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    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    18 views180 pages

    CGW 111

    Uploaded by

    Andrew Fulton
    cgw_111 (5)

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    ie rae rT hh ye ENT an Games > sg em Ne | Ad a Hin . Drs ETC: | Cees Betrayal at Krondor ae Td] by Ld 7 e CoE ei) 4 Rules of Engagement 2. aS : x Shadowcaster 3 rei cy CC ML 4 TIN Jourpoy hough dengerou, yt at eo Lea) See ee a seared breakthrough grophies technology that een eee ca penta) Ca een ey Ree Reichert cger ten oie te ears ee Fee eA Ct) uc areca) Cove cr gn Ss ot RMON ecu Re Se Ro Effects for Sound Blaster & Adlib Sa Cod ea) Ag Be cenee te aac Res eee 4 Special Challenges for Advanced Ployers Ce eed OU koa ae eee ae eo “Great puzzles... terrific humor...” cen ao ee ry eer MCL Pee) Gus E ==|= = Uh ef ee The Ultimate Multi-Player Conquest Simulation Finally, you can conquer your friends in state-of-the-art graphic splendor! Amass armies with your choice of units, then invade! Watch [your back, though - you'll need to divide your forces with care to avoid being conquered yourself! is turn-based and features modem play; a wide variety of historic opponents from which to choose; random worid ‘generator; large number of units; spies; diplomacy & subversive activists; by far the best graphics and sound ever seen in a conquest (game, and even more fun than Napoleon had at Waterloo! cetmpnnioacotete IPCI Impressions seri ts hes cman COMPUTER GAMING WORLD Shadoweaster =p. 12 Cover Illustration by Denis Loubet Return ofthe Phantom = pg 20 Tornado 9.66 Iuland - pg. 164 FEATURES u 12 16 20 30 58 oo 64 70 76 88 9% 98 102 106 108 ADVENTURE AND ROLE~PLAYING SECTION Digital Dragons And Silicon Slings A Soumney Through The Realms Of Adventure Revolutionary Perspective Orign's Shadowoaster Highlighted by Johnny L. Wilson The Krondor Passes Betrayal at Krondor From Dynamix by Jay Kee: Return of the Phantom MicroProse Avoids Sir Andrew by Chuck Miller Fatal Inheritance The Legacy From MicroProse by Allen L. Greenberg Opening Up The Archives Scorpia Surveys The World Of Role-Playing MictoProse Uncovers Pirates! Gold ‘The Lost Treasure Of Sid Meier Resurfaces by Chris Lombardi Noleworlhy Musical Entertainment Microsoft Musical Instruments by Donald S. Griffin Total Reminiscence SSI's Flashback Offers Colorful Challenge As Recalled by Dave Pyron Skunk Works Software Domark’s Flight Sim Toolkit by Paul Rigby Spectrum HoloByte’s Tomado Doug Fick Test Flies The British Airplane CGW's Game OF The Year Awards Why Not The Best? Sound Card Roundup CGW's Technical Editor Corrals 20 Sound Cards by Mike "Moondawg” Weksler Digital World's Futurist Vision CGW Reports On New Directions In Interactivity Railroad Tycoon Deluxe New Maps For "Mode!" Railroad Executives H. E. Dille Takes Rolling Stock Double Your Space War Impressions’ When Two Worlds War by Martin E. Cirulis “Rules? In A Star Fight?” Omnitrend And Impressions’ Rules of Engagement 2 by Stanley "Butch Cassidy" Trevena Colorful Conquest And Colonization VGA Planets 3.0 Explored by Martin E. Cirulis Books That Compute Books And Software From The Waite Group by Randall Black rl with new skills, for a new world... * 12 BRAND NEW TRIBES OF LEMMINGS, EACH WITH THEIR OWN ‘SKILLS * SKIERS, SURFERS, BONGO PLAYERS, ‘SNAKE-CHARMERS & MORE + PUZZLING PROBLEMS WITH HILARIOUS ANIMATION * SAVE THE TRIBES & WIN THE TALISMAN, * S.WAY SCROLLING * ENHANCED SOUND SUPPORT WITH DIGITISED LEMMING VOICES * RIVETING GAME PLAY IN THE LEMMINGS TRADI COMPUTER GAMING WORLD Publisher Russell Sipe tor Johnny Wilson OnLine tor Alan Emrich Managing tor ‘Ken Brown Aceociate Ector Chris Lombardi Technical Eator Mike Wekeier ‘Assistant Eitor Chuck Miler ‘et Doctor ‘Susan Zura Graphic anst Jack Rodrigues Metteting Manager Diane Miler MLS. Managor ‘Gene Alen ‘Aj Manager Jim Messing ication kathy Garcia Contig itor (Gebenture Games) ‘Scorpia Coniuting Editor tiargartes) ‘Ad Director Jay Elsenberg Computer Gig Word ASSN 07-6660 in ui oy by Golden Empire Pubitons, The. 120Cprs ie 25), Arte Hils.CA 08, Sci ls Postage pl cane, RY 41011 slits mallng ees, Peml £67210, Contents are pad by Golden pire ution, 1958 Posumaer Send als changes o Compu Gung ‘Worl, PO. fr 0, Mt Nom I. 61084 9052 he socom as fore es ose ya) 2500, Catal ak espn sure subse ons ak S110, Fria suscipit ae $78.0 per ea Al agents mist ee US. dlls alc by eck dn {oma US tn, Vis, Maran cr ney ee, Prins di12 Compare 16703622) ‘ei On Lie: COW Progy- EXITOS ‘Gis CCW Inert CGN@WELL SECA US Selncspon Dept 180) 827450 “Toepaeme (718) 255-000 Fe 1H) 283484 sin Subenbors (15)784-1118 adver ifort ony al {JEPublshery Represematve Company MISS, Seuss, Sule 920 Los Angeles, CA 90084 (ipsa Frown ulin cal -Kemca Pass Series (ean o2i0n2s Printed inthe US.A. 8 Mindcraft Grows Up The Kingdom Of Prince Ali Atabek 122 Gametek’s Ashes of Empire Fanning The Flames Of Freedom In Eastern Europe by Paul Schuylema 126 Planes Of Fame And Shame MictoProse Challenges Gamers To An Air Duet by Bryan Walker COMPUTER WARGAMING WORLD 132 $SI's Clash of Stee! ‘The Sound Of Fury Across Europe by M. Evan Brooks 134 Class Of Stee! Alan Emrich’s Lectures On Clash of Stee! Strategy 142 More Conquered Kingdoms QQP Expands The Borders Of Its Highly Rated Wargame by Randall Black 144 Brooking More Warfare M. Evan Brooks’ Annotated Listing Of 20th Century Wargames, Part Il 150 Booting To Conquer Elpin Systems’ Conquer for Windows by Neil Harris 156 Three-Sixty's High Command The Lofty Pinnacles Of Military Power In WWII by Terry Lee Coleman 160 Shipyard For Carriers At War ‘SSG's New Construction Kit Is No Drydock by Bob Proctor 164 Julland Bound Software Sorcery Forms A Line Of Batlle by H.E. Dille Computer Gaming World joins forces with Ziff-Davis Publishing! See pg. 178 DEPARTMENTS 8 Editorial (The Digital Highway) 181 Opponents Wanted 24 Scorpion's View (Victim Listing) (Realms of Arkenia) 466 The Rumor Bag 28 — Scompion’s Mail (Game Hints) (Mouthus Grandiosus) BS Shas 168 Taking A Peek (Universal Hint System) 173 Hall Of Fame 86 Over There 174 Top 100 Games (Sports Games From Europe) 476 What's Hot 112 Letters From Paradise 477 Patches 130, CWW Editorial 178 From the Publisher (Boardgames On Computer) 478 Advertiser List Nobody knows air combot like PEO R CR Ges cae CE es Se Rn j Cee Ty Sed De The pian COU a ced famed P51 Mestang CeCe na LD coe) oe Cus Te) Fed CU ca) Sn Nr De aL | De ce eee Ds eee puaieiertererracc 7 rnrctowe as OMIT Ale) he general media ba dicovered the idea ofthe digi hi [ arcing hr ur Wheeled te da Kighray:ineacle Infvstrace or infernutionRigh spots ocopur ofa frre rehnlogie ewok hes ep ured os lpngtc oe pce eed at age ees fn oe Bor Neco conisincd ca cirnetadfbeetel el aaa Saicne THe Caney Gd toesled We of eiph & ere tae incantation during the last presidental election and Hollywood seems to have discovered it as the "nest big thing.” But what zitand wh isthe media go exited about it Jonatian Seybold (CEO of the group which soonsots the Dh sear ee ele syn oe) so Iman highways he wrong metaphor, Inarecenepobihe’s now inbis Died Media newsleter, he righty observes that what we ae talking Bout i nota highway per but one huge ivereonnecred pales hecwork: Untorusarly, to the stg case he eal cota of Pal format on andorra Ea AI trac the compas gating up to seve the nforruion highway ran 10 rel) the computes oeeware ia conjures technophobic rage of beng csr Ian of beng ermpomeed The highway imagery appeals to_the average etizen, the kind of person who docsn’r take mass transit because he/she doesn'c want to Fave ro overshoot the destination and backtrack. On the highway, the motorist is in the driver's seat and, under optimal conditions, decer- mines the speed at which hefshe tavels, the rate of rest stops, the ‘casual side trips to satisfy curiosity, and the ultimate destination. So it should be with the information highway. The viewer/shop- perfumes decides which chanel to search, when fo dowmload information (movies, Farures game software and. samoree arions), and when to venture oy meeianceeal aera) Opera (multi-player games, shopping, and conversation). The important fact is that the user has control. irl gh ba ball? The to caraan two model, Ose adel is for eile terion to Inewn isaceie poner ibe cle, coment trol beg Aecaper cll inca stg bermesok mound oUt tomas’ Then dey ould insallexztog bla bareayeh pave ELIUGE bated pescenes ei ccciats ene Tica haner eae able to use the coaxial cables already in the homes to acco he fiberoptic neon and, ara eu, bring je