| Ghost Chaser | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Fanda |
| Publisher(s) | Artworx (US) U.S. Gold (EU) |
| Designer(s) | Frank Cohen |
| Platform(s) | Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64 |
| Release | 1984 |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer [1] |
Ghost Chaser (shown on the title screen as Frank Cohen's Ghost Chaser) is a platform game designed by Frank Cohen and published in 1984 by Artworx for Atari 8-bit computers [2] and Commodore 64. U.S. Gold published the game in Europe.
In Ghost Chaser the player's task is to go through all sixteen chambers of the haunted mansion in order to find the way to the treasure chamber. Some rooms are locked, so the player must find a key to them, and sometimes a key is needed to leave the room they just entered.
In this mission, the player is hindered by various ghosts, which in addition to conventional shapes can also take the form of drops, fireflies, birds or razor blades (the latter kill on the spot). Falling from a great height or through a trap door is also fatal. To avoid encounters with ghosts, the player can jump, crouch, and while on the pipe can pull up his legs.
In the game, the player will also encounter a teleport in a closet, a painting looking back at the player, or skeletons rising from their graves. In addition to the keys, there are also stones to collect, which the player can throw at the ghosts to get rid of them for a while.
Ghost Chaser was met with mixed reviews. Steve Panak wrote in his column in the September 1985 issue of ANALOG Computing : "The best thing about Ghost Chaser is the plastic case containing the disk, as it will both protect the contents and look good on your shelf collecting dust." [3] Likewise, a review in Computer Gamer called the game a "disappointment", calling the graphics "indistinct" and the colors "drab" and criticizing "poor value for money" due to the limited amount of rooms. [4] In contrast, a Your 64 review concluded: "Graphics are dead cute (all hi-res you know) and the action is certainly hair-raising at times," [5] and a Home Computing Weekly review called it "quite enjoyable to play" albeit too short. [6] German magazine Happy Computer called the game "an appealingly made climbing game that will challenge friends of this genre". [7] Zzap!64 praised the graphics and presentation, but also criticized the game's lastability, value, and sound, giving it a 63% overall. [8]
Other games written by Frank Cohen:
Realm of Impossibility is an action game created by Mike Edwards for Atari 8-bit computers and published by Electronic Arts in 1984. It was originally released in 1983 as Zombies by BRAM, a company formed by Edwards and a friend. BRAM previously developed and published Attack at EP-CYG-4.
Plundered Hearts is an interactive fiction video game created by Amy Briggs and published by Infocom in 1987. Infocom's only game in the romance genre, it was released simultaneously for the Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit computers, Atari ST, Amiga, classic Mac OS, and MS-DOS. It is Infocom's twenty-eighth game.
The Eidolon was one of two games that were part of Lucasfilm Games' second wave in December 1985. The other was Koronis Rift. Both took advantage of the fractal technology developed for Rescue on Fractalus!, further enhancing it. In The Eidolon, Rescue's fractal mountains were turned upside down and became the inside of a cave.
Ace of Aces is a combat flight simulation game developed by Artech Digital Entertainment and published in 1986 by Accolade in North America and U.S. Gold in Europe. It was released for the Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit computers, Atari 7800, Commodore 64, MSX, MS-DOS, Master System, and ZX Spectrum. Set in World War II, the player flies a RAF Mosquito long range fighter-bomber equipped with rockets, bombs and a cannon. Missions include destroying German fighter planes, bombers, V-1 flying bombs, U-boats, and trains. In 1988, Atari Corporation released a version on cartridge for Atari 8-bit computers styled for the then-new Atari XEGS.
Trailblazer is a racing video game developed by Mr. Chip Software and published by Gremlin Graphics for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit computers, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 16 and Plus/4 in 1986. It was ported to the Amiga and Atari ST.
Spy's Demise is an action game written by Alan Zeldin for the Apple II and published by Penguin Software in 1982. It was ported to the Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, TI-99/4A, and Vector-06c. The game contains a puzzle which at the time of release could be solved for a Spy's Demise T-shirt. According to Antic magazine in June 1984, only four people had solved it. The game was followed by a 1983 sequel, The Spy Strikes Back.
Beach Head II: The Dictator Strikes Back is a 1985 video game for the Commodore 64, a sequel to Beach Head, developed and published by Access Software. It was designed by Bruce Carver and his brother, Roger, and was released for the Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari 8-bit family, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum.
Temple of Apshai Trilogy is a remake of three games from the Dunjonquest series, Temple of Apshai, Upper Reaches of Apshai, and Curse of Ra.
Cops 'n' Robbers is a video game published by Atlantis Software in 1985 for the VIC-20 and in virtually identical form on the Commodore 64. It was ported to the Commodore 16 and Commodore Plus/4 (1986), Acorn Electron and BBC Micro (1987), and the Atari 8-bit family (1988). The game was controversial when released as the player takes the role of a robber and must shoot the police.
Boulder Dash Construction Kit is the fourth game in the Boulder Dash series. It was published for the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit computers in 1986 by Epyx. Ports were released for the Apple II, Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, and MS-DOS. The Spectrum version was rereleased as Boulder Dash IV: The Game. Boulder Dash Construction Kit includes new levels and a level editor.
Transylvania is an adventure video game published by Penguin Software. It was released for the Apple II in 1982 followed by ports to the Atari 8-bit computers and Commodore 64. A Mac conversion was published in 1984, then versions for the Amiga, Atari ST, and MS-DOS in 1985.
Spy vs. Spy II: The Island Caper is a 1985 video game developed by First Star Software. It is the sequel to Spy vs. Spy. It can be played as both single-player and multiplayer
The Real Ghostbusters is a 1987 shoot 'em up arcade game developed and published by Data East. It is loosely based on Ghostbusters. In Japan, Data East released it as a non-Ghostbusters arcade game under the title Meikyuu Hunter G. In 1989, Activision published The Real Ghostbusters for Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum.
Ghostbusters II is a 1989 action game based on the film of the same name. It was published by Activision for various computer platforms. British studio Foursfield developed a version for Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum, which also got ported to the MSX by New Frontier. It features three levels based on scenes from the film. Dynamix developed a separate version for the DOS, also based on the film. The non-DOS versions were praised for the graphics and audio, but criticized for long loading times, disk swapping, and the final level. The DOS, Commodore 64 and Amiga versions were the only versions released in North America.
Cohen's Towers is a platform game written by Frank Cohen and released by Datamost in 1983 for Atari 8-bit computers and Commodore 64. It was re-released in 1986 by Databyte in the United Kingdom.
Cosmic Tunnels is a space-themed action game written by Tim Ferris and published by Datamost in 1983 for Atari 8-bit computers and in 1984 for the Commodore 64. Datamost also sold the game with Cohen's Towers as a "twin pack". It was re-released in 1986 by Databyte in the United Kingdom.
Flak: The Ultimate Flight Experience is a vertically scrolling shooter for the Atari 8-bit computers designed by Alain Marsily, programmed by Yves Lempereur, and published by Funsoft in 1984. It was ported to the Apple II, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum home computers. Flak was heavily inspired by the 1982 Namco arcade video game Xevious. Most critical reviews were middling or harshly negative.
Ollie's Follies is a platform game designed by Frank Cohen and published in 1984 by Americana for Atari 8-bit computers and Commodore 64.
The Scrolls of Abadon is a maze video game designed by Frank Cohen and published in 1984 by Access Software for Atari 8-bit computers and Commodore 64.
Stealth is a pseudo-3D rail shooter designed by Tracy Lagrone and Richard Sansom. The game was published in 1984 by Broderbund for the Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 home computers.
