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A new game for the Atari ST series by SimonCam!
Here is something that you don't see everyday. A game which was started in 1991, put to one side, then restarted in 2014, and under current development with more and more being added to it.
We have one Thomas Ilg, sometimes known as SimonCam on a forum who is responsible for bringing this game to us.
At its heart, Laserball is a puzzler. There are large elements that have been cut away from its illustrious Commodore 64 predecessor, 'Deflektor'. This is a 'line the mirrors up to shoot the laser beam correctly at the target' game to provide the barest possible description.
Of course, there is quite a bit more to it than just that. As Thomas has added countless bells and whistly bits to enhance the playability.
A good taster for what to expect is provided with the trainer mode. A laser beam line shoots out and you have to hit a target elsewhere in the playing area. You position your mirrors with the cursor keys, and rotate them with the mouse button. On the way, there are points and time bonuses to pick up. There are also black bombs to avoid hitting, otherwise it is game over. There are doors to open and in some instances, the mirrors can be destroyed (When they are red rather than green mirrors.)
Did I say it was quite a lot like Deflektor? I believe I did. Certainly you get the same overhead view and the same grid-based movement. Only there are diversifications as well. Once free from the training levels, the game itself can spread out over a much larger grid with many mirrors and obstacles. Some of these levels require much cunning placement of these mirrors.
This can include parking them behind other mirrors to provide a buffer or leaning post. When you move the mirrors, they travel right across to the first obstacle before they come to rest. Which is not necessarily where you would want to place the mirror. (But that would be too simple otherwise!)
The mirrors may also only be able to send the beam in a couple of directions, so again, you have to be quite clever where you place things. It is possible though, to move a mirror, then place another mirror next to it, then move the first mirror again, to create a gap to move into. With such cunning shuffling, you could reach your goal! Then you have to assess whether picking up the bonuses will aid or hinder your quest to complete the level, hmmm? One of the training levels suggests it is even possible to split the beam.
There is an option to go back to the start of the level and try again, if you get really stuck. Apart from the Rookie levels, with infinite time, there is a timer running, with suitable bonuses for those quick thinkers able to complete the level in good time.
"Toto, I've a feeling we're not on the rookie level anymore?"
Whilst the training levels are quick and easy, even the rookie levels require a fair bit of thought to plan through. You will not get bored quickly with this game. Going through the higher levels may take some time!
From the 59 levels, you have a choice of ten rookie levels, twenty five of the original 'classic 91', then you get into things called 'Ultimo Level', which sounds challenging to say the least.
Presentation wise, this does nicely, with attractively drawn graphics for both ingame, and the title and menu sequences. The music and sound is classic YM, for good or ill, but works happily with a game of this nature. The music is present at the start and end of a level, but stays out of the way during the game.
Technically speaking, this has been written in GFA Basic, with the appropriate extensions for sound replay. So yet another endorsement for that high level language. There is no shoddiness at any point of the game, it is quick and responsive and runs smoothly.
To add further value, once you have played through all the levels, is a level editor to make your own. This goes right back to the original 1991 game, and has been improved to keep up with the 2014/2015 Laserball.
The latter part of the game, which I've get to check out, has some truly massive levels.
Laserball is a free download It has a nice .PDF manual and you pick up the rest of how it works in the handy training mode. Mock-ups of box artwork have been shown, so a suggestion is being floated that there could be a proper physical release. Now that would be really oldschool!
**July 2015 update** - There IS going to be a physical old school boxed release!
Compatibility-wise, it is an ST game, the 'ST' does include the TOS 2.06 emulated STE that I'm using under Hatari. There is no word yet on how this performs with other members of the 68K family, such as the Falcon 030.
So to summarise, Laserball will suit those fans of Deflektor, really missing a modern version for their ST. It will agree with puzzle game-o-philes. In fact just about anyone will be happy to play this.
A big thanks is due to SimonCam for all his evident hard work, thank you!
Ratings..
Graphics:- 75% - Functional rather then very fancy, but I do not say that is a bad thing. Attractive and easy to understand menus and status panels are drawn in an oldschool way as well.
Sound:- 55% - All classic YM, even more functional than the graphics but does the job and stays out of the way when not needed.
Playability:- 85% - The control method, with mouse and cursor keys could be complex, but is easy to manage. The gameplay is fluid and smooth, classic Deflektor, but with some cunning new elements mixed in there too.
Overall:- 80% - From a minor spare time bedroom code left in the dust of 1991, SimonCam has conjured up a classic!
CiH - Maggie 25th, May 2015.