Play Quartz Online

I first played Quartz on the Amiga back in 1989, a game published by Firebird Software. It came out during a time when the platform was full of experimental titles, and this one stood out for its blend of styles. It didn't try to be the next big thing; it just offered something a bit different from the usual shooters and platformers of the era.

You control a small ship through two alternating types of stages: top-down arenas where you shoot every destructible orb on the screen, and side-scrolling shooter sections with waves of enemies. Your main goal is simply to survive and clear each stage, collecting tokens that let you buy power-ups like better weapons, ship repairs, or even a save point. You can store three upgrades at a time, but dying costs you one, which adds a constant tension to every decision. The pacing is relentless, and the difficulty ramps up quickly, making each completed screen feel like a genuine accomplishment. It feels sharp and demanding, a game that rewards precision and punishes carelessness without mercy.