DT Kofoed

I agree that technically and artistically this game is astounding. The control scheme is just so poorly designed! Push the button and use the joystick to swim... how much more convoluted could this be? And why do I feel the need to complain that flying feels too floaty? Still, glad to have an excuse to really get into this one, otherwise I doubt I could have gotten over the learning curve to really appreciate it.

Beat Fathom for the first time: 12,336 - (I took the picture with my phone from my netbook screen, but Windows won't import from my phone any more, so I then had to take a picture of my phone with my camera, which is why this looks like shite.) As for the map posting so soon, here's my reasoning, for what it's worth: After seeing the suggestion to map in another post, and realizing that the trident pieces occur in set locations, I went ahead and mapped about half the game. Then I thought, surely someone has already done this, and sure enough, they had. I've noticed that people tend to hold off on their hints until the weekend (at least), but I figured that anyone who needs the help probably needs it before the final couple of days, while those who don't need the help anyways won't use it. If people prefer a little more mystery, though, then I'll wait to post things like this until further into the week (I don't want to ruffle any feathers or fins)! As for strategy: 1. remember that pulling down as a seagull makes you drop faster. 2. it's vital to memorize the starting cloud positions for each screen, so that you enter a new sky screen hitting those low flying clouds rather than low flying birds (or avoiding them as your fall through grey-cloud skies, if you've taken too long).

Though this looked useful...

First time playing... 26... ouch. I've ordered the cartridge for this one, since the keyboard is not well suited to this control scheme. Hope it arrives in time to get some real playing in.

71,925 - marginal improvement on last minute spin- no time for picture!

71125! I struggled to reach that goal and died quite fast thereafter. My keg's all dry now. Damn! We're freaking score twins... and I'm too lazy to go another round.

So jealous of your stack... [but my 5 gallon carboy is bigger than your one-handed mug!]

Woot! Tapmaster celebrates with another homebrew (the liquid kind) at the finish. [Also, let the record note that the VCS version only allows 2 mugs on any given counter at any given time, not 3/4]

49,275 - can't seem to get past 50K... also, emulation on my netbook isn't quite as much fun as the hardware on my tv, so we'll see how much more time I put in on this game.

Wow, pink and cyan CGA flashback, argh!

Top this! That's me holding a cold homebrew with my left, while my right holds five gallons of ale I'm dry hopping in my secondary fermenter. Also, I've played the game, though I've had to resort to emulation this time out, with a meager 48,725 to show for it this time.

Yeah, for some reason Sega did all their 2600 games like this. Nah, not all... I'm looking at Star Trek: Strategic Operations Simulator on my shelf just now, and I know I've seen Sub Scan and Tac-Scan games printed upright.

Difficulty 1 slight increase - 91,200 - done now.

Difficulty 8 - slight increase - 19,100 - I give up.

Difficulty 8 - 18,700. Given what I said above, I don't think I'll be clearing that third stage. I can't hang safely on the left side vines, and can't get a fast enough joystick response to make a jump on that third platform. Think I'm going to play this on the 7800 and remember what it's supposed to look like.

That trick stops working at level 7, though. I can get past the second platform, but when you're on the left side waiting to jump onto the 3rd platform, the snapjaw will get you as it passes under your feet. Not sure folks will get past that point. Here's my latest score: 167,100! Yes you're correct. The top left two bars go unsafe after "game 5" is cleared. (bottom bars stay safe) I found out last night, and will update my tips soon. Everyone passing game 5... on level 3/game 6. all will have to make a jump from the to left bar up/over the snapjaw teeth. Or do what they can do avoid hitting your feet on the bottom row of teeth. A good way to figure level 3, is select a different difficulty and practice it. game 8 is pretty good at doing that.. and is why I am even able to get passed the 90ks mark. And here I thought I was hitting a glitch in my Red Label Atari cart. Glad to know it's not just me... on the other hand, I have no idea how to compensate on level 8.

2nd day's efforts: 1 - 90,400 8 - 17,800 I expect to crack 100K on default before the contest ends, and get past stage 3 at least once for the challenge. 170K+ is, I fear, out of my reach.

Alright, finally got around to playing today (putting off cleaning the house), so here's my first scores: standard - 67,200 freakinhard - 17,300

Argh! Now I have to stare at that fat ugly monkey all week long!

Megamania - 39,040 - I hang my head in shame.

Megamania - 19,400 - Participation Ribbon for me!

Probably won't be able to hold on to any top ten finishes this episode... also, my wife took my camera on her vacation, so I'm working on the honor system here. Current high scores: Joust - 115,000 Stampede - 3,669 Jungle Hunt - 23,030 Also, I hate Megamania. Simple hate. Oh well, score to come before tomorrow's deadline.

Minor improvement to Stampede 2889, a jump above 100K in Joust 112760, and a baseline score for Jungle Hunt 20780 (which I've never been good at). I'll post a score for Megamania as soon as I have something less embarrassing to show, since I simply suck at that one, and can only hope for "participation" points.

BTW I love that my forum status is "space invader" given my avatar is a picture of my custom shelving!!!