Having just received my beautifully boxed Oil's Well copy, I thought I'd let you know just what a visually stunning, additively fun and mostly forgotten little gem this 1990 Sierra production is. Well, it is, and its VGA version for our ageing DOS boxes is most probably the best arcade/puzzler this developer ever came up with, though admittedly they did have to remake its earlier 1983 version. Oh, and it would be fair to call this one abandonware. Have a play/look.
It is rare that I get surprised by a retro title that I haven't ever heard about, but you managed to do that, Gnome. Looks pretty!
ReplyDeleteAha! So you can be surprised, can't you dear Barts. That's lovely. Oh, and I've wanted a copy of the thing since I was 12... A beautiful little arcade thing.
ReplyDeleteultracute
ReplyDeleteAnd there are more than a few Petrosaur animations too!
ReplyDeleteSierra made some of the best games for the PC in its day!
ReplyDeleteAnd -shockingly- they weren't all adventures either. Still, you are absolutely right!
ReplyDeleteVERY nice - I didn't even realize there WAS a remake of Oil's Well, nor that it was a Sierra product. I used to play the C64 version back in the day. Definitely a fun little game. And based on/inspired by one of my favorite lesser-known old Stern arcade games called Anteater so if you haven't ever played that one check it out in MAME if you get a chance. But fair warning - the music is HORRIBLE.
ReplyDeleteAh, glad you like it dear MadPlanet. I actually found out it was a remake only a few year ago, despite fantasizing about owning this Sierra release ever since I saw it. Will have to check AntEater. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. However, as a DOS game collector, I find abandonware slightly offensive, but I have discussed that before so I'll not now. And I'm glad to hear you got a nice boxed version! The only kind worth getting, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI just played it a bit - thanks for the link Gnome! - a little prettier than my old C64 version. Nice little game to be sure. Is it my imagination or does the music sound distinctly SQIVish? And the sound effects during the dino animation sequence. Gotta love that sweet Sierra sound.
ReplyDelete@ Ithmeer: You do have a point there my friend, but, truth be said, I'd rather people have access to old games via abandonware than not at all. Obviously boxed versions are by far the best.
ReplyDelete@ MadPlanet: Well, you actually are right! The music does indeed sound like SQIV. Seems like composer Ken Allen did work on both games too!
Very addictive and fun game indeed! Nice find ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rudy! You played an essential part in this as you know :)
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