Captain Ishtar Begins

The New Dimension in co-op with Alf Yngve and Magnovinna is very proud to present to you Captain Ishtar Begins, a horizontal scrolling shoot 'Em up originally created using the Sideways Scrolling SEUCK. This action-packed blaster has made it to second place in the C64 SEUCK Compo 2025. This is the compo prize version of the game, which features the following:

• Professional loading bitmap picture (disk and tape) with an Ocean style loader scheme (tape only)
• A front end presentation with hi score detection
• A custom made score panel
• Huge in game sprites - indeed they are massive
• Two amazing tunes
• Compatible with the Commodore 64, Ultimate 64, theC64 and Commodore 64 Ultimate (PAL 50hz only. The game will crash at 60hz/NTSC)

Scenario

It is the far future. Humanity has spread outside the Solar System and become part of the Federation, a peaceful union of civilized worlds.
Yet, some aliens remain hostile. The tentacled hordes of the Nitwup Empire attacks the Federation again and again. Now the Nitwup forces strike Mars for the first time... and the human colonists can only put up a limited defense.
But one young ensign wants to fight back. She boards a prototype combat mech, and faces off against the enemy. Can she save Mars and the Federation against impossible odds?

How to play

This is a 1 player game. Press Fire on joystick Port 2 to start the game.

The player controls a giant combat mech. It can fire lasers in one direction (forward), and missiles in all directions.

Push LEFT to move forward.
Push RIGHT to duck.
Push UP to use the jetpack.
While flying, push in any direction to aim missiles.
While flying, hold DOWN to make a fast dive.

A bonus life is gained for every 10,000 points scored.

Hints & Tips

- Collect Power-Up capsules to gain bonus lives.

- In boss battles, it is crucial to DUCK and DIVE.

- Some enemies lurk where they are hard to spot.

- Don't step on the domes of Martian habitats.

- Read the on-screen prompts that appear during the game.

- Luck favours the brave! Hesitate too long and you will get hit.

CREDITS

Created and designed by Alf Yngve

(Using the Sideways Scrolling SEUCK by Jon Wells)

SEUCK Redux framework and tape loader source  by Martin Piper with additional enhancements added by Ketil (Magnovinna) Ronne.

Loading bitmap artwork by Carl Mason 

Front end programming, additional tape loader programming and music by Richard Bayliss

(C)2025 The New Dimension, Alf Yngve and Magnovinna

This game is freeware, which means you are allowed to copy and share this production for free. However, reproduction of this production physically or digitally for sales/marketing purposes without permission from the game authors is prohibited. Please ask the developers first. Thanks.