The Curse of Rabenstein

[Andre Leao]

Released and looking really good...



https://planetasinclair.blogspot.com/2020/03/saiu.html

[8BitAG]

Physical release on +3 disk...
https://www.polyplay.xyz/The-Curse-of-R ... Diskette_1

With a versions with graphics also available for the Spectrum Next...
https://www.polyplay.xyz/The-Curse-of-R ... rum-Next_1

[Ralf]

Well, Spectrum graphics seem to be a dissapointment.

C64 I guess:


and Spectrum:

[8BitAG]

The Spectrum Next version's graphics are great.

It would've been a lot of work (and taken a specialist Spectrum pixel artist) to port the graphics to the +3 version.

[R-Tape]

Hmm. I'm a big fan of simple graphics, but it is a shame to see such a massive disparity between the versions.

It would've been a lot of work (and taken a specialist Spectrum pixel artist) to port the graphics to the +3 version.

I reckon a lot of speccy artists could do a great job, doesn't have to be redballoon standard. A quick and dirty conversion of one of the screens comes out like this:



Though maybe better to keep the image in the top segment of the screen only.

Could be another "Hobbit 128K" community effort (without the drama at the end!)

But I should just probably keep my mouth shut because I'm not sure I'll even get around to playing it.

[8BitAG]

But I should just probably keep my mouth shut because I'm not sure I'll even get around to playing it.

Well, that's part of the issue. I doubt it was worth Stefan's time, or the time of a third-party, to port over the graphics to the Spectrum. There seems to be a great demand on other platforms, particularly the C64 and Plus/4.

[Ralf]

Well, that's part of the issue. I doubt it was worth Stefan's time, or the time of a third-party, to port over the graphics to the Spectrum. There seems to be a great demand on other platforms, particularly the C64 and Plus/4.

My guess is that the author is C64 person himself. So Zx Spectrum isn't top priority for him.

And he may lack experience with Spectrum graphics. Good Spectrum graphics are demanding as you don't have the freedom of putting pixels any way you like and you must struggle with attributes limitations all the time. Autoconversions usually terribly fail for Spectrum.

So if there isn't any skilled volunteer coming from Speccy scene willing to do it, then we won't have these graphics. That's life.

[R-Tape]

Well, that's part of the issue. I doubt it was worth Stefan's time, or the time of a third-party, to port over the graphics to the Spectrum. There seems to be a great demand on other platforms, particularly the C64 and Plus/4.

Aye. Of course that's fair enough. How do you interpret the "great demand" on other platforms? I wouldn't say that Spectrum users are less interested in text adventures than users of other machines. It shouldn't, but I wonder if the publisher has much to do with it—Unhallowed was very popular for example, and that came from a known specchum (forgive the phrase).

Don't get me wrong; it's really good of Stefan to release on so many platforms.

I'm collating for the next update: any idea what the crack is with "Puddlesoft"? Why nay "Pondsoft"?

[akeley]

The gfx in their games really is amazing. Worth donating something on itch, or going for the big box of course.

I can actually play this game on 7 out of 10 available platforms. Not sure if I should be chuffed or worried because of that

[8BitAG]

Aye. Of course that's fair enough. How do you interpret the "great demand" on other platforms? I wouldn't say that Spectrum users are less interested in text adventures than users of other machines. It shouldn't, but I wonder if the publisher has much to do with it—Unhallowed was very popular for example, and that came from a known specchum (forgive the phrase).

It's quite easy to access the levels of demand for the various platforms through sales of previous games, such as Hibernated.

Spectrum users need to be more active in buying and playing text adventures if they want people to support the machine.

It's also worth remembering that the Spectrum version is specifically for Spectrum +3, due to the additional Maluva disk-related tech it uses, on top of the usual DAAD stuff, to stream in additional content. (Although there is a version for ESXDOS that is playable on a regular Spectrum through a divMMC SD card).

I'm collating for the next update: any idea what the crack is with "Puddlesoft"? Why nay "Pondsoft"?

Puddlesoft involves a lot of the same people that were involved in Pondsoft. Various reasons for the name change, that aren't really important to describe here. It's the label that Hibernated 2, and sequels to many of the other Pond games, will be released through.

[Andre Leao]

Started playing it today and enjoying it, all the puzzles are logical so far. I have the feeling it's not a very long adventure, but who knows...

[redballoon]

I’d love to do some graphics for adventure games but, sadly, I’ve had to turn down a couple over the past year.
Once Melkhior’s Mansion is done then mibbees, after an extended break, I’ll see if there’s any going out there that interests me that need some.