A Roundup of Recent Releases

It's been over three months since I last updated the blog, and for that I must apologise. Once again a busy work and home life has meant that my time dedicated to the Amiga has been limited to playing a few games on my Gotek equipped A500, and rummaging through the excellent Mod Archive.

I'm hoping that in 2016 I'll be able to keep the blog updated on a more regular basis, but if that's not possible I'll post as and when I can. The blog is far from dead. It's just that at times it may go through a quiet spell or two.

So, what's been going on in the Amiga gaming world since I posted way back in September? Here's a brief whistle-stop look at some of the highs over the past three months or so.


Elves Dreamland

Released in the run-up to Christmas 2015, Elves Dreamland is a flip-screen platformer that's been put together using the Jet Set Billy map editor.

The object of the game sounds simple - collect all 200 items to complete the game. Naturally, completing the task will be anything but simple.

With some really lovely colourful graphics, you'd struggle to spot that the Jet Set Billy editor has been used, such is the quality of the mod. Unfortunately, as the game runs the same code as Jet Set Billy, it still features one of the worst jumping mechanics known to man. You have to jump vertically, and then move left or right. It does take a bit of getting used to.

The jumping is my only niggle in what is otherwise is an excellent release.

Try Elves Dreamland if Jet Set Willy clones are your thing.


If you'd like to try the game out for yourself you can download it here, and if you'd like to see what the game looks like running, check out this clip over on YouTube.

Finally, if you fancy joining in the chat relating to this recent release, check out this thread over on the English Amiga Board.


Tales of Gorluth - Free Download

As Christmas got closer English Amiga Board moderator, and Amiga games creator Viddi announced that his Zelda-like RPG Tales of Gorluth Part 1, was now free to download.

Rated "The Best Amiga Game of 2014", the free giveaway was a nice Christmas present to the Amiga community, and at the same time a great way to drum up interest and pre-orders for Tales of Gorluth Part 2 (see trailer below).

To download part 1, go to the Tales of Gorluth web site, at http://www.talesofgorluth.de, and while you're there consider purchasing a physical copy of part 1 and pre-ordering part 2.
For more information, please visit the Tales of Gorluth Free Download thread over on the English Amiga Board.

WHDLoad Now Free to Download

It's not often I cover applications on this blog (I have dedicated a post or two to AMOS many moons ago), but WHDLoad isn't just any application. 
For those of you not in the know, WHDLoad gives you the ability to install classic Amiga games to hard drive (even those that weren't originally hard drive installable), apply patches/cheats, and even improve compatibility.
Previous versions have required pay for registration, but as of version 18.2, which was released on the 23rd December, the program no longer requires a keyfile. If the application finds a keyfile on your hard drive it will continue to display your name on the splash screen.
With the application now available for free many in the Amiga community were concerned that this would mean that WHDLoad would cease to be developed. Developer Bert Jahn confirmed over on the Amiga.org web site that; "Development will continue. There are no plans to change anything".

To download the latest version of WHDLoad, head on over to the official web site at http://whdload.de/index.html. If you'd like to join in the thread relating to this latest release, then check out this thread over on the English Amiga Board.

Shokaku 68020 Amiga 30th Anniversary Edition

Here's something you don't see every day - a new Amiga release from Japan. 
Entitled "Hanafuda", this game uses graphical representations of the Japanese cards of the same name.

The game is beautifully presented, and has been made to look like something you'd stumble upon in a Japanese arcade. Check out the footage below.

I have to admit that despite watching the demo I'm still at a loss as to how the game is actually played. Perhaps you'll have more luck.
For more information and download links, point your web browser over to: http://d.hatena.ne.jp/EXCEED/20151225
Hopefully developer Renya Iizuka will continue to develop games for the Amiga as it's clear that they're a very talented individual.
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