 March 16
Impossible Mission was a bastard, as I recall. So many people rave about that game but I could never understand why.


Also, Hacker. Let's release a game with no instructions, that'll be great!  :picard:
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: andycadley on 10:38, 20 March 16
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 01:57, 20 March 16
Impossible Mission was a bastard, as I recall. So many people rave about that game but I could never understand why.
Sacrilege. Impossible Mission is a fantastic game and not one I'd consider particularly hard to understand. Collect puzzle pieces, solve puzzles. What could be easier?

Now why people rave about the C64 version, despite it playing the worst, is a whole different kettle of fish....
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Zoe Robinson on 12:32, 20 March 16
I was 4 when Impossible Mission was released, and about 6 when I first played it. At that age, it's not a good game (and thus has been etched into my memory as crap).
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Puresox on 13:44, 20 March 16
Quote from: andycadley on 10:38, 20 March 16
Sacrilege. Impossible Mission is a fantastic game and not one I'd consider particularly hard to understand. Collect puzzle pieces, solve puzzles. What could be easier?

Now why people rave about the C64 version, despite it playing the worst, is a whole different kettle of fish....
Impossible Mission was ok, and easy enough. Amstrad version was terrible. C64 was so much better, I can't see why you would think that? Reasons?
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: andycadley on 20:41, 20 March 16
The stupid homing ball robots, the inconsistency about running past holes, the way it doesn't properly clear puzzle pieces after a successful match.

It's not that it's bad, it just has rougher edges than other versions, but everyone just seems to get swept up in the "it has speech" thing and ignores the glitches.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: remax on 21:54, 20 March 16
Nexus

<-Thing Bounces Back

2 games i loved being a child but i never understood anything about.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: AMSDOS on 01:56, 21 March 16

Quote from: Puresox on 13:44, 20 March 16
Impossible Mission was ok, and easy enough. Amstrad version was terrible. C64 was so much better, I can't see why you would think that? Reasons?


AA must of been paid off to give Impossible Mission an AA Rave!  :D
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Puresox on 11:37, 21 March 16
I think the second Mission Impossible was reasonable on the Amstrad
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Shaun M. Neary on 14:46, 21 March 16
Quote from: AMSDOS on 01:56, 21 March 16

AA must of been paid off to give Impossible Mission an AA Rave!  :D


Well it was a U.S. Gold related release after all...  :laugh:
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: andycadley on 15:18, 21 March 16
Quote from: Puresox on 11:37, 21 March 16
I think the second Mission Impossible was reasonable on the Amstrad
Ooh no, terrible game on every platform. The "music" puzzle was convoluted (to the point it probably deserves to be in this thread!) and not much fun, the screens were too busy making it hard to tell what needed searching and what didn't and the myriad of different items unnecessarily complex. It always just felt like a less fun version of the original, with things added simply because "more is better"
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Puresox on 16:06, 21 March 16
I enjoyed it tbh, I know what yo mean about the amount of items that can clutter it up , I did find that the Amstrad version was an acceptable version , which wasn't the case with MI 1. I personally enjoyed the added elements to the gameplay , the variety in robots and platforms etc.. The puzzle element was lost on me though , and I still do not understand how that works . Plus I would have really liked to have had the speech in CPC version.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Optimus on 17:22, 21 March 16
I remember a lot of isometric or open world games at the time, where it was already impressive enough to wander around the world, yet I never understood what's the greatest purpose in these games. Isn't it the same with life? :)
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Shaun M. Neary on 17:58, 21 March 16
Quote from: Optimus on 17:22, 21 March 16
I remember a lot of isometric or open world games at the time, where it was already impressive enough to wander around the world, yet I never understood what's the greatest purpose in these games. Isn't it the same with life? :)


I'm probably gonna get hung for this, but here goes.
I thought all the Freescape games were the biggest pile of dross known to humankind. Sure, it was awesome 3D, but all I ended up doing was wandering around not having a damn clue what to do. Driller, Dark Side and the Total Eclipse games. And not one of them made sense to me at aged 12, 13 or 14.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Gryzor on 18:39, 21 March 16
Into Oblivion. My first ever CPC game, and if I had known about the map (http://cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Into_Oblivion) I don't think I'd have bothered much; I did spend several afternoons just shooting things to hell, though, so I loved it.


