Roland in RetroAlacant (2024)
a FREE Arcade game by ‘CapaSoft’ for Amstrad CPC, published by ‘Amsoft’
Written for BrewOtaku #004 by Usman A. Khan
When you think of the Amstrad CPC, the word “pioneer” quickly comes to mind. And now you can play as the pioneer himself. ‘Roland in RetroAlacant’ is a charming tribute to Roland Perry, the father of the Amstrad CPC, celebrating its 40th anniversary in a delightful style.
“For Whom the Deathmatch Tolls”
The game was born as a surprise gift for Roland Perry at RetroAlacant, wrapped up in a beautifully crafted Amsoft case, making it feel like a true relic of the past. You take on the role of Perry, gathering vital components to assemble the iconic CPC computer, racing against time to make it to the 40th-anniversary celebration. But, of course, there will be baddies trying to stop you. In this game, Bill Gates and Clive Sinclair are out to thwart you, throwing virus-infected floppy disks your way to foil your plans. It’s a playful homage to tech rivalries. Roland in RetroAlacant doesn’t disappoint in its simplicity. Once you have collected all the CPC components, an exit will open, upon entering which the level is completed. You are then shown a screen which says “the evil Clive Sinclair and Bill Gates finally lost the game” while at the bottom a message expresses gratitude to Perry for creating the Amstrad CPC. Aww! We just can’t help but mention that Luis Pazos’ soundtrack adds a playful energy to the game, uplifting the overall experience.
You can play either on a real Amstrad CPC or through the Retro Virtual Machine (RVM) emulator. In a limited run of only 40 physical copies, this game is more than a rarity. Lastly, for the uninitiated, the Amstrad CPC was a series of 8-bit computers released in the 1980s. It became a major player in the home computing scene of the era, thanks in large part to Roland Perry’s efforts.
Conclusion
A witty tribute to one of computing’s greats. It’s a game that entertains fans of the Amstrad CPC with its fun nods to history and simple, enjoyable gameplay. But don’t expect anything more than that.
