# Alternate Reality The City HD > Classic 1980s computer role-playing game in HD with modern controls. (iPhone/iPad app by Elite Systems Ltd.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alternate-reality-the-city-hd/id470557681 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Elite Systems Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/339779247) - Category: Games - Price: $1.99 - Rating: 2.77/5 from 13 App Store ratings · 8 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 3.2 · 16 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2011-10-28 - Data updated: 2026-06-24 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alternate-reality-the-city-hd/id470557681/reviews.md ## What is Alternate Reality The City HD? Follow us on Twitter: Elite_Systems Alternate Reality: The City (a game for 8-bit personal / home computers released in the US in 1985) is one of THE defining games of the 1980s. The Alternate Reality: The City HD app will be offered as an in-app purchase from within the Elite Collection HD app. (The in-app will be priced at £0.69/€0.79/US$0.99 and it may include one or more other 8-bit games). The Alternate Reality: The City HD app is also available in this stand-alone form. It does not include any other 8-bit games but it does include an infinite lives version. The Alternate Reality: The City HD app is the near-100% original 8-bit game, as created by Philip Price / Paradise Programming and published by Datasoft in 1985 and is brought to you - as an officially licenced product - utilizing our Elite Collection HD technology. Alternate Reality (AR) is an unfinished computer role-playing game (RPG) series that has achieved cult status among many fans of RPGs. Price was unable to complete the second game in the series, so Alternate Reality: The Dungeon was actually finished by Ken Jordan and Dan Pinal. Gary Gilbertson created the music for both games. Featuring: - portrait and landscape play / display modes - iDaptive (user-definable, game-specific joystick, keypad & canvass) Controls - (Google: "Tiny URL 22qh8hl") for more info - ‘auto save’, on exiting the game - authentic 'Spectrum' sound About Elite®: Elite Systems Ltd was incorporated in England in 1984. ## Key features - Faithful 8-bit recreation - HD graphics - Portrait and landscape modes - Customizable controls - Auto save - Infinite lives mode ## Recent user reviews (8 of 8) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alternate-reality-the-city-hd/id470557681/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Need an option for zero stars. *2013-07-29* Here's why. People who are fans of the game from way back have purchased this app believing that it is legit. It is not. First and foremost, Elite Systems "STOLE" this game from the rightful owner, Philip Price, who invented the game and still legally owns all the rights to it. Apple Computer should be ashamed for having anything to do with this criminal. But maybe Apple does not know? Last I heard from Philip, he has neither the money nor the time to combat this in court. So that makes it OK??? Apple, if you're reviewing this, please do something about it! Now secondly, I don't know how many people besides myself were taken by this fraud, but another thing I do know is that the game is not ported properly. It's about as bush-league a port as it could be. Elite Systems has never offered any support or bug-fixes for it. We all wondered why for awhile. Now we know the truth. Apple Computer, please do not censor this review. Let the truth be known about it. ### 5/5 — OMG!!! *2013-05-16* This was one of my most favorite games on my C64 along with MM1, MM2, MM3, and of course AR: The Dungeon. I was around 13-14 at the time and I remember reading the back of the box and freaking out because it mentioned eating and drinking in taverns. I was so excited that there were going to be many sequels to this. Sad that there was only one after this, The Dungeon. That was definitely my favorite of the two. Every once in a while, within the last 28ish years, I have checked up to see if there will be a remake with the present technology. Maybe one day. But....in the meantime, I am pretty excited there is an app for this game and its sequel. Now I'm going to sign off so I can mess around with it. Thank you for this. P.S. The five star rating is a personal reflection of the game back in 1985ish. ### 5/5 — Awesome *2013-03-21* Other than the sound problems, this game is just like the original 8-bit game! I wasted thousands of hours on the game in the eighties instead of doing my chores and homework. I love it! Please fix the sound though... ### 1/5 — Sound and music from opening? *2012-08-27* Ya know? The reason I bought this to show my friend. The alternate reality music? You remember it. You are a thief. Give me my money back or fix this today. (year later) Still no update after a year. No fixes. No music. It's too bad. ### 2/5 — Please FIx the