There's been a long debate about whether lynx or ms (and their various platforms) are better. Now we have a new platform (steam) and a THIRD version of cc1 behavior. Here's what I think about the differences:
- Animation. All ms-versions have step-animation, which I HATE. This is the main reason I've always been TW-lynx-leaning. Certainly others like step-animation (mainly because of its optimization possibilities) but seriously, it only exists because Windows 3 was lame. To help make my point -- steam has real animation.
- Keys. Ms-style keys are all the same. Where's the fun in that? Also, since the original Epyx version had differing keys, it makes sense. Just get that blue JAILER key early!
- Block-slapping and block-flicking. I am a fan of neither of these. I know that block-slapping is an original thing (LESSON 4 and SPECIAL) but you don't really need it. And flicking is just a stupid mistake in the ms code that somehow made a CCLP2 level unwinnable without it. I'd be happy if steam didn't have either (but it emulates lynx.)
- Dying in fire. I've always thought it was stupid that only bugs and walkers don't die in fire. The lynx way makes much more sense. (Steam matches lynx.)
- Player graphics. This is one where TW got it wrong. Agreed, they couldn't use existing graphics, but chip is so dark I can barely make out any features. Also CC is supposed to be a friendly game, not D&D. Thankfully, steam fixed this nicely.
- Random Force Floors. Honestly, I like the way ms did this -- actually random. The rotating floor idea is more annoying than helpful.
- Explosion Delay. Too long in lynx, but steam has shortened it. I like the steam version.
- Splash Delay. I dislike splash delay and would prefer the ms model. At least it's shorter in steam.
- Boosting. Boosting is like JOSHUA in War Games. It's a back door that shouldn't exist.
- Glitches. There are glitches in all the versions, but ms has the most "what the ??" glitches and I don't think they add anything to the game. And I'm tired of adding a ball on a force floor so my teeth will clone in the correct direction.
- Game interface. Tileworld did a really good job with the interface (in all the versions.) The steam interface doesn't seem to be as flexible and I can't seem to get the size I want.
- Walkers. SPIRALS was never meant to be so difficult. Lynx/steam is clearly the winner here.
- Blobs. I like the graphics of lynx where it moves between tiles, but frankly I stink at BLOBDANCE in any version.
- Death collisions. In ms I can see what I ran into. In lynx/steam it looks like I (and the creature) never actually made it to each other. Pretty annoying.
- Graphics. I admit to some nostalgia here. I like the pink rolling lynx ball over the purple bouncing ball (although I get it -- bowling ball was coming.) I like ms-style gliders. I like steam-style doors. So basically I'm all over the place.
- In general -- I still play in Lynx most of the time. I see that the CCLPs are being converted to steam, and I will play them.
"Bad news, bad news came to me where I sleep / Turn turn turn again" - Bob Dylan