Helix Colony for Unexpanded VIC-20

[Ola H]

I'm not very fond of Minesweeper (mainly because I suck at it) but this is an excellent expansion which adds strategic layers. I have just played it briefly on easy and found it quite hard but was very impressed. Seems like there is a lot of depth emerging from simple mechanics. Smooth movement too - and all in an unexpanded game!

I will definitely give it some more plays

[chysn]

I'm not very fond of Minesweeper (mainly because I suck at it) but this is an excellent expansion which adds strategic layers. I have just played it briefly on easy and found it quite hard but was very impressed. Seems like there is a lot of depth emerging from simple mechanics. Smooth movement too - and all in an unexpanded game!

I will definitely give it some more plays

Thanks for trying it out!

[orion70]

Same impression here - great game with above average complexity for a game for the unexpanded machine. A little bit too tough for me, but I suppose it's either low skills or low training

[chysn]

Same impression here - great game with above average complexity for a game for the unexpanded machine. A little bit too tough for me, but I suppose it's either low skills or low training

Thank you for giving it a shot! It doesn't take too many plays for the pattern recognition to kick in. My first play is to go somewhere until I hit a one-bar sector, then back off to the previous sector, then over, and forward again. If you find three one-bar sectors in a row, the geyser is usually on the outside edge in the middle. That's the simplest pattern.

I think I originally over-estimated how useful Minecraft skills would be, because Minecraft sort of spoon-feeds you, where in this game you must explore on your own. But there's definitely some carry-over once you've done that exploration without getting killed.

[orion70]

Thanks! Games for retrocomputers tend to be less forgiving compared to modern days (same applies for RPGs, adventures, and arcade games).

[AndyH]

Another superb game! I would very much buy one on tape but for the postage to the UK.

[chysn]

Another superb game! I would very much buy one on tape but for the postage to the UK.

Thanks for trying it! Yeah, I checked USPS retail rates to the UK and they're pretty stratospheric. I just wanted to make sure that Etsy isn't gouging, and they don't seem to be.

Another interesting shipping note: I checked into a USPS restricted class caleld "media mail." It allows cassette tapes but specifically excludes video games.

[AndyH]

£9 + p&p would be perfect if p&p wasn’t £42

It took me a little while to realise what the dots on the screen meant but then it all clicked into place. Nicely challenging game and a great idea.

Maybe have a chat to The Future was 8 bit as they might be able to help with producing tape releases over this side of the world?

[English Invader]

Maybe have a chat to The Future was 8 bit as they might be able to help with producing tape releases over this side of the world?

Psytronik also produce and sell VIC-20 games:
http://www.psytronik.net/newsite/

[KomekCommodore]

Helix Colony is now available on cassette at https://www.etsy.com/listing/842496224/ ... for-vic-20

Great Keep it up.