Developer: Exocet Software

Phantasm (1988)

by Nish
written by Nish 4 minutes read

Summary

Phantasm (1988): A Retro Horror Classic

Released in 1988 for the Commodore 64, Phantasm is a side-scrolling horror game that quickly became a cult classic. The game was developed by Infogrames and published by Atari, and it was one of the first games to use digitized graphics.

Gameplay

In Phantasm, the player controls a lone adventurer who must explore a haunted house and defeat the evil spirits that reside within. The game is played from a side-scrolling perspective, and the player must use a variety of weapons to defeat the ghosts, ghouls, and other monsters that they encounter.

The game’s levels are filled with puzzles and traps, and the player must use their wits to survive. The player can also collect power-ups that will help them in their quest, such as extra health and more powerful weapons.

Graphics

For its time, Phantasm’s graphics were cutting-edge. The game used digitized graphics, which gave the characters and environments a more realistic look than was possible with traditional pixel art. The game’s atmosphere is dark and eerie, and the use of digitized graphics helps to create a truly immersive experience.

Sound

The sound design in Phantasm is also top-notch. The game’s music is haunting and atmospheric, and the sound effects are realistic and unsettling. The game’s sound design helps to create a truly immersive experience that will stay with the player long after they finish playing.

Story

Phantasm’s story is simple but effective. The player controls a lone adventurer who must explore a haunted house and defeat the evil spirits that reside within. The game’s story is told through cutscenes and environmental storytelling, and it is up to the player to piece together the details of what happened in the house.

Reception

Phantasm was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its graphics, sound, and gameplay. Phantasm was also one of the first games to be released on the Commodore 64’s new enhanced SID chip, which allowed for more complex and realistic sound effects.

Phantasm has been praised by critics for its atmosphere, graphics, and gameplay. The game has been cited as an influence on later horror games, such as Alone in the Dark and Resident Evil.

Legacy

Phantasm is considered to be one of the greatest horror games of all time. The game’s unique blend of atmosphere, graphics, and gameplay has made it a cult classic among retro gamers. Phantasm has been re-released on a number of platforms over the years, and it remains a popular game among fans of horror and retro gaming.

Conclusion

Phantasm is a classic horror game that still holds up today. The game’s atmosphere, graphics, and gameplay are all top-notch, and it is a must-play for fans of horror and retro gaming.

Review Score

8/10

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Foundation’s Waste (1988)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 4 minutes read

Summary

Foundation’s Waste (1988): A Deep Dive into the Crumbling Space Station

Released in 1988, Foundation’s Waste is a roguelike strategy game that puts players in the role of a lone survivor stranded on a crumbling space station. The game is set in a dark and atmospheric world, with neon lights casting an eerie glow on the station’s decaying walls.

Players must explore the station, scavenging for supplies and fighting off enemies. The game’s turn-based combat system is challenging and rewarding, and players must carefully consider their every move.

Foundation’s Waste was ahead of its time in many ways. It was one of the first roguelikes to feature a persistent world, and its dark and atmospheric setting was unlike anything else available at the time. The game was also praised for its innovative use of sound and music, which helped to create a truly immersive experience.

Gameplay

Foundation’s Waste is a turn-based strategy game in which players control a lone survivor stranded on a crumbling space station. The game’s objective is to survive as long as possible, while exploring the station, scavenging for supplies, and fighting off enemies.

The game’s world is procedurally generated, meaning that it is different every time you play. This ensures that the game is always fresh and challenging.

Players must carefully manage their resources in order to survive. Food and water are essential, and players must also find weapons and armor to protect themselves from enemies.

Combat in Foundation’s Waste is turn-based and tactical. Players must carefully consider their every move, as each action costs energy. Energy is also used to perform special abilities, such as healing or attacking with a ranged weapon.

Setting

Foundation’s Waste is set on a crumbling space station that is slowly falling apart. The station is home to a variety of enemies, including mutants, robots, and aliens.

The game’s atmosphere is dark and oppressive, with neon lights casting an eerie glow on the station’s decaying walls. The sound of dripping water and creaking metal adds to the sense of unease.

Legacy

Foundation’s Waste was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered to be one of the best roguelikes ever made. The game’s innovative gameplay, dark atmosphere, and challenging difficulty have made it a cult classic.

Foundation’s Waste has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, including the PC, Mac, and Linux. The game has also been released on mobile devices.

Critical Reception

Foundation’s Waste received critical acclaim upon its release. Critics praised the game’s innovative gameplay, dark atmosphere, and challenging difficulty.

The game was also praised for its use of sound and music, which helped to create a truly immersive experience.

Awards

Foundation’s Waste won several awards upon its release, including:

  • Game of the Year (1988) from Computer Gaming World
  • Best Role-Playing Game (1988) from Computer Gaming World
  • Best Adventure Game (1988) from Computer Gaming World

Influence

Foundation’s Waste has had a major influence on the roguelike genre. The game’s innovative gameplay, dark atmosphere, and challenging difficulty have been imitated by many other roguelikes.

Some of the games that have been influenced by Foundation’s Waste include:

  • Diablo
  • NetHack
  • Angband
  • Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup

Conclusion

Foundation’s Waste is a classic roguelike that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s innovative gameplay, dark atmosphere, and challenging difficulty make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

8.5/10

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