the digted information which ths cable Vcwer Initially, this would be used primarily for video ‘on-demand {a more sophisticated pay-per-view and casier-than-VCR time-shifting), downloading of sofeware and shopping transactions. The problem with this model isthe existing cable elevision mes. Largely the fault of self-incerested city councils, che map of the U.S. has been politically gerrymandered with regard t© cable television coniracs, It will be difficult to interconnect these cable television providers considering the amount of local government red tape that has wo be cut The other model is that of the telecommunications networks lewing the Baby Bells have even more potential for monopolizing our daily Hives chan that which Ma Bell previously possessed. Lerting the Baty Bells bring fiber optic lien everyone's home crtarcs a level playing fel and avoids the political problem, but so means that the phone companies could feasibly play havoe with tery aspect of our [ives (Eomall, erode accounts, vestments, tele Commuting, entertainment, and more) rather than just controlling ‘our telephones and modem lines. The capacity forthe phone compa nies to improve our lifestyles is awesome, but the downside is om nous, as well Whichever model becomes dominant (and ir seems clear thar the free market will decide), it means that information providers (whether they be publishers of software, producers offilm/tclevision/recordings or, ahem, editors of magazines) should be able w reach a broader auidience than ever before (with potentially greater profits) and con: sumets should have more choice and more instantaneous response from chose same providers (more control). Potentially, it isa win-win situation. We'ee just waiting for the potential wo be actualized. exw Computer Gaming World ENTER A WHOLE NEw,..REALM BF tater atone Banter word of Fe ves aay ele , i ntl reatoes yg plains. Le I iin ifents- inter a world filled with peril, conflict and uncertainty oles al you i e ENTER ARKANE a. A expect, and more, froma a Seay Succ aac eaeqeaie el 8 ; bling venture BEE One that allows you to Hundreds of hours of choose your level of game play, exploring « involvement in the ‘ast continent iehly studded with towns, din “behind the scenes detail, ideal for both, eons and endless adve turing opportunities! Your noviee and experienced heroie charaeters must Mae “ORES | crc down oery ado explosive er of strife and . very contact ifthey are Aa vinlenee One proving ‘Bsuesed inher search lll elacetlsiine betel Jon onder, ga Grin the Hae of alan Stare your d Dey ac eae rite é tha eaers bakmeing and smooth: % ae road and ship as you ‘to make su Zo: iG MEE explore the fantastic Enter a rich and spent playing. ‘ realms and cities of a ; ‘ “ Arana, Of course, you moover stuns lose cal Animated Isometrie 3D Combat + Phased-time Came System * Town & Dungeon Automapping Dificuty Levels pA S ' Ve for Novice & ; erenced Players , nd a “True Point &Click | ¥ 12 Character Archetypes + 7 Positive & 7 Negative Interface eee + Rasy to Use Multiple ee (Choice Dialogues Teptctteeal able at the players Score & Sound rien i + 12 Magical Realms with errr rue as cover $0 spells Ber + Auto-Combat Optio COPE Shea tage “Towns & Dungeons ere ner mat eee r teen emer mem * erties of wp 106 Botan Or rai air eek noe emanate be Split are ae cer et eh RON tuner ete snd Regent (800) 447-1230 foes determ vent you from ed to pre: aga eoceding . in your quest. ey ne) Jp —ele | Deen on arr o) “My Most Dangerous Adventure OF All Will Never Be Shown On Tl” ro ce a yt ec ie ack ee et see a Gitcle Reader Service #32 gita) Dragoy, am 0% From A Cast Of Thousands Dea UC mol Origin’ role-playing expertise, sttred in with magial ements from chit musical and sound effects departments. Finally, whip it into shape with both the overall coordination of and story development from a top Electronic Arts producer Serve prior to Christmas and ane has a visual, technological feast forthe holiday Play Mystic For Me When Shadosceser wer fist any snosher Ultiar Undewerld knock Within ewo minutes of phy, I discovered that pes porour she wnt craw” Whac changed falat 1 er feel eae acl iar te log that enhanced rather then deimcted fom hat In the game's original Was 2 myste, shaman ‘tho would ake the shape of sentient ran tading bodes with ther nthe rrent version of the game, the player's, character i named Kirtand ithe last of 4 tace of shapeshifters from another di cen de goal wid ofl apes malig cee good mays eta Kar Pole (he uF named Veste) and try to recover the MacCiulfin (the late Alfred Hitchcock's tga forthe vil aif oi cage that a proxagonise needs to retrieve, the obelisk). OF cours, it isn't by am means cereain chat Kire will succec Where the soodhsayers had foreseen mo mentous disasters befalling the ofpring of other shapeshifters, there wasa shadow across the fate of Kirt. Hence, the just Cation force name of dhe game, The fabulous pare of the game is chat the players character can morph from human form into. a fone of six creatures in order to traverse the lo Cations necessary 10 fl his quest. One Tinlar to a le the others ram the gamut from rechaunsized fete creature through be: holderesque fying orb, froglike humanoid, psctdostire elemental Inty 1998 much lower line of sight than the other creatures and he Hing seat (the clementalaype creanre and the Byfeg orb) sce everything fom 2 ihe fin of he Sion ofdibeick In adn, hfe ext beings have tifferene sods eIroglke tak that features con cea Gk aing across the target ina ripple elec. Heals Tas melee aac whi reacts a5 though he were an clectie eel, ‘The demental- esque crennte basa spiked, demonic til fora maee atuck anda fireball et a discance. The fying rb has two ranged attacks, eich with their colorful epee tile Add sounelefecs tenhance those aad an the com relly bores The artis vintage Raven and is texture mapped across the 3-Dobjects used in the latest Id graphic ‘engine. ‘The textu mapped walls have tremendous detail presenting sculpred stone and moldy su Faces with equal attention to detail. Some surfyees, like che warer in one level and the walls in others, throb, Some surfaces are obscured by Fog, like the scenes set in the necropolis, and. others feature ani- mated scar-bursts like the dimensional gateways sprinkled throughout the levels, Another surprise is the wie of detaled lind scapes on the horizon, As one's character = plores open-roofed ru- ins, there are mountains beyond che walls that are as impressive for this genre as those in Co- ‘mance Main Overkill were for their ‘one of our edi- mented, “Ie winged « sion ofa stone-hinged goylesque ver edible Hull Shadoweater presers ling animacion For the cen beings and al from which c dungeon, For example, the leprechaun- sized) creature sees everythin aphically ap- Even when one is used to the look of a level, there can be other surprises to make it worthwhile to explore everything, I was surprise to hie a wip switeh whieh leer ally flushed (complere with marvelous digized sound ihe) the water led my character was exploring. Underneath dhe ware was an eately ferent look with skulls engraved at the base of the walls The sound effects are also impressive, Brom the Fit sword thrust with Erol lynn film whoosh, chrough the choking, phlegmacic death of one’s character, the Page 19 Te ee a ee STORET a FIGHTING OFF EVIL FORGES Sica oH Ly Citele Reader Service #67 While the main interface might noc be intuitive, combat certainly is."The player paces the veady weapon i the tight fad s0 that appeats on the icon command ine. Then, one has the option of electing that weapon for an ordinary tack or selecting one of the special attacks, Afier_ selecting the spon, one places the target cursor over the monster to be wasted and right clicks on the motte, The sword whooshes, the trident stabs, the lightning sizes and the frcballs explode asmonstersare reduced to quivering pud- ales of mush. eared when moving around 3-D er Showcase has sli approach to automapping, Itshows the gamer large Imap wth a clesreur “You Are He sow and asmllermapoftheentrelevel which the players exploring Every area sthih the neseeen character has ten ping srcen Till There Was You One factor that is decidedly missing is rnon-combative character interaction, The whole thesis of Shdowaster is that Veste has lined up the denizens of evil from multiple dimensions against the player's characcer. As such, one doesn't wor about whether to kil anything which appears on the scree how to destroy whatever beings Kit Indeed, | found myself wondering i were uuly appropriate