Alpha

View v1.0.0 release on GitHub ↗

Download patch package ↓

The ZIP contains the BPS patch, instructions and required font notices. Original game files are not included.

ZIP SHA-256: d6604985b4963734d4a573ee5373b8887310f56957e1dba06a4e75e7545ce341

ALPHA - ENGLISH v1.0.0
Public release - November 2, 2026
Based on tested build english-commands-002; game output bytes are unchanged from that build.

CONTENTS
BPS patch, instructions, file manifest and required notices only. No original or translated game disk, firmware, emulator, save, private research or build recipe is included.

EXACT ORIGINAL
Japanese PC-8801 D88; hash the whole file without normalization.
Size: 348848 bytes
SHA-256: 8595ce53375b45824348986408e50009fba9a7334f1a0b090fc282f143493112
Other editions, alternate dumps, PC-9801, FM-7 and X1 versions are not interchangeable.

PATCH AND OUTPUT
Patch: alpha-english-v1.0.0.bps
Patch SHA-256: 1908d13905ca743c75e23fe67e923d26afb351340e69852cceade14757a08cc6
Patched D88 size: 348848 bytes
Patched D88 SHA-256: 90ff2080b5d4e98522316377beb0ff30f513c81bbe0019278658b647927ccefe

INSTALL
1. Keep your original unchanged. Work on a separate copy.
2. Check the original SHA-256 above. Use Floating IPS, beat or ROM Patcher JS with full BPS support (all four actions).
3. Apply the enclosed BPS to the exact original; do not patch an already translated disk or force a checksum mismatch.
4. Verify the patched D88 SHA-256 above before playing.
5. Boot afresh; do not resume an emulator save state made with a different build.
Windows checks: Get-FileHash -LiteralPath 'filename.d88' -Algorithm SHA256

PLAY AND SAVES
Tested setup: MAME 0.289, pc8801mk2sr. For persistent saves, use MAME floptool to convert a COPY of the patched D88:
  floptool convert d88 mfi "alpha-english.d88" "alpha-english.mfi"
Mount the MFI in drive 1. Keep that writable MFI between sessions; do not regenerate it when resuming. Back it up before playing.
Type save, select a slot, and allow completion before closing normally. After a fresh boot, finish the opening event, type load, select the slot, then press Space at confirmation.
Use F5 for inventory instead of typing inventory; the original typed-inventory bug can affect subsequent saves.

TESTING AND SCOPE
The maintainer reports having played through this game and authorized its public release on November 2, 2026. This is reported human playthrough evidence, separate from targeted automated emulator checks. No new playthrough was run during packaging. Translation is AI-assisted, with human refinement; Karuizawa includes player-corrected wording. This is not native-speaker certification.
Patch reconstruction, exact source/output identity, wrong-source and corrupt-patch rejection were rechecked for this release. The distribution patch already passed independent RomPatcher.js reconstruction during beta preparation. All known limitations remain visible below.

KNOWN ISSUES
- The original inventory/save bug is preserved: prefer F5 over typing inventory, and keep separate save slots.
- Direct D88 saving is unsupported in tested MAME 0.289; use a writable MFI copy for persistent saves.
- Some translated fallback/alternate text has not been reached during normal play. Native keypad feedback may remain Japanese.
- Exhaustive optional branches, audio and original hardware compatibility are not certified.

GUIDES
Game: https://patchquestdx.com/games/alpha/
Walkthrough (spoilers): https://patchquestdx.com/games/alpha/walkthrough/
Player guide: https://patchquestdx.com/games/alpha/guide/
English commands: https://patchquestdx.com/games/alpha/commands/

CREDITS AND RIGHTS
Maintainer/localization: BrentW / Patch Quest DX, with AI assistance and player feedback.
Original game: Square (1986).
Quest Pixel adaptation: see the enclosed attribution, provenance and CC BY 3.0 notices. These licenses do not license original game contents. Keep the notices with the patch. This is an unofficial fan localization, not endorsed by the rights holders.

Walkthrough (spoilers) → · Version history and known issues →