Homebreviews - part 17
Entry posted by Nathan Strum
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Climber 5
4/5
Climber 5 is an adaptation of a game (also called Climber 5) originally created for the Atari 8-bit computers. I downloaded and tried out the original version prior to writing this review. The object of the game is to climb up a building that's under construction, and retrieve a baseball that's been hit up there. You have to climb ladders, and avoid girder beams moving back and forth. That's about as far as the original game went, and an adaptation of that version is included on the 2600 cart.
But Dennis Debro also added two improved versions to the cart. The "Normal" version adds a timer, randomized girders and ladder positions, and the ability for the player to change the girders' directions (which takes extra time away from you). For those looking for an added challenge, the "Advanced" version also adds falling objects that you need to either avoid, or catch to earn more time. This third version is where Climber 5 really begins to shine. The falling objects transform it into a really well-rounded and challenging game, where strategy and good timing become indispensable.
The player's speed on the first level feels really sluggish, but that picks up starting in the second level. The graphics are decent, and in keeping with the original game. The sounds are about average for a 2600 game. Ultimately though, it's the gameplay that will keep you returning to Climber 5 - especially the "Advanced" version.
FlapPing
3/5
Joust meets Pong. That's the concept for FlapPing (originally titled JoustPong), although it's more Pong than Joust, since the goal is exactly that of Pong: hit a ball with a paddle, and get it past your opponent to score points. The difference here is that instead of using a paddle controller to move, you press a button repeatedly to flap your paddle's "wings", in order to gain or lose altitude and hit the ball. Unfortunately, FlapPing could have used a little more Joust. I kept desperately wanting to move my paddle left and right - even just a little bit. The ball in FlapPing is extremely small, and very difficult to hit when it's moving fast - especially if it has a lot of vertical movement on it. The problem is only made worse after you miss and the next serve comes your way, since it will be served at the same angle and speed you just missed the last shot at. It's very easy to miss multiple shots in a row this way. A more forgiving serve would have done wonders for this game. It would have been great if the ball had been a little larger, too.
The pterodactyl from Joust also makes an appearance, although it would be nice to have the option of either shutting it off, or making its appearances only periodic, instead of continuous. FlapPing does have the option of adding Warlords-like walls behind each player, which makes the game a lot more forgiving, and a lot more fun to play. There is also an "easy" mode, but basically it just makes the computer so clueless, it never hits the ball back to you. FlapPing is a great concept, and there's some fun to be had here, but a larger ball and some horizontal movement would have helped make it more fun, and a lot less frustrating.
Oystron
5/5
One of the earliest of the modern-era homebrews is still one of the best. A fast-paced shooter requiring twitch reflexes, Oystron also delivers surprising depth and a ton of replay value. The game is split into three phases - the goal of the first phase is to shoot enemies that approach you from the right side of the screen and catch "pearls" that they release, collecting them in rows along the left half of the screen. What the manual inexplicably neglects to tell you, is that each row that you complete earns you an additional bomb, to use during the second (Oystron) phase. It took me more than a few games to figure this rather important point out.
During the Oystron phase, you plant bombs around the screen in an attempt to get the Oystron to run into one and blow itself up. The more bombs you accumulate in the first phase, the more you have to use here. Following that is the Warp phase, which is basically a faster version of the first phase (albeit with psychedelic colors), after which you return to the first phase, but at a higher difficulty level.
Oystron is packed with frenetic action, top-notch graphics, excellent sounds, and unique and addictive gameplay. There's a good variety of enemies, each with different characteristics, and enough challenge to keep you coming back for more. Although the manual is a little lacking in information (such as what the different game variations are), at only $20, the only remaining question about this game is - why haven't you bought a copy of it yet? Oystron should really be on the AtariAge Bestsellers list by now. If you're looking for an outstanding action game, whether you're in the habit of buying homebrews or not, pick up Oystron.
Space Treat Deluxe
4/5
In Space Treat Deluxe, you maneuver a ship vertically up the screen, avoiding enemy drones, in order to rescue your planet's food supply trapped at the top. On the surface, it may look a little like Frogger in space... with food. But unlike Frogger, you have to turn around and bring the food back, and do so before your fuel runs out. After the first few levels you can't just make a straight run for your food supply either - you have to stop along the way and pick up a key, first.
Space Treat Deluxe is great take on the Frogger/Freeway game genre, and manages to carve out its own niche with a number of unique gameplay elements, including level layouts that are different each time you play. Space Treat Deluxe has vivid, colorful graphics, smooth controls, and fast action. There aren't any additional game variations, and the sounds are pretty basic, but neither of those detract from the game. Space Treat Deluxe is a lot of fun to play and a treat to look at, but don't let the cute graphics fool you - this game will challenge your skills and reflexes as much as any game will, whether you're rescuing candy canes or not.
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Up next... a bonus review!
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