Tag Archives: pioneering

Everyone’s A Wally, ZX Spectrum

Chris Hinsley‘s 1985 follow-up to Pyjamarama sees the return – once again – of Wally Week. The mechanic turned mundane video game hero.

The unique thing about Everyone’s A Wally is that you can switch between five different characters and go about your adventuring business – two years before Maniac Mansion.

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Driller, PC

American publisher Epyx released UK hit game Driller onto US PC markets under the title of Space Station Oblivion in 1988.

There was no need for a title change really. Driller says it all.

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Driller, Atari ST

Driller and Freescape started life on the ZX Spectrum in 1987 – performing miracles on Sir Clive’s humble little machine. Creating 3D worlds where previously there were none…

And, being more than just a graphics engine, Freescape (and Driller) lived on into the 16-bit realm, and beyond.

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Driller, ZX Spectrum

Driller first appeared on the ZX Spectrum in 1987. This version is where it all began.

Driller‘s engine – called Freescape – was to go down in history as one of the first to make 3D gaming a real possibility.

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Driller, Amstrad CPC

Driller was the very first Freescape game. A very important game for its time. It first came out in 1987.

It was one of the first ever games that allowed you to explore a full 3D environment, and Freescape was the engine that made it possible.

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Ecco the Dolphin, Megadrive/Genesis

Sega‘s classic Ecco the Dolphin was first released in 1992 for the Megadrive/Genesis.

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Academy, ZX Spectrum

Sub-titled “Tau Ceti II“, Pete Cooke’s stunning Academy is a brilliant mission-based surface shooter that combines great presentation and atmosphere, with interesting use of light – quite radical for a humble ZX Spectrum.

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Shining In The Darkness, Megadrive/Genesis

When I first played Shining In The Darkness – a 1991 party-based Role-Playing Game for the Sega Megadrive/Genesis, developed by Climax Entertainment and published by Sega – I was ready to dismiss it, because of the unattractive, ‘cartoony’ graphics, the clunky interface, and the generic script. But after some determined play – admittedly: in an emulator, and using quicksaves – it became apparent that this was no ‘throwaway’ level-grinder. It was in fact something quite special…

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Doomdark’s Revenge, ZX Spectrum

Sequel to Mike Singleton‘s classic fantasy war game Lords of Midnight, Doomdark’s Revenge is much bigger and more complex than its predecessor, although essentially it still follows the same style of play as the original – with unique, turn-based movement and tactical combat.

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