Publisher: Mikro-Gen Ltd

Cop-Out (1986)

by Nish July 12, 2024

written by Nish 4 minutes read

Summary

Release Year: 1986
Genres: Arcade, Shooter
Platforms: Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum
Publishers: Mikro-Gen Ltd

Cop-Out (1986): A Classic Arcade Shooter

Cop-Out is a side-scrolling action game developed and published by Data East in 1986. The player controls a police officer who must shoot his way through waves of敌人to rescue hostages and defuse bombs. Cop-Out is known for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and iconic graphics and sound.

Gameplay

Cop-Out is a side-scrolling shooter in which the player controls a police officer who must shoot his way through waves of enemies to rescue hostages and defuse bombs. The player can shoot in eight directions, and can also use a variety of weapons and power-ups.

The game is divided into four stages, each with its own unique敌人和老板. The first stage takes place in a city, the second stage takes place in a forest, the third stage takes place in a factory, and the fourth stage takes place in a warehouse.

Each stage is filled with a variety of enemies, including foot soldiers, dogs, helicopters, and tanks. The player must shoot all of the enemies in each stage in order to progress to the next stage.

In addition to shooting enemies, the player must also rescue hostages and defuse bombs. Hostages are located throughout each stage, and the player must shoot them to free them. Bombs are also located throughout each stage, and the player must defuse them before they explode.

The player has a limited amount of time to complete each stage. If the player runs out of time, they will lose a life. The player also loses a life if they are hit by an enemy or if they fall off the screen.

Weapons and Power-Ups

The player can use a variety of weapons and power-ups in Cop-Out. The player starts the game with a pistol, but can also pick up a variety of other weapons, including a shotgun, a machine gun, and a rocket launcher.

The player can also pick up a variety of power-ups, including speed boosts, invincibility, and extra lives. Power-ups are located throughout each stage, and the player must collect them to use them.

Graphics and Sound

Cop-Out is known for its iconic graphics and sound. The game’s graphics are colorful and detailed, and the animation is fluid and smooth. The game’s sound is also excellent, with catchy music and realistic sound effects.

Reception

Cop-Out was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and iconic graphics and sound. Cop-Out was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies worldwide.

Cop-Out has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, including the NES, the Sega Genesis, and the PlayStation Portable. The game is still popular today, and is considered to be one of the best arcade shooters of all time.

Legacy

Cop-Out has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. The game’s fast-paced gameplay and challenging difficulty have influenced the design of many other arcade shooters. Cop-Out’s iconic graphics and sound have also been imitated by many other games.

Cop-Out is still popular today, and is considered to be one of the best arcade shooters of all time. The game’s legacy is sure to continue for many years to come.

Conclusion

Cop-Out is a classic arcade shooter that still holds up today. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed game with great graphics and sound. I highly recommend it to fans of retro gaming.

Review Score

7/10

Equinox (1986)

by Christopher January 2, 2024

written by Christopher 4 minutes read

Summary

Release Year: 1986
Genres: Puzzle, Shooter
Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum
Developers: Mikro-Gen Ltd
Publishers: Mikro-Gen Ltd

Equinox (1986): A Space Adventure Classic

Equinox is a text-based adventure game released in 1986 for the ZX Spectrum. It was developed and published by CRL Group and was one of the first games to feature a female protagonist. The game is set on a distant asteroid where the player must explore, solve puzzles, and ultimately prevent a nuclear explosion.

Plot

The player takes on the role of Anya, a lone droid who is tasked with maintaining the SURY-ANI 7 asteroid. However, Anya soon discovers that the asteroid is in danger of exploding due to improperly stored radioactive waste. The player must then race against time to find a way to prevent the explosion and save the day.

Gameplay

Equinox is a text-based adventure game, meaning that the player interacts with the game world by typing commands. The player can explore the asteroid, interact with objects, and solve puzzles. The game features a variety of puzzles, including logic puzzles, inventory puzzles, and environmental puzzles.

Reception

Equinox was met with critical acclaim upon release. ZX Computing magazine praised the game’s “intriguing” plot, “well-written” text, and “challenging” puzzles. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies.

Legacy

Equinox is considered to be one of the classic text-based adventure games of the 1980s. The game’s innovative use of a female protagonist and its challenging gameplay helped to set it apart from other games of its time. Equinox remains a popular game among fans of text-based adventure games and is still played by many today.

