Xor by Astral Software has been remade for Linux through curses, bringing an exciting gameplay to the platform. The new version brings back old memories with a touch of modernity.
XorCurses is a fascinating puzzle game designed by jwm-art.net. It is entirely based on a game titled Xor by Astral Software, originally released in 1987 for the 8-bit home computers, which were popular during that time. XorCurses is a Linux-based version that strives to accurately recreate the original gameplay experience, though it uses ASCII characters instead of pixel-based graphics (which were common even on 8-bit computers).
The objective of Xor is to collect masks while traversing through a series of mazes. The first level is straightforward, requiring players to find their way around. However, the second level presents new challenges as players face obstacles such as fish and chickens that block their path or cause them to perish upon contact. As players progress, the game gets progressively more challenging, making for an exciting and engaging puzzle experience.
XorCurses came about due to the absence of a direct port of the game for Linux. Users with Windows or emulators can play the game without issue. The use of character-based displays, as opposed to fancy graphics, was deliberately chosen for simplicity during the coding process. Compared to learning the intricacies of graphics, learning ncurses has a considerably flatter learning curve. As a result, the development process was quicker, and XorCurses can pave the way for a graphical version of the game in the future.
The objective of Xor is to collect masks while traversing through a series of mazes. The first level is straightforward, requiring players to find their way around. However, the second level presents new challenges as players face obstacles such as fish and chickens that block their path or cause them to perish upon contact. As players progress, the game gets progressively more challenging, making for an exciting and engaging puzzle experience.
XorCurses came about due to the absence of a direct port of the game for Linux. Users with Windows or emulators can play the game without issue. The use of character-based displays, as opposed to fancy graphics, was deliberately chosen for simplicity during the coding process. Compared to learning the intricacies of graphics, learning ncurses has a considerably flatter learning curve. As a result, the development process was quicker, and XorCurses can pave the way for a graphical version of the game in the future.
What's New
Version 0.1.2: N/A