Atic Atac (ZX Spectrum and BBC Micro)

 

Atic Atac. Developed and published by Ultimate Play the Game in 1983, this arcade-adventure game was released for the ZX Spectrum and the BBC Micro.

Spectrum
Box Art

Atic Atac is set inside a labyrinth of a complex castle and the player is trapped inside. The objective of the game is to collect three pieces of the "Golden Key of ACG" in order to escape. One of the unique features of the game is the player's ability to choose from three different characters - a Wizard, Knight or Serf. Each character has different ground friction, a different weapon to kill common enemies and access to a secret passage unique to them. This means that navigating the castle is different for each character, and players can enjoy the game in multiple ways.

The game is presented in a top-down perspective, and players must explore the castle to find the pieces of the key. The castle is filled with a variety of rooms, and each room is filled with enemies that the player must avoid. The game also features a variety of items that players can find and collect. These items include differently-coloured keys which will unlock their respective doors, the three pieces of the ACG key, and other items that affect certain enemies or are mere red herrings. The game's design is such that players must explore the castle to find the key pieces and other items, and the game becomes more challenging as the player progresses.

Start Menu

The game also features common enemies that appear in each room upon entering and will attack the player on sight. Collision with these enemies destroys them but drains a portion of the player's health. There are also stationary poisonous fungi which will drain health constantly if the player is in contact with them, and enemies that require special items in order to either distract, repel or kill them, otherwise they remain in the room, invulnerable to conventional attacks, and rapidly drain the player's health if touched. The player has three lives upon starting the game, and should they die a gravestone will appear at their location and stay in place for the remainder of the current game. Health can be replenished by collecting food scattered throughout the castle, however, it will constantly drop the more the player moves, thus the player may eventually lose a life from starvation if they have not escaped the castle in time.

In Game

Atic Atac received a positive critical reception upon release. Critics praised the game for its graphics and gameplay, and it was later included in the 2015 release by Rare on the Xbox One retrospective compilation, Rare Replay. The game served as inspiration for the critically acclaimed adventure game show Knightmare. The game was Ultimate's third consecutive number one in the UK Spectrum sales chart, following Lunar Jetman and Tranz Am. In 1991, Atic Atac was ranked as the 79th best ZX Spectrum game of all time by Your Sinclair, and was voted the 8th best game of all time by the readers of Retro Gamer Magazine for an article that was scheduled to be in a special Your Sinclair Tribute issue. In 2007, Eurogamer described it as a prime example of "what passion can do when properly digitized."

Overall, Atic Atac is a retro gaming classic that is definitely worth revisiting. Its intricate gameplay, challenging levels, and unique characters make it a must-play for any retro gaming fan. Whether you're a fan of arcade-adventure games or just enjoy a good retro gaming experience, Atic Atac is sure to be a hit. So, dust off your old ZX Spectrum or BBC Micro and give it a try!