Sound!!!! *2012-03-01* My favorite game on the Atari 800!! If the sound and a few minor bugs would be fixed I will rate this a 5!! ### 1/5 — Disappointed there's no sound! *2011-11-18* I'm one of the many fans of the Atari version mainly because of the music & sound! Please fix! Such a glaring omission! ### 2/5 — Almost.... *2011-10-29* I would call it a 95% authentic version of the original. I was pretty excited to see this on the iPad, and I do appreciate the effort, however I must point out a few things for the old schoolers looking to recapture old experiences. First, the sound is very broken in most shops. The intro is completely devoid of any music (this is half the reason people seek loading this up at all). Also, I could be wrong but I think this is a conversion of the C64 version of the game (the intro credits also mention the programmers). This version was the worst available. The Atari 8 bit version was much better (the system it was originally created on). Right now, I wouldn't load this up again without fixing the music. For those that remember, the music was half the reason you played this game at all since it really didn't have much of a plot. The tunes played in the inns were classics. Thank for this but please fix the music and consider fixing the intro. It's possible the C64 version didn't have a full intro, I honestly do not remember. ### 2/5 — Music? *2011-10-28* First, let me say I remember playing many many hours of AR on my Atari 800 back in the day. So far I love the lack of load times, but most obviously missing is the music. No sound at all on the opening animation, can hear some sound when walking around, no music in the tavern. If this isn't a bug then the game is missing one of its best qualities! AR had one of the best music systems back then, and to have it missing is sad to say the least. Hopefully this is something that can be fixed, I don't remember reading anything about it missing in the description. Once fixed I will gladly up the number of stars. ## Frequently asked questions about Alternate Reality The City HD ### What is Alternate Reality The City HD? Alternate Reality The City HD is a mobile adaptation of a defining 1980s computer role-playing game. It offers a near 100% original 8-bit experience with HD visuals and modern control options. ### How much does Alternate Reality The City HD cost? The standalone version of Alternate Reality The City HD is priced at $1.99. It was also offered as an in-app purchase within the Elite Collection HD app for £0.69/€0.79/US$0.99. ### Does Alternate Reality The City HD have ads? The provided data does not specify if Alternate Reality The City HD contains advertisements. However, its monetization model is listed as 'paid', suggesting a one-time purchase for the game. ### What platforms is Alternate Reality The City HD available on? The provided data pertains to a mobile application, indicating availability on iOS and/or Android devices. Specific platform details beyond 'HD' are not detailed. ### What is the age rating for Alternate Reality The City HD? Alternate Reality The City HD has an age rating of 12+. This suggests it contains content suitable for players aged 12 and older. ### When was Alternate Reality The City HD last updated? Alternate Reality The City HD was last updated on October 28, 2011, with version v2.1. This indicates it is an older title with infrequent updates. ### What are the control options for Alternate Reality The City HD? The game features iDaptive controls, which are user-definable for joystick, keypad, and canvas input. This allows for a customizable gameplay experience. ### Does Alternate Reality The City HD support offline play? As a classic RPG title designed for single-player experiences, Alternate Reality The City HD is expected to support offline play. The 'auto save' feature further supports uninterrupted gameplay. ## Version history (last 1 release) ### v2.1 — 2011-10-28 Fixes Support for iOS 5.0 so that iDaptive control editor can function correctly from within the game. ## More apps by Elite Systems Ltd - [Manic Miner: ZX Spectrum](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/manic-miner-zx-spectrum/id406164735) - [Manic Miner: ZX Spectrum HD](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/manic-miner-zx-spectrum-hd/id407872635) - [Jet Set Willy: ZX Spectrum](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jet-set-willy-zx-spectrum/id418193849) - [Jet Set Willy: ZX Spectrum HD](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jet-set-willy-zx-spectrum-hd/id418720728) - [Pyjamarama: ZX Spectrum HD](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pyjamarama-zx-spectrum-hd/id446221420) - [Cybernoid: ZX Spectrum HD](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cybernoid-zx-spectrum-hd/id446351308) All apps by Elite Systems Ltd: https://appshunter.io/developer/339779247 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-24.*