Adventurer #08: Обзор игрушек: Демоверсии и их особенности

(C) Fedorov "Chasm" Vladimir

Overview of demos

Among the software that comes to us from all corners of the former USSR, demo releases of gaming programs sometimes appear. They practically do not show up in our market for the simple reason that no one wants to pay for unfinished products. However, among the blatant knock-offs, there are occasionally some quite interesting specimens that, if brought to completion, promise to be hits. Therefore, we present to your attention an overview of demo versions of games, so you can at least learn about the novelties of demo versions from our words.

"KOLOBOK ZOOM" TEENAGE MUTANT HERO BY ASPHYXIA'98

This game is written in a rather rare genre for the Spectrum - realtime aggression (according to the authors themselves). You are invited to immerse yourself in the world of console action games, particularly characteristic of Dandy. As for the genre, everything is clear; now let's talk about the quality of coding and design: all the action takes place on one screen, but it still scrolls, albeit vertically, which creates an effect of dynamism in the gameplay. You directly control Kolobok, who, using various weapons (which, for some reason, falls from the bad guys), takes out these very bad guys quite well. Simple and tasteful. By the way, the sound effects here are also quite good. Highly recommended for those who like to mash the keyboard or break a joystick without straining their brains too much.

WORMS BY SILICON BRAINS'97

Worms, how much is in this sound... If you've seen this game on Amiga or PC, then you probably couldn't resist its charm. For those who haven't seen it, a few words: you have a squad of wacky worms who, using various weapons, try to take out the opposing team, and all this happens very amusingly. Regarding this demo version, it can be said that currently all weapons are completely absent, except for the teleport, so you can only die by making a suicidal jump into the water. The enemy also lacks brains. However, the screen scrolling and worm movements are done at the highest level. The sound was promised to be ported from Ammy, but to enjoy it, you need 512 kb of memory and covox. In general, if the game is completed, it will become a hit of the season.

СМАГЛИ 3 CRYSTAL DREAM'97

After the first two quest parts, one could expect a continuation in the same spirit, but the Dreamers took a different path: they made a beautiful shooter in the style of Astro Marine Corps. The graphics are colorful and large - playing is a pleasure. The full version will take up the entire disk, will have a setup for selecting sound output devices (the game will have a lot of digitized sound, including about 30 voice inserts), an intro, a prologue, the game itself, and an epilogue. In general, an excellent game is to be expected.

CIVILIZATION BY Кубекин Виталий'97

This game is a conversion of the wonderful strategy game written by the great Sid Meier; you have probably heard of it, so there is no point in discussing the plot. Of course, I could express my opinion about this game, but I think it would be simpler to give the floor to the author directly, as a text file was present.

My version of Civilization includes: 
22 Civilizations (You will see their list before generating the map).
345 city names.
7 forms of government (You will see them in the menu item 'Game. Revolution').
90 themes for scientific research.
51 types of units (the 'paratroopers' object (civ II) is replaced with the 'emitters' object).
38 types of city buildings.
28 Wonders of the World.
32 city type sprites (depending on the level of city development and civilization).
70 map sprites.

My Civilization also includes various additions, such as support for units by the state. Next, you will see a list of what will be added to the full version of the program. 
Negotiations with other civilizations will appear.
Cities and enemy units will 'think' instead of being inactive.
The ability to fight will appear.
Cities will start producing goods.
Science will begin to develop.
Sounds will appear.
The map will gradually open.
And many, many other things...
The full version will include two disks: the first will contain the game, the second - a map editor (and several ready-made maps) and a scenario editor (and several ready-made scenarios).

THE LITTLE GHOST BY DR. DASH'97

If you feel nostalgic for spinal-brain action games from the early eighties, then this game is just for you. You control a little ghost that wanders through dungeons in search of magical stars, scrolls, and other stuff. Beautiful and primitive... In the full version, the author promises several levels, each consisting of 108 game screens, new animated sprites will be added, sound will be improved, and music will be added.

MONSTER LAND RAGE C. G. '98

A very well-made game. The style, as the authors define it: adventure + strategy. You control a little guy who finds himself in an unfriendly area; your task is to explore the surroundings and find a way out. The game is very similar in meaning to "Star Legacy," although the game interface is fundamentally different: it resembles a mix of "Rebel Star" + "Laser Squad," although action points are completely absent - you have energy that decreases with each step. Although this is a demo version, the game left a pleasant impression on me, with logical completeness (there is even save and load). I recommend purchasing it, and if you like it, you can buy the full version from the authors for about 2 bucks.

