something new...

Hello! First thinks first sorry for no posts in November. Don't worry I havn't died . Have been very juggling pixels, work, graphics , skating (and skyrim .. cough,cough)

I have also been trying out some not so pixel ideas and designs, which will go by the name of BONE VOYAGE!

Below is a little taster so let me know what you think! 

Cheers RR

Retro Ramble - Zombies ate my neighbors

Hello, and welcome to another retro ramble, todays game every b-movie and horror fan should play at least once..... Zombies ate my neighbors.

Zombies ate my neighbors was released in Europe in 1994, showing it's face on platforms like Sega Mega Drive and Super Nintendo.

The idea of the game was to navagate your charcter around a series of levels, looking for survivors and dispacthing foes from famous horror movies with crazy weapons. Whats not to love already.

Collecting and saving the survivors is you're main aim in the game, and they need saving. Why? Because our b-movie monsters like to chomp on them, effecting your score at the end of each level, and if at no one survives the completion of the level.

The main bread and butter of this game is the weapons. The weapons vary from bazookas to soda cans. Each weapon works better against different types of monsters. My favorite example is the the silver cutlery set that kills werewolves when thrown.

But not everything you pick up are weapons. Some are keys, need to get to the last survivor, shoes that make you faster, blow up clowns that stop enemies advancing and another favorite, the mystery potion that will ether kill you or turn you into a indestructible Mr Hyde like monster. All these weapons and items give the game more strategy and is refreshing to see.

The levels design are very interesting, all the levels take into account the different movies that have inspired it. from urban terrains, egyptian pyramids, haunted castles and the one that i'll always remember the hedge maze level. This level uses a combination of tight walkways and dead ends to add a sense of urgently to the game play, espically as you have a number of chainsaw wearing maniacs chasing you. As you go further in the game, the levels begin to become larger , start featuring traps, and are puzzle orientated ,adding to the excitement of the gameplay and keeping each level fresh.

what about the monsters? Well the monsters are what makes this game in my opinion, and there are a large number of them. Each monster has been beautifuly designed to fit in with the games look but without losing it's identity. Examples include the evil dolls which take there inspiration from the horror Child's Play and the snakenoids reminding me of the movie Tremors. And of course enemies like vampires, Frankensteins monster etc appear as sub bosses which is a nice touch as these are all the old horror favorites. Each monster has its own attack, movement and death spite which shows the care thats gone into the game.

Zombie Ate My Neighbors is not just a single player experience. The game also features a co-op multiplayer, which my fondest memories of this game come from.  Battling the horrors with a friend is always a joy, Some levels were easier but one problem was that items didn't double up, making you alot more likely to run out of items and weapons on harder levels. Also the lack of a split screen option means that you normally hit the dreaded invisible wall screen boundary, or get stuck in the bottom of the screen until your partner backtracks.

All in all Zombies Ate My Neighbors is  a game that is very enjoyable to play and to look at. A game that plays a nice homage to the horror and b movie films that has inspired it.

Just stand still

Hello pixel people!

Sadly my B-Movie print has hit the wall of no ideas so have been taken a break from it.
So here is just a quick preview of the dinosaurs ive started to create for a new print. Found them very hard at first, but like any pixel creation all you need is the framework!

More dinosaurs are waiting to be designed, and hopefully this print won't hit that wall!

Cheers RR

b-movie rampage

Hello!

I have currently taken a break from the website update to plan a new pixel print, showing all things b - movie. Below is a rough plan of the print. so far the print features asteroids , giant ants and Godzilla's foot.

More posts coming soon including a retro ramble, so stay tuned.

Cheers RR

New Look

Hello! Currently working a new website so prints will have to be put on hold till it's finished. Though here is a screenshot on the work in progress, let me know what you think.

cheers RR

It's A Horror Show

Hello pixel peeps! Here's a truly ghoulish print , featuring 63 horror icons from old and new.  Can you guess who's who? ( go on have a go!)

Print will be available on the magical Etsy by the end of the day.

Cheers RR

What could be deadlier than a transforming tape player.

Here is the second part transforming transformers from 2d to 3d. And this time I've picked my favorite, the tape player of despair Soundwave!

Please keep in mind that these are all work in progress and nowhere near finished!

Cheers RR

Transform and roll out!

Hello online people! Today is just a quick post to the next stage in the transformer pixels. This is more of an experiment in 3d figures, much like my Robot Building print series. So it's only fair to start this little project with the awesome autobot Optimus Prime.

Cheers RR

One small step...

Finally the pixel space print is finished! Will be uploaded for sale soon. Click on the picture below to see in full.

Cheers RR

Retro Ramble - Final Fantasy VI

Welcome to the ramble of the week! This weeks topic is the legendary Final Fantasy VI.

