Difference between revisions of "Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders (C64)"

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{{Infobox Game
 
{{Infobox Game
 
  | Title    = Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders
 
  | Title    = Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders
  | BoxArt    =  
+
  | BoxArt    = Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders - C64 - UK.jpg
 
  | Platform  = {{Platform|Commodore 64}}
 
  | Platform  = {{Platform|Commodore 64}}
 
  | Year      = 1988
 
  | Year      = 1988

Revision as of 06:17, 26 June 2018

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Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders - C64 - UK.jpg
Platform: Commodore 64
Year: 1988
Developer: Lucasfilm Games, LLC
Buy: Amazon

Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders is LucasArt's second adventure game to use the SCUMM engine, and their last adventure game to be released on the Commodore 64. The story revolves around Zak McKracken, a journalist who one day has a bizarre dream, and decides to investigate it. His investigation ultimately leads him to discover that alien gangsters have taken over the phone company and intend to use an ancient apparatus on the planet Mars to turn the entire human race into morons.

While far more expansive in scope than the previous Maniac Mansion (C64), Zak McKracken is more akin to other adventure games from this era than LucasArt's subsequent efforts, as the solutions to the puzzles are often extremely obtuse, and any slight mistake can make it impossible to proceed in the game. Still, it has enough of the company's trademark humor and polished game design to make it a worthwhile experience.

Screenshots

Music

Zak McKracken's soundtrack, while still a little bare-bones compared to most of LucasArts's later games, is still easily their most expansive C64-era soundtrack, boasting a catchy and memorable main theme tune, along with a couple of variations used for game overs and when you beat the game. The other themes tend to be shorter and more repetitive, and the space gangsters' theme gets pretty shrill in places, but otherwise, it's not a bad showing for a soundtrack from this era.

Recording

# Title ComposerArranger Length Listen Download
01 Zak's Theme Matthew KaneChris Grigg 1:24
Download
02 Airport Muzak Matthew KaneChris Grigg 1:09
Download
03 Airport Muzak Too Matthew KaneChris Grigg 2:23
Download
04 Mars Theme Matthew KaneChris Grigg 0:22
Download
05 Space Song Matthew KaneChris Grigg 1:06
Download
06 Pop Goes the Weasel TraditionalChris Grigg 0:06
Download
07 Game Over Matthew Kane, Frédéric ChopinChris Grigg 1:44
Download
08 Victory Matthew KaneChris Grigg 1:55
Download


Credits

(Source)

Matthew Kane, the game's co-designer, composed the game's music early in development using a Roland synthesizer, with the music later being programmed to run on the C64 by Chris Grigg. Grigg is not credited in the game's other ports, indicating that he was not involved with the actual music composition.

Game Rip

Format

Download

SID.png

Download

(Info)


Ripping Commodore 64 music is beyond the scope of this Wiki.

Releases

Links