Creatures

Creatures is a platform shooter developed by Apex Computer Productions for the Commodore 64 and originally released in 1990. It later arrived on the Amiga and Atari ST in 1993. The game was developed by 2 brothers: John Rowlands (programming) and Steve Rowlands (graphics and music).

In this charmingly twisted tale, you play as Clyde Radcliffe, a brave Fuzzy Wuzzy creature living on the fictional planet Blot. After fleeing a cataclysmic threat, the Blotians crash-land on Earth—unfortunately, right next to an island full of demons, their sworn enemies. The demons waste no time capturing the Fuzzy Wuzzies and locking them in deadly torture chambers. Clyde’s mission? Save his kin and outsmart the sadistic invaders.

What sets Creatures apart is its blend of tight platforming and darkly comic flair. The game features traditional platforming mechanics—jumping, climbing, swimming, and even flying on a broomstick—but gradually adds layers of complexity. Some jumps require pixel-perfect timing, yet the challenge never becomes unfair. The puzzle elements are especially inventive, requiring not just reflexes but real problem-solving: moving objects, activating contraptions, and finding creative ways to bypass traps and enemies.

But what really astonishes is the pixel art. Creatures pushes the Commodore 64 to its limits, delivering detailed sprites and rich backgrounds that look far beyond what you'd expect from a system with just 16 colors. The animation is fluid, the characters expressive, and the levels diverse and atmospheric. The infamous torture chambers steal the show—gruesome and hilarious in equal measure, they feature elaborate death traps that could be straight out of a Looney Tunes nightmare (albeit with a dark twist). Certainly not for young children—but unforgettable for fans of morbid humor.

Adding to the charm is Steve Rowlands’ excellent soundtrack. Each level is paired with a catchy, memorable tune, and thanks to some clever coding, the game pulls off simultaneous music and sound effects—an impressive feat on the C64.

When the game was eventually ported to the Amiga (by W.J.S. Design), players were treated to enhanced visuals and improved sound, taking advantage of the more powerful hardware. However, the magic of the original was hard to replicate. While the Amiga version looked sharper, it lacked the technical wizardry and surprise factor that made the C64 release so beloved.

All in all, Creatures stands as one of the Commodore 64’s most impressive accomplishments—a blend of platforming, puzzle-solving, and gallows humor, all wrapped in some of the best 8-bit artistry ever put to screen.