VI, first released in 1994 on the ever mighty Snes, a game so loved it as had a number of releases on psone, gameboy and most recently PSN.

One of the first things that VI offers is the story, and my god want a story it is. You start of as a unknown magic user named Terra, accompanied by soldiers of the Empire, sent to capture a magical being called an Esper.  After meeting the Esper, Terra awakes, found by a  resents member, with no recollection of who is she or what has happened, except that she was being controlled by the Evil Empire. And starts Terra's quest.

Of course with this being an RPG, terra won't be alone on her quest, and this is another area where VI excels, the characters. Each character is unique, from the treasure hunter Locke, with this cheery help anyone personality, Cyan, a knight who's lost everything to the Empire, to Gau, the innocent boy of the wilds. These different personality and backgrounds of characters  help tell a larger story and help understand the reasons why each character joins this epic quest, and in my opinion makes you care more for the characters.

these unique characters also have there own abilities. Locke is the thief of the group, meaning he's quicker than most characters and has the ability to steal rare items from enemies. Gau is another good example as he learning how to fight as a monster, given him the monsters moves and stats, very handy. This gives the player the option to customize their battle team to their style of play. This is a change I prefer compared to Final Fantasy V's job system.

One of VI 's main feature is the battles. VI uses the same formula for battles as previous Fantasy's, but if it ain't broke. Fights are active turn based, meaning as soon as the speed meter builds you can attack. This forces the player into quick decisions, making the game more challenging, but more enjoyable. Each battle is random to,Some emenys for example are weak to magic. Different enemies need different strategies and this keeps each battle fresh and enjoyable.

Another key element to VI is it's music. Nobuo Uematsu long time contributor to the series as scored to beautifully, with each track helping to add more emotion to a already masterful story. The opening piece titled Terra's Theme is a good example showing a good mix of emotions like sorrow, tragedy but also hope.

So in a final word, Final Fantasy VI  is a beautifully crafted game, with satisfying gameplay  and a moving and breathtaking story.

Game Over!

Hello web people! Thought I'd post this previous print, as the space print is taking alot longer than first thought.

The title of this print is Game Over!, taken it's inspiration from old retro game consoles that are no longer available to buy, and placed in a menacing skull shape! This print will be able soon on the magical shop on Etsy .

Cheers RR

Space! Update

Hello pixel people! It's been a few days since i've posted any thing, opps! So for you're viewing pleasure, here is two screen shots of my current work in progress. Please bare in mind that these are no finished, and have many hours of work left on them! Click on images for larger images!

Cheers RR

Retro Ramble - Super Metroid 1994

Hello pixel people! Today is the first of the Retro Rambles, a post that looks back at all thinks pixelated!

First on the ramble is a game that I remember very fondly, Super Metroid!

Having completed her mission from the second Metroid game, Samus the bounty hunter leaves the metroid in the hands of a research facility and makes way. But it's never that easy, and as she sets off  she receives a distress call from the facility. After exploration of the destroyed facility, she learns the metroid has been taken by space pirates to the planet Zebes, and once again Samus in barks on a mission to stop the space pirates. Exciting stuff.

Once at Zebes, you get the first feelings youre alone, the moody colors, haunting music and not and enemy in sight. Only Samus and her ship. But it's as soon as you navigate the empty rooms and find youre first power up that is when Zebes bursts into life.

The empty halls are now full of life, beautiful but creepy creatures all  wanting a bounty hunter snack. But I won't spoil any more. 

Super Metroid is a beatuifully designed game, every thing is unique. from the enemy design, to the level designs. None copied from another and each as stunning as the last, from the fierily underground lava pool of Norfair to the plant infested tropics of Brinstar, given the gamer alot of variety and giving the game its epic feel. And of course no game is complete without it's epic boss battles, and Super Metroid has many! One example is the 60 foot space Godzilla , Kraken . A creature that doesn't even fit on the screen! 

Collectable upgrades were also a big part of Super Metroid. As you continue the journey thought Zebes, Samus would collect different weapons, accessories like high jump boot and grapple hooks, to different types of suits. One for an example could withstand high heat, letting the player explore all those areas that were previously impossible to enter. This of course gives you the feeling that Samus is growing stronger in her mission, which is always welcome.

Super Metroid is one of those game that will always have a place in my heart, and even to this day can hold its own against the games of this generation, as these games have no doubt take inspiration from this great adventure. 

A little taste of space!

Hello pixel people! Second post of the day! Thought I'd post a little taster taken from the space print that is currently being created. Not going to give away to much yet, but as you can see it's going to feature some very interesting and colorful block faced characters. Will post more soon!

Cheers RR

Hello Blogland!

Hello Fellow bloggers! Welcome to the Retro Robot blog. The first of what hopes to be many posts. Stay tuned for up and coming posts featuring work in progresses, retro rambles and things that just maybe of interest! 

cheers! RR