INTO ETERNITY – THE GAMES
Review by Andrew Fisher
When I looked at the preview page on the Remix64 site, I was struck by the unusual idea of adding the games and the original SID to download as well as the clip from the new CD. So, here are my reviews of those 15 games and how the music worked in them.
Blood Valley
(Gremlin Graphics, music by Ben Daglish)
This is a very poor attempt at a computer role-playing game, inspired by the popular Fighting Fantasy gamebooks from the 1980’s. Ben’s music is playing on the title screen to accompany the clever scroll effect that tells you the story of the game. It’s a nice piece, but doesn’t quite generate the right atmosphere.
Spellbound
(Mastertronic Added Dimension, music by Rob Hubbard)
With its tolling bells and crunchy sound effects, this Rob classic added considerably to the game it was in. The very tricky Windowvision control method and some obscure puzzles make this a tricky game to get far in.
The Great Giana Sisters
(GO! /Rainbow Arts, music by Chris Huelsbeck)
It does not seem possible that it is 15 years since this controversial title was banned due to its similarities to a certain Nintendo game. A great Huelsbeck soundtrack backs almost flawless platform action, and the high-score tune is sorrowful without being too depressing. It always makes me want to play again and beat the high-score I just got.
Tales of Boon
(X-Ample Architectures, music by Thomas Detert)
This was a game I had never heard of before downloading it, but it is another example (bad pun) of X-Ample Architecture’s excellent work. A sort of medieval Hawkeye, the graphics and gameplay are not quite up to the same standard but Thomas Detert’s music is very good.
Parallax
(Ocean/Sensible Software, music by Martin Galway)
An unusual combination of flying, shooting and running around, this game would not have been complete without the ethereal Martin Galway soundtrack. The epic introductory theme is one of the most memorable SID tunes ever, but the beautiful cosmic theme (covered for the CD) as you roam the planet’s surface deserves high praise too.
Times of Lore
(Origin, music by Martin Galway)
Yet more Galway classics from his time in America at Origin. This combination of RPG and arcade skills was highly innovative at the time. Martin provides the awesome title tune with its random guitar solo generator, and some haunting melodies.
Stormlord
(Hewson, music by Maniacs of Noise)
Mixing a platform game with some difficult puzzles, this Rafaelle Cecco Spectrum game was converted by the great Nick Jones. The Maniacs of Noise kick in with some fitting music and great sound FX.
Iron Lord
(Ubi Soft, music by Jereon Tel)
This tried very hard to be Defender of the Crown, but was let down by the horrendous loading times for each of the diverse subgames. It is worth playing to experience some highly detailed graphics, and some nice tunes – including the introductory theme.
Fist II
(Melbourne House, music by Neil Brennan)
This suffered from being the sequel to an exceptional game, and trying to add the exploration to the combat system was a tough task. The background music is very atmospheric, changing as you change locations or situation.
Butcher Hill
(Gremlin Graphics, music by Ben Daglish)
This three-part game covers 3D-river action, a 3D maze in the jungle and a 3D shooting section. Sadly none of the three parts is above average despite some clever ideas. Ben’s soundtrack and the game itself copy heavily from the more successful PLATOON by Ocean and the tune for The Hill section is poor.
Thanatos
(Durell, music by Rob Hubbard)
This Spectrum classic was converted to the C64 and has an unusual
hero– a fire-breathing dragon. Munch on witches and storm castles as you fly over the landscape. It is another tricky game with some Spectrum-style graphics, but Rob did an outstanding job on converting the mystical tune.
Armageddon Man
(Martech, music by David Whittaker)
A futuristic strategy game about averting nuclear war, Armageddon Man had some serious flaws that made it difficult to win – or to keep on playing. One thing that draws you back is the haunting David Whittaker soundtrack, perfectly suited to the game.
Barbarian
(Palace, music by Richard Joseph)
More controversy arose over this title, not only about the decapitation of enemies but also the adverts featuring Maria Whittaker (no relation to David) and the man who would become Wolf in Gladiators! The amazing sword-fighting action is accompanied by awesome pseudo-sampled sound FX and a soundtrack by Richard Joseph that could have come from a Conan film. Many people didn’t like it, but I adored it – and still do.
Shades
(music by Chris Huelsbeck)
Now, here I hit two problems. Firstly, the zipped game refused to work in the VICE emulator (it does work in CCS64). Secondly, I don’t think the game has any music. I believe the SHADES in question is a competition entry from Chris Huelsbeck, and according to the SID Tune Information List he was only 16 when he entered. The game SHADES, by the way, is awful.
Rubicon
(21st Century Entertainment, music by Reyn Ouwehand)
Yet again we have a game that resembles Hawkeye, or its never-released sequel Bamboo. After a delayed release due to the financial problems of Hewson, the game itself doesn’t live up to the hype of good reviews. There are some excellent graphics including huge enemies, and the music throughout is of a high standard (as you would expect from Jereon), but the gameplay is boring – shoot, jump, shoot, run. I found it too repetitive for my liking.
So, all in all, some classic games and one or two that are average at best. The majority of these tunes stand out in their own right, either as examples of the high standard of work by the composer or showing how the right music & sound FX can improve a game. And having heard the clips online, I am REALLY looking forward to the CD…
