cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/49419

If you’re an American you’ll appreciate the first two paragraphs. It will provide a context that just makes you say… “but HOW?” Our friends from Great Britain will likely shrug and skip to the third…

The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the UK in 1982 by Sinclair Research. Renowned for its affordability and wide-ranging software library, the ZX Spectrum became one of the leading computers in the 1980s European home computer market. Its graphical and computational capabilities, though rudimentary by today’s standards, enabled the creation of a diverse selection of games, many of which have since become cult classics. Its iconic rubber keyboard, compact design, and the distinctive sound of its audio output have endeared the Spectrum to a generation of users.

One of the ZX Spectrum’s distinguishing features was its versatility and the creativity it fostered in game design. Despite the machine’s technical constraints, developers found innovative ways to design a broad array of games, from adventure and puzzle titles to racing and shooting games. As a result, the Spectrum’s game library encompassed many genres, including some that were relatively rare at the time, such as first-person shooters.

The game The Dark by Oleg Origin stands out as an exceptional example of this creativity. Released in 1997 and now re-released in a remastered format, The Dark deviates from the typical ZX Spectrum platformer mold. The game is a unique first-person shooter, drawing parallels to the seminal PC game, Quake. In The Dark, players assume the role of warrior Alexander, embarking on a personal mission to liberate his homeland from an insidious force that has breached the land’s borders. Throughout this exciting adventure, players encounter various beasts that must be eliminated with precision, be it through a well-aimed stab or a timely bullet. The game’s distinctive features and the engaging quest at its heart cement The Dark as a unique entry in the ZX Spectrum’s impressive game catalogue.