AL82 Retrogaming Longplays | TechnoCop Longplay (Amiga) [QHD] @AL82RetrogamingLongplays | Uploaded 3 months ago | Updated 7 hours ago
Game Info
---------------------------------------------------
Developer: Imagexcel/Gray Matter
Publisher: Gremlin Graphics
Year of Release: 1988
Plot (from Game Manual)
---------------------------------------------------
You're a Technocop. a member of the most elite crime-fighting force in the country called the
ENFORCERS. Your mission is to capture, at any cost, ruthless criminals who paralyse the
city unless you stop them.
Before you start on your journey, you are equipped with the latest crime fighting equipment. At your disposal are a computer wrist watch, a high power criminal radar locator, a snare
net gun and a .88 magnum pistol and you will be driving the force's newest high speed
pursuit-and-destroy vehicle - The VMAX twin turbo interceptor.
You're on your way to thwart the operations of a sinister organised crime empire known
throughout the world as Death on Arrival (D.O.A.). Speed down treacherous highways.
encountering attacking D.O.A. cars. Use the extensive weaponry built into your car to destroy
them. Depend on your criminal locator radar to tell you there is a crime in progress. giving
you the time needed to arrive at the scene in order to apprehend a vicious criminal. Rush to
the scene to make it, but don't lose control of the car and avoid getting hit by attacking
D.O.A. cars!
Once there, your crime computer shows you the face of a wanted D.O.A. criminal on the
screen. Your assignment, as you leave your car to enter the building where the criminal was
last reported seen, is to capture him dead or alive as instructed by the crime computer.
Using your criminal radar locator and computer wrist watch, you carefully search through a
maze of dilapidated interiors of the building to find the culprit. Just getting around the
building is tough enough, with broken floors to fall through if careless. Worse yet, D.O.A.
thugs abound, eager to wreak havoc on your search. Be careful!
Once you've successfully completed that assignment, get back into your VMAX and drive on
to your next assignment.
Game Review & Impressions
---------------------------------------------------
TechnoCop is one the first Amiga games I ever played when I got my A500+ back in 1991, and is title I've been meaning to revisit for some time. Don't mistake this as anything close to resembling an endorsement for the game because it's really rather rubbish, but the graphic violence on show was certainly an eye-opener to an impressionable 9-year old.
The game is principally divided into two sections, the first of which sees you driving your post apocalyptic cop car along ribbons of highway, blowing away criminals with your hood-mounted cannons, endeavouring to reach the scene of the next crime being committed. Upon arrival, you must navigate your way through maze-like slums and tenements, taking down all and sundry with your large-calibre hand cannon, collecting evidence, and trying to take down the resident gang leader.
The instruction manual makes everything sound far more exciting than it actually is. In reality, this is just a slow, jerkily scrolling port from the Atari ST, with punishing difficulty, irritating level design, little variety, non-existent music, mediocre sound, and just being crap all round. The only thing of any note is the way bad guys explode into a twitching paste after being shot, but the novelty wears of really quickly. It's just an achingly dull game which could have been so much better.
Interestingly, the designer for this game is same Rob Anderson who would go on to create Moonstone: A Hard Days Knight, one of the BEST games on the Amiga. From humble beginnings...
Chapters
---------------------------------------------------
TBC
Game Info
---------------------------------------------------
Developer: Imagexcel/Gray Matter
Publisher: Gremlin Graphics
Year of Release: 1988
Plot (from Game Manual)
---------------------------------------------------
You're a Technocop. a member of the most elite crime-fighting force in the country called the
ENFORCERS. Your mission is to capture, at any cost, ruthless criminals who paralyse the
city unless you stop them.
Before you start on your journey, you are equipped with the latest crime fighting equipment. At your disposal are a computer wrist watch, a high power criminal radar locator, a snare
net gun and a .88 magnum pistol and you will be driving the force's newest high speed
pursuit-and-destroy vehicle - The VMAX twin turbo interceptor.
You're on your way to thwart the operations of a sinister organised crime empire known
throughout the world as Death on Arrival (D.O.A.). Speed down treacherous highways.
encountering attacking D.O.A. cars. Use the extensive weaponry built into your car to destroy
them. Depend on your criminal locator radar to tell you there is a crime in progress. giving
you the time needed to arrive at the scene in order to apprehend a vicious criminal. Rush to
the scene to make it, but don't lose control of the car and avoid getting hit by attacking
D.O.A. cars!
