Monthly Archives: September 2023

Europress Primary Education

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A bundled CD-ROM multimedia title designed for primary school users, that was often bundled with a Time Windows PC (A common OEM at the time). This stuff pretty much helped me graduate from school.

Simple Spelling

This section teaches spelling in the form of phonetic concepts. There are three programs in the package that provide speech, graphics, animations and sound effects and is controlled by using the mouse.

The first program concentrates on the fundamental three-letter words that are the traditional phonic nursery slopes – cat, mat, hat, etc. You also get audio that sounds out the word, though it comes through rather choppy.

On the next activity, you deal with letter blends such as cl (clown/clown), bl, and fl. Again words are shown and sounded out and we are given the task to spell out the words.

Again the sounds occasionally come out choppy, despite running on a 16x CD-ROM drive.

The final activity teaches the concept of magic e, how putting the letter e at the end of a word changes the sound of a preceding vowel.

So it’s basically your average English lesson with the magic of 90s PC multimedia.

Word Puzzles

There are three puzzles, anagrams, word search and fun with sentences.

Anagrams: This help understand the structure of a word, particularly noting the position of vowels and the way words blend together, such as “fr” and “cl”, there are three levels that range in difficulty, the user rearranges the letters in the correct order. The player uses the mouse to click on a letter and drag it onto a blank space to build up the correct word. Three attempts are allowed before moving on to the next word.

Word Search: A list of the words is shown on the left of the screen and each is highlighted when the word has been found. Clicking on the correct first letter of a word turns the whole word green. Clicking on the wrong letter loses a life, of which there are only three. If the player clicks on a letter and nothing happens, it means the letter is within a hidden word.

Fun with Sentences: This consists of two different puzzles, each of which is designed to help think of the structure of sentences. In the first game, the player is invited to pick the correct word from a choice in order to complete a simple sentence.  The second game requires the player to rearrange the words in a jumbled sentence. The mouse is used to click on a word and drag it to its correct place in the sentence. 

SATs Tests

Helps prepare for SAT’s tests, which are standardized exams that are carried out in the UK. The questions included here are part of the national curriculum. There are 20 questions to be answered that are covert at either a Key Stage 1 or 2 levels (the difference being the age, 1 intended for ages 7 and 2 intended for 11)

Each question is selected at random and can be answered by selecting a number or typing the answer. Sometimes you will need to select a graphic or icon on the screen.

At the end of the test, you are graded and can see the questions that you got incorrect. The program keeps track of your scores in a graph view so you can track your progress over time.

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Letts Maths Explorer

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Similar to Letts Science Explorer, Maths Explorer uses the same Pre-rendered environment to navigate a virtual maths learning center, which appears to be set on Mars (The Science one appeared to be set underwater), it kind of gives the feel of Myst.

The application is desinged to run under Windows 95 or 99, but the user guide makes reference to Win32s which is intended for use on Windows 3.11.

The entrance that appears when you start the program, you are prompted to enter your name, which is where your score and progress are saved under. There is also a link to the Letts online website, that opens your default web browser.

Navigation is done by clicking on the edges of the screen to move to a different section of the room, doors can be clicked on to go to a specific room, which are based on different subjects of mathematics. As you browse the center, you are offered various different activities that can be invoked by clicking on them, each zone has its own set of activities. You can quickly view these by clicking on the Map button on the top left of the screen.

The different zones are:

  • Number: Fractions, currency & counting.
  • Calculation Zone: Use of a calculator and different functions
  • Computer Zone: What computers are and a summarization of how they function
  • Game Zone: Various activities that are designed to test your maths skills.
  • Data Zone: Relating to collecting and analyzing data, and how it becomes information
  • Measurement Zone: Various different units of imperial and metric and how they are used
  • Shape Zone: Shapes, Angles & Symmetry.
  • Information Point: Serves as an introduction to the zone itself and how it relates to mathematics and what can be explored
  • Fact Point: Shows an important fact that is relevant to the zone itself
  • Puzzle Post: Gives you a challenge that can be done away from the computer.
  • Investigations: The main attraction of the zone, this explores a specific subject and they are divided into three sections, Learn About, Main Investigation & Tell Me More
    • Learn About – This is where you learn more about the subject at hand, a narrator will read what is displayed on the screen (which can be muted at any time) and a picture or graphics will appear to accompany the learning material
  • Main Investigation – A mini-game or activity that is in relation to what was conveyed in the Learn About section, these typically have three difficulty levels and some allow you to play with another person, but only one player can play at a time.
  • Tell Me More: Offer supplementary information on that subject, not essential but information that is good to know
  • There is also a Test Yourself activity where you can answer questions related to that subject and can view your score

Towards the top of the screen there is a navigation bar of some sort, that lets you access different areas of the application. The map will let you quickly jump to a specific area of the zone, which saves having to keep clicking in order to navigate.

