Zapped to the Past Zapped to the Past Episode 25 May 1986
Aug 2, 2021
In May 1986, the podcast dives into the world of Commodore 64 games, starting with the hilarious pitfalls of Geoff Capes Strongman Challenge. They explore the innovative life simulation of Alter Ego, sharing personal emotional experiences. The hosts critique the awkwardness of Hocus Focus and highlight the captivating music of Electro Glide. Plus, they delve into the gravity mechanics of Thrust, celebrating its tactical gameplay. The discussion wraps up with a humorous take on some poorly conceived game advertisements.
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When Design Promises Fail Execution
- Jeff Capes Strongman Challenge tried mixing strategy with rapid joystick waggle but resulted in baffling, unplayable mechanics.
- Adrian Mills and Graham Raddings found it clumsy, faint-prone, and worse than contemporaneous multi-event sports games.
A Lifetime Game That Feels Like Living
- Alter Ego simulates an entire life using personality stats and branching icon-driven scenarios.
- Graham Raddings and Adrian Mills called it unique, emotionally powerful, and essential C64 software.
Play Alter Ego As Interactive Fiction
- If you haven't tried Alter Ego, play it once to experience its narrative breadth and psychological design.
- Treat it like interactive fiction rather than a conventional arcade game for best appreciation.