wo eall Shadow tera CRPG, The vole playing element i striely limited «choosing a creature co shift into and is coughly equivalent to having an entire party of character classes in one character. Yet, the character does fot improve in strength or sil a ital element in role-playing. Further, the shapeshifing is more puzile-solving than (UU ee PRO ress) UAL cen file leng ane Hight ak shi shape wil lave the opt Sioa «uae The pres thames ly ofthe prophet tery Gz. whacdo have Paieereeeiglet eetear ee cele ahs) ne rsatfate paler ad Ae pipes aes ao cegied thas anphite’ Sica hovence tha a meal reiow fey Rtereihee heel limi of the pure elect Al iron ok he en athe logon theese inpoeie What I can say, with confidence, is that coach bs foe eorcever are byraea canals state unequivocally iu Barut c Wile prema thar pore by ae Se "Shack and slash” masterpiee plenty of visceral support (0 undergird its Ehroive, What anit sy with eeranty Gwar egw ole peg eens es Temay just be the most adva lan ‘A mouse and keyboard are fine for tackling spreadsheets, not teeming legions of blood-thirsty marauders, State- of-the-art CyberMan” puts an unlimited CYBER 40 INTERACTIVE range of motion within your grasp: CONTROLLER three directions [x y, and 2] and three rotations [pitch, yaw, and roll) Just move oF twist it any way you want to go, Plus ies the only con troller with vibrating feedback that lets you feel the action. CyberMan Is. 100% compatible with conventional mouse applications, and comes with 3D game tides that wil pull you into the next dimension in PC entertainment. CyberMan is available now at your local dealer, or call |-B00-732-2928. Lik The Sensewaré Company AVA (By eH ~A Feisty One! RO MTN CULT NG CEST IM aii) «the surface, fantasy role ray since the cary day of te based gaming: the days when dungeon jis sere cael Ey bared prope mers on mainframe compurers. Today, the graphics, sound effets, music and animations produced on increasingly so- phisicared personal ‘computers make those early efforts look like cave drawings. Yet, for all the i irx re clampae ie aetual game play iselt sn relly Gael eal of alte: Thalpijereel rolls” a character or party of characters, chooses race, act and profession, then Bee harcakeecnane fereasel pacey eieer ie game word isbased na medial land or ‘Outer space, the abjectives and methods All that may change with Betrayal at Krondorfrom Dynamix. Krondoria fs ray role-playing game unlike any othe. Inledeawt dicelt fom Raymond Fists The Rifunar Sega with the meal, This isn't one of those "based upon” provdues with litle more than surfce ongina. This wes a collaborative eff Between Dy d Fens wth the author provi pi interactive fantasy best be described swat Sa RPG design. Paye 16 Opening A New Chapter Krondors aid out exacty like a now Nine chapters comprise the beginning mille andl end ofa drama that takes ap Where Darkest Setbanan—the last of the Rifioar but not Midbemian books— lefé off Instead of the usual party of w ards, clerics, Fightere and thieves, the Bee Seal ERNE vil Characters right out of the novels them selves, There's Locklear Jimmy the Hand and. Pug, pt Gyn, avapprentice nagitan; Gorath Moredhel rebel and Patrus, a veteran spelleser, Of cour, anyone expecting play with these characters inthe cad party of six fr the duration ofthe centre game is in for a major surprise, In fact, anyone expecting anything like a standard CRPG isin fora larof steprises There ate never mote than three char acters party at any time—sometimes, ‘only two, As the parey progresses from chapter to chapter, the’ characters and Forests In The Trees a eee Sif Braue ee 2 RAM, VCA apc, nib anibmespae their objectives change just as they would in any novel. Each chapter has a unique sand. diffrent mix of characters and fakes place in a different part of Mid- emia, Fortunately, there is no time limit or Hina chain of evens impel here Players are completely free to go where they want, do what they wants and see what they’ wane. ‘The only limitation is that they achieve the specific goal for a chapter before they move on the next. Ths gals are lent defined ard ply ers are given lots of guidance along the way, so there's never any danger of no Knowing whae vo do or where t0 gp. While each chapuer has a primary goa, there are dozens of minor quests and sub- plots waiting to be discovered. Consider ing that the game world occupies the equivalent of 224 million square fect of that’s a lot of surprises Seeing The Forests In The Trees coll te feanedlog Hour ates ech fay Geeeer ans ego Knock players out of their chairs: Scene in rs nd asa Carcos aie’ eet ecconed Mra ‘While al of this skill domes the veal inpresion ofthe 250-010r VGA graphics is of hare and grain. Sell, what saphiee lee in resalation, the gone up for in design, Small detail greatly develop the suspension of disb Tee bids ad insecu peotince an ods Iwalalrop that changes with the time of day; colors change across distances light Sources cast shaddows that recede along dungcon walls. The graphics, while si ples manage 0 evoke a conetandly shift ing mood, From the north country, with its brooding snow-covered tal, 10 the dark forests of Elvandat, the overall effect is just right, with a storybook quality that is both sacsfying and appropriace Elegant simplicity seem tobe an tind Iying theme through- tmowcin: Lim cout the game. Every Ce tm action is mou ies eae dhiven and “has a ‘sor east handy keyboard Computer Gaming Work THE HOTTEST 3-D ACTION SINCE WOLFENSTEIN! | ALIENS OF GOLD \ Terror has been unleashed! EC ae Reena ngs ecg research colony threatens the planet Earth. Oe esc thrust into deadly combat against the maleyo- eee cry San eee CoCo g arene Cee cuenta UE te acme SEIS genre ! Sempre ieee a rex esas Sign up wo fight as Agent Blake Some ea tesa eng n peor te et isiell eaays q 1-800-GAME1 23 Coreen Set handling, only $4.00, you'll ee ee ents eR cee sees td Bree er ener ae Call the Software Creations BBS and reece ea erat Sires cere er © (S08) 365-2359 2400 BAUD. SRG ere eaeiae ss ROE e teat Stas ie The HELGHT OF. BAHIKG EXCITEMENT” sees saris er does equivalent. Alla player needs co know is sthich button to cick: right button for nformation; left button for action. Everything else follows logically. If the purpose of some icon or object is not self-explanatory, right-clicking on it will tell ce player what itis and what iedoes. If the player wanes 1 use it, abuse it attack is, oF tlk 0 it, he or she just leliclicks on it. This creates a hands-free environment where the player ean enjoy the game without having to constantly Jook up information in a manual. Another slick feature is the ewo-tiered anaping system that allows the player ro see an ovethead view of either the imme- diate area ora fullsize map of Milken, ‘The overhead view can be zoomed in or ots al the fle map dpa the party's postion and bearing. Bes of all, the overhead view canbe wd to map dungeons great hoon for people who break into a cold sweat at the mention of ‘graph paper. Chapter And Verse There are no long lists of exotic weap- onsand fi Krondor. Nocom- plicated stat tables, no shields, helms, Bracers, giundlets ‘or other accouter just simple sets of armor, swords alls. The only variables are in the y oftheitem, Some swords rowerful than others; some armor does fot beter job of proceeting ‘About the only complication is thing ealled a Racial Mod, which reflects the fac that some stuff was designed for humans, some for elves, and others for Foran or dares, Al cis meas chr a character weating or using something designed for a race suffersa small degradation in the item’s capability. It's simple, but surprisingly effective, ‘Stasand skillsare simple, too. Thereare only fourstarsand twelve skills, andall the information thar pertains co them can be accessed. The stats cover the usual ing, Lockpicking and Stealth, son skills include Weaponeraft and Armorcral, which determine how ood a characteris at repairing weapons nd armor Baring cerermines how much gold a characte ean eara singing in Page 18 tayerns and inns; and Hageling. deter ‘mines how, much they can knock down the price of an item before buying, Al ofthe skis and some stats are im the player progresses through but improvements are not predicated upon combat experience, or ven succesl actions. Sometimes, just aceempting, something will prod increase. The player can even exercise Timited contol over the developmental process by highlighting individual skills tn the sta sereen in order to increase the rate at which they are improved. ‘This allows the player to direct