The catalog gives a directly of the different topics that can be quickly accessed, useful if you need to learn about a specific subject, and which subject they belong to

The Notes section lets you view any saved notes that are specific to your user profile and are tied to any investigations that you complete.

The Logbook will keep track of your progress and will mark any activities taken. Scores from Test Yourself activities are also recorded.

Lastly, there are Print Materials which is its own separate application. Here you can select a subject and a topic that you can print out for later reference.

Ahh Frijj milkshakes

House Of The Dead

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A mid-90s arcade rail shooter that takes the Virtua Cop formula and puts a horror spin on it, giving birth to a new franchise.

In House of the Dead, the main characters are two AMS agents named Thomas Rogan and G (Yes, just G). They are sent to investigate a mysterious outbreak at the DBR Corporation’s genetic research facility, which has been overrun by hordes of undead creatures. Throughout the game, the player controls either Thomas or G as they fight their way through the facility and uncover the truth behind the outbreak. Along the way, they encounter various other characters, including DBR’s CEO, Caleb Goldman, and his assistant, Dr. Roy Curien, who is responsible for the creation of the undead creatures.

The gameplay of House of the Dead is simple, you’re armed with a light gun and tasked with shooting your way through levels filled with zombies, mutants, and other monstrous creatures. The gameplay is fast-paced and requires quick reflexes, as enemies can come at you from all angles in the form of jump scares. The game also features branching paths, which add some variety to the levels and encourage replayability as many of these will affect the ending sequence.

Some items can be shot at, typically pots, and will reveal additional lives. There are also opportunities to save scientists, who will sometimes reward you with an extra life or will direct you to another path.

There are a few boss battles, each with a different way of defeating them. These occur at the end of each chapter. The Chariot is a large, armored zombie and appears at the end of Chapter 1 with the goal to target its weak spot in the armor to damage it. The final boss being the Magician serves as a challenging and memorable boss battle. He is able to create multiple illusions of himself, making it difficult for the player to determine which one is real. Additionally, he has powerful psychic attacks that can drain the player’s health and make it more difficult to aim. Defeating the Magician requires careful observation, quick reflexes and a lot of coins.

Versions

The game was somewhat popular and prompted Sega to port it to their Saturn console, it also get a Windows PC port similar to Daytona USA and Manx TT Superbike.

Arcade

The arcade version of House of the Dead is considered a classic and is highly regarded by many gamers and fans of the shooter genre. The game was initially released in arcades in 1996 and like other Sega arcade titles of the era, it ran on the Model 2 arcade board.

This version of House of the Dead was popular due to its use of light guns, which allowed players to aim and shoot at enemies on the screen. Reloading is done by shooting outside of the screen, In contrast to Namco’s Time Crisis where you have to release the pedal to enter cover to reload.

Sega Saturn

The Sega Saturn version of House of the Dead was a faithful recreation of the arcade version’s gameplay mechanics, graphics, and sound effects. However, the game’s performance on the Saturn can be a bit sluggish, with some frame rate drops and occasional slowdowns during intense action sequences.
The Saturn version also supports use of a light gun controller that was intended to give more precise aiming. Unfortunately this does not work well on modern LCD displays leaving the traditional controller as the only form of input.

You do have the ability to play as different characters, either ‘G’, Sophie or one of the Scientists which will affect the cutscenes as they are rendered in engine. Compared to the arcade version, the graphics takes a downgrade but you do get the benefit of high quality sound.

Still there’s no option to revert to the arranged arcade soundtrack, odd because both the Saturn and the Model 2 have the same sound processor (SCSP)

Microsoft Windows

The game was initially released for PC in 1998, It offers several enhancements over the arcade version, including improved graphics and higher resolution support. Additionally, players have the option to use a keyboard and mouse or a controller for more precise aiming. Some parts of the Mansion have been retextured, likely to give it a more colder atmosphere and due to differences in how Model 2 and DirectX games handle textures.

