Games developed by Widgit Software
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Look Sharp!
Released in 1984, Look Sharp! was a groundbreaking game for the Commodore 64. Developed by Sirius Software, it was one of the first titles to fully utilize the advanced graphical capabilities of the C64 and push the limits of what was possible on the home computer at the time. With its precise controls, challenging gameplay, and stunning visuals, Look Sharp! quickly became a hit among gamers and is still remembered as a classic today.
The game is a fast-paced action platformer that centers around a space explorer trying to save the universe from an alien invasion. As the player, you must guide the explorer through a series of eight levels, each with its own unique set of obstacles and enemies. From navigating through treacherous asteroid fields to battling highly intelligent alien creatures, Look Sharp! keeps players on their toes and engaged in the gameplay.
One of the standout features of Look Sharp! is its fluid and responsive controls. The game was designed with precision in mind, allowing players to make split-second decisions and execute complex movements with ease. This was a significant improvement from other games of the time, which often suffered from clunky controls that hindered the overall gameplay experience. Additionally, the game's controls were customizable, giving players the ability to tailor them to their own preferences.
Another aspect that set Look Sharp! apart from its competitors was its impressive graphics. The vibrant colors, detailed sprites, and smooth animations were truly ahead of their time on the Commodore 64. Each level had its own distinct look and feel, adding to the immersion and sense of adventure in the game. The game's graphics were so impressive that it even received praise from industry critics upon its release.
In addition to its gameplay and graphics, Look Sharp! also boasted an impressive soundtrack. The game's music was composed by renowned composer Rob Hubbard and was considered a masterpiece at the time. The upbeat and catchy tunes perfectly complemented the fast-paced gameplay, adding to the overall enjoyment of the game.
As with most games of the era, Look Sharp! was challenging, and players had to be quick and strategic to progress through the levels. However, the game also offered various difficulty levels, making it accessible to players of all skill levels. This feature allowed for hours of gameplay and replayability, making Look Sharp! a staple in many C64 game collections.
Orm and Cheep: Narrow Squeaks
Orm and Cheep: Narrow Squeaks is a game based on the 1980s British children's puppet TV show on CITV, where the two main characters are friends, Orm (Worm) and Cheep (Bird). The game is divided into four mini-games, the first three of which are single screen with side view and the last one is a vertical scrolling game where the screen constantly scrolls upwards as seen from a high angle. Before starting the game you have to take a reaction test to find out the difficulty of the game. The words Orm and Cheep are at the top of the screen and move down one at a time. You have to stop each word as close as possible to a line by pressing a key. After each game, a score is given by removing squares from a picture and the better your score, the more of the picture you will see. The four games are played with the keyboard with only one key press to play and the games are:
Cheep's game - Orm is lying in bed and Cheep has decided to help put away the dishes by picking them up and placing them on top of each other. Some cups are at the bottom left of the screen and the next dish, which is a saucepan, appears on the screen. Cheep moves around the screen constantly in one direction and pressing a key changes its direction by 90 degrees. You have to keep changing direction to place Cheep on top of the dish before changing his direction again to place him on top of the other dishes. if you bump into the sides of the screen or another dish then the dish disappears and you have to pick it up again. Once all the plates have been stacked then they collapse and Orm wakes up.
Crow's game: Now awake, Orm decides to go for a morning walk but Crow has spotted Orm and trapped him behind a tree. Cheep, Mouse, Snail and Mole have come to the rescue and the way to get rid of Crow is to dance in front of him. You watch a sequence of the animals dancing one at a time before continuing to watch the same sequence. When you watch an incorrect part of the sequence, you press a key and this causes Crow to move up a small distance on the screen. Each time Crow moves up the screen, you see a new sequence and Orm is safe when Crow has left the screen.
Rat game: Orm is safe but Cheep, Snail and Mouse are now trapped by Rat in a hollow tree trunk with Rat guarding the exit in the upper right corner. Hedgehog has appeared and will try to pull his friends out of the log one at a time, protecting them with his spikes from the bottom left of the screen. Each animal will take turns blinking and, when you press a key, that animal will move around the other in 90-degree turns. Once you are satisfied with their position, pressing a key causes both animals to blink again one at a time. As you move, Rat moves one place at a time around the screen and if he touches Hedgehog's friend then they both move back to the bottom left of the screen.
Orm's game: After the excitement of the morning, Orm is exhausted and has decided to go to bed. While Orm is sleeping, the surrounding area and his house have flooded, so Orm finds himself floating around trying to get to dry land. To succeed in the game, Orm has to steer his bed with his tail while avoiding obstacles and knocking Crow, Rat and Cat into the water from their branches. To do this, Orm has to hit the branch from the side and once all three are submerged in the water, the game is complete.
Orm and Cheep: The Birthday Party
Orm and Cheep: The Birthday Party is a game based on the 1980s British children's puppet TV show on CITV, where the two main characters are friends, Orm (Worm) and Cheep (Bird). It is Orm's birthday and with Cheep's help, Orm tries to organize his party in three parts. Before the game starts, there is a reaction test to determine the difficulty and this has the words Orm and Cheep at the top of the screen. Each word moves down and the word stops as close to a line as possible. The keyboard is used and only one key press is needed to play each part of the game and they consist of:
Part One: Orm wants to make a birthday cake but all the ingredients are in jars on a high shelf, so Orm has Cheep get the ingredients for him. This part is one screen and is viewed from one side, with Orm at the bottom of the screen and the jars and Cheep at the top. Orm first shows what is in each jar before picking up one of the ingredients and the jars have no indication of their contents. Cheep moves along the jars and when the player thinks he is on top of the correct jar, a key press causes Cheep to look inside. The game continues once all the ingredients have been found correctly.
