Some heroes save the world and get a parade. Vitorc saved Earth from 125 screens of alien slime, and Earth’s reward? Exile. Permanent exile. “Possible alien contamination” – the ultimate bureaucratic slap in the face.
So here’s Vitorc, dejected, floating back to the alien planet he just cleansed, only to find the bastards have already rebuilt. Cities restored. Army prepped. And to add insult to injury, they’ve got his ship locked in a magnetic tractor beam powered by a massive reactor. No choice, really. Time to do the dirty deed all over again.
This is the beautifully twisted setup for Exolon – The Continuing Adventures by Space-Time Games, a love letter to Hewson’s 1987 classic that understands the assignment perfectly. You control Vitorc across 125 screens of alien architecture, blasting everything that moves, searching for the reactor, and trying to get off this damned planet for good.
The game preserves everything that made the original great: the precise run-and-gun action, the sprawling map design, and that unmistakable Hewson-era vibe. But it’s not a lazy copy. The enhanced graphics give it a fresh coat of paint without betraying the source material, and the music absolutely nails that retro-future sci-fi atmosphere. It’s respectful, polished, and genuinely fun to play.
Is it a remake? A sequel? A tribute? Honestly, it’s all three. The levels feel familiar yet new, the challenge is satisfying without being punishing, and the whole package runs smoothly on modern Windows systems without losing any of that 8-bit soul. Paul’s graphics deserve special mention – they capture the moody, industrial aesthetic perfectly.
The irony is delicious: Vitorc saved Earth twice, and he’ll probably never be allowed to set foot on it. But that’s what makes him a hero, right? Doing the right thing even when you get nothing but grief for it. This game understands that. It’s made by people who clearly love the source material and wanted to give it the sequel it always deserved.
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Knightmare
Some games defy easy categorization. Knightmare, released in 2024 for the ZX Spectrum 48k and 128k by SausagewareGames, is exactly that kind of game. It’s now available as a free download, and it’s a fascinating piece of homebrew development that wears its ambition on its sleeve.
A true ZX classic that won’t disappoint the nostalgic Sinclair cohort !
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Cursed Castle II
Winner of the GOTY for Best Loading Screen and nominated in three other categories (4th Best Spanish Game, 5th Best Graphics), Cursed Castle 2 for the ZX Spectrum 128k is a landmark release in the homebrew scene. Developed by Fransouls using the ZX Game Maker engine, it has earned an 80% review in Crash magazine and 87% in Retro 8-bit Syndrome, plus the title of Game of the Month on Planeta Sinclair.
The adventure is split into two loads. You start with Part 1 (available as a free demo), and upon completion, you receive a password to unlock Part 2 and finish the quest. You control a knight with 25 health points, collectible hearts for recovery, and must gather all keys and rings scattered across the map. Keys are mandatory for progression, and rings are required for full completion. Enemies vary, with some being invincible to your shots—rats and bugs must be dodged, not fought. Bosses and mini-bosses each have a specific weakness to discover. The game rewards careful exploration of every screen to find secret areas and avoid hazards.
The presentation is a standout feature. Spectacular musical themes by a team of composers (Darkman007, Pro master, MmcM, and others) and fabulous pixel art graphics create an immersive atmosphere. The intro and in-game credits were handled by DuefectuCorp, adding polish to the entire package.
Controls support keyboard (Q for jump, O/P for movement, Space to fire), Kempston, and Sinclair joysticks. The game is compatible with 128k models and has been patched to fix animation and loading issues on +2A and +3 machines. Extras are available for download, and the developer has shown continued support with multiple updates.
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Hammer Knight
Hammer Knight is a 128k-only ZX Spectrum game developed by Oscar Llamas (Hicks), released as a polished platform-adventure with a distinctly dark fantasy atmosphere. It features music and sound effects by Antonio Perez (Greenweb Sevilla) and Carlos Perez, with code support and testing from a dedicated team.
In a kingdom forgotten by time, where ancient gods whisper through storms, an exiled knight named Tharion must recover the Thunder Relic—a sacred artifact that maintains balance between the elements. Stolen by a winged demon, its loss has plunged the world into chaos with eternal storms, shattered lands, and abyss-born monsters. Tharion, armed with enchanted hammers he can throw and control with supernatural precision, is the only one who can face the enemies guarding the relic.
Tharion has a versatile moveset. He can jump with precision, use a shield that reflects enemy projectiles (though it only withstands three hits before needing repair), and throw up to three hammers in four directions. The hammer mechanic is unique—you must retrieve thrown hammers; if you leave them behind when changing screens, they are lost forever. Extra hammers can be found in hidden locations, increasing your capacity to three. When you have no hammers, a Sacred Orb appears to provide a temporary replacement.
The adventure requires collecting eight runes scattered across the map. Once all are gathered, you can access the sacred temple for the final battle. A blacksmith can repair your shield, restoring its three-hit durability. Enemy variety keeps you on your toes. Vampires lurk from above and cannot be killed. Slimes patrol and swallow your hammers, making them indestructible. Bats are vulnerable to your attacks. Gargoyles and Soldiers fire projectiles that can be deflected with your shield—or dodged if you prefer.
Controls support keyboard (QAOP Space), Kempston Joystick, and Sinclair Joystick, with the option to redefine keys. The game is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with a multi-language DSK version.
Hammer Knight has earned praise for its original mechanics, solid level design, and atmospheric presentation. It was featured in a top 50 Spectrum homebrew games of 2025 video. Players have highlighted the balanced difficulty and the satisfying hammer-throwing system, though getting the good ending requires thorough exploration. It’s a commendable effort that proves the ZX Spectrum still has plenty of life left.
