The UKFF Retro Gaming Thread

[patiirc]

I shall pass the message on. Secondly on to the discussion, no Mike Castle this week?

 

 

 

Righty Oh. On with the show...

 

 

Fever Pitch Soccer.. A sports game! Whatever next?

 

Let me tell you a story. One million years ago, okay well in 1994 EA brought a football game called FIFA International Soccer. It was isometric it was well animated, had proper crowd sounds, beautifully presented but really played like a dog. Passing was impossible and long ball or rather shooting substituting as long ball as was pretty much order of the day. Accurate it was not. It was very successful because of what it did and the hype around it and spawned the franchise that is either liked or loathed depending on who you talk to. The first sequel was Fifa'95, it ditched the very well done graphics from the first game and still didnt fix the playabilty it was less polished and was well erm shit for want of a better word. However Fifa was not the only isometric kid on the block. Oh no, not by a long way Accolade tried and failed miserably with Pele and Pele II ( not awful awful but flawed majorly) and US Gold with one of their last ever releases came up with Fever Pitch Soccer. In the years building up to this arcade football, and Iam assuming it was arcade games that were responsible for Fever Pitch's creation had taken a somewhat cartoony effect. Euro Champ and even the semi serious Neo Geo ones Super Side Kicks, Goal Goal Goal and so on had elements that were sensationalist. Fever Pitch took these to new heights and then some.

 

So when you beat up Fever Pitch (FPS from now on) you are presented with some fantastic music and taken straight to the menu. The easiest way to play is to select an exhibition match and get ready for a suprise! Yes, that's right you are taken to a menu where you are allowed to pick you team what type of pitch you want to play on and your opposition the teams formations and star players are noted . From there you can choose which player wants to pick which team and so on. Once that's done you are sent straight to the isometric view point and the game is to begin.

 

Straightforward so far huh? No, The star players I alluded to before are what makes the game in this stage,. There are several different types including the Diver based seemingly on Attilo Lombardo who at the push of a button will dive to try and con the ref for a free kick or the Tricky midfielder who looks like Carlos Valderama with his massive hair who can jump with the ball to evade tackles. This is where FPS really comes to the fore Unlike Fifa with its identikit players ( who would remain so for some time) The players in Fever Pitch look different, yes there are stock players and when you have a number of the same stars things can get samey, but in terms of a football game this was a radical change at the time as before hand all players were seemingly identikit with just colour changes to mark any difference.With that Bombshell covered you then have the fact that these players have special powers, and can do some funky things with the ball including flame shots that really do brighten up the game.

 

It isn't a bog standard football game, that's for certain. With the cartoony, arcadey aspect you may expect a game that doesn't flow, but much like the frankly brilliant Sega Soccer Slam, the game mechanics haven't been ignored the ball zips around at a fair pace, you can volley, header, cross and most importantly zip passes around quite easily, this isnt the plod that Fifa can become. Unlocking a defence can be done a number of ways and whether you have a team of stars or a team with out any the game itself is a fantastic play. Attention to detail is key and the game genuinely has some of the best free kick mechanics 'Ive ever seen. Brilliant yet simple. When there is a direct shot on goal, you have a ball icon to set where you want the ball to curve to and then once you have pressed fire again you will have the option to set height and distance by using the same football icon. Free kicks have seldom looked so good in a game and wannabe Beckham's Baggio's and Roberto Carlos's can have field days coming up with some frankly outrageous free kicks. Simply yet amazing, none of this twizzling sticks for spin or whatever useless thing they have come with thus far.

