New game: The Return of Traxtor

reidrac · 19:35, 27 November 15

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As some of you may know I started the conversion of my ZX Spectrum game "The Return of Traxtor" to the Amstrad CPC early November, and I'm happy to announce that the game is finished.

It is almost a complete rewrite of the original, and it's been enhanced quite a lot. I honestly think this is the best version of the series in 8-bits (background music and 25 FPS, to name a couple of the improvements).

Agreed that is a "match-3 puzzle" game, which I think may not appeal to everyone; but it includes a nice twist to old mechanics that makes it somewhat unique, so even if you're not too keen on the genre... you may want to give it a go anyway

This is my second Amstrad game, and I'm having a lot of fun. Thanks for the support in my forum posts, it really helps to know people like your work. I hope you enjoy playing the game as much I enjoyed making it!

As always, feedback is appreciated.

Instructions on how to play and free game downloads at: Amstrad CPC: The Return of Traxtor - usebox.net

Last version is: 1.1 (2016-03-05)

||C|-|E|| · 19:55, 27 November 15

It is very cool! Thank you! I will for sure give it a good go!

P.D: Should not be the title "The return of the return of Traxtor"?

it is coming from the Speccy.

TFM · 20:06, 27 November 15

Great job!!! Thank you very much for the game!

Neil79 · 20:14, 27 November 15

Woooh!!!

TFM · 20:57, 27 November 15

Progress report...

reidrac · 21:02, 27 November 15

Quote from: TFM on 20:57, 27 November 15
Progress report...

Nice, so... was EASY too easy or did you poke around a bit?

Did you like it? Was the alt tileset OK to you?

TFM · 21:05, 27 November 15

Well, to be honest EASY took/needed all my skills and concentration, now I really need a break. There was a moment when I thought that's it, but a wonder happened. Didn't even know it has an end. It's just very addictive.

Used the Alt Tileset, yes that makes it more easy too.
In normal mode in my first game I dropped out at level 4.

IMHO it's just well balanced.

Absolutely great game and lot's of fun!!!

reidrac · 21:09, 27 November 15

Quote from: TFM on 21:05, 27 November 15
Well, to be honest EASY too all my skills and concentration, now I really need a break. There was a moment when I thought that's it, but a wonder happened. Didn't even know it has an end. It's just very addictive.

Used the Alt Tileset, yes that makes it more easy too.
In normal mode in my first game I dropped out at level 4.

IMHO it's just well balanced. Absolutely great game and lot's of fun!!!

Thanks a lot. Glad you liked it and the alt tileset was right for you!

I didn't play it in EASY too much, but in normal mode I struggle to get past level 14

Nich · 23:32, 27 November 15

Quote from: reidrac on 21:09, 27 November 15
I didn't play it in EASY too much, but in normal mode I struggle to get past level 14

I found easy mode to be a piece of cake. I reached level 14 on my first go in normal mode.

This is a great puzzle game and it's very colourful as well!

Nich · 23:56, 27 November 15

I should also add that it would have been even better if the Spectrum loading screen could have been adapted for the CPC - but this is only a rather minor quibble.

reidrac · 00:08, 28 November 15

Quote from: Nich on 23:56, 27 November 15
I should also add that it would have been even better if the Spectrum loading screen could have been adapted for the CPC - but this is only a rather minor quibble.

Yes, right. Unfortunately I'm not an artist and the speccy loading screen was a collaboration. I didn't want to use mode 1 so ...

Well, this game is a conversion rather than a port. It is different anyway

TFM · 23:52, 05 December 15

Maybe somebody could help with a title screen. What's about @MacDeath or @Carnivac or/and all the others posting mock ups here in the forum. This time it actually would really make sense to draw a screen. Give it a helping hand guys.

TomEtJerry · 09:28, 08 December 15

Hello,

Nice game ! It reminds me a little bit Klax ! Graphics are not so bad but could be improved. Anyway, that's a very good surprise, as 2015 is clearly not a very good blend (hu hu,not sure of this traduction, means "cuvée" in french :-) ) for CPC software.

reidrac · 10:03, 08 December 15

I recorded a video with some gameplay.

I started OK, clearing the board several times; but then I lost focus getting to level 14

Puresox · 18:01, 08 December 15

Magical drop style game by the looks?

reidrac · 09:02, 09 December 15

Quote from: Puresox on 18:01, 08 December 15
Magical drop style game by the looks?

The funny thing is I didn't know about Magical Drop, but I've checked videos and the gameplay looks similar. I would say the game mechanics are closer to Klax than Magical Drop, but there you are.

Gryzor · 19:30, 13 December 15

I finally got to play it, and loved it. I started off relaxed and cool, but soon enough I was frowning and trying to concentrate...

Thanks mate, that's a really cute title! Why don't you update the Wiki home page with an announcement? Also, can I add it to the downloads?

reidrac · 20:02, 13 December 15

Quote from: Gryzor on 19:30, 13 December 15
I finally got to play it, and loved it. I started off relaxed and cool, but soon enough I was frowning and trying to concentrate...

Thanks! I'm glad you like it.

Quote from: Gryzor on 19:30, 13 December 15
Thanks mate, that's a really cute title! Why don't you update the Wiki home page with an announcement? Also, can I add it to the downloads?

I don't know how to do that, but I can try (any pointers?); and of course you can add it to the downloads. NP!

Gryzor · 20:14, 13 December 15

Oh, more than liked it, just stopped playing

Don't worry, I'll edit the page myself

(hint: if you hit Edit on a page you can very easily see how the wiki works...)

Gryzor · 13:30, 14 December 15

Ok, added it to the Wiki's home page news

We should also have a special page about all your own efforts...

reidrac · 13:46, 14 December 15

Quote from: Gryzor on 13:30, 14 December 15
Ok, added it to the Wiki's home page news

We should also have a special page about all your own efforts...

OK, thanks!

I'll register on the wiki at some point, sometimes I find outdated information that would be just 5 minutes to improve.

Gryzor · 13:50, 14 December 15

That'd be nice to do

Editing the wiki is pretty easy, you can find help on there but also by looking at how an article has been written it's very easy to understand the syntax!

Optimus · 17:46, 20 December 15

Very good game, the controls are fine, I kept playing in a trance.

p.s. Question, do the levels ever end? In easy mode I am over level 30, I am wondering if I should just continue playing for a final win or it never ends?
p.p.s. Normal mode is more challenging, I also end around level 14.

dodogildo · 00:21, 21 December 15

I finally found time to play this gem. (I only use original hardware so it sometimes takes some time before I finally check new stuff)
Man, this game is awesome. Wish developers back 25 years ago made such quality stuff for our CPC.

I know of course they didn't have quad core laptops, emulators, Internet and awesome c libraries back then. But they should know better than making crappy speccy ports

Anyways, congrats @reidrac

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

reidrac · 09:40, 21 December 15

Quote from: Optimus on 17:46, 20 December 15
Very good game, the controls are fine, I kept playing in a trance.

Thanks!

Quote from: Optimus on 17:46, 20 December 15
p.s. Question, do the levels ever end? In easy mode I am over level 30, I am wondering if I should just continue playing for a final win or it never ends?
p.p.s. Normal mode is more challenging, I also end around level 14.

It has 25 levels; take a look to the the game page, it has useful information (including tips & tricks)

How did you get over level 30 in easy mode? May be you found a bug. Do you keep cleaning the board at level +25?

EDIT: hehe checked the code, to finish the game you need to level up normally (without cleaning the board) after level 25 (so that would be 25 levels played).