itch.io

This seems like an interesting game. But itch.io is warning me not to download because of suspicious behaviour on this page, such as files being zipped.

Hopefully this matter can be cleared up, as this looks like an excellent use of the CPC palette.

OK, I think I just sent you a friend request on Discord.

Name is 7 digits, fourth letter is U.

You got it. You'll hear from me soon.

Sure. Are you on Discord?

I'd be happy to help you!

Yes, I have the Book386, which has 8 MB DRAM and 40 Mhz processor.

My first computer was an 8 or 12 Mhz 286, but it is long-since sold! So the Book386 is the closest thing I could get.

DOSBox Staging is very new, and I can understand why many people wouldn't have adopted it yet. The reason I started using it is because a vintage enthusiast recommended it for its ability to self-configure to very compatible sound and graphics configs.

0.81 did not show certain graphics in Anzu Castle Gracula, but it was mostly fixed by 0.82. But there is still flickering with that game in both Staging and SVN, probably other DOSBox as well.

Seems that DOSBox was bugfixed for the OG DOS catalogue, and not modern retro.

I started using the 286 in 1989. Mine, fortunately, was VGA. Most of the games available for 286 were still CGA / EGA, though, so I suffered through CGA a bit. I remember those times well! Pharoah's Tomb was one of my first games, on a 5 1/4 floppy.

Your thoughts on limitations breeding creativity have a lot of support. I don't think we've really pushed CGA to its limits. There's the rarely-used 160px 16-colour mode, and the ability to change Colour 0 in the normal 4-colour palettes.

Look at this beautiful chart:

https://mastodon.social/@cyningstan/109326743745572940

I enjoyed trying the various graphics mode options for DOS games on startup, but it was years before I would see a SoundBlaster.

I haven't played around much with the Book386. Just tested in upon receiving it, and it seems to work. What's holding me back is trying to find a spare 4:3 monitor suitable for it. I'd want to display your games on something bigger than the 7" Book386 screen! But I'd be happy to accelerate things for you, and get this thing running with modern retro software. I have vintage peripherals for it, too!

Thanks!

Yours was one of the first "new Retro" DOS games, I think. There are some similar efforts even today, such as Anzu Castle Gracula and Gold Miner.

DOSBox Staging actually had trouble with Anzu Castle Gracula until a recent DOSBox update, so it seems like some emulators are having trouble with new homebrew. (Makes sense, since DOSBox forks would not have been tested very much with new games).

386 is available to me, so maybe this will be tested eventually. I just learned of your 3D Dungeon game, and my hardware is just enough to meet requirements!

I found out about Viana in a 'history of CGA' topic somewhere. There's been a lot of questions about CGA recently - why it was the way it was - and they are being answered.

It's really great that you made your games actually run on classic video cards.

This looks to be really amazing and authentic.

However, I am having significant trouble with DOSBox, which doesn't usually happen.

With DOSBox Staging, I get:

Load error: no DPMI - Get csdpmi*b.zip

And in DOSBox-X, I get:

Page Fault cr2=0040a0d0 in RMCB at eip=a0d0; flags=3016

It seems very vulnerable to crashing when DOSBox cycles / processor speed is adjusted, which isn't usually the case with most applications.

I wonder if this is very sensitive to certain ways that DOSBox is configured. I may have to try this game on real hardware to see what happens.

This engine and graphics set would also be a good basis for an ARPG.

You could visit tree houses, go to villages an enter the houses, talk to people and improve stats.

A whole quest could exist.

This looks and plays almost like an EGA DOS game [smoother than most.]

I wonder if this could be compiled to compete with early DOS games like Duke Nukem I.

I didn't see graphics this good or smooth on x86 until the Win32 era.

This is actually a very colourful game for the ZX, and the music is just right.

I appreciate that you not only improved from Wychewald, but continue to push the boundaries of the system.

Many coders simply seek to make their own spin on a ZX single-screen platformer. What such communities really need is someone who wants to show what the system can really do.

This would be beautiful on some of those affordable retro handhelds like the Miyoo Mini or RG35XX variants.

Something with a 640 x 480 screen, or one of the new 700 x 700 square ones. 4" screen.

An open-source portable game that can be added to PortMaster, running on those retro handhelds would be perfect for these assets.

If this had come out for x86 DOS PC around 1993 or so, it would have been a top platformer on that system.

Of course, Amiga is more elegant for this sort of thing. But even by Amiga standards, this is good. One of the best uses of colour I have seen.

I would not say that this game is 'too easy.' Please don't make it for "veterans."

The reason is say this is that's it's fun to casually play around right now. Don't need it to be more frustrating.

Given how impressive this game is, maybe next time you could make a kind-of base-building game, like Terraria.

Simpler, of course. But when you are out platforming in side-scrolling adventures, you could collect things that are used to enhance your home base.

I guess your home base (village) could get attacked once-in-a-while, so you'd want to get villagers and some turrets and such.