 

When you do get a goal and they will come, you will get a crisp clean sound sample (unusual for the MD) shouting GOAAL! (it also appears with correct voicing for free kick foul, throw in etc) before going to a replay you get taken to a screen showing a huge score board and comic/dramatic representations of your player scoring or goal keeper being angry. This same thing also comes up when players are red and yellow carded (it can be turned off in the options) but is good fun nevertheless and adds to the overall impression of class that oozes from the game. If I was to criticise the game the only things that could really be a bug bear is the Goal Keeper Animation which looks unfinished, the AI which can be really cheap against harder teams and that There isnt a wide variety of games. Its Exhibition or Tournament which I will look at momentarily. But that isn't much for a game really is it. It's hardly a criminal offence?

 

The Tournament side of the game is a bit different to the Exhibition side in that its single player only rather than the up to 4/8 you can have in exhibition and you start with a team with no stars. The game starts you off with your chosen country in some piss poor qualifying tournament. In order to progress you need to win the game, and the manner in which you win the game will give you points which allows you to buy better players. This grinding is understandable to keep the game flowing for a single person, but dare I say it Fifa like options or with Hindsight create your own teams ala Megaman Soccer or Acme All Stars, would have also added to the fun. As this was released near the end of the Megadrive's life the cart didn't have a Battery Back Up. I assume this is because of the cost involved vs potential sales and as a result its the old 83,000 character password to save the game. Its only annoying oif you write the wrong letter down bollocksing everything, but there wasn't much choice back then in terms of what do in terms of saving stuff.

 

FPS is an astounding football game for its time, it plays well, has great colourful graphics, great sound and a great game underneath it. I genuinely think it is a Fifa beater because it is so easy to pick up and play. It may not be perfect and not great in single player, it is however great fun and holds up well today as a multi player game much as the likes of Sensible Soccer is lauded for its ease of use. Fever Pitch is another game where by it lives and breathes on its playabilty.

 

Simply Outstanding and definately worth seeking out

 

9.5/10

 

 

 

My Next nomination is The Firemen (Snes). Unless people can find it on the cheap or you already have it Id suggest emuing as will be a

[patiirc]

Right well slow week not withstanding, things may need to change.

 

I've erm been tapped up to do content on a proper website, no pay or anything. Not sure how this will stand with content generated here yet.

 

Will keep people updated

[Ron Simmons]

Similar content?

[patiirc]

Similar content?

 

As seen as me first thing there was a rehash of me Fever Pitch Review Id assume so, but not 100 per cent defo

 

I've been given admin access so this was just a find away around and get things up and running. Blokey disappeared when was talking earlier so will find out more.. But is a one stop shop for everything!

 

Could leave me with a lot less time on me hands.. but will see

[Mike Castle]

I've tried to muster up enthusiasm for a football game... and it's just not happening, sorry guys. Guess I just can't stand footy, lol.

 

And would working for free on another site mean you weren't allowed to do stuff on a forum? If so personally I'd tell them to either pay me or get fucked. Purely because they can't expect you to be "exclusive" to them, while also not paying you a penny.

 

Though if I have the wrong end of the stick, feel free to hit me with it.

[Ron Simmons]

I think sports games are the kind of thing that can turn people off, I can appreciate that view. I wouldn't care for a rugby or boxing game, for example. I'm looking forward to the Amstrad game though.

[patiirc]

I've tried to muster up enthusiasm for a football game... and it's just not happening, sorry guys. Guess I just can't stand footy, lol.

 

And would working for free on another site mean you weren't allowed to do stuff on a forum? If so personally I'd tell them to either pay me or get fucked. Purely because they can't expect you to be "exclusive" to them, while also not paying you a penny.

 

Though if I have the wrong end of the stick, feel free to hit me with it.

 

Its not working, per se it's more doing something that was mentioned at R3play ( Replay² they've dropped the 3 for next year) re getting a centralised hub for all things retro. I'd said I'd chip in where I could for the greater good of the scene

 

The guy that runs the site certainly knows his onions, having had a mag published through Gamestation at one point under the same name and sorting out conventions and stuff.