Once there, your crime computer shows you the face of a wanted D.O.A. criminal on the
screen. Your assignment, as you leave your car to enter the building where the criminal was
last reported seen, is to capture him dead or alive as instructed by the crime computer.
Using your criminal radar locator and computer wrist watch, you carefully search through a
maze of dilapidated interiors of the building to find the culprit. Just getting around the
building is tough enough, with broken floors to fall through if careless. Worse yet, D.O.A.
thugs abound, eager to wreak havoc on your search. Be careful!
Once you've successfully completed that assignment, get back into your VMAX and drive on
to your next assignment.
Game Review & Impressions
---------------------------------------------------
TechnoCop is one the first Amiga games I ever played when I got my A500+ back in 1991, and is title I've been meaning to revisit for some time. Don't mistake this as anything close to resembling an endorsement for the game because it's really rather rubbish, but the graphic violence on show was certainly an eye-opener to an impressionable 9-year old.
The game is principally divided into two sections, the first of which sees you driving your post apocalyptic cop car along ribbons of highway, blowing away criminals with your hood-mounted cannons, endeavouring to reach the scene of the next crime being committed. Upon arrival, you must navigate your way through maze-like slums and tenements, taking down all and sundry with your large-calibre hand cannon, collecting evidence, and trying to take down the resident gang leader.
The instruction manual makes everything sound far more exciting than it actually is. In reality, this is just a slow, jerkily scrolling port from the Atari ST, with punishing difficulty, irritating level design, little variety, non-existent music, mediocre sound, and just being crap all round. The only thing of any note is the way bad guys explode into a twitching paste after being shot, but the novelty wears of really quickly. It's just an achingly dull game which could have been so much better.
Interestingly, the designer for this game is same Rob Anderson who would go on to create Moonstone: A Hard Days Knight, one of the BEST games on the Amiga. From humble beginnings...
Chapters
---------------------------------------------------
TBC
![TechnoCop Longplay (Amiga) [QHD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KPCZqXBgRj8/hqdefault.jpg "TechnoCop Longplay (Amiga) [QHD]
Game Info
Developer: Imagexcel/Gray Matter
Publisher: Gremlin Graphics
Year of Release: 1988
Plot (from Game Manual)
Youre a Technocop. a member of the most elite crime-fighting force in the country called the
ENFORCERS. Your mission is to capture, at any cost, ruthless criminals who paralyse the
city unless you stop them.
Before you start on your journey, you are equipped with the latest crime fighting equipment. At your disposal are a computer wrist watch, a high power criminal radar locator, a snare
net gun and a .88 magnum pistol and you will be driving the forces newest high speed
pursuit-and-destroy vehicle - The VMAX twin turbo interceptor.
Youre on your way to thwart the operations of a sinister organised crime empire known
throughout the world as Death on Arrival (D.O.A.). Speed down treacherous highways.
encountering attacking D.O.A. cars. Use the extensive weaponry built into your car to destroy
them. Depend on your criminal locator radar to tell you there is a crime in progress. giving
you the time needed to arrive at the scene in order to apprehend a vicious criminal. Rush to
the scene to make it, but dont lose control of the car and avoid getting hit by attacking
D.O.A. cars!
Once there, your crime computer shows you the face of a wanted D.O.A. criminal on the
screen. Your assignment, as you leave your car to enter the building where the criminal was
last reported seen, is to capture him dead or alive as instructed by the crime computer.
Using your criminal radar locator and computer wrist watch, you carefully search through a
maze of dilapidated interiors of the building to find the culprit. Just getting around the
building is tough enough, with broken floors to fall through if careless. Worse yet, D.O.A.
thugs abound, eager to wreak havoc on your search. Be careful!
Once youve successfully completed that assignment, get back into your VMAX and drive on
to your next assignment.
Game Review & Impressions
TechnoCop is one the first Amiga games I ever played when I got my A500+ back in 1991, and is title Ive been meaning to revisit for some time. Dont mistake this as anything close to resembling an endorsement for the game because its really rather rubbish, but the graphic violence on show was certainly an eye-opener to an impressionable 9-year old.