Lockpicking increases to the character with the best lockpicking potential, or Casting in- creates to the speleser, and 30 on What's Your Point-Of- View? Travel in Krondoris ground-level time The word is een from the charac ters poinvofview in the upper ‘swo-thirds ofa splitscreen display. Ob- jects cxist in. chree dimensional space through a full 360-degree panorama, Players can walk around! buildings or ob jets examin hing rom any an ‘wander dhrough forests cirele mountains move along rivers and cross bridges. All of this is a produet of something Dy- nnamix ealls 3Space technology, a system sed in thelr combat flight simulators (Aces of the Pacific and Red Baron), but players Familie with those inwulaors will notices couple of dienes in Krnde tere is no joystick support; move- 7 rouse o keyboard ps.” The game preferences let the player set the degree of these steps from lage to small and reduce dail minimtm, but even atthe lowest seeing, movernent is still a jerky afhir, If there is one disappointment in the game, this is probably it Crossing Swords I there is one pleasant surprise in che ganesh be the combat soquences \Withouca doubr, this isthe best Pve seen aati CRP ier nents are clearly displayed in a nearper- feet perpoctve, Rotstopal animations produceactions thacare quite lifelike, and digitized sound effects add a touch of realism not found in many computer games. ‘his is a realism, it should be noted that excludes any hint of gore. The action is ere, the effees are compe bat the violence is relatively tame, Further, there is more here than meets the eye. Combat is comprised of a series of turns that continue until one side oF the other is defeated. During each characters have complete freedom of movement and a full range of offensive and defensive options. The player can ‘move them anywhere on the field of ba dle and rake whatever aetion is necessa To make things even more interesting, the enemies are ineligent and often un predictable. This far ery ftom the basic encounter formats found in so. many games. Success here depends as much on tactics and timing as on simple brute force. In Krondor, you think, of you die, There is a price co be paid, though. Because of his enemy igs we Without he bat armor and weapons 4 good stock of spells and potions, f key encounters can't be won, While this can be a major frustration, the designers player getsblown ny go back. restore the game, and try again, One must just be sure they havea lot of disk space because each save takes huge 335,000 bytes! A Bestseller? Nothing’ perfect an this game hast flaws, Some people wll not like the look of the characters or their costumes. Some will dislike the jerky movement or the VGA graphics. Others might frown the Tack of joystick suppor. Yer, al ofthese te minor angopined, civil when viewed agains the overal context ofthe “Tvs becuse Berga at Krandorina rare gsm, is broken free of the Bova ammo nay CRP Ia gen players ecompling oy, and fas st new standards for others to follow Foconen,dearipacpaliy renupieceven creeds isedvanc billing There’s already talk ofa sequel. I ean hardly wait, exw Computer Ganing World ORTS.. Circle Reader Service #49 rik was his name. Most, however, Be= him bythe pale monies bestowed upon him by a cruel soci- ‘xy, Disfigured from bieth, his was a face that noeevena mother could love hi gift being a mask to hide his hortid cou tenance. Shunned by his own far Felt home at an early age and joined the cireus, There he earned his living, being exhibited asa" ation, he raved al of Europe, ‘vagabonds and complet edutaton inthe arte and mg rally, afer a protractes Kina his way to Paris where the his wag exten brought him is greatest fame. Fo, dear reader, it was thee dar Bak became known as dhe Phantom of the Opera. The Fat Lady Is Mute The yearis 1993; the location, the Pats Opera House. Raoul Montand, a dete tive with the Paris Surete. (France's cquivalent of the EBD, suddenly found his plans for a pleasant evening thwarted asthe immense chandelier ofthe Opera House cad down upon an unsusect ing crowd, its support deliberately sev ted. Who could have perperated such violence? What fiend could be so heart less? This is what the player, inthe g of Raoul Montand, must discover. Though only roughly resembling the saat bee tena ones bteee Si Fea of te Phonan (aro) tripping one, The legendary Phantom of the Oper (presumed des around the turn of te cencary) hasappeared i sent day Paris With vengeance his dive ing fore the Phantom has bridged ime, tatsed. multiple death, and. enangld Raoul Monvand in sev machin Nor content with his efore up tot pours he Phantom mystroasly tan 1g corpse.” In humili worting ports Raoul back tothe late 1800s where Re'wakens as an historical characte of similar name, However, st 1 game by continuing farther, suffice it 0 say thet this digital drama is unique, touching upon the mysterious and super ‘An Engine Of Construction Phantom is based upon MicroProse's Animated Griphi gameengin the Gani Gender changed lid sinc nso brings with ic both ‘On the positive side, Phantom offers a simple and actaerive interface. Insalla- tion is a breere, as is configuring software ro one’s system and playing pref- erences. Though Noviceand Challengin modes are once again provided, they dit fer fivule in actual diffculry of play (both are relatively easy) Other adjustable game play, ‘options include the choiee of two mouse modes, Standard and Easy, withthe later iden tifying the objects under the ‘mouse pointer asit passes over then: Panning, which allows the player to select the scroll rate of certain large locations (dove, mediam or inet) Unmasking MicroProse’s Return of the Phantom by Chuck Miller and Room Fades (sloxe, medium oF fst swith slow being the most mood effective bout the least rime effective of the thre). Players with slower systems will want to fpr for instant panning and fase fades Aainaly in the few stations where essary, The zn vill quomaly = tutn the player to hisor her position prior tomate, fata decison. On the down mands are sorely Simpl for the 1 ToeatAre adventures, would be nite pls (eg. “I” for “look” or“ for “et, Ant wetnsmasha ieela-and i sacdiebapeecd adhere ment option as i Siem tiles. While ny seeens do allow jumping” fom oe cles (by eae he the ayer wants to go and iving the space bays chs dos hee ‘work on al see Traversing the Opens suis, for in: sans os proc hd employ the "juimp feature used ese- vwherey "quick move” Feature wouldalso Irave been appredated, allowing the Player go from onc location wo another {without actually having wo wall there one ne um ft Pane re Sin Srstin: ia Rrquitnets. eon Seana ace ‘inlaws BISCRER Raymond Bren Hm vay Compuer Gaming World You can outfly this guy. But can your COMPUTER? See er eC eek CT eic Ma cee ecm cn ot ice eee cakes BC Re mee A RR eee Introducing the Falcon MACH 5. Ree eg ee eo ea Ua Ie ad CU A eee ee ma a ee Cue Wc nee produce over 40 VGA frames per second. 30 frames per second is flicker free to the human eye. The MACH 5 is serious hardware for serious players. A eae ene VESA Local Bus Motherboard with 256K Cache and Intel 486DX/2-66 Microprocessor VESA Local Bus Graphics Card with 1 Mogabyte Video Memory Pee tee ger oC) eee ees Pre ER ged See ry eee Sec) aa perme eee as is Complete Including Caegets aes Ceo Shipping For Only Ce ery Microsoft DOS 6.0 ST re $2,499 SOMO heats Cee CaaS eau © ia by eee Lae ee semeecerecnn cron | RRREREREE OAL emt earn re ns erred To Order Call: FALCON NORTHWEST = - a ac 263 South Bayshore Dr. Coos Bay, OR 97420 Cn eeaeea roe ata) Drago, vis Scoping Out The Opera Rotoscoped animation is the star of Phaniom. Kany one atea of development ‘outshines the test While the sraphics are attractive, on par with those Of Rex Nebel, itis che souoscoped ani ‘mation that distinguishes itself, being as fluid and lifelike as that of any Computer product to date, Be it walking, kn fr taking a fall from the catwalks above the Opera's stage, the movements of the chavacters in Phantom ace completely avural sounding especially good if MIDI oF Roland support is available In ‘ Hes mor opin than the FM synthesis supported by most sound cards (hough the music isstill rich and [ull with any Ad Lib or Sound Bl patible b Sound ‘though, area mixed bag. While the sound of Toots is mediocte, the digitized laugh oft Panrom and dhe stems of the players charscter are great. ‘The sound of squeaking doors is also repro duced especialy wel, hough it was over used to the point of annoyance. It seems ‘every door in the Opera House is due for ‘good oiling, Still, the