''Drelbs'' is a maze game written by Kelly Jones for the

Atari 8-bit family The Atari 8-bit family is a series of 8-bit home computers introduced by Atari, Inc. in 1979 as the Atari 400 and Atari 800. The series was successively upgraded to Atari 1200XL , Atari 600XL, Atari 800XL, Atari 65XE, Atari 130XE, Atari 800XE, ...

and published by Synapse Software in 1983. An

Apple II The Apple II (stylized as ) is an 8-bit home computer and one of the world's first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products. It was designed primarily by Steve Wozniak; Jerry Manock developed the design of Apple II's foam-m ...

port by Jonathan Tifft was released the same year. A

Commodore 64 The Commodore 64, also known as the C64, is an 8-bit home computer introduced in January 1982 by Commodore International (first shown at the Consumer Electronics Show, January 7–10, 1982, in Las Vegas). It has been listed in the Guinness ...

version followed in 1984 implemented by Miriam Nathan and William Mandel. The core objective is to move the walls of the maze to make boxes. Some reviewers found the overall collection of elements to be eccentric and unique. Jones later teamed with fellow Synapse designer Bill Williams on the

biofeedback Biofeedback is the process of gaining greater awareness of many physiology, physiological functions of one's own body by using Electronics, electronic or other instruments, and with a goal of being able to Manipulation (psychology), manipulate t ...

game suite, '' Relax''.

Gameplay

The playfield is a maze of gates, similar to the ''

Lady Bug Coccinellidae () is a widespread family of small beetles ranging in size from . They are commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in Great Britain. Some entomologists prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as they ...

'' arcade game, which can be rotated 90 degrees by walking into them. The player controls a walking eyeball called a drelb, with the goal of flipping the gates so they create closed boxes. Pursuing the drelb are square trollaboars who can also use the gates, but can't seal them into boxes. There is an empty border on the outside the maze patrolled by screwhead tanks which shoot at the drelb. Occasionally one of the boxes becomes a "drelbish window to the dark corridor." This leads to a separate screen where the goal is to freeby touchingas many drelbs as possible while avoiding gorgolytes. Completing the dark corridor, or kissing a randomly appearing "mystery lady," awards a bonus based on the number of completed boxes. There are eight rounds, each named after a gemstone, and three difficulty levels: Novice, Tough, and Super.

Reception

In a 1984 ''ROM'' magazine review, Tim Ruscheinsky concluded "I highly suggest that you get your copy of ''Drelbs'', especially if you enjoy well made maze games" and scored the game an 8.8 out of 10. Bryan Welch wrote for '' Antic'', "Kelly Jones deserves a hand for an excellent job of programming. With great graphics and sound, and a neat idea, ''Drelbs'' is a real winner." In ''

ANALOG Computing ''ANALOG Computing'' (an acronym for Atari Newsletter And Lots Of Games) was an American computer magazine devoted to the Atari 8-bit family of home computers. It was published from 1981 until 1989. In addition to reviews and tutorials, ''ANAL ...

'',

Lee Pappas Lee H. Pappas is an American entrepreneur and founder of a number of technology publications. He co-founded Atari 8-bit family enthusiast magazine ''ANALOG Computing'' in 1981. After the Atari ST was released, ''ANALOG Analog or analogue may ref ...

concluded his review with, "If you are on the lookout for something different, ''Drelbs'' combines interesting graphics with a challenging scenario." A 3 out of 5 review in UK-based '' Commodore User'' stated, "Fun to play and commendably different." George Kopp wrote in '' Electronic Fun with Computers & Games'': "so much of the game seems to be random. Sometimes you'll get lots of opportunities to transport yourself into Drelbsville. Other times you'll close off every square and still not get a Drelbish window." He ended with "A little less luck would have made for more interest." In a 2009 look at the Commodore 64 version for ''Retro Videogames Reviewed'', the author commented, "Even today, this game manages to captivate me with its unique ambience and absolutely weird, but fun gameplay," and "the game is such fun and so easy to discover and is so captivating". Sean Wheatley included ''Drelbs'' on a 2007 list of "Forgotten Gems of the Maze Chase Genre," calling it "one of the oddest maze chase games out there."

References

External links

''Drelbs''
at Atari Mania *{{lemon64 game, name=Drelbs, id=782
Review
in ''

Games A game is a structured form of play, usually undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports or games) or art (such ...

'' magazine 1983 video games Atari 8-bit family games Commodore 64 games Apple II games Maze games Synapse Software games Video games developed in the United States