Loved this game when I was a kid and it's still one of my All-Time Favorites. I had an Apple Iic with a green monochrome monitor so I couldn't play it at home which made it that much more awesome when I would sleepover at my best friend's house since he had a color monitor to play this game.
Jeremy, every now and then your analyses feel truly singular. I felt my skin prickle at the end of this video when you talked about the transition from spaces as random to spaces as deliberate. What a shift that was and must have been. A great moment for you as a writer, it felt alive. I really appreciate all your hard work over the years, thank you man.
I know you'll think I'm exaggerating but I got so good at this game on Apple II in my youth that I could tell what room people were in while playing just by closing my eyes and listening.
Hey Jeremy, I am VERY happy to see you resume Metroidvania Works. I love and eagerly devour all of your videos, but this series is my favorite. I hope you will continue this one more often! I appreciate the level of research you put into your videos, your astute and adroit commentary, and the depth and breadth of the valuable context you provide. Kudos, kind sir.
Pitfall 2, Mountain King, and Montezuma's Revenge all captivated me in my 2600 days. I was particularly taken with how the former two incorporated context-sensitive music.
6:14 Regarding color-coded keys, Shamus, also for the Atari 400/800 computers, did it a full 2 years earlier in 1982. It's probably my favorite game for the Atari 8-bits along with Jumpman Junior. 👍🏻
Great video, and I love the shoutout to Jet Set Willy at the end. I really appreciate the depth of knowledge you have in games because even something like one of the most popular games in Europe of it's day can be something that people just don't know about.
Another interesting video about an obscure game that I know and enjoy. I really enjoy this channel. It has some of the best retrogame content on UA-cam. I can't wait to see the video about Pitfall 2. I hope you cover the mysterious "Second Quest" the Atari 5200 version has. This is the version I grew up playing and my 6yo mind was blown when I finally saved the cat-man and discovered this secret! Keep up the great work, Jeremy. You're my favorite Retronaut!
Another excellent episode Jeremy also it's great to see an American journalist look (albeit briefly) at Jet Set Willy a true classic of the ZX Spectrum.
Since you're covering stuff like Montezuma's Revenge and Jet Set Willy, it might be worth taking a look at some of Datasoft's action/puzzle/exploratory platformers like Bruce Lee, Zorro and The Goonies from around this same time on 8-bit computers.
I played so much of this as a kid, although I don't think I ever got past like the 4th sub-level of the pyramid. It gets insanely difficult as it goes on, and the idea of "player focused design" in action game development was still a long way off. It's absolutely brutal.
Yeah, this is one of those that I definitely would have played and mastered as a kid with tons of free time. As an overworked adult, I can say, "This is neat," and be content to see... like, half of the first pyramid before moving on with my life.
Montezuma's Revenge is the game that first led me to suspect that Metroidvanias predated Metroid and 'Vania, sending me on a bizarre adventure through video gaming history. The weirdest recent discovery I made is Aztec, an exploratory platform game first released in 1982 for Apple II. The environments are kind of small, but also randomly generated and destructible, pretty shocking for the time.
I remember there being a platformer with quite similar platforming, but can't remember which one. Anyways, this was a fun video. I can't imagine metroidvanias today incorporating map making in their design.
Feels kinda weird to talk about the origins of exploration-focused games that gate progression behind finding treasures or power-ups that will enable you to explore further without some serious consideration for the Intellivision’s AD&D: Cloudy Mountain from 1982.
I think I've played this once or twice in my many years... but never finished it. :( maybe one of these days I'll find a version of it and figure out how to finish it!
I’m amazed! I have wondered my entire life what the game I played on my first windows computer was and IT WAS THIS! Jeremy good job! You just made an Ebay seller some money. Also if you ever make a MetroidVania Works book, 10/10 will buy like your other “Works” books
Glad you bought the Metroidvania series back. Could we possibly get any Lynx coverage soon aswell? Not really a fan of the Atari Lynx but i'm quite intrigued by it at the same time.
I played a ton of Montezuma’s Revenge on PC as a kid. I never got good enough with keyboard controls to see the end, but I enjoyed the experience. It was a big move forward on PC, given the simplicity of action games that preceded it.