The game is principally divided into two sections, the first of which sees you driving your post apocalyptic cop car along ribbons of highway, blowing away criminals with your hood-mounted cannons, endeavouring to reach the scene of the next crime being committed. Upon arrival, you must navigate your way through maze-like slums and tenements, taking down all and sundry with your large-calibre hand cannon, collecting evidence, and trying to take down the resident gang leader.
The instruction manual makes everything sound far more exciting than it actually is. In reality, this is just a slow, jerkily scrolling port from the Atari ST, with punishing difficulty, irritating level design, little variety, non-existent music, mediocre sound, and just being crap all round. The only thing of any note is the way bad guys explode into a twitching paste after being shot, but the novelty wears of really quickly. Its just an achingly dull game which could have been so much better.
Interestingly, the designer for this game is same Rob Anderson who would go on to create Moonstone: A Hard Days Knight, one of the BEST games on the Amiga. From humble beginnings...
Chapters
TBC")
![Over Horizon Longplay (NES) [QHD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Kh3BR4UvpoE/hqdefault.jpg "Over Horizon Longplay (NES) [QHD]
Game Info
Developer: Hot B
Publisher: Hot B
Year of Release: 1991
Game Review & Impressions
I spotted Over Horizon while scrolling throw socials, and I sufficiently intrigued to check out this surprisingly innovative title for myself.
On the surface, the game is very similar to R-Type from a design point of view, featuring similar level design and game mechanics, but to dismiss it as a mere clone is to do it quite the disservice.
What elevates Over Horizon is its highly original take on power ups and ship customisation. From the games outset, the player can pre-define parameters that affect the attributes of weapons, including overall power and ability to track/home in on enemies. Its also possible to adjust the position of ship satellite modules relative to player ship using a really cool grid-based system, providing pilots an unparalleled level of customisation. Theres even a test mode which allows you to try out your setup before launching into the game proper, which is a really cool addition.
These choices arent merely superficial, either. You might think dialling homing ability to the max is easy mode during the first couple of levels, but things become far tougher later on, when asteroid fields and swarms of low-ranking enemies act as decoys, diluting your firepower. Many levels feature barriers you need to blast through in order to progress, so youll want to make sure you have a weapon which is sufficiently dumb fire enough to punch through these obstacles, and not get distracted by passing enemies.
For 1991, it might seem as though Over Horizon is a little late to the party, particularly at a time when 16-bit platforms were taking over, but its innovative approach to power-ups and solid presentation make for an engaging shooter definitely worth checking out.
Chapters
00:00 Ship config & test mode
01:00 Stage 1
04:08 Stage 2
08:09 Stage 3
13:10 Stage 4
17:55 Stage 5
23:00 Stage 6
31:00 Ending
#nes #retrogaming #longplay")
![Legion - Spinner 87 Longplay (Arcade) [QHD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Kn5Hdmt4yfg/hqdefault.jpg "Legion - Spinner 87 Longplay (Arcade) [QHD]
Game Info
Developer: Nichibutsu
Publisher: Nichibutsu
Year of Release: 1987
Game Review & Impressions
The title of this game might not exactly roll off the tongue, but I reckon this vertical shoot em up from Nichibutsu is a bit of a hidden gem. It reminded me of Namcos Dragon Spirit, although I think this is the better game.
Firstly, I think the graphics are awesome. Theres a surprising level of detail to both artwork and animation, including animated tank tracks on enemy ground vehicles, and shadows for everything from aircraft to buildings, really giving everything a sense of perspective.
Secondly, the power-up system is actually pretty innovative for the time. Any ground troops you liberate will occupy vacant gunner positions on the four corners of your craft, providing covering fire in a arc that surrounds your craft. Further more, additional troops you collect can be transferred to one of the flying rescue vehicles indicated by the red cross for bonus points; you need to reverse your craft so the rear tailgate is positioned over the front of the rescue vehicle, at which point youll see the tiny soldiers hop on over, for which youll receive a healthy number of bonus points.
