Inspired by this thread made by Apollyon,here's the place where you can express your opinions about this year's competition.

Another year is over.I think this was the year I enjoyed the most simply because there wasn't a game not worth at least a go.About the games themselves,here's my thoughts:

Blue Max: Definitely not a false start with this classic.Despite its weird scoring system and the difficulty ( it's not a hard but you have just a life ) this was quite an enjoyable little romp,and it set also this years' trend;simply put,the Lemoners' thirst for shoot em ups still wasn't quenched.I sucked at it so I didn't post a score.

Impossible Mission: Here we are! The classic among classics and one of the quintessential C64 games.It's generally regarded as an almost impossible game,but at least ten Lemoners managed to capture Elvin.So the question is: is Impossible Mission not that impossible or we are just too tough?

IO: Incredibly hard but worth playing thanks some of the coolest boss fights I ever saw.Only four levels though.

Who Dares Wins 2: I spent many hours playing this when I was little and I didn't touch it for ages.I've just played it twice,then I've lost every interest in it.Mind you,it's not terrible,just a bit too easy...

Slap Fight: Surprise surprise,another shoot em up!This really hooked me,a brilliant and very playable arcade game and the best vertical shmup on the Commie( without a doubt superior to overrated duds such as Warhawk ).

Alien Syndrome: I never played this conversion before,and I have to say that the result is kind of a mixed bag.My main points of criticism are the weird scrolling routine and the difficulty but the game was still enjoyable.It could be really better though.

Mayhem In Monsterland: One of the last C64 games and this year's most controversial game.Masterpiece?Overrated piece of crap?Well,I liked it...

Tapper: Ahh,fresh beer!Cool concept but not much replay value I'm afraid.Didn't post a screenshot because I'm really lousy at it.

Zynaps: And I thought that IO was hard...this is just insane!Luckily it was backed up by a well devised powerup system.Definitely one for the hardened shoot em up gamer,so I kinda liked it.

Cosmic Causeway: Well,saying that this was barrels of fun would be a huge understatement.It really grabbed me until I've completed it.This was for sure the best competition of the year.

Toy Bizarre:Initially I was appalled by the crappy controls but soon I mastered the movements and from that moment on I played it for days.I'm still playing it when I have the chance.And last but not least,thanks to Toy Bizarre I won my first gold medal!

Atomino: An unusual but ultimately welcomed way to end the year with this original puzzle game.What I liked the most was the focus on strategy more than pure arcade skill.Sadly I couldn't post a score in time for the deadline.

Thx for the review. I only played the first three rounds before leaving the compo. Still, I occasionally check out who's winning.

Congrats to Predator for finally dethroning Shteev. I still believe Shteev is the ultimate gamer on this board and I have a feeling that he didn't put as many hours into the compo this year.

Blue Max: neat game, though not sure whether it was suitable for competition play. It's lacking a bit in depth, and it's quite easy to complete. I had already played this to death, so it was boring for me to keep getting back for a better score.

Impossible Mission: didn't grab me. The platform bits were OK - if rather frustrating, and the puzzle section was more of a gimmick with not much gameplay value.

IO: a nicely presented horizontal shooter, but frustrating and without offering anything new.

Who Dares Wins 2: an OK shooter in the Commando vein.

Slap Fight: yet another shooter. Nice power-ups, but again, nothing terribly exciting.

Alien Syndrome: an excellent Gauntlet clone. Very nicely presented. Plays better with a proper joystick.

Mayhem in Monsterland: some love it, others hate it. I love it. Super-fast action for platform freaks.

Tapper: a very simple game that reminds me of the ancient Nintendo Game & Watch consoles. Skip.

Zynaps: and yet another horizontal space shooter. Boring stuff.

Cosmic Causeway: superbly programmed, but not much more than a reflex and memory test. I had to take notes to remember how each level played, hehe.

Toy Bizarre: a good Mario Bros variant with crap controls. An oxymoron.

Atomino: a sound concept but lacking that sort of immediate impact that all great puzzlers have.