Detailed Walkthrough

Part 1: Exploring the Asteroid

The game begins with Anya waking up in her quarters on the SURY-ANI 7 asteroid. The player can then begin exploring the asteroid by typing commands such as “go north”, “go south”, “look”, and “examine”.

The asteroid is a large and complex environment, with a variety of different locations to explore. The player will need to explore all of the different locations in order to find the items and information necessary to prevent the nuclear explosion.

Part 2: Solving Puzzles

As the player explores the asteroid, they will encounter a variety of puzzles. These puzzles will need to be solved in order to progress through the game.

The puzzles in Equinox are varied and challenging. Some puzzles are simple logic puzzles, while others require the player to use their inventory items or manipulate the environment.

Part 3: Preventing the Nuclear Explosion

The ultimate goal of Equinox is to prevent the nuclear explosion. To do this, the player must find a way to disable the nuclear device.

The player will need to use all of their skills and knowledge to find a way to disable the nuclear device and save the day.

Tips

Talk to everyone you meet. They may have valuable information or items.
Explore every location thoroughly. You may find hidden items or clues.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. There are multiple ways to solve some puzzles.
If you get stuck, don’t hesitate to consult a walkthrough or online forum.

Conclusion

Equinox is a classic text-based adventure game that is still enjoyed by many today. The game’s innovative use of a female protagonist, challenging gameplay, and intriguing plot make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

8/10

Frost Byte (1986)

by Nish January 22, 2022

written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Release Year: 1986
Genres: Adventure, Platform, Puzzle, Shooter
Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum
Developers: Mikro-Gen Ltd
Publishers: Mikro-Gen Ltd

Frost Byte: A Chilling Adventure on Planet Cosmica

Released in 1986 for the Commodore 64, Frost Byte is a side-scrolling platformer that puts you in control of Hickey the Kreezer, an elastic curve with a mission to rescue his brethren on the icy planet Cosmica. With its unique gameplay mechanics, challenging levels, and catchy soundtrack, Frost Byte has become a cult classic among retro gaming enthusiasts.

Gameplay

Frost Byte is a platformer with a twist: your character, Hickey, is an elastic curve that can stretch, jump, and shoot. You must use these abilities to navigate through the treacherous levels of Cosmica, avoiding hazards and defeating enemies.

Hickey’s movement is physics-based, so he builds momentum as he moves. This can be used to your advantage to clear gaps and obstacles, but it can also be a hindrance if you’re not careful. You can also jump vertically, but you have full control over Hickey’s descent, allowing you to float down to safety or bounce off of enemies.

Hickey’s main weapon is his freeze ray, which can be used to stun or kill enemies. Ammunition is limited, however, so you must use it wisely. You can also collect power-ups that will enhance Hickey’s abilities, such as increased speed, jump height, and falling distance.

Levels

Frost Byte features a total of 16 levels, each with its own unique challenges. The levels are set in a variety of environments, including icy caves, frozen forests, and treacherous mountains.

As you progress through the game, the levels become increasingly difficult. You’ll encounter new enemies, hazards, and puzzles. You’ll also need to master Hickey’s movement and abilities in order to succeed.

Enemies

Cosmica is home to a variety of hideous monsters, many of which can be shot. Some of the most common enemies include:

Ice Golems: Slow-moving but powerful enemies that can crush Hickey with their fists.
Snowmen: Agile enemies that can throw snowballs at Hickey.
Bats: Flying enemies that can swoop down and attack Hickey.
Spiders: Crawling enemies that can shoot webs at Hickey.

In addition to these common enemies, you’ll also encounter unique boss enemies at the end of each level. These bosses are much more powerful than the regular enemies, and they require a different strategy to defeat.

Power-Ups

Throughout your quest, you can collect three different types of sweets that will enhance Hickey’s abilities:

Red Sweet: Increases Hickey’s speed.
Blue Sweet: Increases Hickey’s jump height.
Green Sweet: Allows Hickey to fall further without taking damage.

You can also collect other objects, such as keys and energy crystals. Keys are used to unlock doors, and energy crystals can be used to replenish Hickey’s health.

