Due to the release of Dosbox 0.73, I have decided to post three dos games for you to enjoy. Atomix is a puzzle game where you slide the pieces to create molecules. Face Off! is a hockey game. Finally, The Chaos Engine is an amazing top-down shooter.
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Atomix
Now here is an excellent puzzle game. The idea is quite simple and very familiar. You need to slide the pieces into the right place. You can slide them up, down, left or right (you select/deselect them with enter), but they won’t stop until they hit an obstacle.
So you need to position them just right and use them as obstacles to position the other pieces. But in addition, you’re not just putting some random pieces together. No! You’re creating molecules! The tiles you’re sliding are atoms that need to fit the molecule (displayed in the bottom left corner).
Naturally every level is more difficult and to add to your troubles there is also the clock ticking away. The game also features a double player option and three different difficulty settings. What more could you ask for?
Well there are two things missing. There is no sound. Some background track and some possible effects (or at least a tune when you finish the level) would be appreciated. But even more important, there is no way to save the game! This means you’ll need to replay the whole thing every time you start. If there weren’t for these two negative points the game would get a pure 5!
Download (0.07 MB):
http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/708/Atomix.html
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Face Off!
This is a hockey game, but you won’t only be a hockey player, you’ll also need to guide your team. This includes everything, from standardized game plans (attacking maneuvers) to actually punching opponent’s teeth out on ice.
You will need to purchase a franchise including your own hockey team. With that team you will play games, but remember once the game starts, you’re only one of the players!
Unlike most team sport games, where the player closest to the ball or puck is the one you assume control off, here you select a player you play (during interruptions of play you can select a different one). Your team mates will act according to the game plan set out before the game (that’s the coaching part of the game).
You can though, if you want to select that another human player helps you out (so two players will be human controlled and one computerized), but you won’t be able to control both yourself (coo many keys, to fast gameplay). Oh yeah, I don’t know though, why there are only three players in a hockey team though. Probably something to do with the handling of the game (more players, more complicated gameplay and controls – and it would really spoil the game to complicate it any further).
There are different difficulty levels and different rule types of play (and you can even turn the fights off if you’re a non-violent hockey fan), which directly influence the behavior on ice. I suggest you start off with the easiest (rookie mode) and Australian set of rules, just so you get the feel of the game.
The graphics as mentioned are astounding for the year 1989 and the smooth animations were just amazing. The game is fast paced (which is just perfect for a hockey game) and the animations are able to follow the high tempo nicely. Whenever an important event occurs (such as a fight or a direct shot at the goal) the picture will switch from an overall view to the side view).
The sounds may be somewhat more primitive, but the solution was nicely done. The simple yet effective chanting organ music which accompanies hockey matches is used (technically primitive, but perfect for setting the mood).
Overall I’m not a bit surprised to see it’s a Canadian made game. The makers of it probably really love hockey, because you can just see it in every aspect of the game that somebody took the time to make it as good as possible.
Download (0.5 MB):
http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/3752/Face+Off%21.html
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The Chaos Engine
Somewhere in the future a brilliant scientist… messes things up!
By combining his exceptional brain power and some fancy new-age computer (and by twisting some fundamental laws of physics), he creates a machine that warps the core of reality itself. THE CHAOS ENGINE! A machine so foul and treacherous that it turns on its master and the rest of the world as well, turning both humans and animals into ravaging monsters. Only six men have the courage, the smarts and the gun-power to fight this menacing invention. Each of them have their own special characteristics, their own weapons and their own personal attacks… and their own unique way of killing time (and beastly beasts).
Along their way to glory and a better future for all mankind, these rugged heroes must face a total of sixteen missions before they can finally call it a day and try to find something else to shoot at. For these guys will shot almost anything and anyone. Luckily for them they will find lots of new gadgets lying around each level that will either enhance their shooting performance or give them that needed extra life. The only thing that would have made these trigger-happy psycho-maniacs smile even wider would be to go all out together, but unfortunately they can only cause mayhem in pairs.
This is where you enter the arena. By controlling one of them you will be responsible for their actions, so sharing this burden with a friend would be a good idea. Remember, if everything blows up, you can always blame your friend. Just try to enjoy the graphic and sound as well.
The game is cracked and there is even a cheat program included for those of you who likes that sort of thing.
Controls:
Arrow Keys - Move
Space - fire primary weapon
Ctrl - Swap secondary weapons
Hold Alt - Use secondary weapon
Download (1 MB):
http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/162/Chaos+Engine%2C+The.html