As for the core game loop, its pretty standard stuff. You shoot air and ground-based targets, turrets and other defensive structures. Certain zones give you the option to take shortcuts to other areas, although I think this just gives some variance to the order in which you tackle the levels, rather than skip them completely. Its certainly a challenging game, but definitely one worth trying.
Chapters
00:00 Attract mode
00:15 Gameplay
20:15 Final Boss")
![Double-Wings Longplay (Arcade) [QHD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KsTB9OYCXhg/hqdefault.jpg "Double-Wings Longplay (Arcade) [QHD]
Game Info
Developer: Mitchell
Publisher: Mitchell
Year of Release: 1993
Game Review & Impressions
Although Pang is probably the most memorable game to have ever been produced by Mitchell, it did produce a range of other arcade titles, including this foray into the shoot em up genre. Its your typical early 90s shooter with all the things youd come to expect from this kind of game by now, although I think it looks a little bit bland in terms of visuals.
Chapters
TBC")
![Arrow Flash Longplay (Sega Genesis) [QHD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LNJeMFkyvFA/hqdefault.jpg "Arrow Flash Longplay (Sega Genesis) [QHD]
Game Info
Developer: ITL
Publisher: Renovation Products
Year of Release: 1990
Game Review & Impressions
Not a shoot em up Id heard of before, Arrow Flash isnt going to win any awards for innovation. Its a relatively by-the-numbers horizontal shooter with the usually assortment of upgrades, end-of-level bosses and everything else common to the genre.
The game does try and mix things up by allowing the player to transform between fighter and mech-suit mode. The fighter has a narrower cone of fire and has a blastwave as a special weapon, whereas the mech has a wider angle of fire and can initiate what I fiess is the titular Arrow Flash, turning itself into a glowing death hulk that can kill enemies on contact.
The reality is that these two modes dont really offer a huge variety in terms of gameplay. I didnt find there was much need to use the special abilities all that often, with the regular weapons being powerful enough in most cases. What were left with is a game with some nice parallax scrolling and cool demoscene-style tricks, but fairly mundane gameplay.
Chapters
TBC")
![Rambo: First Blood Part II Longplay (Sega Master System) [QHD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LpDwc7gMnsc/hqdefault.jpg "Rambo: First Blood Part II Longplay (Sega Master System) [QHD]
Game Info
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Year of Release: 1986
Game Review & Impressions
Essentially a rebranded version of Segas Ashura for Western markets, the Rambo license awkwardly stapled to this vertically scrolling shooter, itself a mediocre facsimile of Commando and Ikari Warriors. The console hardware clearly delivered a better visual experience than what was possible on the 8-bit micro computers of the day, so it at least LOOKS better than, say, the Commodore 64 version of Rambo, but I cant say the same for the gameplay - its glacial pacing and dull absence of excitement make for a wholly lacklustre experience.
Chapters
00:00 Attract mode
01:00 Stage 1
04:23 Stage 2
07:57 Stage 3
11:55 Stage 4
15:23 Stage 5
18:28 Stage 6
20:30 Ending")
![Lightning Fighters Longplay (Arcade) [QHD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/M7idQz2npoE/hqdefault.jpg "Lightning Fighters Longplay (Arcade) [QHD]
Game Info
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Year of Release: 1990
Game Review & Impressions
Vertical scrolling shoot em up from Konami featuring some decent graphics and audio effects. Its the usual affair: blasting waves of enemies; collecting power-ups and shooting down bosses. The difficulty in the later stages proved to be particularly oppressive, especially if you dont select and upgrade the auto-fire cannon; I foresee crippling RSI in your future if you choose anything but this.
Other than that, Lightning Fighters has some cool sprite scaling effects, with waves of enemy fighters whizzing over the top of the players craft, and production values, as expected for Konami, are really good in general. Its not the best game in its class, but its certainly up there, so definitely worth a look.
Chapters
00:00 Attract mode
02:38 Stage 1
05:00 Stage 2
07:48 Stage 3
10:20 Stage 4
13:08 Stage 5
16:40 Stage 6
19:23 Stage 7
22:23 Stage 8
28:34 Stage 9
31:56 Ending")
![True Lies Longplay (SNES) [QHD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/M94yYtvkllQ/hqdefault.jpg "True Lies Longplay (SNES) [QHD]
Game Info
Developer: Beam Software
Publisher: LJN
Year of Release: 1994
Game Review & Impressions
9 years ago, I created and uploaded a longplay of True Lies for the SNES. It was one of my favourite games for the console back in the day, and my opinion has changed little in that time. Its still one of my favourite top-down shooters, and playing through it again for this new video only served to reaffirm my opinion.