Wow, I didn't realize it had gotten so spendy. On the plus side, $100 is more like the fanciful Buy It Now asking price for someone hoping to get lucky... looks like the complete game is actually selling in the $70 range.
Jeremy Parish Still very expensive. I think the only convenient way to play this legally is on Android devices...with touch controls. Ugh. Well, off to Emuparadise...oh, wait (shakes fist at Nintendo).
Loved this game when I was a kid and it's still one of my All-Time Favorites. I had an Apple Iic with a green monochrome monitor so I couldn't play it at home which made it that much more awesome when I would sleepover at my best friend's house since he had a color monitor to play this game.
Jeremy, every now and then your analyses feel truly singular. I felt my skin prickle at the end of this video when you talked about the transition from spaces as random to spaces as deliberate. What a shift that was and must have been. A great moment for you as a writer, it felt alive. I really appreciate all your hard work over the years, thank you man.
I know you'll think I'm exaggerating but I got so good at this game on Apple II in my youth that I could tell what room people were in while playing just by closing my eyes and listening.
the game starts to train you with the lights off jumping section
would be absolutely dope to see someone speedrun this blindfolded. you should give it a shot and see if your muscle memory is still there!
"The halcyon days before micro transactions"
*cuts to shot of horse armor*
Hey Jeremy, I am VERY happy to see you resume Metroidvania Works. I love and eagerly devour all of your videos, but this series is my favorite. I hope you will continue this one more often! I appreciate the level of research you put into your videos, your astute and adroit commentary, and the depth and breadth of the valuable context you provide. Kudos, kind sir.
Pitfall 2, Mountain King, and Montezuma's Revenge all captivated me in my 2600 days. I was particularly taken with how the former two incorporated context-sensitive music.
6:14 Regarding color-coded keys, Shamus, also for the Atari 400/800 computers, did it a full 2 years earlier in 1982. It's probably my favorite game for the Atari 8-bits along with Jumpman Junior. 👍🏻
A great game. I only saw it on Commodore but it was a joy to behold at the time. Alas, I wanted to play it much much more than was able.
OMG I forgot about this game, I loved it!
See Parish, stuff like this is why I nominated you for a spot in the American Friends of Master System private club
Must needs More Metroidvania Works! I love this series and your insightful analysis of my favorite genre. Please don't stop. :)
Great video, and I love the shoutout to Jet Set Willy at the end. I really appreciate the depth of knowledge you have in games because even something like one of the most popular games in Europe of it's day can be something that people just don't know about.
Another interesting video about an obscure game that I know and enjoy. I really enjoy this channel. It has some of the best retrogame content on UA-cam. I can't wait to see the video about Pitfall 2. I hope you cover the mysterious "Second Quest" the Atari 5200 version has. This is the version I grew up playing and my 6yo mind was blown when I finally saved the cat-man and discovered this secret! Keep up the great work, Jeremy. You're my favorite Retronaut!
I used to love playing this game on my Dad's Atari 5200. I never did manage to finish it though. It was really freaking hard.
Cool video, I feel educated by its contents
This really reminds me of ''Rick Dangerous'' on the Amiga. Loved the aesthetic as a kid :)
This was my Favorite game as a kid, I draw my own map for the C64.
Another excellent episode Jeremy also it's great to see an American journalist look (albeit briefly) at Jet Set Willy a true classic of the ZX Spectrum.
Wow, I wasn't expecting this series to make a comeback, I'm super excited! :D
ive always wanted to play this
Since you're covering stuff like Montezuma's Revenge and Jet Set Willy, it might be worth taking a look at some of Datasoft's action/puzzle/exploratory platformers like Bruce Lee, Zorro and The Goonies from around this same time on 8-bit computers.
I love Montezuma's Revenge! You should also talk about Montezuma Returns too!
I played so much of this as a kid, although I don't think I ever got past like the 4th sub-level of the pyramid. It gets insanely difficult as it goes on, and the idea of "player focused design" in action game development was still a long way off. It's absolutely brutal.