 

Its not a case of not doing stuff on a forum per se it's a case of not having time to put as much in Ive got me rehabbing (exercise etc), ebay I have a load of stuff that needs to be tagged and sold and moderate on a football forum, and now this and that's all assuming that I remain 'good'. IF I get bad then, there may be issues with everything.

 

Plus I dont want to cross over content and that two would mean lots more work

 

I'll continue updating the games and playing them I just may not be able to devote lots of time to it tis all, which is a shame cos the reviews are very theraputic. I know I dont have to do long thingy's but it makes us feel like Iam doing stuff, which is helpful in terms of getting back on track, but Iam under strict orders not to over do it as massive highs and lows cause no end of issues. Being too stretched could see that

 

On top of that you have the the Retro League I run, elsewhere as well

 

Busy doesnt cover it

[Mike Castle]

You could perhaps suggest doing this, over there, it's not like it's going great guns here (unfortunately) and I'm sure at least me and Ron would join you over there to do it, we could just port across the current list and have it as a weekly thing for that site instead.

 

That way, you're helping out the site and this continues, win/win I say (plus hopefully more people doing it, meaning if people no-show a week, it's not an issue).

[Ron Simmons]

Absolutely, I'd be up for that if it's an option.

[patiirc]

New Week Up !

 

With no replies and nothing else mentioned from blokey will continue on here presently

 

So Skweek on the Amstrad CPC

 

Some one point me in the direction ( Names only, no links allowed as will probably go to rom sites) of decent easy to play emulator?

 

And AWAY we go!

[Mike Castle]

pat, feel free to bung me a PM with your e-mail addy and I'll send the emulator and rom over (with instructions on how to run the thing, because the Amstrad liked being fucking awkward).

 

Same goes for anyone else.

[Mike Castle]

Ahhh, Skweek. A game which I fondly remember, and still play every so often to such an extent it will almost be guarenteed to land in my top ten games of all time.

 

But rather than just fondly remembering it, it needs a review.

 

So first up, the plot. As is typical of games of this era the plot likely game much much after the game design, because it's next to non-existant. However it basically goes that a bunch of alien beings came down to Skweeks planet and painted it blue. It's up to you to paint it back... to pink.

 

Onto the graphics, they're brilliant, the Amstrad was generally rather shit for graphics, but this game makes it look amazing. From the bears, to the variety of enemies, to Skweek himself. The graphics wouldn't look out of place on a Master System or NES.

 

Sound wise, again, top notch, they took what was next to nothing on the Amstrad and turned it into something beautiful, it's bouncy, it's lively, it's happy, and it just fits the game so well.

 

Controls are simple, it's just straight directions of left, right, up and down, with space to fire. So it keeps it nice and easy for everyone.

 

Gameplay is brilliant. Each of the enemies has it's own abilities and things to do, the fuzzy haired purple guys just walk basically, the green spikey guys also do so (but will change the square blocks to different colours. Green means your shoot bounces off, orange absorbs them), the yellow hat looking guys tend to go in diagonals, the green blobs shoot around like a fucker. (Which can catch you off guard as you switch between screens), the orange firey looking ones move slowly, but can't be killed by your weapons, and the octopus looking guys move normally but fire in diagonals at you.

 

The variety of enemies does, of course, keep you on your toes, though at times it can be frustrating when you're waiting for the orange guy go get the hell out of the way so you can move to the next section that he's blocking.

 

The levels also have a lot of interesting abilities to them from ice squares which slide you along non-stop until you hit a wall or a square you can walk on. There's disintergrating blocks, two POW blocks (blue wipes out itself and the 8 squares surrounding it, green wipes out all enemies on screen), and there's the red squares the enemies come out of when you hit them (oh yes, those bastards just keep coming back), don't be on that when it closes or you die. Plus of course the typical "walk off the edge of the world into nothingness" squares.