The game is based on the 1994 Schwarzenegger movie of the same name, with players assuming the role of secret agent Harry Tasker and undertaking a series of missions to bring down a terrorist cell. Although the game starts by following the broader plot, most of the levels have little to do with the movie, and the whole subplot about Harry keeping his government agent identity a secret from his wife is removed entirely. Whats left is an all-action shooter where Harry blows away a ton of bad guys with a variety of guns, occasionally seeking out keys to open locked doors, or blowing stuff up.
This is all totally fine with me, given the gameplay is really solid. It looks and feels a lot like The Chaos Engine, another of my all-time favourite games. The levels are expansive, and taking on enemies with a shotgun or UZI in hand is a lot of fun. The weapons all have their individual strengths and weaknesses, and the distribution of ammo for these throughout each stage is well-managed. Although you shouldnt squander your shots, the game gives you enough to stock up to deal with most situations, and it also helps that your default starting weapon blessed with infinite ammunition remains effective throughout the game.
Others may disagree, but I just really enjoy True Lies. Of the two 16-bit consoles, the SNES version has the edge over the Genesis, largely due to the improved sound quality. The sample-based music and effects are clearer and more dynamic if you have a choice of versions, the SNES is the one to go for.
In terms of this particular playthrough, I covered a couple of secret areas I missed in my original longplay, and this video is based on the US NTSC version instead of PAL, so its the full 60 FPS experience.
Chapters
0:00:00 Opening credits
0:00:41 Stage 1: The Chateau
0:09:13 Stage 2: The Mall
0:18:05 Stage 3: The Park
0:32:31 Stage 4: The Subway
0:53:11 Stage 5: The Docks
1:10:09 Stage 6: The Forbidden City
1:33:52 Stage 7: The Refinery
1:56:42 Stage 8: The Highway
1:58:49 Stage 9: The Office Block
2:17:36 Ending
#retrogaming #snes #longplay")
![Invader Longplay (Game Boy Advance) [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MEc_ROhU0mA/hqdefault.jpg "Invader Longplay (Game Boy Advance) [4K]
Game Info
Developer: Lost Boys Games
Publisher: Xicat Interactive
Year of Release: 2002
Game Review & Impressions
I have to confess, I recorded this game over 4 years ago and never got round to releasing it, so Im afraid I really dont remember much about the game, other than I had no serious complaints. Its an attractive and perfectly functional vertical shooter for the GBA, if one thats slightly heavy on the exposition - that opening cutscene goes on for way too long.
As for the gameplay, the main loop consists of blasting enemies into a fountain of coins, collecting as many as possible and spending them at the in-game shops. New weapons and power-ups can be purchased, which fuels the cycle of destruction even further.
Chapters
TBC")
![Bubsy in Close Encounters of the Furred Kind Longplay (SNES) [QHD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MKu1pMrwvng/hqdefault.jpg "Bubsy in Close Encounters of the Furred Kind Longplay (SNES) [QHD]
Game Info
Developer: Solid Software
Publisher: Accolade
Year of Release: 1993
Game Review & Impressions
I covered the Sega Genesis of the original Bubsy many moons ago. It was one of the few games I owned for the system back in the day, and while it was never a serious pretender to the likes of Sonic or Mario, Its not as bad as some make it out to be. The game follows the exploits of one Bubsy, who is on a mission to save Earths supply of yarn balls from an invading race of aliens, known as Woolies. This is as much exposition as one needs for a game of this type which, when all said and done, amounts to combing expansive levels full of platforms for collectibles, bouncing on the heads of enemies to dispose of them, and finding the way to the exit.
In terms of features, the game has some of the most expansive levels in the genre, at least for its time. Unlike the Genesis longplay video, I spent more time investigating each level, which added over an hour to the total completion time. Whether you would actually want to do this under normal playing conditions is debatable, but theres a certainly a big ol slice of platforming to be had, should you wish it be so.
