turmoil Commodore 64 game

"Turmoil" is one of the early classics by Mark Turmell (known for games like Smash TV, NBA JAM, WWF Wrestlemania, NFL Blitz). From seven horizontally arranged rows, in front of which the player character (referred to in the manual as an "Intergalactic Fighter") can move up and down, various types of enemies or bonus items appear from the right and left at sometimes crazy speeds. Collecting, dodging, shooting, or dying are the four options. Once a certain number of enemies are destroyed, the player advances to the next level.

Design

For the standards of the time, it had elaborate and visually interesting color graphics in the intro and gameplay.

Hints Aliens All aliens can only be shot down when their ship is in open space in the middle of the screen. Enemy ships: There are five different types. Colliding with any type is deadly. Arrows: If you allow them to reach the opposite edge of the screen, they transform into tanks. Tanks can only be destroyed from behind. A shot from the front only pushes them back a little. Prizes: When a prize appears at the left or right edge of the screen, you have only a few seconds to fly into the corresponding tunnel and touch it. If you don't make it in time, it will turn into a super-fast cannonball. If you touch a prize, you must quickly return to the center of the screen to avoid being caught by the indestructible Ghost-Ship.

Additional Information You start with five ships. If you destroy all aliens in a level, you receive a bonus ship. There are nine levels that become progressively harder (faster enemies, etc.).

Controls A = Up Z = Down : = Left ; = Right Space = Fire or with joystick in Port 1 F5 = Change Level Run/Stop = Pause on/off Restore = Back to Demo Mode

Bugs The score display only goes up to 99,999; at 100,000, it resets to 0.

Solution Hold down the fire button (results in continuous fire) and try to eliminate the enemies by flying up and down quickly. Touch the prizes as quickly as possible and immediately return to the center of the screen. If the fire button is held down, the ship will stay in the center on its own.

Borna: "It provided some enjoyable moments, although it took a little time to fully captivate me."

Robotron2084: "A wonderfully streamlined shooter with a charmingly minimalist aesthetic that offers continuous, pulse-pounding action. It's akin to the classic Tempest but in a 2D format. Perfect for unwinding and testing your skills, albeit with a satisfying level of challenge. It's a refreshingly straightforward, high-octane old-school shooter experience. I'd generously rate it a solid 6 out of 10."

Blubarju: "I echo Robotron's sentiments. Once you embrace its pace, the game blossoms into an enjoyable experience. Turmoil serves as a great quick gaming fix, delivering excitement with every playthrough. I, too, would assign it a well-deserved 6 points."

TheRyk: "I'd like to emphasize the game's strengths even further. While there are a few minor quirks, such as the variable 'prize' numbers and the score display limitations, Turmoil manages to shine thanks to its delightful combination of straightforward gameplay and blistering speed. It's a title that easily forgives its minor flaws, especially considering its release in 1983. I'd comfortably award it 7 points."

Shakermaker303: "An abundance of explosive action, something I usually find quite enjoyable. The game's simple yet engaging concept does become somewhat repetitive over extended sessions and can become a formidable challenge at higher difficulty levels. Nevertheless, for a game originating from 1983, it holds up remarkably well. I personally lean towards the Atari 800 version, although I admit the differences are negligible, if any."