Overall, average year. I liked 2006 more.
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Blue Max
Made too many mistakes, it's not a bad game

Impossible Mission
Still a classic game in my eyes, maybe not suited to the competition

IO
Like Nemesis, if you die there's not much point carrying on without the weapons

Who Dares Wins 2
Prefer it to Commando, enjoyed playing it in the comp

Slap Fight
Has aged badly, very tricky

Alien Syndrome
A good conversion with one or two quirks (like the push-scrolling) but still enjoyable

Mayhem in Monsterland
Didn't have a lot of time to play this round, but it came up in the Retroleague and I got the x5 bonus to earn 5 million+

Tapper
Terrible difficulty curve, fun for a couple of games but then it gets boring

Zynaps
ARGH! Don't make me go back to the start of the level again. Another one that got chosen in the Retroleague.

Cosmic Causeway
I've always loved this game. Got the bronze here, got the GOLD over at the Llamasoft Lleague when it was chosen

Toy Bizarre
A game I never played in 80s (which is why it didn't make the book). Still, not bad - although it does get a bit annoying

Atomino
A stunning score from Shteev - wish I'd played it more


An interesting season, and gutted to miss out on a top ten place...
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Blue Max: I've never been a great fan of the game, but I admit I might have been a bit harsh about it in the past, because you could do far worse when looking for an isometric scrolly shooty thing. It's nice that it's still a lot more replayable than other, more technically impressive shooters, even today - yet more proof that you don't "have to acknowledge it's significance when it was released" and that great games remain great.

Impossible Mission: Another game which I've never really enjoyed thanks to some fiddly jumping, occasional demands of pixel perfection, the fact that I rarely know what half the stuff on the screen is supposed to do and a tendency for me to get lost every two minutes and keep going back to rooms that I've already cleared. I didn't like the sequel for the same reasons: it's just not my kind of game. Or genre. And I thought the presentation was crap, obviously. Well, apart from the speech, obviously.

IO: One of my favourites in the competition thanks to a more interesting learning curve, where trial and error doesn't necessarily wind you up so much that you give up playing. Once you progress far enough to improve your guns and whatnot it gets quite impressive, and the idea of replaying again and again to work out the best path through the power-ups and waves of enemies kind of reminded me of Delta, which was another game I found to be strangely moreish. Anyway, it wasn't a new discovery for me as I'd played it before, but it's still a fine title.

Who Dares Wins 2: I think I skipped this, oops.

Slap Fight: I expected this to be a bit rubbish, but I liked the Gradius-style incrementing power-up thingybob and there were a fair few moments where I was frozen in fear as bullets came at me from all angles. The only thing I could criticise is the fact that there are some moments where you think that the game expects you to be suitably powered up - as it throws all kinds of stuff at you - and so there's very little margin for error: mess up and you'll be underpowered and die horribly. Other than that, I liked it, lots.

Alien Syndrome: Crap. At least with IO you thought you stood a chance against the enemies.

Mayhem In Monsterland: One of the finest games in the competition, I reckon: as a platformer I think it's pretty simplistic - sure, the presentation is lovely and the scrolling is some of the best I've seen, but in the end all you're doing is bouncing on heads and hunting collectibles. It's a whole lot of sheen applied to a platforming formula that is quite generic, and for any gamer playing I think it would get quite boring once the wow factor has worn off. However, whilst it might not be that successful as a platformer, it was brilliant to play as a score-attack game: there are so many opportunities to score big in Mayhem that it's very tempting to go back and try more efficient routes between collectibles: there are multipliers, surplus stars, big stars, there's the skid bonus, there's the tension nagging at you as you wonder whether you should exit a stage before your multipliers run out or spend time working for the super star bonus, there are even hidden bonuses that you can only find by exploring the outskirts of the level and trying to fall through platforms. The results of the competition are testament to the brilliant scoring system: the majority of players managed to score millions of points before the competition was over, and I would have broken the 3 million mark if VICE didn't mess up at a crucial moment...

