Page 22 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #3

T
he Atari
home com-
puter se-
ries is not
typically what one
thinks of when
asked about the
better video game
systems of the early
80's. But why not?
The Atari 8-bit com-
puter line (400, 800,
1200) provided By
some of the best Kyle Snyder
graphics, gameplay,
and outright fun that
could be had on your parents' 19" Ze- "H." Passing through a door places you torch, a hammer, a key, and a shovel.
nith. Due to the fact that it was a com- in a treasure room, wherein various Mastering how and when these objects
puter, people probably tended to think traps have to be bested before you can are used adds to the challenge.
of using it for application-style software escape with the prize. Many times, a Unfortunately, Castle Hassle's
such as home finance, word process- monster, such
ing, or educational offerings. But we as a pulsating
CLASSIC GAMERS know the Atari 8- amoeba,
bit library is filled with wonderful arcade stealthy squid-
style challenges, clever puzzles, and type thing, or
an adventurous atmosphere, all which tiny rat, will at-
result in exceptional replay value. One tempt to cap-
game in particular that combines all ture you. In this
these elements is Roklan's CASTLE case, pressing
HASSLE. the joystick but-
CASTLE HASSLE was actually de- ton will trans-
signed by a smaller outfit called JV form you into a
Software, and marketed in cartridge gun, which is
format by the good folks at Roklan. The easily aimed
game is unique for a variety of reasons, and fired to dis-
the most striking of which is the pose of the
player's character. You're a GHOST! pesky foe.
Yes, a spook, a specter, a spirit. That Other obsta-
which is usually reserved for the enemy cles include a room’s configuration. In graphics are a little bare. The rooms
in other games (Haunted House, one room, a "Z" shaped corridor seems are white wall outlines, sometimes
Crystal Castles, and of course, Pac- like a weak challenge, until you dis- decorated with simple chairs or tables.
Man) is your ally in this adventure. The cover that touching ANY wall sends It looks almost as if they were going for
plot is simply to control this ghost while you back to the starting point. And the a vector game look. The ghost himself
he searches for treasure in a giant cas- diagonal shaped corridor isn't the same (or herself) floats in the spectral
tle. The ghost has the ability to trans- angle produced when you hold the joy- breeze, lazily waving back and forth.
form into useful objects (more on this stick in a diagonal, so there's a lot of The useful objects look exactly like
later) but generally just has to rely on readjustment when trying to float down they’re supposed to, and the various
evasiveness, cunning, and intelligence toward the treasure. Then there's a monsters and treasure range from
to complete his mission. room in which three little blocks ap- clearly defined to, "What the hell is
The game begins in a sparse "H" pear, and you have to figure out the THAT supposed to be??"
shaped room with doorways to other precise pattern of touching these I am not recommending Castle Has-
rooms at each of the four points of the blocks in order to uncover the prize. sle for the graphics, however. The
Other rooms gameplay is top shelf and stands up
feature mazes, over a long session of playing. As each
crushing walls, room offers a different challenge, some
monsters that reflexive and some intellectual, you are
come back to left with that "let me try for JUST ONE
life, and long MORE!" feeling that is absent from so
corridors riddled many of today's titles.
with bullets that Castle Hassle seems to owe a debt
you must trav- to Venture. Both games feature an
erse. exploring character attempting to re-
Ah yes, the trieve treasure from various rooms, but
useful objects. the similarities end there. JV Software
Aside from the and Roklan have created a great game
gun, our friend that will provide new challenges each
the ghost can time you play it.
also transform
into a magnet, a

Classic Gamer Magazine Spring 2000 22