Played as part of Atari 50.
Feel like I can't really assess this without the rotary controller so I'm not going to try. Most of these games you can mostly approximate with a controller or mouse but this one doesn't really work well with either, I guess it makes sense that some stuff would've slipped through the cracks. Looks really cool though!!
Feel like I can't really assess this without the rotary controller so I'm not going to try. Most of these games you can mostly approximate with a controller or mouse but this one doesn't really work well with either, I guess it makes sense that some stuff would've slipped through the cracks. Looks really cool though!!
Really neat visuals and oddly satisfying sound effects keep the simple gameplay engaging.
now you might be asking "why the fuck are you playing an atari game in 2023?". My answer to that is because i find it interesting how far we evolved. This game is 40+ years old. With all that being said, this game is dogshit to play now. Back then it might have been cool but now its not. There is a charm to be had with these old titles though. The fact that you never know wtf is ever happening is fun in its own way. This is probably the best game on the atari though. There is no reason to ever go back to play these games except for the history factor. This is the beginning.
The early 80s were experimental when it comes to arcade games, and Tempest is no exception. It's a normal shoot 'em up game, but it’s impressive how the 3D visuals give off a unique experience unlike any other at the time. Out of the Atari arcades game I've played so far, I don't mind replaying this one from time to time.
Very hypnotic, fast-paced, quite intense, just the way I like it. One of the most stunning vector-graphical titles to this date, using color and pseudo-3D playfield to add depth; a great fit for a shooter involving enemies crawling up a corridor. The SkillStep system is also a neat way of rewarding returning and skilled players heading back into the game.
Definitely best to play with a rotary knob though, as originally intended, for the best accuracy.
Definitely best to play with a rotary knob though, as originally intended, for the best accuracy.
It’s almost shocking how expressive and pure this game is really. From the way your abstract pinchy yellow avatar slightly leans in the direction of your slight knob twist to even the act of transitioning between stages allowing for movement and danger. Tempest is a game that feels like it was just ahead of the curve in respect to having clean vector graphics (that very literally will always just be a bunch of direct shapes no matter how nice your screen looks) with pure colors for every entity in the game and a control scheme that only works with this kind of game.
I didn’t know anything about this game besides it being a big deal vector game but it’s almost shocking how fun a game that looks like it’d be Pong’s weird roommate is
I didn’t know anything about this game besides it being a big deal vector game but it’s almost shocking how fun a game that looks like it’d be Pong’s weird roommate is
OH MY GOD THIS GAME IS SO GOOD when I'm not playing this on a keyboard.
(Atari 50)
Tempest is probably my favorite vector based game - playing this for the first time at Galloping Ghost on bright original hardware was a mind-blowing experience - it's amazing how sharp and readable it is on a tube tv - something that's really hard to emulate even with modern 4k. With that said, emulation is very good and the tube shmup concept is really awesome.
Tempest is probably my favorite vector based game - playing this for the first time at Galloping Ghost on bright original hardware was a mind-blowing experience - it's amazing how sharp and readable it is on a tube tv - something that's really hard to emulate even with modern 4k. With that said, emulation is very good and the tube shmup concept is really awesome.