H.E.R.O. Is Back
A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, and Linux
This game is a homage to H.E.R.O. from John Van Ryzin, published by Activision in 1984.
This version contains 20 completely new levels.
Introduction
The hardworking miners of Mount Leone have been locked in the cave system through sudden volcanic activities.
Our hero Roderick Hero now starts for the search of the missing persons with his special equipment (backpack helicopter, integrated helmet laser and dynamite).
After a successful rescue, the player reaches the next level.
Power
The energy is filled up at the start of every level. When the full energy is used up, the player loses a life and starts again at the beginning of the level.
Dynamite
The pits spread far vertically and horizontally into the interior of the mountain. Sometimes walls, which Rod needs to blow away with dynamite, block the way. At the beginning of every level, the player gets 6 sticks of dynamite. After the ignition, Rod must move away fast or else he will lose a life.
Laser beam
The player can use the laser to kill the enemies. The laser can also be used in place of dymanite to evaporate a wall, though this method takes about 10 seconds.
Enemies
In the pits lurk different creatures such as spiders, bats, poisonous moths or snakes. At some rivers, an invincible, hungry sea monster appears, constantly following our hero. Some walls that contain magma sediments glow red and must not be touched.
Lanterns
Lanterns light the dark pits. A shot or a touch is enough and the light goes out forever.
Raft
A heat resistent raft can be used at some places to cross the magma river.
Scoring
Points will be awarded according to the following table:
| 50 | Shooting an enemy |
| 50 | For every dynamite stick left at the end of a level |
| 75 | Removing a wall |
| 1000 | Rescuing a miner |
The player will also earn extra points based on the power remaining at the end of a level.
Every 20000 points, the player earns an extra life.
Controls
| Arrow keys Controller lever | Move Hero left/right |
| Up arrow key * Controller up * | Go upwards |
| Down arrow key * Controller down * | Ignite dynamite stick |
| Fire button * | Laser beam in direction of sight |
| P | Pause |
| Home | Stop game and return to title screen |
| F9 | Change border color (fullscreen mode only) |
| F10 | Change pixel effect |
| F11 | Toggle C64 border emulation (fullscreen mode only) |
| F12 | Toggle fullscreen |
| Esc | Exit game |
* The keyboard keys and the controller buttons are customizable (press F1 during the title screen).
The gamepad D-Pad can also be used.
History
Version 1.0
- First release.
Version 1.1
- In fullscreen mode, the game could be jerky using certain video cards.
Version 1.2
- You can now use the WASD or IJKL keys as directional keys.
- You can now use the Z or M keys as fire button.
- You can now use the gamepad D-Pad.
Version 1.3
- The game can now be paused.
Version 1.4
- More controllers are now recognized.
- Up, down, and fire keys/buttons are now customizable.
- Replaced the password system with the unlocked level system.
Version 1.5
- Reduced the dead zone of the analog stick to allow better use of the controller.
Version 1.6
- Removed the option to change zoom factor. Instead, you can now toggle the C64 border emulation.
Version 1.7
- Changed some chambers in later levels to make them easier.
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Comments
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fantastic good game designed but level 5 and beyond is way little to hard to be honest you have zero inch or millimeters marigins for a slight misstake and the red walls are so tight with enemies you need ice cold touch or insane skills to complete them.i completed to level 8 but htat reached my end with classic C64 VICO joystick (Vico Command Control (Powergrip) i used as reaching the most original spiritual feeling of this amazing good game, i think litlte level adjustments could do it more fun to play as for now its way to hard for me to continue. wish there was a level editor with it to make own levels to chare as additional feature to this legendary good game !!
I've just played a game of this PC version and reached level 20. Obviously, while making the C64 version, which took a few months, I gained a lot of practice and, above all, mastery of flying, which is what is needed to succeed in this game. Personally, I've always used the keyboard; at this point, I suggest you try it yourself with the keyboard to see if you get better results. Otherwise, if you have trouble getting past level 8, you'll have even more trouble in the later levels. The game has been tested by my collaborators too, and the difficulty has been thoroughly evaluated. I can't change the levels because only one person is having difficulty. If several people complain about the game being too difficult, then we might consider making changes. I'm referring to the C64 version, however, since I'll most likely never touch the PC games again, given the lack of interest they've shown in recent years.
can the key asignment maybe be fixed as you can assign all the buttons for stearing as the dynamite and lazer button would be awesome
As I said, I most likely won't be changing my PC games anymore, but out of curiosity, why would you need to reassign the keys/buttons for the left/right direction as well?
the reason was so i for examplei could use an Arcade stick to play it thru an different type of controller or assign any version of gamepad or newer model of joystick thats the only way i asked this question.
I still can't get past over level 14, losing too many lifes. So many dead ends (a map would be cool). Some kind of cheating would be nice - and if it's only a save game with all levels unlocked.