 

And what would a game be without power ups? From extra lives, to teddy bears (collect one of each colour and skip a level... collect the same one twice though and you lose it instead, so be careful), to freeze shots (freezes the enemy and you walk into them to kill them, or leave them frozen so they don't ram you), to laser shots (which are less helpful than you would think, as each block they remove is a blue square to run over).

 

Even individual levels can create entirely different problems. As sometimes the enemies on a specific level will have the ability to remove blocks themselves (something that is required on one level as you're stuck in a small area until the enemies do so. Which is fine, but you're guarenteed to die at least once unless you have a laser shot, as they didn't give you enough time). Sometimes they'll have the ability to create fresh blocks out of thin air (great fun when you think you have all blocks covered, only to find some bastard's created two more down the other end), and the worst of the worst... the levels with the cloud.

 

That bastard cloud will go around turning pink blocks back to blue, and god help you if you shoot him because he'll turn up elsewhere to paint those blocks blue too. Best advice is kill him at the last possible second and hit the block he was on to complete that level.

 

All in all the designers took a very basic idea for a game, and threw a ton of things in to spice it up that all lead to different feels for the levels, while keeping the actual gameplay the same throughout, and barring a couple of levels it's well balanced, and while perhaps not the greatest game in the history of gaming, it does bring a lot of fun to the table, and isn't just underated, but is shamefully unknown by the majority of gamers, and could well do with being more widely appreciated.

 

Overall - 9.5/10

[Ron Simmons]

You know, I actually thought this game was all right.

 

I kind of surprised myself with this one. Perhaps wrongly I went into the game expecting to dislike it. For one it's an Amstrad game. My experience of Amstrad games to date had mainly consisted of loading times. On top of this I'd already played a version of the game on the Amiga. It was absolutely diabolical. Irritatingly bad. One of those games which you knew could have been fun, but developers cocked up along the way. Bizarrely I've since read several positive reviews for the Amiga game, so maybe it was just the fact I was young and unable to play it, I dunno.

 

Anyway, I don't want to spend a review of the Amstrad version ranting about another system so onto the game...

 

Firstly, upon loading I was really surprised at how good the graphics were. My experiences of Amstrad games previous to this were (while admitedly limited) of indecipherable squiggles at worst, shoddy conversion graphics at best.

 

Like this...

 

I kind of loathe to describe the graphics as "cheerful", but that's exactly what they were. The game is colourful and fun, and remind me of LittleBigPlanet in the sense that you can't possibly play through the game without smiling. Musically the game matches up, I'd compare it to LittleBigPlanet again in this sense, if you've had a shitty day I could honestly see Skweek cheer you up.

 

Now, all that would count for nothing if the game was no good. Fortunately though, it's really fun. The premise is simple, you walk on blue tiles to turn them pink. It's a little bit like Qix I suppose, but cuter and with a bit more to it. Like the fact you can capture teddy bears to finish the level early. Awwwww.

 

I'm not actually sure what this game merits score wise. It's certainly addictive, and while it does make you feel all warm inside it can also turn you in a second as you get into what I assume are the later levels (I didn't complete the game so I don't really know...) as it's frustrating as hell. There's a thin line between challenging and unfair, and at times I'm afraid it crosses that. At the same time the game is really good fun. It's a simple, repetetive concept yet never feels that way. I'd absolutely recommend it, and I'd love to see an iPhone conversion at some point, it's that kind of game that could make the hours fly by when you're on a journey.

 

As for that score...

 

8/10

[Mike Castle]

Bizarrely I've since read several positive reviews for the Amiga game, so maybe it was just the fact I was young and unable to play it, I dunno.

I've tried all other versions. None are as good as this one (Hence why I specified Amstrad).

 

In fact, most of the time I've found the Amstrad ports of games to be far superior to every other version, including stuff like Rainbow Islands, Bubble Bobble and New Zealand Story.

