If you were a kid in the 80s and discovered computers and video games through ZX Spectrum (or any other microcomputer), you will know the limits of programmers to capture certain ideas. And the shooters 3D was something unthinkable, surely unimaginable, with the existing hardware. Hence the astonishing nature of some of home brewing that today they are able to make the most of it and offer developments that are real gems.
In the case of the scene of ZX Spectrum Added to this is the fact that in recent years a new system has appeared, which is the famous ZX Spectrum Nextwhich considerably improves the potential of this microcomputer and is capable of executing programs more quickly or with a wider palette of colors where the memorized one no longer exists. color clash. And the proof is this Daggerfall of which new images of its development have emerged.
A shooting game for ZX Spectrum thanks to the Quake Engine
One of those miracles that brought us scene development for ZX Spectrum and ZX Spectrum Next These are the engines, the tools that allow to create games in a very short time thanks to their specialization in a specific genre. The Russians of Zosie They are specialists in racing or arcade titles that were impossible to see in the 80s and are true masterpieces, so now there are those who have dared (DragonsLord) to propose a engine finish doing shooters 3D.
The engine in question is called Quake Engine and he is the one who brings it to life Daggerfall which will be released soon on ZX Spectrum Next. As you can see, it is graphically reminiscent Loss (the protagonist’s face on the scoreboard is practically the same) and the entire open environment guides us through a procedurally generated large-screen map. To give you an idea of the dimensions, the game takes place in a plane of 65,535 wide by 65,535 long where we can see at any time of the game the exact coordinate that we occupy within the cartography.
This location is what you can see at the bottom of the screen. Of course, the game has a black and white appearance that allows you to differentiate more or less well each enemy that appears on the horizon and that you can eliminate with a fairly varied arsenal (and still inspired by Loss). The game even features loading animations for the rifle and other weapons, in a clear homage to id Software’s classic.
Where can you play it?
It is Daggerfall It is not finished but its authors warn that they are already in the final stretch. For the moment, you can only play it on ZX Spectrum Next (or on the famous Raspberry Pi-based ZX Spectrum N-GO) since it needs to run at 28MHz. This is probably why we will never see it running on an original 128k ZX Spectrum, although given the things that do the same thing today, they even perform a port.
For now, enjoy this. gameplay because it is fine cinnamon.