Yeah, this is one of those that I definitely would have played and mastered as a kid with tons of free time. As an overworked adult, I can say, "This is neat," and be content to see... like, half of the first pyramid before moving on with my life.
Montezuma's Revenge is the game that first led me to suspect that Metroidvanias predated Metroid and 'Vania, sending me on a bizarre adventure through video gaming history. The weirdest recent discovery I made is Aztec, an exploratory platform game first released in 1982 for Apple II. The environments are kind of small, but also randomly generated and destructible, pretty shocking for the time.
Great review as always Jeremy.
I had the Gameboy version of this game. Sunk a lot of hours into it. Hard game.
I remember there being a platformer with quite similar platforming, but can't remember which one.
Anyways, this was a fun video. I can't imagine metroidvanias today incorporating map making in their design.
Feels kinda weird to talk about the origins of exploration-focused games that gate progression behind finding treasures or power-ups that will enable you to explore further without some serious consideration for the Intellivision’s AD&D: Cloudy Mountain from 1982.
Montezuma’s Revenge had a Nintendo Switch port which explores how the game would’ve looked, sounded, and played on the NES.
That's a port of a homebrew cartridge that runs on NES, if you want to experience the actual thing.
The Return~
Fucking Holy Diver..
Oh wow, totally forgot about Pharaoh's Curse. I was totally obsessed with that on C64.
Will you cover Exile some day? That game deserves some appreciation.
I played this one a lot, but never got far in it. The game was really unforgiving.
Heck yeah, this was a series I thought you'd never come back to!
Me too, but have you seen the new release list for the past month? I have a lot of catching up to do.
Glad to see this show back Jeremy! Uhh you still got the logo dated for 2014 though
You mean the logo that in the opening seconds of the episode is phased out to be replaced by updated logo graphics?
I think I've played this once or twice in my many years... but never finished it. :( maybe one of these days I'll find a version of it and figure out how to finish it!
Nothing like Herb Alpert in chiptune form
I wish you'd that intro at some point so that the music matches the franchises as their logos appear. :P
Alright, the Sega arcade version of Pitfall II! It's so underrated.
Jeremy, thank you for putting a diarrhea joke in the video title
It's also a PaRappa the Rapper quote.
I’m amazed! I have wondered my entire life what the game I played on my first windows computer was and IT WAS THIS! Jeremy good job! You just made an Ebay seller some money.
Also if you ever make a MetroidVania Works book, 10/10 will buy like your other “Works” books
"that funky funky flow" haaaaaaa
You have to talk about Downland for the Tandy pc.
This game always charmed me. What is the best version of it?
Also whats wrong with the 2600 version?
They cut half the rooms from the 2600 version to make it fit.
Wow, there really is a Metroidvania Works. Now, I regret my Instagram comment where I thought you were joking.
He started this years ago.
I see that now.
As for the original game, I like the use of "Spanish Flea" by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass.
Glad you bought the Metroidvania series back. Could we possibly get any Lynx coverage soon aswell? Not really a fan of the Atari Lynx but i'm quite intrigued by it at the same time.
I played a ton of Montezuma’s Revenge on PC as a kid. I never got good enough with keyboard controls to see the end, but I enjoyed the experience. It was a big move forward on PC, given the simplicity of action games that preceded it.
wait, is that Cameran else's msx port for the JSW segment?
Jet Set Willy next?
hahah nevermind :)
Which version of this is most playable today?
I'd go with Master System. Atari 800 seems cool, too, but I find consoles are a lot easier to set up than old PCs.
Jeremy Parish I'm gonna have to be a dirty pirate to try this one out. It looks like the cartridge is going for about $100.
Wow, I didn't realize it had gotten so spendy. On the plus side, $100 is more like the fanciful Buy It Now asking price for someone hoping to get lucky... looks like the complete game is actually selling in the $70 range.
Jeremy Parish Still very expensive. I think the only convenient way to play this legally is on Android devices...with touch controls. Ugh. Well, off to Emuparadise...oh, wait (shakes fist at Nintendo).
Well this is an unfortunately titled game.
if its brown drink it down if its black send it back