Part 2: While Orm prepares his cake, he has sent Cheep out into the field to find his friends, Snail, Mouse, Hedgehog and Mole. This part is a maze game with blinking screens viewed from above at a high angle. On each screen there is a signpost showing the path Cheep can follow, highlighting each part of the post and pressing a key moves Cheep in that direction. In addition to finding the four friends for the party, they are also needed to chase away the Rat, Crow and Cat, and each nasty animal needs two certain friends to chase them away. An extra part of this part of the game has you in a network of tunnels belonging to Mole where you must move through the openings to find Mole and bring him to the surface. If you have Mole with you and you try to go down a tunnel with a nasty animal, then Mole runs away and has to be found again. Once you have found your four friends and scared off the three nasty animals, you can return home.
Part Three: It's party time and on the table are the place settings for the party but everyone is sitting in the wrong place and they need to be seated in the right place for the party to start. This part is a single screen and is viewed from above at a high angle. On the table are six colored hats that correspond to the color of the friends and each friend has to sit in the correct colored hat. Orm sits at the bottom left of the screen, so there is a space on the table and here you can move the friends to the correct position. Each friend is highlighted one at a time for a few seconds and when the friend you want to move is highlighted, a press of a key moves it there. Once all the friends are in the correct position, it's time to put the cake on the table, but Crow has made his appearance and the friends have moved again, so you must repeat to finish the game.
Pathfinder
Pathfinder, released in 1984 for the iconic Commodore 64, stands out in the annals of early computer gaming as a unique blend of adventure, strategy, and puzzle-solving. Developed by the small yet ambitious company, Progressive Technologies, this game offered players a distinct experience at a time when many titles were still exploring the potential of personal computers. Pathfinder encouraged players to map their journeys not just physically in the game world but mentally as they navigated through a richly designed landscape filled with challenges and mysteries.
At its core, Pathfinder cast players in the role of an intrepid explorer tasked with a noble quest — to locate and retrieve the six pieces of an ancient artifact known as the Crown of Fire. The game’s intricate design required players to engage with a variety of environments, each teeming with its own unique challenges and puzzles. From treacherous mountain ranges to sprawling forests, Pathfinder's meticulously crafted terrain played a significant role in shaping the player's journey. The graphics, while primitive by today’s standards, were striking for their time, offering vibrant landscapes that brought the game to life.
The hallmark of Pathfinder’s gameplay lies in its non-linear structure, a feature that set it apart from many contemporaneous games. Players had the freedom to explore the game world at their own pace, making choices that would impact their paths and outcomes. This sense of agency not only fostered a deep connection to the in-game environment but also encouraged thoughtful decision-making. By allowing players to strategize and think critically about their movements and choices, Pathfinder laid the groundwork for future open-world games.
Another remarkable aspect of Pathfinder was its incorporation of a rudimentary but engaging combat system. Players encountered various foes throughout their journey, from cunning thieves to mystical creatures, which added an element of unpredictability and excitement. Combat required players to adapt quickly, utilizing a combination of resources and skills they acquired during their adventures. This intensification of stakes significantly contributed to the overall immersion, as players faced dilemmas that demanded a balance between exploration and survival.
Despite its relatively modest commercial success, Pathfinder holds a nostalgic place in the hearts of many who experienced it during the golden era of the Commodore 64. The game exemplified innovation in gameplay mechanics and design, captivating players who sought depth and engagement. Even decades later, its legacy endures among retro gaming aficionados, remembered as a pioneer that pushed the boundaries of what computer games could achieve. Pathfinder demonstrated that video games could create compelling narratives, nurture creativity, and lead players on unforgettable adventures.
Quick Thinking!
The Commodore 64 game Quick Thinking! was released in 1983 to much anticipation and excitement among gamers. Developed by Royal Games, this game was designed to test players' speed, agility, and critical thinking skills.
The game is set in a futuristic world where players take on the role of a top secret agent who must navigate through a maze of challenges and obstacles to complete their mission. As the title suggests, quick thinking is key in this game as players must make split-second decisions to solve puzzles and outwit their opponents.
One of the standout features of Quick Thinking! was its advanced graphics and gameplay for the time. The game boasted colorful and detailed graphics, setting a new standard for other games in its genre. The gameplay was also smooth and responsive, which added to the overall immersive experience.
The game consisted of several levels, each with its unique challenges and puzzles, keeping players constantly engaged and on their toes. The challenges ranged from disarming bombs, hacking computer systems, and avoiding security guards, resulting in a variety of gameplay scenarios that kept the game fresh and exciting.
Another aspect that made Quick Thinking! stand out was its use of sound. The game had a catchy and upbeat soundtrack that added to the overall fast-paced feel of the game. The sound effects were also well-designed, adding to the intensity and tension of the game.
One of the most significant factors that contributed to the success of Quick Thinking! was its replay value. With each level offering different challenges and multiple ways of completing them, players could go back and replay the game to improve their score and try out different strategies.
In addition to its thrilling gameplay, Quick Thinking! also had a competitive aspect to it. The game allowed players to compare their scores with other players and compete for the top spot on the leaderboards. This added a sense of competitiveness and encouraged players to keep playing and improving their skills.