Its a shame, therefore, that level design, at least in my opinion, is one of the areas where Bubsy falls short. Whereas the levels in Sonic the Hedgehog are carefully curated experiences that players can learn over successive attempts, the levels here feel like sprawling expanses of randomness, which you just plough through until you finally reach the end.
It also doesnt help that the controls arent as refined as they could be. The level of inertia applied to Bubsy when you stop moving, coupled with the camera system, means that traveling at speed carries a far higher risk than in Sonic or Mario; you cant stop in sufficient time to deal with an oncoming hazard.
As to any differences between Sega and Nintendo versions of the game, the audio quality in the SNES is definitely an improvement. The digital speech samples spoken by Bubsy at the start of each level are noticeably clearer and can be understood, at least compared to the crackly warbling on the Genesis.
If you can look past its faults, Bubsy is a reasonable-enough game. Theres plenty of content to keep you platforming for many an hour, provided you have a sufficiently attuned pain threshold to cope with its various gripes.
Video Notes
The score counter mysteriously reset itself to zero on level 11; this is not a continuity error.
Chapters
TBC")
![Chelnov: Atomic Runner Longplay (Arcade) [QHD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MY4ihg4wx4U/hqdefault.jpg "Chelnov: Atomic Runner Longplay (Arcade) [QHD]
Game Info
Developer: Data East
Publisher: Data East
Year of Release: 1988
Game Review & Impressions
I first discovered Atomic Runner through the later Sega Genesis conversion (£7 from the bargain bin in Wilko...RIP), learning later it was actually a coin-op arcade game first. Its an interesting take on the sideways scrolling shooter, putting you in the plutonium-powered boots of Chelnov, the Atomic Runner, who must blast through screen upon screen of aliens, mutants and typical menagerie of bad guys whilst trying to save the planet.
The main difference between this and other shooters is the fact you cant fly, forced to run forward, back peddle and somersault over or around obstacles. Its also impossible to stand still - Chelnov is locked in a permanent sprint, which adds considerably to the games overall difficulty.
Everything else about the game is fairly typical: collect weapons, shoot enemies, and avoid dying. I much preferred the Sega home version, thanks to some snazzier graphics, but the arcade game is an interesting curio in a crowded genre. Its not going to win any awards, but still worth checking out.
Chapters
TBC")
![Dragon Breed Longplay (Arcade] [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MknJdvSoM0w/hqdefault.jpg "Dragon Breed Longplay (Arcade] [4K]
Game Info
Developer: Irem
Publisher: Irem
Year of Release: 1989
Game Review & Impressions
yet another game from Irems back catalogue of shoot em ups, Dragon Breed is a visually stunning entry in the annals of coin-op shoot em up history. The art style, which would become synonymous with Irems arcade titles from here on out, is superb. I couldnt find a list of credits for the game, but I suspect the artist is Akio Oyabu, who worked on many of Irems arcade titles and, perhaps even more famously, Metal Slug.
As with R-Type and X-Multiply, Dragon Breed follows similar design principles by allowing the player to use the body of the dragon to block incoming projectiles. Grabbing power-up capsules from defeated enemies both changes your drakes main weapon and, if multiple capsules of the same colour are collected, increasing the power of the shot. If Im honest, the only weapon I found to be of any real use was the flame breath (red); the others all felt just a little too weak to bother with.
Perhaps the games most interesting mechanic is the ability to dismount from your scaley steed when positioned directly over a floating platform. Whilst on foot, your blaster increases in power and spread, and the dragon will automatically engage foes until youre ready to take off again. This all seems like a cool idea, but theres actually very little opportunity to use this mechanic and, if Im honest, its not particularly useful do so.
While Dragon Breed might not be as iconic as R-Type or its sequel, I think this its certainly one of Irems more interesting coin-ops. This is in large part to the graphics and outlandish enemy designs, which would certainly have caught the eye of passing punters. If youre in the mood for a decent blasting game, Dragon Breed will certainly scratch that particular itch.
Chapters
00:00 Attract mode
00:10 Stage 1
03:32 Stage 2
05:45 Stage 3
08:45 Stage 4
12:18 Stage 5
15:22 Stage 6
18:18 Ending")
