Digiloi (2018, Dr. TerrorZ)

Digiloi is a special gem in the world of Commodore 64 games, created by Dr. TerrorZ and released to the public on 27 December 2018. This game offers not only a retro experience, but also an innovative approach that redefines the capabilities of the C64. Below you can find the details what makes this title so unique and memorable.

A computer weapons ecosystem is about to take over the whole planet. You need to disable the master computer by finding three floppy keys and insert them in the terminal.

History and concept

Digiloi is set on an alien planet where the protagonist must take on the task of stopping an artificial intelligence-driven weapons system. The goal is to find three floppy keys (yes, the retro feel is there!) and use them to deactivate the central computer before it takes control of the entire planet. The story is simple but effective, and fits perfectly into the world of classic 8-bit action platformers.

Gameplay

Digiloi is a side-scrolling action platformer in which the player jumps, runs, shoots and navigates through doors. Control is via a joystick connected to port 2: use the fire button to shoot, directions to move, and hold up to enter doors. The gameplay is snappy and intuitive, although the PETSCII graphics mean that movement is character-by-character (8 pixels per character), which gives the game a unique rhythm.
The enemies are varied – alien creatures and machines trying to thwart your mission – but the map design skilfully balances challenge and entertainment. Collecting the three keys and reaching the bomb-activating terminal is the ultimate goal, providing the player with enough motivation to keep going.

Graphics and sound

The Digiloi’s most outstanding feature is its graphics, which are based entirely on the Commodore 64’s built-in PETSCII characters. PETSCII (short for PET Standard Code of Information Interchange) is the C64’s character set, originally intended for text display. However, Dr TerrorZ has brilliantly used these limited, pre-defined characters to create a visually stunning and dynamic game world. The colours and clever placement of the characters give the impression of real sprites, even though everything is just made up of characters stored in ROM. This technical feat is particularly remarkable, as PETSCII-based action platformers are a rarity.
In terms of sound, the game exploits the capabilities of the SID chip. The music and sound effects are simple but atmospheric, and provide a great accompaniment to the pacing of the game. The menu allows you to turn music and sound effects on and off separately, which is a handy extra.

Technical details

Digiloi stands out not only as a gaming experience, but also as a programming feat. The use of PETSCII presented some serious limitations – for example, the lack of sprites could make movement choppy – but it still managed to create a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience. An invisible buffer works in the background to allow for quick screen refreshes, and the clever alternation of colours creates a kind of ‘interlacing’ effect that makes it all the more spectacular.
The game was originally made for the Commodore 64, but later an accelerated demo version was released for the Commodore Plus/4, although here the sound is limited to SID support, and does not take full advantage of the TED chip.

Rating

Digiloi is a real love letter for Commodore 64 fans and retro game lovers. Taking PETSCII graphics to a new level, the fast-paced gameplay and creative track design all contribute to make this game stand out among contemporary homebrew creations. While the short length of the game means it doesn’t offer endless hours of fun, it does offer a perfectly crafted experience of its kind.

Positives:

• Unique and stunning PETSCII-based graphics
• Fast-paced, fun action platformer gameplay
• Technical feat that shows off the hidden potential of the C64
• Moody music and effects

Negatives:

• Short game time can make the experience end quickly
• Per-character movement may not be smooth for everyone

Final rating: 8/10

Digiloi is a must-have for Commodore 64 enthusiasts, and a great example of how you can make something extraordinary out of limitations. If you like retro games or want to see what the C64 can do in the hands of a creative developer, you should definitely check it out!