THE SECRET OF CAPTAIN SHELTON WAVE SOFT'97

The game is based on the namesake book-game, and the gameplay consists of choosing desired actions from ready-made options. The authors are confident that they are the first in this genre of games, although I know for sure that a similar game was written based on G. Harrison's book "Become a Steel Rat." Regarding the technical execution of "TКШ," it can be said that it is so poor that it cannot be worse. This demo version occupies almost half a disk, although there are so few game locations that it can be completed almost instantly. It's a pity to break the guys' spirits, but with such initial results, I wouldn't want to see the final product.

Of course, this review does not include all the demo versions we have at our disposal; it would be worth mentioning such wonderful games as "Last Hero of Light Force," "Master of Orion," and others, but they have been described in other friendly publications, so you can get acquainted with these demo versions by purchasing them at the flea market, and of course, you can also buy all the above-mentioned demo versions there. By the way, I would like to know your opinion about this section; is it even necessary? Is it useful to you? Write to us. We are grateful in advance.

Contents of the publication: Adventurer #08

• От автора - Shaitan
  Technical details of a new program interface for ZX Spectrum. Discusses improvements and features like scrolling and color change. Provides keyboard and button navigation instructions.
• От автора
  Introduction by the author and editorial team details.
• Presentation
  The article presents a software installer for creating autorun disks and introduces a new adventure game created with QUILL by Dr. Laser.
• Presentation of TRICK Software
  The article presents TRICK, a new software for program protection developed by Eternity Industry, and discusses its beta and commercial versions. The author, Alexander Kalinin (aka Paracels/EI), addresses previous shortcomings in the software and emphasizes its improved interface. It includes purchase details for the software and invites readers to request it.
• Presentation
  The article provides a detailed user manual for HELP_Z80, a free utility for ZX Spectrum that serves as an electronic guide for Z80 microprocessor commands. It outlines how to load and use the software, including command explanations, search functions, and integration with assemblers. Additionally, it includes memory distribution, operational features, and references for further reading.
• Interface
  The article discusses reader feedback on the magazine's interface, addressing concerns about pricing and software trends in the ZX Spectrum community. It features a letter from a reader expressing thoughts on game pricing and the declining number of users on the platform. Additionally, there are discussions on software developments and user engagement.
• Interface
  The article shares the author's experiences after purchasing an Amiga, comparing it with a PC, and discussing its usability for games, graphics, and music, while noting some software limitations.
• Interface
  The article discusses user support issues faced by hardware manufacturers SCORPION and NEMO for ZX Spectrum devices. It critiques SCORPION for poor customer service despite being a market leader, while praising NEMO for responsive support. The author expresses concerns about the overall market direction for ZX Spectrum hardware.
• Interface
  Article discusses the future of the Spectrum platform, addressing user demographics, software production challenges, and hardware evolution possibilities.
• Interface
  Article discusses the frustrations of a Speccy user regarding hardware issues, the challenges of modern computing, and the dedication to maintaining the Speccy platform.
• Interface
  Статья рассматривает жизнь и судьбы пользователей ZX Spectrum, включая личные воспоминания автора о друзьях и их взаимодействии с компьютерами.
• System
  The article reviews various software for ZX Spectrum, including text editors, audio players, and graphic utilities. It provides independent opinions on their features and usability, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses. The piece emphasizes the evolution and improvement of software tools available for this classic platform.
• Overview of Games
  Overview of notable games for ZX Spectrum, highlighting their graphics, sound, and gameplay mechanics. Each entry includes a brief summary and rating. Recommended for fans of retro gaming.
• Review of Demos
  The article reviews demo versions of various games, highlighting their potential and unique features. It emphasizes the scarcity of such releases in the market and evaluates the quality and gameplay mechanics of selected titles. The author shares insights into the progress and expectations for future full versions of these games.
• Guests
  The article discusses the formation and activities of the Eternity Industry group, its members, projects, and future plans for releases and competitions.
• Гости - Dr. John
  An interview with Felix from Virtual Brothers discusses his transition from ZX Spectrum to PC, development of the game 'Winnie the Pooh', and future plans.
• Guests
  Interview with the musicians Mарат and Демон from the band 'Disgust', discussing their musical evolution, influences, and perspectives on life and creativity.
• Promotion
  The article provides a detailed manual for the game 'ENCYCLOPEDIA of WAR', explaining army selection, unit types, and battle mechanics.
• Promotion
  The article provides a walkthrough for the game, detailing necessary items and strategies for progressing through various challenges, including dealing with dinosaurs and navigating villages.
