Oil’s Well
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.
 |
Related Posts:
Hi, my name is Gnome, a.k.a Konstantinos and I own the blog Gnome's Lair which is all about gaming in all of its many and varied guises. It is thus about computer & video games, old games, new games, indie games, adventure games, free games, board games, ludology, game creation, RPGs, books on games, games on books, and well the theory of and in games.
One
Life After
Alone in the Dark
Barts
Feb 22. 2011
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!
gnome
Feb 22. 2011
Aha! 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.
patio
Feb 22. 2011
ultracute
gnome
Feb 22. 2011
And there are more than a few Petrosaur animations too!
Blake
Feb 22. 2011
Sierra made some of the best games for the PC in its day!
gnome
Feb 22. 2011
And -shockingly- they weren't all adventures either. Still, you are absolutely right!
MadPlanet
Feb 22. 2011
VERY 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.
gnome
Feb 22. 2011
Ah, 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!
Ithmeer
Feb 22. 2011
Interesting. 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.
MadPlanet
Feb 22. 2011
I 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.
gnome
Feb 23. 2011
@ 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.
@ MadPlanet: Well, you actually are right! The music does indeed sound like SQIV. Seems like composer Ken Allen did work on both games too!
Rudy
Feb 23. 2011
Very addictive and fun game indeed! Nice find
gnome
Feb 23. 2011
Thanks Rudy! You played an essential part in this as you know