And a C64 version would be really a dream come true! :)
I've actually been working on the C64 version for a few months now, and my team and I are considering making it a little easier for players, but not too much, anyway.
But lower difficulty should be only optional! I like it to be challenging - but with a trick to overcome… 😎
There won't be any lower difficulty level; we've simply decided to unlock levels every 4 instead of every 5. We'll then evaluate whether some passages are actually too difficult and fix them if necessary. Regarding level 14, let's just say it's "special" and deliberately labyrinthine. Once you find the correct path, it takes just over a minute to complete. The subsequent levels are decidedly more linear again.
Overall I like the labyrinth style - something new to the game! H.E.R.O. was always a little bit too linear and this adds some fresh variation! I always wondered if any new aspect can be added to the game like hidden passages or a new kind of monsters. But it would be a balancing act fitting the game…
I‘m also wondering and certainly mentioned it before if a kind of level editor would add something new as fresh ideas could be realized by the players what e.g. keeps Boulder Dash still alive.
A level editor would be a huge undertaking. In any case, this game will be my last effort for the C64, after which I'll take a break, and then I'll decide whether to continue with the C64 or devote myself to something else.
As a huge fan of all the original versions of this game (except the 5200), this is an amazing continuation. My first version was the C64, so I felt right at home. I will say that even though I've completed HERO and the Brazilian HERO 2, I found the difficulty curve on HiB quite steep. It would be nice to include a level skip option to let us dedicated players practice specific levels.
I will take this into account but it's been a while since I've dedicated myself to programming PC games because the ones I make for C64 give me much more satisfaction (more appreciation and many more donations).
I missed your comment months ago, but I would love to play a C64 version. Often those versions include a "level-skip" option when pressing the Commodore key. that would give us a chance to practice some of the levels more frequently.
Great game! Well done! Love it! It's like the original game!
Glad you like it!
Just two words: thank you !!!!! ;)
I appreciate, thanks.
New version is awsome thank you Luca!!
You're welcome.
This is diabolical. I love it. Very faithful to the original, but with a large dose of punishment.
I hope not too punitive. I just played a quick game after a long time and got to level 15 starting from level 1.
Not punitive. Just a good challenge for someone who hasn't played it much in almost 40 years.
An excellent continuation!! Here you are guaranteed to stay busy for the rest of your life. I just love it, thank you very much!
I sure hope it doesn't take you that long to complete! ;)
Cool looking homage to the Commodore 64 version of Activision's H.E.R.O.!!! Played this a lot on the C-64, never finished it. NEW levels, huh? Now I'll never complete it! ;) Great game though, thanks for your hard work (love that it comes in PC, Mac, AND Linus - very nice)!
Thank you! It's always a pleasure to receive praise like this. Have fun with this version. ;)
Fantastic! Thank you for Linux support!
Love it, works great with TheC64 usb stick. Be great to see it on a real 64. Thank you :)
I'm honest, others have asked me for a C64 version but I have other projects in mind. In the future, who knows...
In case you haven't noticed, I released the C64 version a while ago.
I want to play it on my Commodore 64 !🥳
Others have asked me too but it's not planned, not for now at least
Give me on C64
Done!
Wow its Amazing! Thank you so much!
I was just going to post that question as well. LOL Then again, I recall asking for Dig Dug for the C64 and was told similarly that it wasn't planned as the original C64 version was good. Then recently Dig Dug Revival came out for the C64, so there is always HOPE! :) At least I hope for a C64 version of this game! :)
In case you haven't noticed, I released the C64 version a while ago.
How f****** gorgeous of you! This is some lovely work. Thanx galore. It made my day! /.-) - And there are NEW labyrinthic levels!!
Small critics: The bomb appears a tad too quickly when one moves the gamepad downwards. The original was intentively delayed a bit. On the sounddesign-things of life I'd rather pitch the rotor-sound a tad down and make it less loud - but the explosion much higher in volume. You can basically swith their loudness-values ...
Hi, I think a modern gamepad is not the best to use. In my opinion the keyboard is better, or, of course, a real joystick. However, you can always move the gamepad diagonally, in the escape direction and down so you don't waste time when you step away from the dynamite.
Regarding the sounds, I recorded them directly from the VICE emulator, so the volume of the sounds should be as in the original. However, these are small things and by now I consider the project completed so I will not put my hand to it, unless there are important bugs. Also I'm working hard on other projects now, sorry.
Anyway, thanks for apprecciating the game !!!
I completely understand! Also, I was refering to the Atari 800 XL-version (which is the one I have been playing for ages).
Btw: Hero Is Back 2 is fantastic!!!
👍👍👍
very good
Cool! And now please port it to back to C64. ;-)
It would be great, if I could.
As you already did some C64 ports meanwhile, may this one get a C64 release now, too?
I've already had various requests for other games, but I have other projects to pursue. Projects for C64!
That's the curse of good work. ;-)
This is true!