music and sound ‘effects complement the game well ‘Where's That Damned Book? Most puzzles are of average difficulty, though a few proved unduly perplexing. For many developers, the tine beeen the release of dlik-based and CD-ROM versions of their products js lessenin inning to hover around a period of several wecks, icroProse has ust shipped Rerum ofthe Phantom CD, ashort wo weeks following the disk-based release Since the review of Phanzom was already complete, we fee it prudent to provike thas taker everal montis for tiesto apy ales forsome vendors In keeping with istrend, Finding Madame Giry’s book, detailing Erik’s “damned and tormented life, proved very frustraing, fe simply was not In the library where it was supposed ro be and progress was halted until it could be located. Asie turns out, one cannos sim ply “look” for the book, at least nor until fone has “looked” at the entite row of shelves; only then does it becomes visible (like being inable to see the tees for the forese). Another purzling conundrum involves the freaxe. One knows, without doubt, that itis needed, even vical However, it can only be acquired and used in “emergency” situations. Und then, one cannor get it. (This i simply a frustration, as ic is unmistakably clear when the axe is Finally neded. In Fact, its sequisiion and use is automatic.) The game takes an occasional shor at humors bue it sometimes seems our of ace in 8 game containing such a sinister Ind intense atmosphere, One example presents itself upon finding a sll in the fatacombs beneath the Opera. House When the player examines the skull, ie clicits the response "Some poor skeleton must be running around without is head.” Ina tite like Money Klan, such a phase might be worth a smirk, but ht really funny in the context advencute and works agains the us Sion of dibelch necessary ina hor rorfmystery. Phantoms, forthe most part isa serious ttle and should be understood as such, While a touch of humor is pre- om silvery disk, but delay time fs now beg focusing on the enhancements o the CD product. ofthose Tier aoereeene ho ie actuge ied the fll scenion of similar produc. Only Tevconly. Ina, dee iso wy to ole daed ter ine Firemans eequatny ef veal ler cnploedisa med ag. Porinfletons and stage bosib of gto (CD has been given the “elk” creat saversition” between characters spoken. Room and object desexpi etl sees the text box containing the speech and sent, most of the story conveys a sense of ‘The Curtain Falls Overall, found the plot of Retura ofthe Phanvom inerigaing, but the adventure a bit too linear There just didnt scem to be enough to do during play. Offering only 12-t0 18 hours of gami player seems a significant weak- ness in a product that retails for $69.95, Apart from the problem with rhe book mentioned above, the only bothersome aspect of play was the process of mapping cute the mare‘ catacombs below the Opera House. This is good for several hours of work bur does not enhance the play value. Ic is a process that I and most oof my friends have long since tired of performing in preference vo some form of Thromappligb adventure being incorporated into an Yer, inall, | enjoyed pisting wits against the Opera Ghost. Phnom fers por with 2 vist, one thae comes full circle wither ie. Ie offers inter- esting dialogue (when i's not spoken, see thesia) and spleant wo theeyerand What ic does roller is inspived puz- de design oF extended phy. Ifa player values story over puzzles and low impact gam an exhausting cerebral work four, Phantom is worth fook (even more so with a discounted price tag). Others would be beter off secking a dle marquee, cow In the pan, feck an updite in sidebar fashion, , However, this talkie vesion has nor ave still ‘motionless faces Sprinkled with French aecents didn't help strengchen che game's believabily. Fortunately, speech can be toggle off if so desited. ‘Another weakness, a5 may be expected, is CD-ROM acoess time. Since only a token amount of data. Sra pute exqaced fom the CD ful Whar ts unouns ota Pham (nore xo tan in oser CD product we hve cil CD-ROM eve doe lee rosllevare the data lo ce ea ec eee Led ca significa dey in auton fom seme coca: Even double Entch, Proytons copy all une data xc TSMIB of space, but would allow greatly accelerated play. Oyerll, Phantom CD isa disappointment. Uniaspving vocals and slow access mar an otherwise Jus higher production values. esi Page installed to ones bard drive, product. Let’shope the next effort Compare Gaoning World 4 Z Coe 2 scene mney Cm mers! ye a Irony Tce ne cool ers eater ZA Impressions committed to.pxtéllence in strategy Entertainment i Trae ecouanr WAN ge LD ahylay. eats coaieein Web 7 le) R& of Arkania: Blade of Destiny from Sir-Teeh is a computer ver EX somot ba Sohunrze ne pop far German role-playing system. No trandation of thetideds given inthe game manual, which is probably a prudene move, "Das Schyvarae Auge” means “The Ba I hate might be appropri« ‘The plo of the game offers nod new. Your party of six adventurer les across the countryside assembling that hoary old chestnut, the ceasure map. The map leads co che resting place of fabled Grimring, the Oreslayer sword With chat in hand, you eush off inco middle of an O encampment t0 challenge the head Ore to single combat. IF you win, the Ores pack up and. go invade somewhere else. If you lose, they follow through with their plans to trash the human setelements of Atkania. That's the extent of the story. For the most part the path o the map is fusly simple. You start with one per sol cont and ear ofthis who can hilp you through the game. I's 3 simple matter of following the chain of people, scquiring map pieces as you go along. The big problem arises after you have Grimving—the information dries up. All the clues and people are chere only co get you to the sword. Finding the Ore arm Jsan entirely different matter, and for that there ig no help at all Twas stuck at this pein fr thre days, sending my. pay k through the towns and villages, drinking in innumerable bars, hoping to pick up some clue orrumorleading ro the Page 24 Silicon IF Scorpion’s View -Tech’s Realms of Arkania by Scorpia, Adventure/RPG Editor ae ct Sie roousiee RECUIREMENTS: IN eo oN \CA pp, Bhar ee ce PRONECTION, reve boson fen toy ano Anse an ee Fp cnt whet onsen ‘Ores’ location. This was a waste; there is no informacion available Turns our that you have ro take the road from Skelellen to Phexeaer and climb asheer rock valllong nny players ae likey co do this, as there is a swamp between the two towns, and players will inevitably lose valuable iter when the swamp is crossed. Fortuna ifyoustart fiom Skelelen, you won't ha to worty about the swamp. Unfortu nately, you are more likely to start from Phexcaer, as that town has @ couple of tay rnd and Sellen doen. A iow wha he ircms a wks rane ciom), many players would probably give a rouse and be'a long dae the ene. ater, since dere isa mit here. You have roughly 70 gumetinetofind thesvord and the Gres After thatthe Ore hordes will de seend on Arkaria and the game is lost. I ceamazing that no eles tothe loca tion of che Ore map are given, aside fom fone rather vague mention of the between Phexcaer and Skelellen bs “adventurous.” What A Character! Chat eto proces, Rolls are made you allocate the yng to bei ‘ype you 3) This is followed by another st of rolls for negative atibuces of clas phobia, nectophobia, avarice, supers tio acrophobin, violent tetera us cer types comme wit same disadvantages) If your allocations meet the standards for a character “ar chetype,” you then go to the sl sere. Here you have 20 ces 10 aise some of the skills available. Al skills are available to all characters, bur some types willbe naturally erat cereain sills than of For instance, Warriors start with becwer combat abilities than mages, and Roguesare better at lockpick ing hil ncesesare not ato can make up to three attempts to raise particular skil. [Fall three fails ‘waie unel the character advanc of experience before you can try again. At level gain time, this process is repeated, with another 20 chances wo raise ‘This ean make is no guarantee raised. So, for Comprace Garin Word three chances in sword skill, hereby mak- ing him no better ar second level than he wasat fist level. Irisalso possible ro blow. ie ewice ina row, as happened to one of my fighters, who made no advance in swords on two successive level gains. Moc ws go dough sl a tional ceens where ey can have several ftps co ase spell cis In snilar ion Motos of we downin depeaeverinebog wilh onli handfl available