Games published by Macmillan Ltd.
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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.
Popeye
In 1986, the gaming world was captivated by the release of Popeye on the Commodore 64, a title that expertly combined vibrant graphics, delightful animation, and engaging gameplay. Inspired by the beloved cartoon character, this platformer allowed players to step into the shoes of Popeye himself, navigating a colorful seaside environment filled with whimsical hazards and familiar faces. By tapping into the nostalgia of the iconic character while infusing the game with an accessible yet challenging structure, the developers created an experience that resonated with both younger and older audiences alike.
The narrative arc of Popeye revolves around the titular character's quest to rescue his love, Olive Oyl, from the clutches of the villainous Bluto. Players must traverse a bustling boardwalk where various obstacles abound, collecting heart-shaped tokens to win Olive's affection. This simple yet compelling premise draws players in, inviting them to engage with the platform's mechanics that encourage dexterity and strategic thinking. The challenge lies not only in dodging Bluto's menacing advances but also in grabbing the drifting items scattered throughout the levels, all while managing the ever-present threat of being pummeled into the water.
Visually, the game artfully captures the animated essence of its inspirations. The bright color palette and charming character designs reflect the surreal quality of the comic strip and film adaptations. Each level unfolds in a unique environment, adding to the overall sense of exploration and adventure. From the vibrant boardwalks to the tumultuous ocean, the aesthetics of this title provide a captivating backdrop for the action, delighting players with each whimsical motion and playful scene.
Additionally, the sound design of the game contributes to its immersive quality. The catchy and memorable soundtrack reinforces the lively atmosphere, ensuring that players remain engaged throughout their gaming experience. The sound effects, from Popeye's distinctive grunts to the laughter of Olive Oyl, serve to heighten the charm of the environment and enhance the overall gameplay. As players navigate the challenges, the delightful auditory elements keep the energy high, making for an unforgettable interaction.
Ultimately, Popeye for the Commodore 64 stands out as a noteworthy example of early video gaming that successfully marries humor, nostalgia, and engaging gameplay. While its graphics and mechanics may seem dated to contemporary audiences, the charm and spirit of the game remain timeless. Through its unique combination of narrative, design, and sound, it has cemented its place in the hearts of gamers who fondly recall the thrill of guiding their favorite sailor through his quest to win Olive's heart. This title, filled with delightful challenges and nostalgic appeal, continues to resonate with those who appreciate the rich tapestry of gaming history.