Tapper: Completely ridiculous reflex-based fun: I don't think it's a game I'd come back to again and again, nor is it a classic C64 game, but the basic formula of the arcade original is evident here, and it was great fun to keep playing this and experience the lunacy of the harder levels. I think I even voted for this on occasion, probably because I thought that the gameplay was simple enough for a newcomer to get into, but the higher levels could prove taxing for veterans, and my sentiments remain the same as I write this. The music was ace too.

Zynaps: I think I skipped this, oops.

Cosmic Causeway: And this (although I have played it before and I quite like it.)

Toy Bizarre: And this as well. Ack, I'm useless.

Atomino: Last time I played this I was too thick to work out what I should be doing, so this time around I skipped it. D'oh.

So, yeah...the main highlights for me were IO, Mayhem and Slap Fight, the latter being a surprise gem for me as I never voted for it (as I'd never played it.)
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A truly great year for the compo - only a couple that werent my cup o'tea...

Blue Max
I remember, before I had a computer of my own, playing this round a friends house on his Atari 800XL. It was just the best, and I'll admit the Atari version seemed to have more depth, but I went for the C64 and bought this straight away - so it always holds dear to my heart. Hence the avatar! Naturally I was thrilled when this was chosen. Very hard to get Blue Max 1. Did once but not during the compo. Managed to get a good score and get on my way with my first Gold medal.

Impossible Mission
What a year and its only Feb! First time I heard about this game was, would you believe, a Zzap Back review. Then it came out on the Epyx Epics compilation and I promptly snapped it up. Hooked ever since. Completed it countless times, but there is always room for improvement. Had stiff competition from Shteev and Mrs Atombender but managed to hold out for a good score and my second Gold. I could play this for ever, but the compo gives it another edge and pushes you that little bit further.

IO
Never really like this much. It had something lacking and seemed a bit lifeless. Nice graphics and a fairly decent shooter. But you basically had to get as far as possible on one life. Had a lot of time to play this though and I stuck at it and got a decent score.

Who Dares Wins II
Top class. Loved it. I played this virtually every day of the compo for that month and worked out how to get every available point. Probably a bit guilty for some score-whoring on this one but it was most points on one cycle of the game so it had to be done. This is one of those games that brings back fond memories of the 'innocent' and humble days of gaming compared to the commercial bloodlust we have nowadays.

Slap Fight
I first came across this in the arcades. It was bloody hard then and seems harder now. Nice easy to play shooter with a good soundtrack. Trouble is the power ups are limited and most are of no use at all - esp Wings with make you a bigger target! Also its another one of those games where once you die and loose your power ups its virtually impossible to continue. Still managed to clock this a couple of times and get a decent score. Probably wont play this for a while though..

Alien Syndrome
First played this on my Atari ST (after I sold my first commie). Shite scrolling aside I think this is a wonderful game and a real challenge. I would love to complete it one day. I think the C64 version was a real achievement but I remember the multi-load cassette version with loathing!

Mayhem in Monsterland
Not my cup of tea at all this, and never really enjoyed it. I stuck at it to get a decent score because there were a few challengers for the lead at that point. Cracking graphics - some of the best Ive seen on the 64, but just couldnt get into it. Maybe I'll give it another try one day.

Tapper
Never played the arcade version, but I love this on the C64. The only slight problem is that the controls get a bit sticky when the going gets tough and Mr Barman seems a little unresponsive at times, which is frustrating as its not always your reflexes that let you down. Fun little game though and I cant believe so many of my favourites have been voted for this year.

Zynaps
Another one I first played on the Atari ST. I dont remember it being as difficult on that machine, maybe because there seemed more room on the screen. The backdrops were well hard to navigate and it took hours of playing to get my score. I probably played this almost as much as Who Dares Wins II, and lucky I guess to have the time (not so lucky to be between jobs!!)

Cosmic Causeway
Not my thing this. Again I played to get a decent score to keep some consistency, but never really 'got it'. I guess if you liked Trailblazer, you like this.

Toy Bizarre
Ahh one of my favourite games, although im not the best at it. Such a great idea - very original. Very underated this game. I remember it was one of Jaz Rignalls top 10 and he got a phenominal score once. Some good scores by you all. Cant believe some of you got to Thursday!

