Oids, the final frontier...
There are certain games that need no introduction because they're instant classics that changed the course of history in some way. Think of Knight Lore (Speccy), Dungeon Master (ST), Doom (PC) and you get the idea. Oids is another that needs no introduction but, this one is possibly restricted to the Atari ST world, and all those who looked on in green envy, of course! Well, let's continue on anyhow just in case you are braindead and have never heard of this game before...
Little iddy biddy Oids are our robotic friends but they are currently being mistreated in a terrible way by their evil creators, the Biocretes. Innocent oids are now being held prisoner on various remote planets located in the deepest parts of space without any noticeable atmosphere - yet strangely trees still managed to grow! ;-)
Oids was created by Dan Hewitt and was unleashed on the world in 1987 by FTL. For years, it remained an Atari ST exclusive title until 2002 when the Apple Mac received a conversion. (the older PPC Macs and not the newer Intel or ARM Macs, sadly). Anyhow, this is a bid deal for the ST because it's exclusive and something that holds many dear memories for me.
Hurry up and rescue little stickmen from that prison!
In space, no one can hear you scream!
In a similar fashion to Thrust, you need to navigate a spaceship through caverns searching for our metal friends. Use weapons to destroy the buildings holding them captive and find a place to land so they can get on board. Now, sit back and watch as the superbly-animated stickmen make their way toward your ship. Simple and elegant. Once all are found, your mothership appears high in the sky to whisk everyone to safety.
Controls are so simple to turn, thrust, fire and so on. It might sound a little strange to rotate and turn your ship in the right direction before thrusting. But it works perfectly well and in tune with the physics and gravity of each planet. It feels real, without being fiddly or difficult thus ruining your enjoyment. It's perfect.
Those Biocretes aren't going to sit back and watch you take the captives. They're darn evil and have armed each planet with hazards and artillery defences: rocket launchers, gun turrets, repulsers, gravity bases, etc. Everything can be destroyed, but don't expect a mothership or ground base to be easy. Sometimes it's best to fly away like a cowardly chicken!
Hang on, so trees can grow just fine on rocks without an atmosphere?
Sound & Vision?
Visually, this game might first appear simple and without much to it. Well, you would be correct is in some ways. However, stop right there buddy boy, because this game is bang-on awesome. The outline of each planet's landscape is represented by a rough terrain which looks ragged and suits the barren feel. Buildings, turrets and all other objects are detailed so nicely. However, it's the excellent animation of those stickmen that makes my grin very wide!!
Audio is lacking in the chiptune dept - there isn't any! But we do get to hear the boing...boing... of the ball in a cool 3D intro. In-game effects are for the ship's thrusters and guns - I love the superb firing sounds and other explosion effects are nice too. There isn't anything more required and music would kill the dead-of-space atmosphere.
Roaming around planets is fun but later levels are very, very hard to master. Learn to pilot!
Audio is lacking in the chiptune dept - there isn't any! But we do get to hear the boing...boing... of the ball in a cool 3D intro. In-game effects are for the ship's thrusters and guns - I love the superb firing sounds and other explosion effects are nice too. There isn't anything more required and music would kill the dead-of-space atmosphere.
Roaming around planets is fun but later levels are very, very hard to master. Learn to pilot!
The CryptO'pinion?
Every ST nutter loves this game because, well, how can I put it? Oids absolutely magnificent!! The idea isn't original but the execution is spot-on thanks to superb mechanics, realistic physics and interesting levels. Also, not only was this an Atari ST exclusive but it's one which is enjoyable and extremely challenging thanks to great gameplay. Wonderful game.
Although there are several other similar alternatives (all of which are excellent - like Thrust) this easily remains the best of the bunch. Oids is one of the most outstanding games released - you might say it's supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!! ;)
8BitChip has a download that can be installed to HDD.
Read the Oids manual (Apple Mac but relevant)
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