Games published by Softside Publications
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We provide a complete list of games published by this publisher.
Arrow One
Atari 8-bit's Arrow One was a classic shoot 'em up game that was released in 1982. This title put a high emphasis on gaming basics like storytelling, questing and a high-commitment to the traditional shoot 'em up gameplay. Providing much needed nostalgia and an enjoyable experience, Arrow One expertly combines intense combat and exploration.
The game's story follows a trained starship captain, whose mission is to save the planet from the devious enemy forces. The journey to save the planet is undertaken with the aid of superior marksmanship and defensive measures as the player ascends into outer space.
Gameplay is smooth and satisfying, with the ship having manoeuvrability and accuracy. Along the journey, there are different types of enemies that the player will have to encounter and their levels of difficulty will escalate. Additionally, bosses can be seen as some of the most intense of adversaries; requiring high-level strategy in order to prevail.
Where Arrow One particularly excels is its creative level design. There are several viable paths which the player can take during their playthrough and as a result, the replay value of Arrow One can often remain consistent. With it's captivating pixel art and awesome boss battles, this game hits all the perfect notes and never fails to entertain.
Arrow One is an excellent example of classic shoot 'em up gaming. It is accessible enough to welcome players both new and experienced, with great music, innovative level design and its slick and precise controls. It is no surprise why after almost 4 decades - this game still remains a firm favourite amongst die-hard Atari fans.
Dateline Titanic
On Tuesday 4th December 1982, a unique video game was launched at the CES – Dateline Titanic. This remarkable game was released for the Atari 8-bit computer and was developed by Axlon, a company founded by two employees of Atari. It was the first computer game to attempt to recreate the circumstances surrounding the 1912 sinking of the legendary Titanic.
Dateline Titanic was an adventure game that was set at the time of the famous event that ended in tragedy. Using a simple interface, the player took control of four characters, each with their own background story. With a variety of options, the goal was to navigate the voyage, waylay the inevitable catastrophe and help the passengers reach safety.
The game also boasted a range of mini-games, such as dodging icebergs, thwarting the onboard saboteurs, and selecting the correct safety equipment. Moreover, it put players into a unique puzzle-solving environment, with a deceptively detailed set of rules and objectives to follow.
The game was moderately well received, especially given the time it was released. Itcritics praised the game for its immersive graphics and sound as well as its remarkable replayability. Many felt that it was an ambitious attempt to bring the plight of the Titanic to life.
The mechanics behind Dateline Titanic were simple enough for inexperienced gamers to learn, and experienced gamers enjoyed the challenge of solving the multiple puzzles that the game presented. Although the game was relatively simple, it was praised for its attention to detail, with faithful recreations of the vessels, ticker tapes, newspapers, and other elements lending a sense of realism.
For anyone wanting to take a trip back in time to a momentous event in humanity’s history, Dateline Titanic was the ideal platform. It was a fascinating mix of adventure, puzzle-solving, and strategy, offering an intriguing and immersive gaming experience.