Atomino
Looked fun, but had zero time this month. Shame as it would have been nice to post at least one score. Shteevs score put Gold well out of reach!!

Finally, thanks to you all for a great contest. So nice to share this with you guys. Shame we cant meet up and have a LIVE compo - now theres an idea. Lemon Compo LIVE 2008 !!!!!!![/b]
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Blue Max
I have only played Blue Max 2001 in my youth and I didn't like it at all.
But Blue Max was a positive surprise and a nice game for a compo. I finished 9th out of 19.
My rating: 4/5

Impossible Mission
A classic game, I picked it up and played it quite some times in my youth but I never really liked it that much. In fact I felt so unspired to pick up and play it again that I didn't even post a score. Not a game suitable for a compo IMO but that is me
My rating: 2/5

IO
I think I never played it before but I rember the magazines giving it high ratings back in the days. Very hard and I sucked big time at it. 20th out of 22 competitors.
My rating: 2,5/5

Who Dares Wins II
A game I voted for and played a quite lot in my youth. I gave it many tries and got a respectable 6th place out of 18 competitors. Quite a suitable game for a compo as well IMO.
My rating: 4/5

Slap Fight
Never played it. I see this is praised a lot but I didn't like it at all. Won't pick it up again.
A combination of me loathing the game, not giving it enough tries & being crap at it gave me embarrassing all time low 18th out of 19th competitiors
My rating: 1,5/5

Alien Syndrome
Never played it before but quite enjoyed this one and played it quite a lot. Good game for a compo IMO! I was 8th out of 15 competitors.
My rating: 3,5/5

Mayhem in Monsterland
Finally got to play a game people talked a lot about. I never was a big fan of Sonic the hedgehog kind of games but this one was ok as a game. I gave it quite a lot of tries and finished 7th out of 19 competitors.
My rating: 2,5/5

Tapper
I voted for this one. I played it before but not a lot. A game that is not only about reflexes but also about tactics. A bit repetive and a possibilty to score-whore draws my rating down a bit but still a suitable game for a compo. I played it a lot and it gave me a 2nd place out of 15 competitors and my third medal ever (all three silver medals!).
My rating: 3,5/5

Zynaps
Another game I voted for and that I played a bit in my youth. Quite suitable for a competition and I ended up in 8th place out of 18 competitors.
My rating: 3,5/5

Cosmic Causeway
I have played Trailblazer a lot but funny enough I never played the sequel to it. Finished 9th out of 17th.
My rating: 3,5/5

Toy Bizarre
Never played it before. Quite enjoyed it. Finished 7th out of 18th.
My rating: 3/5

Atomino
I had very little time to played it but my impressions is that it seems like a suitable game for a compo.
My rating: 3/5

Thanks to everyone who took part in this year compo, I hope to see even more people taking part for the next season.
I am looking forward to my 6th season of the Lemon games competition! That makes me a bit of a vet I think

Great Compo guys. I didn't play as hard in many of the games this year and missed out on Atomino but nevertheless there were some real classics in there this year. One I enjoyed the most were:

Impossible Mission:
Yes, I really learnt a lot from playing this one. Thanks to the compos, I actually finished this one several times first time ever. Thanks Guys! Long game but a crisp classic game by far!

IO:
Boy, I loved this one. Tried hard and progressed quite far. I don't know why I like this one so much. The haunting music or the call back to the days when I first saw the graphics. Nice main ship and a game which you could learn off. Hard but rewarding.

Who Dares Wins 2:
Grew up with this one in the really early days of the commie, I loved this to bits back then, replying the completed game again and again. Didn't have the patience or the time this round but I did enjoy playing the game again.

Slap Fight:
I was busy that month. But I got a few game in and throughly enjoyed it and reminded me playing back in the past again. Got quite far but needed more time

Mayhem In Monsterland:
I really tried hard with this game - I just couldnt get to grips with it but played it a lot and enjoyed the progress I made. I can see why Mayhem liked it so much.
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