Developer: Tigress Marketing

They Stole a Million (1986)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

They Stole a Million: The Ultimate Heist Simulator

Released in 1986 by Ariolasoft, They Stole a Million is a strategy game that puts you in the shoes of a master thief. Your objective is simple: plan and execute heists, steal valuable objects, and outsmart the police.

The game is played from a top-down perspective. The first step is to purchase blueprints of the house where the soon-to-be-stolen object is kept. Then you can hire a team of specialists to help you with the heist. Each specialist has their own unique skills, such as disabling alarms, opening locks, or driving the getaway car.

Once you have your team assembled, it’s time to start planning the heist. You can set waypoints, actions, and the times at which the actions should take place. For example, you could have the alarm specialist disable the alarm at 2:00 AM, and then have the lock picking master open the display case and take the loot at 2:02 AM.

The planning stage is crucial to the success of the heist. You need to carefully consider the layout of the house, the security measures in place, and the skills of your specialists. If you make a mistake, the heist could fail and you could end up getting caught by the police.

Once the heist is planned, it’s time to execute it. You can watch the action unfold in real time, or you can fast-forward through the heist. If everything goes according to plan, you’ll make off with the loot and escape the police.

They Stole a Million is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a unique blend of strategy and action. It’s a must-play for fans of heist movies and games.

Gameplay

The gameplay in They Stole a Million is divided into two main stages: planning and execution.

Planning

The planning stage is where you purchase blueprints of the house, hire specialists, and set waypoints, actions, and times.

  • Blueprints: Blueprints show the layout of the house, the location of the loot, and the security measures in place. You can purchase blueprints for different houses, each with its own unique challenges.
  • Specialists: Specialists are essential for a successful heist. Each specialist has their own unique skills, such as disabling alarms, opening locks, or driving the getaway car. You can hire up to four specialists for each heist.
  • Waypoints: Waypoints are used to mark the path that your specialists will take during the heist. You can set waypoints for each specialist, and you can also set the time at which each waypoint should be reached.
  • Actions: Actions are the tasks that your specialists will perform during the heist. You can set actions for each specialist, such as disabling alarms, opening locks, or taking the loot. You can also set the time at which each action should be performed.
  • Times: Times are used to coordinate the actions of your specialists. You can set the time at which each waypoint should be reached, and you can also set the time at which each action should be performed.

Execution

Once you have planned the heist, it’s time to execute it. You can watch the action unfold in real time, or you can fast-forward through the heist.

If everything goes according to plan, you’ll make off with the loot and escape the police. However, if you make a mistake, the heist could fail and you could end up getting caught.

Tips for Success

Here are a few tips to help you succeed in They Stole a Million:

  • Plan carefully: The planning stage is crucial to the success of the heist. Take your time and carefully consider the layout of the house, the security measures in place, and the skills of your specialists.
  • Use the right specialists: Each specialist has their own unique skills. Choose the right specialists for the job, and make sure that they have the skills necessary to overcome the security measures in place.
  • Coordinate your actions: Your specialists need to work together in order to successfully complete the heist. Coordinate their actions carefully, and make sure that they are all working towards the same goal.
  • Be prepared for anything: Things don’t always go according to plan. Be prepared for anything, and have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.

Legacy

They Stole a Million was a critical and commercial success. It was one of the first games to offer a realistic and detailed simulation of a heist. The game has been praised for its innovative gameplay, its challenging difficulty, and its realistic graphics.

They Stole a Million has been cited as an influence on a number of later games, including the Grand Theft Auto series and the Payday series. The game is still enjoyed by fans today, and it remains one of the most iconic heist games ever made.

Review Score

7/10

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Deactivators (1986)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 4 minutes read

Summary

Deactivators (1986): A Retro Arcade Classic

Introduction

Released in 1986 by Atari Games, Deactivators is an arcade classic that combines the thrill of tank combat with the challenge of neutralizing enemy robots in a futuristic cityscape. With its intense gameplay, challenging difficulty, and iconic graphics, Deactivators has earned a dedicated following among retro gaming enthusiasts.

Gameplay

Deactivators is played from an overhead perspective, with the player controlling a tank tasked with destroying enemy robots. The game takes place in a futuristic city, with the player navigating through a maze of buildings, obstacles, and enemy units.

The player’s tank is equipped with a variety of weapons, including a cannon, missiles, and bombs. Each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the player must strategically choose the right weapon for the job. For example, the cannon is powerful but slow-firing, while the missiles are faster but less powerful.