For video cards that don’t support Direct3d, the game can run in DirectDraw mode instead. The 3DFX Voodoo card is capable of Direct3D acceleration and is supported in 86Box.

Conclusion

House of the Dead is a classic arcade game that still holds up today. Its addictive gameplay, impressive graphics, and horror-themed setting make it a must-play for any fan of arcade shooters.

Tekken Tag Tournament

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Tekken 3 but with a new tag mechanic and a huge roster.

Tag Tournament takes the existing Tekken formula and adds a new tag team mechanic, allowing up to four characters to fight against each other. Its also one of the few games to be released for three generations of PlayStation hardware (sort of, The System 12 arcade board is an overclocked PS1 board.)

The fighter roster is stacked with an insane lineup of characters, many of which all featured in the first three installments of the Tekken franchise. You’ve got your classics like Kazuya, Jin, and Heihachi, all ready to unleash their devastating combos. Its like a Tekken greatest hits reunion featuring everyone’s favourite characters from previous games, but there are a few omissions like the original Jack, King and Armour King. Still Namco have also implemented Easter eggs for when you choose a certain par of characters, that affect the characters animations before and after the fight. Pairs like Nina & Anna, Kazaya & Heihachi and Michelle & Ganryu are a few examples to name that do this this, and it gives a nod to the Tekken backstory that fans of the franchise will be invested in.

Some pairs will also have unique moves that can be used to attack and switch out at the same time. These require a button combination along with the tag out button to trigger.

Versions

Arcade

The original release of the game was in the arcade, like other early Tekken games. The game ran on the Namco System 12 board which was an upgraded PlayStation with additional memory and a faster clocked processor. This allows for multiple fighters to be featured onscreen, required for some of the character move sets. This version of the game also features its own soundtrack which is played on Namco’s own C352 sound processor that was also used in their System 23 arcade boards.

Many characters are locked in this version and are on a time based unlock, where characters gradually come available as the arcade machine is powered on. There is a MAME cheat to unlock all the characters upon clearing the EEPROM that can be used instead.

PlayStation 2

Tag Tournament was one of the launch titles for the PS2, and remained exclusive to the console for the home release until the HD PS3 version. This version features completely upgraded graphics that take advantage of the PS2’s Graphics Synthesizer

Unknown is a fully playable character in this version and has a unique feature where she can emulate another fighters moves.

This version also features a few unlock-able features and game modes.

Tekken Bowl: In Tekken Bowling, players would select a character from the roster and take them to the bowling alley. The character would replace the traditional bowling ball, and players would control their chosen character’s movement and angle as they approached the lane. The objective was to knock down as many pins as possible in each frame.

The mini-game incorporated the unique abilities and characteristics of each character into the bowling mechanics. Characters would have their own distinct bowling animations and techniques, adding a touch of personality to the gameplay. Some characters might have special abilities or moves that affected the trajectory or speed of the “ball” they threw.

Namco would later create a Tekken bowling spin-off for smartphones.

Screenshots: A screenshot can be captured and saved to the memory card, useful when you want to capture for character whilst they’re in the middle of a combo. A screenshot can be taken by pressing the pause button and selecting screenshot.

Pair Play mode: Another feature is the pair play mode, which allows two players to fight with their own controller against the CPU. Four plays can also play in a VS match if the PS2 multi-tap controller is used.

Lastly each character has a unique ending sequence which is rendered within the game engine, except for unknown which is a pre-rendered MPEG2 FMV.

PlayStation 3

Namco ported the game to the PS3 in 2012, and was released as part of Tekken blood Vengeance. Inserting the Blu-ray disc would prompt you to install the game as a bonus feature of the disc.

This version featured upscaled graphics running in HD resolution, trophy support, and is a port of the PS2 version. The soundtrack mostly remains the same, though there are some differences in composition. Sadly there is no online play over the PlayStation network, which would have made a nice addition though it would have suffered a limited population, as this game was not released standalone. Rather it was treated as a bonus.

Conclusion

Tekken Tag Tournament is an absolute knockout of a game. It’s a high-energy, pulse-pounding experience that’ll have you hooked from the moment you pick up the controller. Whether you’re a casual fighting game fan or a seasoned pro, this game delivers the goods. The Tag Tournament formula would be repeated in 2011 with the release of Tag Tournament 2 for the PS3, Wii U and Xbox 360.