Budget gem - Rescue by Mastertronic

AD-RS1600i · March 2020

Hi All,

Digging through my old Spectrum tapes today from my youth I discovered a budget gem - Rescue by Mastertronic

I'm really impressed with it. Feels like a early 48k top down maze type explorer, though it is later in the Spectrum's commercial life. This one is really well polished, and really rather good I think.

I just wanted to mention it in case anyone needed a Speccy fix in lock down (I definitely needed one!), and might not be aware of it as, on checking WOS, it was very low key its release given the lack of reviews and price, which belies its quality I think.

https://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseekid.cgi?id=0004110

Adrian

Rebelstar without a cause · March 2020

It's inclusion in Your Sinclair's top 100 games of all time would have brought it to a lot of people's attention.
I've tried it a few times and didn't really like it.

zx1 · March 2020

This is still an old favourite of mine, sometimes what i do now is load it up but go nowhere for half an hour then venture out to see what damage has been done, place is usually wrecked.
Just wish the map was a bit bigger, maybe a 128K version could have been done but i don't think anyone noticed this on release.

Timmy · March 2020

I didn't like this game much when I started playing, people die too often and it felt like random.

Then I watched a walktrough for a few minutes and then I realised it's a puzzle arcade adventure thing (mostly puzzle). Then it started to click and I've completed it myself.

Alessandro Grussu · March 2020

I liked Rescue so much that I mentioned it as the paradigmatic example of a Mastertronic game in the Spectrumpedia (page 249).

AD-RS1600i · March 2020

Alessandro Grussu wrote: »

I liked Rescue so much that I mentioned it as the paradigmatic example of a Mastertronic game in the Spectrumpedia (page 249).

Funny enough, when I discovered this game, I thought I'd message you about it, as its very similar to some of your work! Glad you already know about it!! :)

AD-RS1600i · March 2020

zx1 wrote: »

This is still an old favourite of mine, sometimes what i do now is load it up but go nowhere for half an hour then venture out to see what damage has been done, place is usually wrecked.
Just wish the map was a bit bigger, maybe a 128K version could have been done but i don't think anyone noticed this on release.

I'll have to try that thank you!!

I think it was released on a budget price range, to zero fanfare, so didn't get the recognition or promotion it deserved really. Although maybe its style is that of early 48k games (up to mid eighties) when from 87 ish, 'blockbuster' games started trying to ape the coin-ops more, with the now ubiquitous 'beat up', 'shoot em up' type franchises/genres?

Luny · March 2020

There is certainly a 'pattern' to the style and complexity of games through the history of the 80's micro games. The magazines helped to promote, so before Crash & C&VG, spectrum games had to rely on Sinclair User and Your Computer. These only dedicated a page or two to releases.

Interesting how they've used 'screen' loading to just display two lines of text. Bit frustrating when your waiting for the game to load and a quarter of the time is loading zeros.

zx1 · March 2020

I've worked out when you load it and play for the first time the the ultimate experiment is in the same place. I even made a short video on here years ago to show people and got abuse saying i'd ruined the game.

AD-RS1600i · March 2020

zx1 wrote: »

I've worked out when you load it and play for the first time the the ultimate experiment is in the same place. I even made a short video on here years ago to show people and got abuse saying i'd ruined the game.

Nice one! but don't tell me just in case we end up in lock down..... I may need it to keep me entertained! :)

zx1 · March 2020

The video is long gone so no chance now and i won't tell! :D

AD-RS1600i · March 2020

zx1 wrote: »

The video is long gone so no chance now and i won't tell! :D

Cheers :)

dm_boozefreek · March 2020

zx1 wrote: »

I've worked out when you load it and play for the first time the the ultimate experiment is in the same place. I even made a short video on here years ago to show people and got abuse saying i'd ruined the game.

I think I vaguely remember that happening :))

Like it f*cking actually matters, oh my god! You spoilered a game that's close to 4 decades old you evil c*nt!!!! :)) :)) :))

Probably had an ending you had to use your imagination for anyway :))

"Well done! You have won!"

*Instantly loops back to the start :))

Luny · March 2020

Ah, shame as the actual game is brilliant for a budget. Its very involved and has a lot of elements to it. It is fascinating how we hang on to the reward of an good ending, even though there aren't many. Surely the actual game play should be enough if its a really immersive game and the excitement of getting through to the end.

Maroc's Other Projection · March 2020

I only discovered Rescue later (through WoS) and agree that it’s pretty special for a budget title. I love the idea of stuff going on without player intervention, a bit like the NPCs in The Hobbit doing their own thang in the background.

Budget gem - Rescue by Mastertronic

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