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General Category => Other retro => Topic started by: cwpab on 19:26, 11 May 25

Title: Imogen, a hidden gem of the BBC Micro never ported to other systems
Post by: cwpab on 19:26, 11 May 25
I just discovered Imogen, a BBC Micro exclusive title, and thought I raised a topic here. In this game, you control a wizard that can turn into a cat and a monkey.

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z0o0-Rk_TTI/sddefault.jpg?v=65440bfe)

Seems like this could be a very Spectrum/Amstrad experience for fans of these machines looking for good games they missed from back in the day.

Apparenlty, each stage changes the gameplay slightly introducing new objects/creatures/mechanics. This guy (https://youtu.be/Z0o0-Rk_TTI?si=6LmHd9cAdw6wa0VZ) even decicated a Youtube video to it saying it's his favorite game of all time (skip to 4:05 if you hate AI art!).

It also seems like a perfect game to port to Spectrum/Amstrad in 2025. I'm tempted to try it.
Title: Re: Imogen, a hidden gem of the BBC Micro never ported to other systems
Post by: dodogildo on 20:19, 11 May 25
Great find. I hope someone talented will make a port.
Title: Re: Imogen, a hidden gem of the BBC Micro never ported to other systems
Post by: Jean-Marie on 20:50, 11 May 25
There are a few BBC gems I'd love to see on CPC. A few years ago, I stumbled upon a video of EXILE, which got me mesmerized. The source code has been recreated on GitHub, but the 6502 proc is a very different beast.
I would have loved to see Castle Quest and Citadel too.



Title: Re: Imogen, a hidden gem of the BBC Micro never ported to other systems
Post by: robcfg on 23:09, 11 May 25
I'd suggest to take a look at the games that 0xCODE6502 is doing for the Acorn Electron (the decaf BBC so to speak ;) ), because they are pure gold!

https://github.com/0xC0DE6502

My favourite is Electrobots.
Title: Re: Imogen, a hidden gem of the BBC Micro never ported to other systems
Post by: overange on 09:40, 12 May 25
Imogen has been ported to the Atari 8-Bit systems and its amazing

Title: Re: Imogen, a hidden gem of the BBC Micro never ported to other systems
Post by: cwpab on 19:06, 12 May 25
Some thoughts:

- I must clarify that in my first message, "I'm tempted to try it" means "try the game", not "porting it". I only know some Visual Basic!

- I don't recommend watching the whole video about the game I linked because the guy, which seems nice and a BBC Micro expert, spoils all the puzzles, it's basically a guide instead of a review.

- Instead, I recommend checking his playlist where he plays the top 85 BBC Micro games and ranks them (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDgmuFhqDXWpMI6dDPnVWvdHE88trIclb&si=GPSxnfphzWXM6F-l). Imogen is #2, Elite is #1.

- About the Atari 8 bit port, I'm glad it exists, but the 2004 Green Day song (while being a nice chiptune cover) feels totally out of place. They could have chosen one of the multiple 1986 hits instead, like Walk This Way from Aerosmith/Run DMC or Venus from Bananarama! (Both more suited to the game theme): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX7b12kdMQTpG
Title: Re: Imogen, a hidden gem of the BBC Micro never ported to other systems
Post by: Gryzor on 07:45, 21 May 25
Quote from: overange on 09:40, 12 May 25Imogen has been ported to the Atari 8-Bit systems and its amazing


Looks lovely, but what's with all the flickering?
Title: Re: Imogen, a hidden gem of the BBC Micro never ported to other systems
Post by: arnoldemu on 08:42, 21 May 25
A fantastic game! I played it to the end on our BBC Micro.

A long time ago I decoded the sprites, they are done pixel by pixel vertically with a code for transparent, opaque and end of column.

Title: Re: Imogen, a hidden gem of the BBC Micro never ported to other systems
Post by: eto on 08:59, 21 May 25
Quote from: overange on 09:40, 12 May 25Imogen has been ported to the Atari 8-Bit systems and its amazing
The game looks amazing - but this particular video is painful to watch. 
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