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The Atari 2600 had a few games that could be considered more than just basic repetitive arcade-like fun. These early platformer, adventure, and RPG style games were often winnable in a single sitting. Only a few stood out from this single-sitting classification and Ature aims to join them.
Designed and coded as “an exercise for a simple machine with low art requirements,” Ature, is heavily influenced by The Legend of Zelda and the Seiken Densetu series. The story is one of mankind’s triumphs in the year 2600 where magical trees have brought forth the Numen, a mysterious life-giving power. When the Earth healing Numen is magically cursed and drained by the dark queen Ikaza, it is up to our hero Signe to save the human race (and a love interest).
Game play is very similar to classic overhead Zelda titles, including a memorable “over world” broken into familiar grid-like sections. Each area of the map is unique and features not only a detailed yet minimalistic backdrop, but enemies to fight, switches to flip, and treasure to discover. During exploration of the game world our hero will face each new trial with the aid of a sword, which has been carefully implemented as to force the player into attacking with strategy. There are multiple ways to win Ature and one includes finding mystical weapons and items which will aid our hero. These special items include a powerful double damage-yielding sword upgrade and a magical shield which can block all projectile attacks. Those brave enough to unlock the secrets of Ature will also discover the Book of Striking, which allows our hero to attack from a distance. The game completes the various RPG elements by offering a leveling system, maxing out at 99, which is calculated from experience earned with each kill.
Ature is an epic adventure in a small package. The developer has spent a great deal of time to provide gamers with an adventure worthy of their time. With multiple ways to beat the game, enough secrets to keep you coming back, and a cleverly designed continue system, this action adventure RPG has the makings of a polished Atari 2600 retail release. For these reasons I have chosen this title for the very first GBAtemp Recommends Revival article!
StellaDS v1.2 by Alekmaul
Ature can be enjoyed in both DS and DSi-mode thanks to Alekmaul's Homebrew Bounty entry, StellaDS v1.2. StellaDS requires a Flash Kit or the DSiWareHax to run. Ature should be renamed to "ature.a26" so that StellaDS will recognize it as a ROM. To activate the Book of Striking the left difficulty switch must be changed to "A", this can be done in StellaDS by pressing "X". Ature can be continued by pressing the reset switch, this can be done in StellaDS by pressing the right shoulder button.
Myriads of years passed since man first set foot on the moon. Terrible wars
raged, and great ecological problems arose. Much was destroyed, and the face of
the Earth itself was changed. Finally, tired of the endless troubles, the people
of the world united to build a durable era of cooperation, peace and prosperity.
Technology developed as never before, and mankind travelled to the stars and
spread throughout the galaxy.
However, even this golden age of technology came to an end somehow. Contact with
the other worlds was lost. The advanced technology and the great cities were
abandoned, and mankind's numbers dwindled as they reverted to a more primitive
lifestyle.
Yet, when it looked like mankind would was doomed to disappear, a mysterious
event turned the tide yet again. The Great Tree sprang from the earth,
bringing life and protection to all of mankind. It seeds spread throughout
the continents, bringing forth the Twenty Lesser Trees.
The Numen, the power that flowed from these trees gave mankind new, mysterious
abilities that allowed them to heal and recover themselves and the land. Still,
there are those who would abuse this power for their own selfish goals...
That is why, everywhere a tree appeared, Protectors rose up to keep the Trees
safe.
The year is 2600 after the Sprouting of the Tree. In the land the land of Ature,
enclosed by impenetrable tall mountains, dense forests, and the sea, one of
the Numen Trees had been guarded closely by the Gemma family. You are Signe,
the youngest in the line of the Gemma. Your father, Dyon, trained you in the
arts of sword fighting, and when you reached 20 years of age, you were handed
down the Mystic Medallion, sign that henceforth you would be the Protector
of the Tree.
Ature was well separated from the outside world, and had been peaceful for the
last millennium. You enjoyed life, together with your beloved, and it seemed like
all that training had been for naught. Little did you know that you would soon
be called to the task!
At the horizon, a black ship landed on shore, carrying queen Ikaza to Ature.
She claimed to be on a mission of trade, and she seemed fair, so you did not
have any second thoughts, even though you felt some fear at the unusual looks
of her servants.
The queen was welcomed with a great party that went on until late at night,
in which you and your beloved also participated, until, drowsy, you returned
home. Alas! Little did you know it was all deception! During the feast, Ikaza's
servants found out the location of the Numen Tree. As you were sleeping, she
captured your beloved, went to the Tree, blocked it's access with a curse,
and started to drain the Tree's powers.
The results were disastrous. The curse on the Tree was so powerful, that that
lay of the land of Ature itself was changed, and the people and animals were
turned to stone. Only you, protected by the Mysic Medallion were spared.
Outraged at this, the Queen sent her servants, now revealed to be nothing
more than foul monsters, to hunt you down.
These foul monsters can be defeated with your sword, but will be reborn
due to the curse, the moment you leave the area they are patrolling.
Fortunately, there are some places in Ature where Ikaza and her dark servants
cannot go, as they are protected by ancient blessings.
However, the situation is dire, Signe! Your beloved was abducted. Your friends
and family have been petrified! Who knows what more evil Ikaza will do with
her new-found powers. You must find a way to reach Ikaza and defeat her!
You have heard rumors of the three leaves of the Tree, well hidden, which
together would allow breaking any curse. It's also rumored that there is a
Numen Shield and a Numen Armour that can protect you from that dark power.
Furthermore, you did not receive any education in the use of Numen's Mysterious
Powers. Perhaps you will find a Mystery Book along the way that teaches you
how to use these powers. However, will all that be enough to defeat Ikaza?
If only you had a weapon that could counter the power of the Numen tree...
Type: Homebrew
Developer: Beoran
Release Date: May 31st, 2010
ROM Size: 32 KB
System: Atari 2600
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