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  • Rescue on Fractalus (Commodore 64, Apple II, Atari 8-bit)

    Rescue on Fractalus (Commodore 64, Atari, Apple)


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    Though it may not be as true today, in the 1980s you could almost always count on a Lucasfilm game (or Epyx game for that matter) to be of high quality. Rescue on Fractalus is no exception. It was initially developed for the Atari 8-bit line of computers (and the Atari 5200 which is essentially the same thing internally anyway) and later ported to other popular computers such as the Commodore 64, Apple II and even the Tandy Color Computer 3 (a rare high profile 3rd party title for that system). It was developed by Lucasfilm Games and distributed by Epyx, Activision or Atari depending on the version and location it was released.

     
    Commodore 64

    In Rescue on Fractalus, you pilot a spaceship through mountainous terrain looking for downed pilots to rescue. Once found, you must land close enough so that the downed pilot can make it to your ship before dying in the acidic atmosphere. To make matters more difficult, aliens take pot shots at you during you search. In addition, they will sometimes impersonate downed pilots in an attempt to get aboard your ship. One unique aspect of this game is that the terrain is generated using fractals (hence the name).


    Atari 8-bit

    This is definitely a challenging game but one that is well worth playing. Both the Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 versions are good and are easy enough to find for emulation purposes if you can’t track down an original (or don’t have the equipment). This game would make for a great modern remake but alas there have been none. The most “modern” versions are a slightly expanded Atari XE/XEGS version with more levels and an unfinished Atari 7800 prototype that was discovered in 2004.

    A strategy guide and a little bit more info about the game can be found here: http://www.megalextoria.com/wordpress/index.php/2017/03/15/rescue-on-fractulus-atari-xe-strategy/





  • ANALOG Computing (March 1989)

    analog-computing-70-1989-03-video-game-special-01

    Source: ANALOG Computing – Issue Number 70 – March 1989

    ANALOG was probably the most popular Atari 8-bit magazine in the U.S. and had the longest life among Atari 8-bit magazines. Of course, it only had one serious competitor. The March 1989 issue includes:

    Features

    • Cartridge Games for Your XEGS – An overview of the cartridge based games available for the Atari XEGS. Basing a game system on Atari XE computers wasn’t necessarily a bad idea but most games that Atari released were really just re-releases of old games.
    • Pebbles – A type-in puzzle game from ancient Egypt featuring stones and holes.
    • Master Memory Map, Part VIII – Part 8 of a massive series on the entire Atari 8-bit memory map.
    • Un-Sprites – A type-in program for creating software based sprites along with a couple of demo programs.
    • Atari Videodisc System – Using an Atari 8-bit computer as a laserdisc controller.
    • DUPing BASIC – A way to automatically enable and disable BASIC when entering and leaving DOS.
    • Disk Games for Your XEGS – Though the XEGS was a cartridge based game system, you could still connect a standard Atari floppy disk drive externally and play disk based games that work with Atari 8-bit computers.
    • Electra-Ball – A type-in futuristic sports games in which you manipulate deflectors to get the ball to go where you want.


    Table of Contents from the March 1989 issue of ANALOG Computing

    Reviews

    • Turboword – The first full-featured 80-column word processor for the Atari 8-bit. It required an 80-column expansion board and monitor which were non-standard for the Atari.
    • Quintopus – Basically a port expander for Atari 8-bit computers that allows for more peripherals to be attached.

    Columns

    • Database DELPHI – Help using the Delphi online service from an Atari user’s perspective.
    • The End User – A look back at the last four years of the column which included various interviews, new products, etc.
    • Game Design Workshop – A continuation of a tutorial on Player/Missile graphics as well as continued work on BASIC Invaders, a Space Invaders clone.


    Table of Contents from the March 1989 issue of ANALOG Computing (continued)

    Departments

    • Editorial – Some newspaper column gives a half-baked criticism of video games in general. Meanwhile, this issue of ANALOG is dedicated to gaming.
    • Reader Comment – One reader writes in about his perception of the lack of support for Atari 8-bit machines.
    • 8-Bit News – Covox announces text adventure game Escape From Planet X featuring speech synthesis; Super Database 1-2-3 database and report generator available for Atari 8-bit; Cheat!, a program that allows modifications of 120 games to add unlimited lives, released; SpartaDOS X released; and more.
    • M/L Editor – A type-in program designed to assist with entering machine language programs published in ANALOG.
    • Basic Editor II – A type-in program designed to assist with entering BASIC programs that are published in ANALOG.


    Back cover of the March 1989 issue of ANALOG Computing

    …and more!


  • ANALOG Computing (December 1986)

    analog-computing-49-1986-12-8-bit-gift-guide-001

    Source: ANALOG Computing – December 1986 

    ANALOG computing was probably the best magazine for Atari 8-bit computers. It also sometimes included ST-Log as an insert which covered the Atari ST but ANALOG was always primarily a magazine for the 8-bit Atari computers. The December 1986 issue includes:

    Features

    • Status report – An insider’s look at the confusing world of expansions and upgrades.
    • The Atari 8-bit Gift Guide – The old and the new – a plethora of ideas to make your holiday season merry.
    • TechPop – Give your computer some rhythm and sound with this Action! program.
    • ST-Log – ANALOG Computing’s ST magazine.
    • Smiles and other facial wrinkles – One programmer’s views on how to make your own software masterpieces creative and entertaining.
    • Brickworks – With this assembly language program, you can build pictures with “bricks,” edit and even animate them.
    • Fortune-Wheel – Spin the wheel – buy a vowel or guess the answer in this two-player game.

    Reviews

    • HardBall! (Accolade) – A hard look at the latest baseball game – is it major league or a strike-out?
    • Panak strikes! – Beach-Head II (Access Software) and Wizard’s Crown (SSI), Transylvania and The Crimson Crown (Polarware) are examined this month by our resident game expert.

    Columns

    • Editorial
    • Reader comment
    • M/L Editor
    • 8-bit news
    • Atari users’ groups
    • Database Delphi
    • Boot Camp
    • Atari computer fairs
    • Index to advertisers