 

I kind of loathe to describe the graphics as "cheerful", but that's exactly what they were. The game is colourful and fun, and remind me of LittleBigPlanet in the sense that you can't possibly play through the game without smiling. Musically the game matches up, I'd compare it to LittleBigPlanet again in this sense, if you've had a shitty day I could honestly see Skweek cheer you up.

Tell you what else it reminds me of in so much as the basics of it... Mario Sunshine. You're going round cleaning up the place, which is what you did in Sunshine

 

There's a thin line between challenging and unfair, and at times I'm afraid it crosses that.

I'll agree, partially with the fact you can't see what's coming, you'll hop onto screen 2, only to find that an enemy was just on his way to screen 1. Or you'll find what you thought would be a safe square was actually nothing at all. Plus the levels where you're either waiting for the enemy to clear your path for you, or they're erasing what you've done, and it can be frustratingly unfair. But I feel that's part of it's charm. You spend the levels before that doing as best you can to save up lives for the unfair bits.

 

I'd love to see an iPhone conversion at some point, it's that kind of game that could make the hours fly by when you're on a journey.

How awesome would an up-to-date version be? It wouldn't even need any real changes, except perhaps some additional graphic tidying to suit the modern day market. (Though knowing todays way of doing things, we'd have the screen scrolling, and have larger levels that scroll from left to right as well as up and down).

 

And...

(I didn't complete the game so I don't really know...)

I've never completed it, so no worries there. Me and my Mum would spend absolutely hours playing this game (this and Wonderboy... also better on the Amstrad *ahem*), and neither of us ever once completed it. It's a right bastard of a game, but strangely addictive

 

Glad you liked it though, one of the reasons I picked it is because it's a relatively unknown title that is just pure fun, there's no real rhyme nor reason for any of it, it's just fun and cheerful all the way through.

[Ron Simmons]

In fact, most of the time I've found the Amstrad ports of games to be far superior to every other version, including stuff like Rainbow Islands, Bubble Bobble and New Zealand Story.

Really? They're all Taito games though, aren't they? So maybe that developer really made an effort on the system. I'll need to check them out, I found the Amiga ports of those games the best, but I have to admit I haven't played their Amstrad counterparts. The Amstrad ports I have played were pretty weak, although I was a child at the time so maybe the bells and whistles of the technically superior versions masked the gameplay differences to me.

 

Tell you what else it reminds me of in so much as the basics of it... Mario Sunshine. You're going round cleaning up the place, which is what you did in Sunshine biggrin.gif

I suppose you're right, but I absolutely hated Sunshine. It was a major letdown. Maybe if I'd gone into it knowing the kind of game it was I'd have enjoyed it more, but alas...

 

I'll agree, partially with the fact you can't see what's coming, you'll hop onto screen 2, only to find that an enemy was just on his way to screen 1. Or you'll find what you thought would be a safe square was actually nothing at all. Plus the levels where you're either waiting for the enemy to clear your path for you, or they're erasing what you've done, and it can be frustratingly unfair. But I feel that's part of it's charm. You spend the levels before that doing as best you can to save up lives for the unfair bits.

You're right, the screen thing is a right pain in the arse. However, to the game's credit you ARE compelled to keep trying, even when it all goes wrong through no fault of your own.

 

How awesome would an up-to-date version be? It wouldn't even need any real changes, except perhaps some additional graphic tidying to suit the modern day market. (Though knowing todays way of doing things, we'd have the screen scrolling, and have larger levels that scroll from left to right as well as up and down).

You mentioned Bubble Bobble earlier, and the iPhone port of that does a lot of things right in terms of how it handles the update. You have a "new" version, but you also have the classic version to play. I'd like to see them handle it in that way. The iPhone has led to up to date conversions of a few relatively unknown games (such as the Great Giana Sisters) that probably won't sell bucketloads, but this is the kind of game that could actually do quite well. Simple, addictive fun. It's success would depend greatly on luck of course, but it's perfect for "on the go gaming" - you could have a tweaked version for that very purpose, and the classic version bundled in too.