Publisher: The Power House

Astroball (1988)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 4 minutes read

Summary

Astroball (1988): A Perpetually Moving Classic

Released in 1988 for the Amstrad CPC, Astroball is a single-screen action game that’s both simple to learn and difficult to master. The player controls a perpetually moving ball and must collect items by simply touching them. The game is over when the ball touches the edge of the screen or an enemy.

Despite its simple gameplay, Astroball is a surprisingly addictive and challenging game. The ball’s constant motion creates a sense of urgency, and the variety of items to collect keeps the game fresh. There are also a number of hidden secrets to discover, which adds to the game’s replayability.

Gameplay

The player controls the ball using a joystick or keyboard. The ball moves constantly, and the player can only control its direction. The ball can move in eight directions: up, down, left, right, and four diagonals.

The goal of the game is to collect items by touching them. There are a variety of items to collect, including points, power-ups, and extra lives. Some items are worth more points than others, and some power-ups give the player special abilities, such as increased speed or the ability to shoot projectiles.

The game is over when the ball touches the edge of the screen or an enemy. There are a number of different types of enemies in the game, each with its own unique behavior. Some enemies are stationary, while others move around the screen. Some enemies can be destroyed by touching them, while others can only be destroyed by shooting them.

Development

Astroball was written by Frederik Akinlawon and published by The Power House. Akinlawon was inspired to create the game after playing the arcade game Qix. He wanted to create a game with similar gameplay, but with a more abstract aesthetic.

Astroball was developed on a shoestring budget. Akinlawon used a variety of techniques to create the game’s unique visuals, including vector graphics and hand-drawn sprites. The game’s music was composed by David Whittaker, who also composed the music for a number of other Amstrad CPC games, including The Way of the Exploding Fist and Skool Daze.

Reception

Astroball was released to critical acclaim. Reviewers praised the game’s simple but addictive gameplay, its challenging difficulty, and its unique visuals. The game was a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies worldwide.

Astroball is still considered one of the best games for the Amstrad CPC. It is a challenging and rewarding game that is sure to appeal to fans of action games and retro gaming.

Legacy

Astroball has been ported to a number of different platforms, including the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and Atari ST. The game has also been released on a number of compilation discs and digital storefronts.

In 2018, a remake of Astroball was released for the PC. The remake features updated graphics and sound, but the gameplay remains largely the same.

Astroball is a classic game that has stood the test of time. It is a simple but challenging game that is sure to appeal to gamers of all ages.

Review Score

7.5/10

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Disposable Heroes (1987)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Disposable Heroes (1987): A Retro Classic That Still Holds Up Today

Disposable Heroes is a side-scrolling platformer game developed by Sega and released for the Sega Master System and Sega Mega Drive in 1987. The game is set in a futuristic world where the player controls a team of four soldiers who must battle their way through hordes of monsters to save the city from an alien invasion.

Disposable Heroes is a challenging but rewarding game that offers a unique blend of action and exploration. The game’s levels are large and labyrinthine, and there are many secrets to discover. The player must use their wits and skills to overcome the game’s many obstacles and defeat its challenging bosses.

One of the things that makes Disposable Heroes so unique is its focus on teamwork. The player must control all four of their soldiers simultaneously, and each soldier has their own unique abilities. The player must learn to use each soldier’s abilities effectively in order to progress through the game.

For example, the soldier with the gun can shoot enemies from afar, while the soldier with the sword can attack enemies up close. The soldier with the shield can block enemy attacks, while the soldier with the jetpack can fly over obstacles.

The player must also learn to manage their soldiers’ health and energy levels. If a soldier takes too much damage, they will die and the player will have to continue with fewer soldiers. The player can find health and energy power-ups throughout the game to keep their soldiers alive and fighting.

Disposable Heroes is a challenging game, but it is also a fair game. The player is never cheated, and there is always a way to overcome the game’s obstacles. The game’s difficulty is part of its charm, and it is one of the things that makes it so rewarding to play.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics in Disposable Heroes are simple but effective. The game’s characters and enemies are well-animated, and the backgrounds are detailed and atmospheric. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, and it helps to create the game’s unique atmosphere.

Gameplay

Disposable Heroes is a side-scrolling platformer game. The player controls a team of four soldiers who must battle their way through hordes of monsters to save the city from an alien invasion. The game’s levels are large and labyrinthine, and there are many secrets to discover. The player must use their wits and skills to overcome the game’s many obstacles and defeat its challenging bosses.

One of the things that makes Disposable Heroes so unique is its focus on teamwork. The player must control all four of their soldiers simultaneously, and each soldier has their own unique abilities. The player must learn to use each soldier’s abilities effectively in order to progress through the game.

For example, the soldier with the gun can shoot enemies from afar, while the soldier with the sword can attack enemies up close. The soldier with the shield can block enemy attacks, while the soldier with the jetpack can fly over obstacles.

The player must also learn to manage their soldiers’ health and energy levels. If a soldier takes too much damage, they will die and the player will have to continue with fewer soldiers. The player can find health and energy power-ups throughout the game to keep their soldiers alive and fighting.

Challenge

Disposable Heroes is a challenging game, but it is also a fair game. The player is never cheated, and there is always a way to overcome the game’s obstacles. The game’s difficulty is part of its charm, and it is one of the things that makes it so rewarding to play.

Legacy

Disposable Heroes is a classic Sega game that still holds up today. The game’s unique blend of action and exploration, its challenging but fair gameplay, and its excellent graphics and sound make it a must-play for any fan of retro gaming.

Tips for Playing Disposable Heroes

  • Learn to use each of your soldiers’ abilities effectively.
  • Manage your soldiers’ health and energy levels carefully.
  • Explore the game’s levels thoroughly to find secrets and power-ups.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies.
  • Be patient and persistent. Disposable Heroes is a challenging game, but it is also a very rewarding one.

Conclusion

Disposable Heroes is a classic Sega game that still holds up today. The game’s unique blend of action and exploration, its challenging but fair gameplay, and its excellent graphics and sound make it a must-play for any fan of retro gaming.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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