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 completely new levels.
Every 20000 points, you earn an extra life.
Introduction
The hardworking miners of Mount Leone have been locked in the cave system through sudden volcanic activities.
Our hero Roderrick 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 lava river.
Table of points
50 | Shooting an enemy |
50 | For every dynamite stick that is left at the end of the level |
75 | Removing a wall |
1000 | Rescuing a miner |
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.
Status | Released |
Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
Rating | Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars (10 total ratings) |
Author | LC-Games |
Genre | Platformer, Action |
Made with | Audacity, MonoGame, GraphicsGale |
Tags | 2D, 8-Bit, Commodore 64, Pixel Art, Retro, Singleplayer |
Average session | A few minutes |
Languages | English |
Inputs | Keyboard, Gamepad (any), Joystick |
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Comments
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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...
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
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! :)
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!