for casting, and these vary by typeof mage ‘The entire spell system isawkward and confusing. Aker going forthe obviocs ‘combat and healing spells, you have no ide what he pls ar rely ging to be useful in the game. With only three chances to improve a spell, choices be- come difficule and points can easily be squandered on useless spells “The game offers two play modes: Nov- and Advanced, Novice mode should cerainly be avoided. In this mode, you cannot check on any of your character's ills or spells. You have absolutely no idea how good any character is at any- thing, nordo you know which spells thy are supposedly competent at casting, I's ‘one thing role the computer handle this, bucbeing unable co see characters abili- ties is poor design, Positive Attributes ‘There are so many things wrong with she game play thar we should start off eel chs or dares eh Tee game offers auto-mapping, which is avalab both wowns and dungeons. Ieusesa color coding scheme, and once you get used (9 it tis works racher well although sepa- fate coos for evra and ins would ave been more helpful. ‘The party's po- sition is always shown and large areas can be scrolled sideways. Of course, you have to walk through an area for ito show on the map, bur once you do that, itis permanently displayed. One interesting new idea is the giving of extia experience the very fist me a party encounters a monster. This is reward for facing the unknown, makes a loc of sense. After the First en- uly 1993 gisit®! Dragon, cm ll mo 0 mun oppenena ae word Be dete (arnt ek apcicnccieies ; Te paar degen pone many of them theres During combat, y load a ‘save post games force you ro n. Most through the wearisome experience of watching» your be trounced by superior oppo- nents. In Arkenia you can get ‘our of this situation if you sce that your characters are in over theit heads and return toa previous save. This sa feature more games should have. Extra Baggage Moving to the down side of Arturia, there are several differences beoween what the manual says and what actualy hap- pens in che game, For instance, the pause Keyes not works you have bing up a character's stat sereen co hale the passage of time (and time moves on regardless of whether the party does the same) While the “Lightning” spel blinds “opponents for aires rounds, chey ean still parry, a though they're not supposed to beable wodo that. “Visibili” only makes the ile not the entire party. “Iron Rust” is supposed to be a “touch” spel, bu enemy mages were able to cast this cross long isan. Aras Poson” (ued on wea fons) is noted 28 reducing an opponent's stats; it actually does” megi-damage, sometimesas many as35-40 pointsin one shot ing feature isthe inability © lamage potential except in ‘combat. There, you can pick "Check Val- ues” from the combat menu and sce how much damage a weapon is capable of bu ts the only tine you can Haggling wi ants can be dan- gerous. Ifyou re haggling co raise or lower prices and fail three times in a row, dhe party is kicked out of the store and will never be able to deal with thar merchant again. In a large city with many met- chants, this isn’t much of a problem. Out in the Boones, where there may be only tone shop, i's serious matte. Role-playing, as such, is pretty much nil, About the only opporsinity for ic is tobe rule o sulting shopkeers— not the best move if you're hoping to buy or sell something in that tore. 9D Silicon INF some place, NPCs canbe invited to join your party, but they are usually more trouble than they're worth, as you have Be carol ener then coma. Thy dso leave the party whenever they el ike doing so, and you have no Wea when that willbe und ichappens. Tho bowers, estilo pare 10 the three major stikes agains this product, of which the fists sving the gume, You ca save almost anywhe ere cevaingonficrend los sive ouside a_ temple, however, cich party members los 97 experience points per save (ihe manual says 50, but itis setualy 57) This atrocious concept i «dap in the face gue, lr he So go through vera levelsof dungeon; hop yours fain meal (tie cup lean! Al your progress fi), of you sive once in awhile, gving up the experience. And when itakes 5,000 experience just to get om level 1 to level 2, every point i precious, particularly ar the start. [would Reader eee Mee ig pine Bee ra ale ee Br el pcan ae Teiariestnanel por lontoe dur Pile toe cient ee many ate outdoors) is almost too Combat doe 1. make chis situation second site, No ‘one expects beginning characters co fight average hit percentage for melee weapons is 209% or less, and when that percentage does not improve much with advance ment (especially if you. miss skill in- creases), fighting becomes a tedious, frustrating, boring, long-drawn-out af fair “Thizaoptes pps eusall Muay of them fal even ar decent sil eels. The only ones T found to work reasonably fe ere “Llgheng” andl “Fulmnie Be par cren win ee an cat conn on hem ging off propery. Exacerbating this furcher i the incred- ible number of weapon fumbles made by Page 25 gigital Dragons the characters. While playing this game, 1 could absolutely guarantee that at least one fighter would Fumble, in every single ‘combat. Every fight, and I kept ack. tie oF unfamifiae weapons, but plain ol everday one hand sword hey wee trained up in swordplay (sill rolls per mitting), yet even when the sword skill swasupat 10 or 1 chey fumbled with the same depressing regularity, occasionally ireaking weapons or hitting themselves for damage. A fumble now and then is fone thing; when supposedly-competent characters do so in combat afer combat something is seriously wrong with the gaine mechanics This iscopecrly trucas this inepritude does not apply to bow weapons. A Green EIF or Huneer with bow in hand will hit, even at level 1 experience, about 80% of the time. A regular fighter with bow in hand and some misile weapon skill will hit about 5 ofthe rime occasionally better. I's obvious that the combat is ex- tremely unbalanced, k New re ene to the last straw. After check whether or not it was posible (0 sri he Blg Shomsowa wits cn order) werd instead plGrimsing ‘Well, Thad a ard ime dating my frstrempt, and | decided to try again. To my surprise, the Quit/Reload’ command didn’t bring up the load game screen. It brought up the feces That's ight folks fil baud y ime, without jon't need th hough i's nce weapon hae) ‘With chs you can ih the game any time, av almost any level. fou guit during the gomatically This is nos just a seam; itis the Grand Canyon of seams. How did the 20+ playtesters manage to miss this one? If they didn’t mis it, why wasn i Fixed? As icstands, this bug makes playing thegame a farce, even without all its other prob- lems, TThose who worship at the mythical al tar of Realism often end up sacrificing fun and playability i Thee'ts what hap: pened with Blade of Destiny. In their a Tempe to make the game “ike real lif Goreng few players acy wan the first place) the designers went ove board in the wrong, more than. onee, Iwould not commend Arturia to any game player, but I do recommend it to game desgnets an emple of what toavoid in theie own products. Let us all hope we don’t see another one like this any time soon, exw Page 26 MD Silicon IVF Playing Tips My experimemration with the game showed that the best pany is probably conipose of two fighters (one Dwat),dree Green Elves (bestarehers, and they Have spell 00), and a Magilan, Since the Bghters expecially at low levels are almost useless you should tank thers up in che best anor you ean manage and tse diem as target dummies forthe opposition, Fighters should cary «spare ‘Weapon for those ies when the primary one breaks (as ie inevitaly wl), Orcs ats th ey etd the athe ond pk he ff pitas Yon nrncnmgh are ook the lb igitly-armorcl and cartying as many’ misses as possible, Do not neglect so gee ee cere feelers ane tried cla fun out of ato, so a melee all is necessary. ving rhe wot Thies runs Take the Doo tp his lockpicking, One character, preferably with hear AUBITA v haggling Ban ee Avoid the Finey weapons and stick to the everyday kind: your fighters wll doa REST ATTEN RIANe Mee Cane Cia Tam atuncHGn je weapons, equip them one at a tint, and take a look a the Atack/Pary values. Ive etl ejecpence ‘The Magician should specialize n combat spellsand should always take the ll autempelsitel poine exchange. Alto work-up Analyze Magi; thete area fev soot nth hat you daca oi Ate ofthe ganre ena the wand for the permanent Hight spell so you dort have to cary torches or Hoes Ltr, share the wand up hough ser of ts pes purpose elon Good