Summer's over, but more forgotten games are abound! I've been quite busy over the past month, so I doubt all of the reviews will be complete by the time I first post this, but the packages and art are up so that's something! Expect them in the coming weeks.
First on the docket to see us into Autumn is Celtica (1998 I Hoffmann + associates Inc & Artech Studios), a blatant Myst clone loosely based on Celtic mythology with a touch of mysticism and astrology thrown in. Then there's the video game adaptation of Luc Besson's The Fifth Element (1998 Gaumont Multimedia) in slightly wonky action-adventure form. Despite bad first impressions, it somehow grew on me to become my pick on the month. Psygnosis returns with a solid first-person-shooter called Lifeforce Tenka (1997 Psygnosis) known as Codename Tenka in some regions. Quarky and Quaysoo's Turbo Science (1992-3 Sierra On-Line) is a super fun edutainment entry to Sierra's Discovery series (like EcoQuest and Dr Brain before it). Lastly, it's time to simulate some golf in SimGolf: Compete on Courses You Create (1996 Maxis, Inc). Unlike the game with Sid Meier's name as a prefix, this one is more of a straight-up Golf sim (boo) with a robust course create option (yay).
Only one doozy of an update for this month, as well as a small patch. The Terminator Collection, which collates all of the classic first-person-shooters from Bethesda and hasn't been updated since I first uploaded it in 2015, has been given a complete overhaul. Basic DOSBox has been replaced with a newer version of DOSBox-X, every game now has a manual, input has been tweaked and modernised (particularly for Future Shock and SkyNET) and the custom menus have been re-built from scratch! And that's just the beginning of it! Took a while to do too, which is perhaps another reason why some of these current reviews are late. Anyway, check out the game page or the Updates page for more info on what's changed and read the ChamberNotes.txt within the install folder for a full technical rundown.
I've also added a small patch for Nocturne which includes a DDrawCompat .ini file that will limit the framerate so the flappiness of the wind physics isn't so flappy. Saw RagnaRox's excellent video on the subject and after being totally surprised by the shout-out, I thought I'd better include it. Just unzip to the install folder and you're done!
Click on!
I've also added a small patch for Nocturne which includes a DDrawCompat .ini file that will limit the framerate so the flappiness of the wind physics isn't so flappy. Saw RagnaRox's excellent video on the subject and after being totally surprised by the shout-out, I thought I'd better include it. Just unzip to the install folder and you're done!
Click on!
Click on the images below to head on over to the game page.
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1998 I Hoffmann + associates Inc & Artech Studios
Windows '95
Adventure-Myst Clone-Fantasy
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1998 Gaumont Multimedia
Windows
Action-Adventure-Science Fiction-Movies
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1997 Psygnosis
Windows
Action-FPS-Science Fiction
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1992-3 Sierra On-Line
DOS
Edutainment-Trivia-Discovery Series-Science
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1996 Maxis, Inc
Windows '95
Sport-Golf-Sim Series
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Ah, like greeting old friends. Very fond memories of Celtica, The Fifth Element, Lifeforce Tenka and Sim Golf. Not familiar with Turbo Science but very happy to give that a go as well. Many thanks again for another great monthly haul Sir Biffman. Now to get myself reacquainted, ahem, with Leeloo... :)
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
DeleteExcelent, and now Beyond Time aka Shadow of the Obelisk
DeleteShadow of the Obelisk, now there's a good shout. Cant beat a bit of FMV :)
DeleteOh that's so cool to see that you added the framerate limitation (also that you saw the video in the first place).
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware that you could even do that with DDrawCompat (wasn't familiar with it until I found your Nocturne release).
I'm gonna include that edit in the tumblr post, so that people know they don't need to do the manual tinkering with external GPU control apps!
But hey, keep up the good work, Biffman!
Thanks! Keep up the good work too. Love your vids.
DeleteThank You very much for this releases.
ReplyDeleteNocturne last version is 3 ? Includes DDrawCompact.
100xTHX
Greg
You're welcome!
DeleteBig up the Kalisto cult!
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving us this multipass - I mean, multipack of great new games!
ReplyDeleteNot long now until Octobers classic 5....
ReplyDelete