ADG Episode 199 - Monster Bash

Channel:

Pixelmusement

Subscribers:

23,700

Published on October 1, 2016 7:49:33 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNHxPVQNtPE

Game:

Monster Bash (1993)

Category:

Show

Duration: 20:30

6,560 views

217

ADDENDUM: Since releasing this video I've discovered multiple mechanics which, had I known them, would invalidate many (not all) of the opinions I had about the level design. HOWEVER, since I wasn't able to figure this stuff out without assistance from others, since the info needed is not provided in-game or in any supplemental material, I maintain that those opinions are valid for anyone trying to play this game for their first time without assistance from veteran players, not to mention some of the necessary mechanics are introduced at the same time as requiring to perform advanced tactics to utilize them, making it hard to know those mechanics even exist. Additional information below.

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Perhaps the only game ever made where you WISHED the level state would reset when you died... :P

Today on Ancient DOS Games, Gemini's taking a look at Monster Bash, an Apogee platformer released in 1993 that's widely considered to be extremely difficult, but ironically, the difficulty primarily stems from a major disconnect between the style of gameplay being aimed for and the way the bulk of the levels have been designed.

Not to mention, a lot of people likely ran into technical issues trying to play this back when it was new for a somewhat intriguing reason...

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Additional Information and Corrections:

* If you REALLY want to buy this game, here's where you can get it from on the 3D Realms website: https://3drealms.com/catalog/monster-bash_38/

* It turns out when this game says things can be "pushed" or can "slide", it means SHOOTING them causes them to move. This isn't mentioned ANYWHERE in the game or in the supplemental material. This makes the worms possible to get across in Episode 3 Level 1, among other things.

* The pushable blocks are actually introduced in the fourth level of the first episode, but up to the point where I got stuck they do not need to be manipulated, thus you typically wouldn't, and when you actually do get down by the waterfall they're mixed with breakable blocks, again a new mechanic for the level, both of which look VERY similar, so when I broke the breakable blocks and couldn't break the three pushable blocks, I firstly didn't even realize they could be pushed (by shooting them) and thus the advanced tactic needed to push them out of the way by REFLECTING rocks off of the rock giant on the other side through the tiny opening you can't crawl through to push them... seriously, how is ANYONE supposed to figure that out unless they know how you push things by shooting them ahead of time?! :|

* I dunno how I missed this, especially since it's even in my own footage, but you CAN backtrack in 1-1 if the bridge is gone by using the secret passage down the 1-block-wide pits... still involves using a secret to do basic backtracking but at least it's possible. :B

* A potential solution to my getting stuck in the first level of Episode 2 may've been a secret room I didn't realize I had missed until I was editing this video... however, that wouldn't make much sense either if you had to find your way into a secret to make proper progress through a level. I've also learned that there's supposedly sheer walls you can climb in this level, as opposed to ladders, but I'm not sure how to recognize them or where they would be.

* It's TECHNICALLY possible to access XMS from Real Mode, but it's done by invoking HIMEM.SYS which can toggle the CPU in and out of Protected Mode to access extended memory as required. This would definitely not be ideal for gaming given how much low-level code goes on in these old games and the changes which occur when switching between the two CPU modes, so it makes far more sense to go strictly Real or strictly Protected, which means no XMS in Real Mode. :P

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