• Tag Archives Epyx

  • Temple of Apshai Trilogy (Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Temple of Apshai Trilogy (Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/151203779470/temple-of-apshai-trilogy-commodore-64-atari

    Temple of Apshai was one of the very first graphical computer role-playing games, predating even Akalabeth, the precursor to the Ultima series. Temple of Apshai was first released on the TRS-80 and Commodore PET in 1979 by a company called Automated Simulations. Later that company would become Epyx. Temple of Apshai would be ported to a number of popular home computers such as the Atari 8-bit line and Commodore 64 among others.

    There were a number of related games released, a couple of expansions and a sequel. The first expansion, called Upper Reaches of Apshai, was released in 1981 for the Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, TRS-80 and DOS. The second expansion, called Curse of RA, was released in 1982 for the same systems. Temple of Apshai Trilogy which was released in 1985 included improved versions of the original game and both expansions. It was released for all of the original systems except the TRS-80, plus newer platforms like the Amiga, Atari ST and Macintosh.

    For RPG fans or those curious to see what the early days of computer role-playing games looked like then this is a must play. You might as well play the improved Trilogy version and it doesn’t matter too much which port. I have a preference for the Commodore 64 version but the Atari 8-bit version is a good choice too. The only way to play is to track down an original or use emulation. The simplest way is probably to head over to https://archive.org/details/msdos_Temple_of_Apshai_Trilogy_1982 where the DOS version can be played in your browser.

    The box at the top is for the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit versions. For a few years it was common to include both versions of a game on a “flippy” disk that included one version on the front of the disk and another version on the back. Screen shots are from the Commodore 64 version of the game.






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  • The Movie Monster Game (Apple II, Commodore 64, DOS)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Commodore_MicroComputer_Issue_43_1986_Sep_Oct-132

    Source: Commodore Microcomputers – Issue 43 – September October 1986

    The Movie Monster Game was originally released by Epyx in 1986 for the Apple II and Commodore 64. It lets every kid (or adult) realize their fantasy…at least if their fantasy is to control their favorite movie monster. Most of the monsters are rip-offs of existing movie monsters but at least Godzilla was officially licensed.

    The Movie Monster Game offers 5 cities to destroy and six different monsters with which to do it with. In addition, there are five different scenarios…in case one way of destroying the city isn’t enough. In the first scenario (Berserk), the player must accumulate points by destroying as many buildings and vehicles as possible. In the second scenario (Escape), the player must escape the city before the military finishes you off. In the third scenario (Search), the player must rescue the monster’s baby hidden in a building somewhere. In the fourth scenario (Destroy Landmark), the player must destroy a famous landmark like the Statue of Liberty or Big Ben. In the fifth and final scenario (Lunch), the player must make sure the monster is properly fed…with vehicles and civilians.

    Featured monsters include Sphectra (a giant wasp), Tarantus (a giant spider), Mr. Meringue (a.k.a. the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man), The Glob (which rhymes with The Blob), Mechatron (a giant robot) and of course Godzilla. Unfortunately, the game is single player only so you cannot destroy with your friends or battle in an uber monster fight. Still, for its time this was a pretty fun game. It will get a bit repetitive after a while but don’t let that stop you from giving it a try.

    As far as I know, this game only had releases for the Commodore 64 and Apple II. If you want to try it, you will have to track down an original or fire up an emulator.

    The ad at the top is from the September/October 1986 issue of Commodore Microcomputers. While the ad mentions an IBM compatible version, I’m not sure such a version exists. The screen shots above are from the Commodore 64 version.


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