• Promotion
  Статья представляет собой обзор arcade adventure игры 'ELOPEMENT' от Omega HG, выделяя ее особенности и советы по прохождению.
• Promotion
  Статья описывает текстовую адвентюру 'Остров тьмы' на QUILL, предлагая советы для игроков. Упоминаются механики и персонажи, включая загадки и взаимодействия. В конце представлена карта острова.
• Promotion of 'Knightmare'
  The article describes the game 'Knightmare', detailing its commands, gameplay mechanics, and initial quests. Players control a knight who must interact with characters and solve puzzles to progress. It serves as a manual for navigating the game's environment and objectives.
• Experience Exchange
  The article critiques the adventure game 'Island of Darkness' by Paul Moskow, highlighting its illogical design, lack of detailed item descriptions, and absence of helpful hints for players.
• Experience Exchange
  The article provides a detailed manual for enhancing the ZX ASM 3.0 assembler, introducing debugging features and functionalities for better program execution control on ZX Spectrum.
• Experience Exchange
  The article describes a phenomenon observed with the ZX Spectrum video controller, where switching between two screens can create unexpected visual artifacts. It outlines a specific program that demonstrates this effect through rapid screen toggling. The author discusses the implications and potential applications of this behavior.
• Обмен опытом - Иван Рощин
  The article is a programming guide on porting the 'iris.ss' screen saver effect from Dos Navigator to ZX Spectrum, including source code and modification tips.
• Обмен опытом - Иван Рощин
  Description of the OPEN_W procedure to create window borders. Includes details on customization of symbols and dimensions. Utilizes PRSYM for symbol printing.
• Обмен опытом - Maximum
  Introduction to long integer operations for game development on ZX Spectrum, including addition, subtraction, and conversion to ASCII.
• Experience Exchange
  The article discusses the customization of the ART STUDIO graphic editor by creating additional modules that enhance its functionality, including features like music playback and cursor coordinates display.
• Experience Exchange
  The article describes a program developed to improve the visual quality of a pixel-by-pixel moving attribute message on ZX Spectrum. It provides details on the implementation, including the use of data arrays for motion trajectory and image rendering. The program includes comments for easier understanding and can be modified for different effects.
• Оттяг
  The article features humorous sketches and commentary on various aspects of life and technology, including anecdotes about a fictional character's experience with a Pentium processor.
• Pharmacist Test
  The article presents humorous tests designed to identify whether someone is a real pharmacist or a fraud, featuring situational questions and scoring to gauge knowledge of pharmacy.
• Oddities and Self-Reflection in 'Оттяг'
  The article 'Оттяг' presents a humorous and critical self-reflection of the author, exploring various life experiences and quirks that highlight his unusual personality traits.
• Humorous Quiz: Assess Your Sense of Humor
  The article presents a humorous quiz to assess one's sense of humor and sexual attitudes through various situational questions, revealing absurd and comedic perspectives.
• Student Types Quiz
  The article presents a humorous quiz to determine what kind of student you are, ranging from a party animal to a diligent scholar. It features a series of questions regarding typical student activities and responses. The results categorize students based on their score, from carefree to nerdy.
• How to Properly Torture Windows 95 - Maximum
  Статья описывает иронический подход к установке и эксплуатации операционной системы Windows 95, включая способы ее 'мучения' и троллинга. В тексте используются гиперболизированные примеры взаимодействия с ОС для создания комичного эффекта. Это развлекательный материал с элементами юмора.
• Ottyag
  The article is a humorous narrative featuring Winnie the Pooh and his friends returning to the Hundred Acre Wood, where their carefree life turns chaotic. It describes their antics, including drinking and misadventures, as they reunite and encounter various challenges. The story showcases the characters' personalities and interactions in a comedic light.
• Novella
  The article describes a humorous novella featuring Corporal Johnlan recounting his first military mission and his interactions with a young grandchild over beers.
• Novella
  Novella recounts an adventurous escape from a Glot base using a vintage spacecraft, highlighting the protagonist's encounters and clever maneuvers.
• Novella
  The article describes a whimsical story about two hedgehogs, Pukhly and Zaraza, who, after a strange event, develop wings and must navigate their new reality. The story blends fantasy and humor as the characters face unexpected changes and challenges. This is a novella showcasing imaginative storytelling.
• News
  The article discusses recent updates from Rybninsk related to the FunTop party, detailing contributions from various individuals and teams for the 'Adventurer' magazine and demo competitions.
• News
  Статья сообщает о событиях в сообществе Спектрумистов Ярославля, включая информацию о разработчиках программного обеспечения и их текущих проектах.
• Advertisement
  The article is a collection of advertisements and announcements related to ZX Spectrum, inviting collaboration from programmers, artists, and musicians, and detailing how to acquire the journal and software.