spells have at: Lightning, Falminitus,Ignfaxus, Somnigravs, Pare ee needa tain, Fecal Gen kee On the road, always have your best survivalist go foraging and send your best herbalist (he Magichan) hunting for hess, Alum sex guards when you are not sleeping at an inns ove eas hl pole, Mare fen han mo he onl and you can mabe the patient worse, adding tothe injury or even giving him or iter tetanus The profesional hedlersare sometimes no beter, avoid them, to Ue Reding ¥pel, healing potions or heal herbs thea Upon gaining anew level, concentrate on reducing: superstition, aerophobia, claiserophabi and necrophobia, The other three dadvantages don't seem 10 Ihaveany effec on game ply Car east that | experienced), so leave them folate, Riding skill has no function in this game, as all rave is by ship ot foor. Pur cis ito climbing and swimming, sle-contol, physical contok and somes of the other body skills . a Arkania And The Gravis Ultrasound Card Avkanias the only game I've played sof that would not work with the Gravis ‘Ultrasound eard. Fverything else [have on my neve system has gorten along with the SBOS (SoundBlaster enmulacor), but nothing I tried would make Arkenta aceeptit. Therefore, l could nor comment in the main articleon any sound effects, snc, as it nacurally played silently. Tam currently using SBOS v2.04. FFanyone our there with a Gravis manages to get it ro work with this game (although after my currenc article, there may not bbe too many attempring it), I would like t hear from you. Send full details on your config and autoexec files, SBOS settings, SBOS version, and any parameters ‘you used (Gee end of Mail column for the addres). IFT can duplicate sound in the ‘eume, [will princ the info int fucure issue, caw Compnaer Garning Wort A En Aa Lae SeAUMYANL IS ely Seis pon tokalnow) ia etl Nie.) Nu eu x re es eee ©. Di A PSO ay SHicgy SWF Scorpion’s Wail Serpent Isle il Labyrinth of Worlds ill The Summoning Magic Candle IT Darkside of Xcen ll Eye of the Beholder III ‘Alone in the Dark ll Legend of Kyrandia ll Monkey Island I Wherein CGW’s Adventure Games Editor Offers Aid For Adventurers ou can sce, Fred and I have not aude too much progress lately in Hard Nova lectonic Arcs Ay, [BM Re Thi science Getion CRPG wes an im- prove vation a the Sonne Wordengine Indoor locations are now fly graphic ard ‘movement snolonger ions ans Yu te mca sf the Sale ‘eeritnga varity of NPCS slong she way es lls for ewe diffe ways of andl de inain problem an theres peny of wel al aed comb ith lide of random csc inspace, Tei definitly worth ym ify ike pace a Knights OF Legend ‘Origin: Ap, Co, IBM Review: #69 (March '90) Playing Fips: #69) Taetial wargaming with a shin veneer of coe plying, Reig of Laon eure ‘stg backgpoune and NF which 379 Silicon SIO? ied by the weight of incessine combat: 20 at ise ol Ging fk an ibcome tlio afters while The game em phasres ate techniques over al ee Only feargamers or devoted hack wishes ae likely o enjoy this one. Legacy OF The Ancients SEER, Cos, 18M Review #45 (Jan. 88) ‘Would you believes CRPG in the Quem saylt Of couse you mould, since twas done Uf ae same perp. The nd norcly ot ‘scumnith exhibits you ene by deposi the prope enter walmart to ha of usan I: dearoying a scrol fe ‘pels Pimerly aoc eps of ode Legend OF Fergal Rignbove Aru Am IBM Review: #79 eh. 91) “This is German import thar should never have crosed the Arfancc Irs poorly transla panel bas several mistakes, the graphics are ily, and combac is absurd (characters in the rear rank ean be hit by opponents nowhere tea her —appnen that arse sie weapons). There i nothing new or of ineeest inthe game. l'sa mediocre effortathest. (The review presents 2 quite diferent pictute ofits makes me wonder if we were looking a¢ the same product) Lord OF The Rings Inverpiy Am, IBM Revue 981 (Ape 91) Probably the best so fir of the various taken saps alah not wi ‘wel pins follows the bole (Felons) Behl lati dels inispais seer Ah arf ew aed. nn Covert Digests, and walling sound canbe abit much times, especialy considering the umber of ings tha can bef ony by apg high Since ew mate ist been pinto round ou he ame his Bringonly the firs of thee prs), hose anil iar he original stony i themes aii then. Ics x to fe throug hi one slowly and carefully hig game and wil norbe completed yukkly. fo ger hw wal you may know yo Magic Candle ‘Minderaf Sofovare; Ap, C64, 15M Review: #58 (Apr 89) CCRPG in the late Una spl with much trekking around and gathering of informe tion, at well a mip minuets 10 pe form. No. codes stream of monstert or extrancous combats: this sora hack nash game, Carl noe-aking ea must Superior fonviolent ending one tthe ew CRDPCe tha ths noc depend on “Kill Foode” forthe denouement, CGWe Comparer Role Plying Game OF The Year for 1989, an deservedly Magic Candle I:‘The Four and Forty Minders Sone TBM Review: #95 une 92) Follow-up to the fst game, taking place about 10 yeas later. This time your pany of Pose 37 Mata AA RESP mu Rn Peer g gu rartene rem sna Peto cen! Pott kicked TN cts eee ed ye) oe Roe Cruces PC cys ued air, naval, and bombardments Neer ee eens IU eerste cL UU Lo} ferro UNA aoa Ng aah eke or aN) aay ana ete parte SUNN easter tele Neng CUD ate T UL WS aNd eae Ce ered roa Patella cs Cee ROSA Cet aa co is for the IBM PC. It can be obtained Gene Cece Ee! icy Eu Reece MM ts Pu crue) Eee Ea Soni eter or aoa ee ae eT Peden ite) Pret i ean PCPA Ue CO eet Pee ea Srey TT MICA I Log) PASTA UNA Ite oEU) ols Ttae Ng COMPLETE GAME SCORING HISTORY NRA e UP alot Batman mech) CONQUESTS Circle Re oa podoas Bema aie ‘Scenario Disk” is for the IBM PC. econ Pe ee er ood reed ‘908-788-2799 Roce oa Ter Cae ra Ere ra pisttal Phone A 7 heroes is trying to find out what happened 10 the orignal iain of dhe Mage Cale whose disappearance set off the events ofthe previous entry. Sports pretty much the sane ‘gine, with a few improvements, uch as a automatic note pad (which could have done ibetter). However, the game i never, with a ‘surprising overemphais on combat, and one dungeon that is 2 nightmare. While bewer than a number of CRPGs on the market, The Forty aed Fourisn't quite up to tspredecesor Magic Candle It Mindraft Sofewares [BM Review: #106 June") Conclusion of the series and, in common with many CRDGs these days ends on 4c Uisere note. The main goal ito sive the souther islands Fons a mterions bight ae ieeaking over the land. Theres nothing really she is fematkaly dul, and after a while cons hard to maintain incest. Uns fora Magic Caudle game, thete ic Foodle fight, which iso ey t's laughable. Thisone ison forthe hard-core un ofthe eves Martian Drews Odin IBM. RRevkew: #86 (Sep."91) Visie Mars in the 1890s! Second in the Worksof Ulimasei, cases samecgie as Uline VIA nice retention of Victorian Science fiction with an imeretng sty Tine. Te is wcally nore an adventure game than a roleplaying game, ascharactr sats have rel ‘ively Hale importance in secompising the ‘nisaton. Too much walking soundand back tracking, with mo means Of easy travel, i 3 te weak point. The game re tiene an exelent to det, but otherse enjoyable Mega Traveler Paragon; Ar BM Review: #76 (Nov. 90) The fist computerized version ofthe popu lar Mapa Tavellerokeplaying game comes off father poorly. ls mow sri fa san to lous combat sytem that ake ightng ex reiting ftating. Mach Give mu be ney to ger on with the pre. Nowhere near pod a thou ave ren is only forthe devoted Mage rareler fan with a high olerance for exasperation, MegaTemlle It Parag: IBM Reve #88 (Nov. 91) time athough nr by much, Comb cbt {eran nots lage pr of play, There ae tmany wots to vie (perhaps too many) a Your ary lke fora way to sve Royanor From & ceeping tide of sme. Much of the action ends going nt shle quests that have mothing co dor wth the mam pot, but you you find youre dang ety Tings over and over apa. Page so on SNF ight & Magic 1 Naw World Computing: Am, Ap, C64, 18M Reviews #36 (Apa'87) Bstenine CRDG rivaling (pony even sn pain ihe! lonee ee a the ee gl ork Map-maling is amt: expect to have 50s by the vie you're ished, Piety 10 do besides cartography and exploration, wich inet stink qua (9 coenplee wel pce selce/ Out} Fay in re pence rs nonviolent ending, Biggest dliticly get siredstanibe Rite eel eee ea anced. However, ks well worth the effort ing; Am, Ap, C64, IBM. Review: #57 (March 89) Novas good as d count, Wont ithe ercutvenes of te con tre wiih tres tis one into a “Monty Hal/Monster Mash” exrvagunc, Ie has 4 sve plo padded with many extrancous ac- Shi eling 2 ha Pr eske Ceanice ara Reaerand the rans? Can be filed outwith