About submarines: not hard to get, but I did love Blue War and was pretty good at it :)


FreeScape - they were very impressive but I couldn't find out what to do, either. Probably too young...
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Puresox on 19:30, 21 March 16
Freescape games , I was too young to appreciate them all, I do think they are great games now though .
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: andycadley on 20:12, 21 March 16
Castle Master was the first Freescape title that really felt like a totally engrossing game. The earlier ones relied a bit too much on guesswork for my liking.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Munchausen on 20:42, 21 March 16
I liked the freescape games as a kid, but couldn't really play them properly until I was a bit older. It helped that my parents played them. I'm always a bit surprised that my Mum used to be really into games on the CPC. I don't think she's played anything beyond solitaire since then!
Title: Re: Freescape games
Post by: Nich on 22:40, 21 March 16
Quote from: Shaun M. Neary on 17:58, 21 March 16
I thought all the Freescape games were the biggest pile of dross known to humankind. Sure, it was awesome 3D, but all I ended up doing was wandering around not having a damn clue what to do. Driller, Dark Side and the Total Eclipse games. And not one of them made sense to me at aged 12, 13 or 14.

:o Sacrilege! I got the Virtual Worlds Freescape compilation when I was 11 years old, which contained four of the six Freescape games - and I loved playing them, and I certainly knew what I was supposed to do! I loved exploring these 3D worlds - even if the games were rather slow. When Total Eclipse II appeared on an Amstrad Action covertape a few months later, I was overjoyed.

Spoiler: ShowHide
Incidentally, the team behind Driller intended that one of the sectors (Niccolite) could only be cleared if you had the manual - because the correct drilling coordinates for this sector are shown in a screenshot in the manual, and unlike the other sectors, there is no room for error.
Title: Re: Freescape games
Post by: Munchausen on 11:37, 22 March 16
Quote from: Nich on 22:40, 21 March 16
:o Sacrilege! I got the Virtual Worlds Freescape compilation when I was 11 years old, which contained four of the six Freescape games - and I loved playing them, and I certainly knew what I was supposed to do! I loved exploring these 3D worlds - even if the games were rather slow. When Total Eclipse II appeared on an Amstrad Action covertape a few months later, I was overjoyed.

Spoiler: ShowHide
Incidentally, the team behind Driller intended that one of the sectors (Niccolite) could only be cleared if you had the manual - because the correct drilling coordinates for this sector are shown in a screenshot in the manual, and unlike the other sectors, there is no room for error.


I also have the virtual worlds set. There are two other games!? Sort of want to play again now :)
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: ||C|-|E|| on 12:24, 22 March 16
I have really fond memories of Castle Master, I played it to death  :D . Nowadays, it looks more like a slideshow than an actual game, to be honest. If I was going to play freescape titles again I would probably go for the Amiga version, if available, or at least use an emu with a significant speed increase.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: mr_lou on 12:42, 22 March 16
For me it was "Don't Panic".
don't panic &copy firebird (1985) (http://cpc-power.com/index.php?page=detail&num=742)

I loved arcade games and thought "Don't Panic" looked like a really great one - but I just couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do.
I'm pretty sure I actually thought the game was broken at first, because my laser didn't work when trying to shoot that green monster thingy.
There was nothing intuitive about the gameplay in that game.

Once I found out what I was supposed to do, it became an ok game - but still way too difficult at that age.

Worth a play today though, if you're into arcade games.
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: Targhan on 18:51, 22 March 16
To me it's the opposite: I managed to play games when I was a kid that I couldn't manage today. A little while ago,go, I tried City Slicker, from which I had fond memories... I couldn't manage to open the first door!! Did I get stupid with age??  :o
Title: Re: Games that Look interesting , but you haven't got a clue to fathom.
Post by: sigh on 23:29, 22 March 16
Pyjamarama

Sabre Wulf

No idea what I was supposed to be doing in these.
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