Cassette release of "Vallation"

Introduce yourself. Pimp your website, competition, event or other activity here, as long as it's Spectrum related.
Post Reply
redballoon
Manic Miner
Posts: 390
Joined: Sun Nov 12, 2017 3:54 pm

Cassette release of "Vallation"

Post by redballoon »

Shamelessly copied directly from Sokurah's original post, you can now actually buy the physical release of Vallation.

Image

As announced a while back, I’ve been working on a 128K version of Vallation. It was supposed to be out after 3-4 months, but other projects and distractions put a stop to that and now – after almost 1.5 year – it is finally done. Yay.

In this expanded version I’ve addressed many of the issues with the original game, as well as implemented several ideas suggested by the Spectrum community, so this is what’s new;

* More variety. It now has almost 3 times the amount of enemies and I’ve gone through the entire game and inserted new enemies all over the place.
* Even more variety in the levels – about double the amount of tiles used to build the levels.
* 128K music and sound effects.
* Kempston controls.
* Extra lives awarded at the completion of a level.
* Enemies that are easier to kill and “better looking bullets”. The whole shooting-mechanic has been rewritten.
* A high score table.
* A new 5th level. This one is huge and adds another 49 screens which brings the total up to 150 screens. This new level is is pretty different from the rest of the game – it’s not linear but a maze with multiple routes going off in all directions. This level also has pickups and requires a certain amount – that are dotted around the level – to be collected in order to be able to get to the final teleporter and complete the game. A bit like Sabre Wulf in space then.

Generally I feel this version is easier than the 48K version. Well, until you reach the 5th level anyway ;)

So, not only is the 128K done – it’s also finally available on on physical cassette from Psytronik Software. There are two versions available – a standard edition (£6.99) and a clamshell edition which includes a full colour mini-manual and a full colour REVERSIBLE inlay featuring two different designs (£12.99). Both versions has professionally printed full colour inlay and covers, as well as stunning artwork licensed from Oliver Frey.

However, I’ve decided to have the 128K version be exclusive to the tape version (for now anyway) so the tape has the 48K version on one side and the 128K version on the other side.

Go to the Binary Zone Retro Store to get your copy.
The 48K version can still be downloaded for free, here.

Image

Image

You can download a file with both the 48K and 128K versions in it. You can do it for free ... but should you want to chuck a couple of quid after it too, well, then that would be very much appreciated too

https://psytronik.itch.io/vallation
User avatar
jmk
Drutt
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 2:23 pm

Re: Cassette release of "Vallation"

Post by jmk »

I bought this on digital download and it's well worth it, I've played it to the end.

The change in the bullet mechanics is the most significant thing, it makes the game a lot easier (apart from the perils of changing screens in the last level). Sometimes you can be embedded in a bit of scenery in the last level, but you never get stuck.

The difference between the 48K and 128K versions is almost like piloting two different ships.
Just like before, it's yesterday once more.
Post Reply