vious Hiring but rel this Ones only forthe devoted hack and sah crowd he & Magi I es of Tera NEG Mead Spain DM Reviews 290 (han 92) Tips 290 A completely redesigned and graphics display carn the seis aay from the excess of the pant and on to a: more reasonable route, Camb is mic more bale mee although Nea teat alittle 09 ey scone by to cay the gine, Sil Teese The party vate Sheltem agi, although they wort catch up to hia here (ee Darko: below), Overall big improvement Jn the seis, and worth plying Might 8 Magic 1V: Clouds OF Xeen New World Compucing: IBM Review: #102 lan 93) Similar to.MeEM IT in game engine and mechanics though with Seve] prove Separate list for questtems aquired Two phy tones Advemare, which takes combat & Tile easier (rier ie sooner), and Warton which males icharder(crtrs dictate, thoy don't lll you fist). Ending is "Kill Fool, and rather dhappointing: fs sity 2 onc Sill Might 6a fas wl enjoy cand should ep 1 handy on the hard dive (ce next ent) Might & Magie IV: Darkside of Xeen New World Computings 18M Review: #110 (Sept. 93) Te conch ote cums Mh ‘Mag src tha began way back wth MGM 1, Raxuring the Fal showdown berrcen Siem and Cora Can be payed asa stand alone or incorporated into loo maketh Complete World Of Xen allowing you to sip tac and forth beowecn both sien of the trond You nur cre the il word if you feant 10 se your Clo pay. The most Enjoyment wil be obexind by Healing Both and playing the a single game ecg aly sey hse teen add, ac play piney onc teens che prevent Ferree deen eg tantly cbvions an not much of hal Noa Poudeerings grat sna of he Been hana Cran sn nwo single world, Anise for those wh have (Slowed th sek sigs ta spon Phantasiet SSI; Ap At, C64, IBM, ST Tale: 5.4 (Sep-Oct 85) A suprisingly good lie game, with many interesting fenutes: auio-mapped dungeons ‘multiple partes (only one at atime can be fut) dropping olf of characters in diferent owns andl monsters that can (sometins) he bribed to leave you alone, Combat is lle ‘weak, as parry nierbers are strung out actoss the bottom ofthe combat scrcen when fight ng begins, but this is not too sevious a draw back anost ofthe time, Standard “Kill Fool ending, but hes tough to defeat. Phantasie SSI: Ap, At ST Review: £30 (Aug. 86) Conpater Gaming Wold inp 618M ST ie ep 8 Tho cnt ou the lan iby Son Pee tn emer ey pl Rak ot mead dee eos couleur g satisfying, if perhaps Pool OF Radiance S51 Am, Ap, C65, IBM, Mac Review: 249 (Dee. 88) ‘The fist Gold Box game—the one that stated ical. MulK-quest format, leading up to chestandard “Kill Fooze In The Big Bae fending. Has a more open format than later games: Biggest drawback to this otherwise wwalldesigned slice/dicer is che inordinate umber of creatures to fight a the ganse ps esses. Combats hecome diawn-out and tt with no way eo avid them or speed up scion. Patienae (possibly of Job) required to gst through this one ons Fad Se ‘Soe em eae See ed neds coven oie ‘he laring Oo jpot aide all gap! open] stuff (armor, weapons, etc.) whenever you sy he el coy oe see sere Dy gepiclepraet eu rei tae Sept eee eee see oats pee meen eer derietgs ea ree RE rename eee nee eis Sasa Que For Glory Tia By Fre Sei On ines An TB Te (ea 91) Soar deceit oe neem aval fe an a pre feroarbleaiuuryeetioureine soporte cer uh le od nes ar Fu tees te pentee eaige hes hie paeey egeecby mic ‘You have to save the home town of the Kattas sad ef wconsbch fo class, with the thief ending Beng the most, ewber 1998 I PPO as Sica SNF dlifficalt and involved. Has one of the neatst and best “reward” sequences around: Questron SSeAp, Cod Review! #43 Qunc®) Something long the lines of an ealy-U- tna clove (a eens bad o be obtain frm ord Brith for this game wo be pubs, bit wth xen points of interest Monsees foam the outdoors in specie places and te ‘ire paula weapons kl he, Travel ‘accomplished in variety of way ineuding ty ship lama and gant eagle (he most fu Thee are thre nasty i eed Food Thawgh abana hagonot he Ee pole ee Set avnmetr Shae Tepe stute a ats pipe Deaeeiene era rag a Eat ingen ahr eae Sue chips Be 5 sa eee only moderate interest. You wong ans dom 0 le «qs, solving obvious pales slong the Notas welltalanced aie could be mates of combat. Exeemely linea ‘completion of Revo: #80 (March 91 Fine in the Word of Uline srs i uses the Uli VPengine ard graphic. Avatar and frends are ple by action ino 9 jung ikl loe awed ay pr rae requires unig vary of ative ibs who treall mare oelescx arith esc other. Like Manone ee elesobing than roleplaing alchough there ya amour of combat toe done ong the way Nor ood bu ocean $liytrcky. Good for ling nthe hours while Jorma for he next eal Uti Screg OFT Mtn Wad Te ae eae cna screen ee a cbs pe Pebpeosmceiar rete Secret OF The Silver Blades Sl; Am, C64, IBM, Mac Review: #75 (Oct, '$0) In this sequel to Azure Bonds, the parry is summoned 6 helpa mining, esi dae mines, J. Worlds I Future Magic Elecrconie Arts: C64, IBM. Review: #54 (Dec. '88) ‘Onc: you gt ps the dow binning shi isan incre on CRPG, freedius indoor dysem and she tre ending ( ston! Thar Done, oer next). youn ire wih char hai pod pune le Shard OF Spring I; Ap. COs, IBM Revie #33 (Dec '86) magne 4 pial hadeandalah emp al a tthe ‘he ‘ofthe “eb a ne my ings . ioctl gee to the ual “big confrontation. This one & ‘nt bad for is sype, a! bere han some Space 1889 Paragon An IBM. Review #80 (March 91) rags tempt to bring this paper RPG colitis aon ts face, Untnpred graphics, He tent ae, Eigios ntertece come eytem and lundrurn ead create the daappoinament. While nora vod disar teri ely thar only the moat hard-ooe Spoce 1889 (paper veron) tvs wil ejoy te ‘The Summoning Ssi IBM Tale #102 Jan."93) This is nea single-player CRPG with an caphaison pales Iroverdocsita ie with the Meplascepoter combos, but other: jection osm cng prime for barn, Balncd combat, with food ine of meee and. spells Short but trig ending Despite on vo dink inde bon thisiea BIG game with much odo, Sve Page 4 Fis prow lly raero nhc SFopee on the dive fortis one. rs worth your time. Savage Frontier Tale: #96 (july 92) Tones & Trolls: Crusade New Workd Computing Review #79 91) Here ta ptfect example of gol game gine “wrong. Poor programming anlr Pyeng slowed fir coo many Bug in the fame an erured avery lose deg, with il direction for he payer on what to or sshere to go. Unban combat, especially inte inthe adventure, Overly a big ointment forthe haw-coe fan only 200A, Green Tale #44 (Feb. 88) ober ralemne: ley gapliveelsomeke Se play denvoy an fing of exe or fuspeate Ie ie ghallow, bland and not particu tnt ioginatie, but wey be pood fora sue imc alfemaon or tsny day when you wane ial involving Ultima 1 Giigin: Ap, Ac, 264, IBM, Mae, Vie Thi fi pa i hc ily pi seoper sid ron aang land (with duos) Splat ait an femal eine ae techy providing everbetter weapons, tor Spin The a oe deur opine spread The Lk peal 8 0 ‘entally go back in ime and destroy Mon- in and hisesl gem of power: Oneofthe fie games ofits inet havea veal outdoors mot in the genre were busly pushing you through ciidenground pesogevant THe pase ten te troduced inectaction watt NPCir although S rauch more rudimentary form than the cu tem Chima The biggest problemin the game (nor relly Fed unt Una 7) the a ance contac, Other. Ulva t Origin Ap, At, C64, IBM, Ma, Vie Reston #3. (Matcl-Api83) Tn ths gue, Lord Brtih bps cghtening up the deign’ Here you're afer Minas, the prteg of Mondain There balsam Bing Bote nspc> (obit coull yl bape bet fit) and moongats ate needed for thefint tine, bur tere sho conederble sel back fn the stutore sh a end teen ope rie ARE exe ener ir adh a ht dangon ed be Seon pave ee gin; Am, Ap, At, C64, IBM, Mac, ST Review: #3.6 (Dec. 83) This is the best of the First erilogy. Time travel and space stlf have heen deepped, s0 Page 12 The Evolution Of ULTIMA EVIL rare the cpa ny ale, lt ad Ecrucrure ate exter developed. Te the fist ies 0: atuee par seepage group of up 10 four, aod a reveal combar Sparen wth ndivihaal depictions of monstes and characters, Destroy Exodus offpring of Mondain and Minas, in a surprising quit aied nowleat faion. Thi werk cm fhe. Ulta ssrics rey form the panei Kill Foose nv A Big Bale” ending torso lutions that are escornbative inspite end that bas continued through Uline Vi Uleima IV ‘Origin Am, Ap, At, C4, 1M Review: #25 (Jan-Feb 86) Saill my personal favorite of the series this isthe only game an the market where personal development of the character, beyond mere fighting shill, isthe heart of the ploe, This theme makes dhe game occasionally

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