We do love writing about old retro games that have been lost through the years and for one reason or another have been uncovered much to the delight of the retro community. Today’s release for example is pretty special for the Commodore Plus/4 community, as we’ve found out that BSZ together with Cody have recovered and released the Plus/4 game of ‘Aster’. A multiscreen platform game in one disk side, with graphics taken from The Sacred Armour Of Antiriad for the sprites, and from First Samurai for the background elements!

Here’s the latest from the Plus/4 World website. “Aster is an elusive game from ’93, written by KiCHY. References to it in contemporary diskmags are hard to find, and we only learned of its existence in 2015, when we added it to our database as a piece of Missing Software. However, thanks to BSZ digging around on some old disks, this game has been miraculously found! Therefore it will be a “new release” for most sceners”.

“In the game, the introductory text paints a grim picture: you’re up against none other than the destroyer of the galaxy. You must guide your loincloth-wearing hero across 5 levels in a fantasy world. Avoid all enemies, don’t examine the fire – it is hot (as the game helpfully points out), and touch shiny vases to open doors and make progress. Will the hero save the galaxy? That’s up to you! (How will he save it? That’s something to ponder, but rest assured that reaching the end of the 5th level does the job.)”

“This game is definitely a ’93 release. Most of the graphics have been converted from C64, and so was the music. The in-game text could have used some proofreading, and the controls are downright difficult. Nevertheless, we’re ecstatic to have this game in the collection, definitely give it a try! Kudos for KiCHY for this game (real programmers ship) and big thanks to BSZ for finding it!”.

• Code by: KiCHY
• Credited (Additional code by): Coby

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