The Star Skimmer game is Alf Yngve doing what he does best—delivering pure Commodore 64 shoot-em-up mayhem with a spaceship twist. Created using the ever-popular Shoot ‘Em Up Construction Kit (SEUCK) and enhanced with SEUCK Redux, this vertical scroller cranks things up with added code from Martin Piper and a pumping SID soundtrack by Richard Bayliss.
In Star Skimmer, players become Cole Skimmer, a lone Federation pilot thrown headfirst into a hostile asteroid field crawling with Nitwup forces. Yes, Nitwups. They’re as nasty as they sound. Their goal? Earth domination. Your job? Wipe their plans off the map one base at a time. But there’s more—along the way, you’ll need to rescue stranded astronauts before they become permanent alien souvenirs.
This is a solo mission, but it’s never quiet. Enemy ships pour in, and you’ll need sharp reflexes to survive wave after wave of incoming fire. Thankfully, SEUCK Redux spices things up with smoother scrolling, smarter enemy patterns, and surprise touches that go beyond the usual SEUCK experience.
The Star Skimmer game might be wrapped in 8-bit graphics, but its challenge and charm are very much alive and kicking. Alf’s creativity, Martin’s technical additions, and Richard’s catchy music turn what could be “just another shooter” into something with a pulse.
For fans of Commodore 64 shooters, Star Skimmer is one to watch—and to play. You’ll find yourself coming back for one more asteroid fly-by, one more alien base takedown, and one more astronaut rescue. Just try not to leave Cole Skimmer hanging.
