Crosswize

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1988

In the sequel to Sidewize the call is out once again to save a planet to from invading aliens. Armed with a jetpack and laser gun, it's the player's job to go to Luna Sys Ref 7091 and save its inhabitants. Like its predecessor, Crosswize is a horizontally-scrolling shoot 'em up. Alien attack waves must be blasted or avoided and obstacles evaded over three levels. The starting weapon is a simple laser, which can be upgraded by flying over one of the occasionally appearing weapons icons and pressing fire. Options include laser fire (firing multiple shots straight forward) and surround fire (firing multiple shots forward at an angle). Also available are smart bombs and shields. The power ups exist in two varieties, one more powerful and longer lasting than the other. An eye must also be kept on the energy meter, which slowly runs out, slowing the player down. It can be refilled by picking up energy capsules. Each level ends with a boss battle against a guardian alien. The game can be played by two players: each player waits for the other player to lose all their lives before playing. Unlike SideWize, CrossWize was exclusively released on the Spectrum.

Heartland

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1986

The Heartland has fallen under the rule of the ruthless tyrant Midan and his minions. To overthrow him, the final six pages of a magical book must be found and assembled. However, to confuse would-be adventurers Midan has created six evil pages; these must also be destroyed.

I.C.U.P.S.

Commodore 64 - Released - 1986

You want to become a special agent for I.C.U.P.S. (International Commission for Universal Problem Solving), but before they can accept you, you have to pass two tests that make up two different parts of the game. The first part is shown from a top-down perspective. You are in control of a space ship and are under attack from different kinds of enemies. Most enemy ships are not lethal in themselves, but have either the ability to shoot up, down, or sideways. To defeat them, you can shoot upwards or push them towards the edge of the screen. The second part of the game is shown from a side-scrolling perspective and begins once you reach the enemy star ship. In it, you control a robot with a jet-pack and must find four parts of a bomb that are scattered throughout the large ship, while shooting lots of insect-like enemies.

Nodes of Yesod

Enterprise - Released - 1985

The game is similar to Underwurlde, which was released a year earlier. Strange signals are coming from the moon and Charlemagne Fotheringham-Grunes (or Charlie for short), member of the International Commission for Universal Problem Solving (I.C.U.P.S.) is sent to investigate. It turns out that the source of the signals is a strange monolith. The aim of the game is to destroy this monolith. Nodes of Yesod is an Arcade Adventure seen from a side-scrolling perspective. Charlie can jump and, after finding it first, use a device called mole. After pressing up on on the joystick, Charlie stands still and the player gains control over the mole that can be used to attack enemies. However, not all enemies can be harmed by the mole. Another useful device is the burrowing chum that can be used to dig through certain walls. Before Charlie can reach the monolith, he has to explore the many caverns of the moon and find eight keys or alchiems. Every now and then a red spaceman will show up, and touching him will cause Charlie to loose one of his keys.

On the Tiles

Commodore 64 - Released - 1987

In the low light areas of a city, a stray cat is out to prove that it is the meanest cat in the neighborhood. To do this, it must prowl the streets looking for fish bones. When it has eaten enough of these, it is able to move on to the next territory. While searching for them, it must also be on the lookout for hawks, hedgehogs, and frogs. These must be avoided by either jumping over them or spitting at them. The cat's energy is drained if it comes into contact with any of these, but eating sparrows and mice will replenish some of its energy. Another problem is fleas, which get into its coat. If more than ten fleas are in its coat, then one of the cat's lives are lost. Finally, other cats are patrolling the streets looking for the same things, so there is likely to be a cat fight or two. People living on the street don't appreciate cats walking around the backyard. These people throw buckets or boots if it gets close to their front door. One of the neighbors owns a dog who is on the lookout for any cats that approach him. If the cat gets near him, he will be eaten and it will lose a life.

Sidewize

Sinclair ZX Spectrum - Released - 1987

Sidewize's plot revolves around four planets which get attacked by evil aliens. Now the player buckles on a jetpack to teach them a lesson; not entirely surprising by shooting them with a laser cannon. The planet order can be chosen freely. The game is a horizontally scrolling shooter in which the protagonist has all directions to maneuver. This is necessary because enemies come in from both sides of the screen. There are various power ups to collect which grant advantages like improved weapons in six expansion stages, extra lives or a protective shield.

Sidewize

Commodore 64 - Released - 1987

Sidewize's plot revolves around four planets which get attacked by evil aliens. Now the player buckles on a jetpack to teach them a lesson; not entirely surprising by shooting them with a laser cannon. The planet order can be chosen freely. The game is a horizontally scrolling shooter in which the protagonist has all directions to maneuver. This is necessary because enemies come in from both sides of the screen. There are various power ups to collect which grant advantages like improved weapons in six expansion stages, extra lives or a protective shield.

The Arc of Yesod

Commodore 64 - Released - 1985

In Nodes of Yesod, a monolith was discovered on the moon that transferred data vital to earth's security to an alien planet. After an attempt to destroy the monolith failed, it was transported to its creators the Ariatans. Now it is up to Charlie to travel to the planet Ariat and prevent the Ariatans from accessing the data. Gameplay in Arc of Yesod is very similar to its predecessor. Seen from a side-scrolling perspective, Charlie has to explore many large caverns, filled with enemies and transporters, and find eight crystals that he hopes will help him destroy the monolith for good. To get rid of his enemies, he can once again control a device similar to the mole in Nodes of Yesod. Pressing up on the joystick releases a small sphere that can be moved across the screen (while Charlie stands still) and shoot at enemies. Once again, there are enemies that are immune to the sphere, including a spaceman who, when touched, takes away one of Charlie's crystals.

The Plot

Amstrad CPC - Released - 1987

You, as Guy Fawkes are on a mission to blow up the Houses of Parliament. In order to do so, you must guide Guy through the vaults and the crypts collecting sticks of dynamite and fireworks. To accomplish your mission, take a special firework to the start screen and light it on fire. The game is a standard platform game with ladders and elevators where you must avoid the denizens of the catacombs.

U.F.O.

Commodore 64 - Released - 1987

U.F.O. is a single player variation on the Space Invaders genre. The player controls a fighter aircraft, a U.S.A.F. F21 Codor, the only plane that is capable of defending the Earth against an alien onslaught. The player has only four of these planes / lives with which to complete the game. The plane can be moved left and right as well as, to a limited degree, up and down. The F21 Condor has a gun with which the player must shoot alien ships that are attacking Earth. However, this gun will overheat and jam if used too much so on the right of the game screen is a temperature gauge that the player must monitor. When all enemy ships have been cleared from a level the player must fly their ship to the next level through a hypersonic air corridor to the next combat zone. Here, against a flashing background, the player must keep their craft within the bounds of the corridor as it gently winds its way to the horizon. After a successful transit the player can spend credits that have been earned on either their shields or their energy before entering the next phase of combat.