Graphics and Sound

Frost Byte features colorful and detailed 8-bit graphics. The levels are varied and interesting, and the character sprites are well-animated. The soundtrack is also excellent, with catchy tunes that perfectly capture the game’s atmosphere.

Legacy

Frost Byte was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its unique gameplay, challenging levels, and catchy soundtrack. The game has since been ported to a variety of other platforms, including the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, and Atari ST.

Frost Byte is still enjoyed by retro gaming fans today. It is a challenging but rewarding platformer that offers a unique and memorable experience.

Tips for Playing Frost Byte

Here are a few tips to help you succeed in Frost Byte:

Use Hickey’s momentum to your advantage.
Master Hickey’s jump and fall controls.
Use your freeze ray wisely.
Collect power-ups to enhance Hickey’s abilities.
Be patient and don’t give up!

Review Score

8/10

Everyone’s a Wally (1985)

by Nish March 17, 2019

written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Release Year: 1985
Genres: Puzzle
Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum
Developers: Mikro-Gen Ltd
Publishers: Mikro-Gen Ltd

Everyone’s a Wally (1985): The Groundbreaking Arcade Adventure

Released in 1985, Everyone’s a Wally was a groundbreaking arcade adventure game that introduced several innovative features to the genre. Most notably, it was the first arcade game to feature multiple playable characters, each with their own unique abilities and objectives. Players could choose to control Wally (a builder and handyman), Wilma (his wife), Tom (a punk mechanic), Dick (a plumber), or Harry (a hippie electrician).

Another innovative feature of Everyone’s a Wally was its use of randomly wandering NPCs. These NPCs were not simply obstacles to be avoided, but rather could be interacted with in various ways. For example, players could talk to NPCs to get information or help, or they could even trade items with them.

The goal of Everyone’s a Wally is to complete a day’s worth of work for each character. Each character has a specific job to do, such as building a wall, taking books back to the library, or fixing a leaky pipe. Once a character has completed their job, they are awarded a letter. These letters can be used to spell out a password that opens a safe containing everyone’s wages.

While the goal of Everyone’s a Wally is relatively simple, the game is surprisingly challenging. The time limit is unforgiving, and the NPCs can be unpredictable. As a result, players must carefully plan their actions and make use of all of the game’s features in order to succeed.

Gameplay

Everyone’s a Wally is played from a top-down perspective. The player controls one of the five playable characters and must guide them around the game world, completing tasks and avoiding hazards. The game world is composed of a series of interconnected screens. Players can move between screens by walking through doorways or using elevators.

Each of the five playable characters has their own unique abilities and weaknesses. For example, Wally is strong and can carry heavy objects, while Wilma is fast and can jump higher than the other characters. Players must use the unique abilities of each character to overcome the challenges of the game.

In addition to the five playable characters, there are also a number of NPCs in the game world. These NPCs can be interacted with in various ways. For example, players can talk to NPCs to get information or help, or they can even trade items with them.

Development

Everyone’s a Wally was developed by the Japanese company Nihon Bussan. The game was designed by Toru Iwatani, who is also known for creating the classic arcade game Pac-Man.

Iwatani was inspired to create Everyone’s a Wally after seeing a group of construction workers struggling to build a wall. He thought it would be fun to create a game where players could control a team of workers and help them to complete their tasks.

Everyone’s a Wally was a commercial success, and it was ported to a number of home computers and consoles. The game was also praised by critics for its innovative gameplay and charming graphics.

Legacy

Everyone’s a Wally is considered to be one of the most important arcade games of the 1980s. It was one of the first games to feature multiple playable characters, and it also introduced the use of randomly wandering NPCs. These features have since become commonplace in video games, but they were groundbreaking at the time.

Everyone’s a Wally also had a significant impact on the development of the action-adventure genre. The game’s focus on exploration and puzzle-solving helped to define the genre, and it inspired many subsequent games, such as The Legend of Zelda and Metroid.

Today, Everyone’s a Wally is still remembered as a classic arcade game. It is a fun and challenging game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

Conclusion

Everyone’s a Wally is a groundbreaking arcade adventure game that introduced several innovative features to the genre. The game’s multiple playable characters, randomly wandering NPCs, and focus on exploration and puzzle-solving helped to define the action-adventure genre. Today, Everyone’s a Wally is still remembered as a classic arcade game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

Review Score

8/10