The enemy robots come in a variety of types, each with its own unique abilities and weaknesses. Some robots are heavily armored, while others are fast and agile. The player must carefully assess each enemy and choose the best strategy for defeating it.

Levels

Deactivators features a total of 50 levels, each with its own unique layout and challenges. The levels become increasingly difficult as the player progresses, with more enemy robots and obstacles to contend with.

Power-Ups

Throughout the game, the player can collect power-ups that provide temporary bonuses, such as increased firepower or speed. These power-ups can be essential for surviving the later levels of the game.

Graphics and Sound

Deactivators’ graphics are simple but effective, with a vibrant color palette and detailed sprites. The game’s soundtrack is also noteworthy, with catchy tunes that add to the overall atmosphere.

Legacy

Deactivators was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and it remains a popular choice among retro gaming enthusiasts today. The game has been ported to a variety of home platforms, including the Atari ST, Commodore 64, and NES.

Deactivators has also been praised for its influence on later games in the genre, such as Robotron: 2084 and Smash TV. The game’s fast-paced gameplay and challenging difficulty have set a high standard for arcade shooters.

Conclusion

Deactivators is a timeless arcade classic that offers an intense and rewarding gaming experience. With its challenging gameplay, variety of enemies, and iconic graphics, Deactivators is a must-play for fans of retro shooters and arcade games in general. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the genre, Deactivators is sure to provide hours of enjoyment.

Review Score

7.5/10

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Galactic Games (1987)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 8 minutes read

Summary

Galactic Games (1987)

Galactic Games is a classic arcade shoot ’em up released in 1987 by Midway Games. The game is set in a distant future where the Earth is under attack by an alien armada. The player takes control of a lone starfighter and must fight their way through waves of enemy ships to save the planet.

Galactic Games is a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up, similar to games like Gradius and R-Type. The player’s ship is equipped with a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs. The player must use these weapons to destroy enemy ships and avoid being hit by their fire.

One of the things that makes Galactic Games unique is its variety of enemy ships. The game features over 50 different types of enemies, each with its own unique attack patterns. This keeps the game challenging and forces the player to adapt their strategy constantly.

Another thing that sets Galactic Games apart from other shoot ’em ups is its graphics. The game uses a unique 3D vector graphics engine that gives the game a distinctive look. The graphics are very detailed and colorful, and they still hold up today.

Galactic Games was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its graphics, gameplay, and challenge. It was also one of the first arcade games to feature a fully digital soundtrack.

Galactic Games has been ported to a number of home platforms over the years, including the NES, Commodore 64, and Amiga. The game has also been released on a number of compilation discs and digital storefronts.

Gameplay

Galactic Games is a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up. The player controls a lone starfighter and must fight their way through waves of enemy ships to save the Earth. The player’s ship is equipped with a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs. The player must use these weapons to destroy enemy ships and avoid being hit by their fire.

The game is divided into five stages, each with its own unique set of enemies and obstacles. The player must defeat a boss at the end of each stage to progress to the next.

Graphics

Galactic Games uses a unique 3D vector graphics engine that gives the game a distinctive look. The graphics are very detailed and colorful, and they still hold up today. The game’s backgrounds are also very impressive, and they help to create a sense of depth and immersion.

Sound

Galactic Games has a fully digital soundtrack that is composed by Tim Follin. The soundtrack is very catchy and upbeat, and it helps to create a sense of excitement and urgency. The game also features a variety of sound effects that help to bring the action to life.

Challenge

Galactic Games is a challenging game, but it is also fair. The player’s ship is relatively weak, and it can be easily destroyed if the player is not careful. However, the player can also upgrade their ship’s weapons and shields by collecting power-ups.

The game’s difficulty increases gradually as the player progresses through the stages. The later stages feature more difficult enemies and obstacles, and the bosses are also more challenging.

Legacy

Galactic Games is a classic arcade shoot ’em up that still holds up today. The game’s graphics, gameplay, and challenge are all top-notch, and it is a must-play for fans of the genre.

Galactic Games has been influential on a number of other shoot ’em ups, including Super R-Type and Einhander. The game’s unique 3D vector graphics engine has also been used in a number of other games, including Star Fox and Wipeout.

Conclusion

Galactic Games is a classic arcade shoot ’em up that is still worth playing today. The game’s graphics, gameplay, and challenge are all top-notch, and it is a must-play for fans of the genre. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding shoot ’em up, then Galactic Games is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

8/10

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