category appname highs lows Bottomline Rating AlphaSortKey CoName Address City State Zip Phone Phone2 email m/y/pg Review Index 11th Hour, The Looks and sounds great (with the proper hardware). Puzzles still seem unrelated to the game's story; limited innovations are not worth the performance penalty. A good puzzle game; lots of patience and a nitro-fuel burning PC recommended. 76 E Virgin 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 April Review Index 1830 A unique and entertaining approach to familiar subject matter. The design is too focused; it doesn't allow the free-wheeling, open-ended gameplay it could. A well-executed and entertaining game that sticks too close to its boardgame origins. 80 E Avalon Hill 4517 Hartford Road Baltimore, MD 21214 (410) 254-9200 June Review Index 3D Lemmings A great new look, plenty of control options, and lots of levels thatÕll keep you busy for weeks. The controls may be a little awkward, even for die-hard Lemmings fans. 3D Lemmings is an addictive puzzler that's a bit out of the norm. 91 T Psygnosis/Sony Interactive 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. Second Floor, Foster City, CA 94404 Tech/ Tip Line: (415) 655-5683 January Arcade 3D Ultra Mini-Golf Nice production values. True Putt option makes things interesting. Annoying viewing angles; limited replay value. For real putt-putt golf excitement, take a pass on Mini-Golf, load up the car and head for the nearest mini-golf course. 47 T Sierra 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue WA 98007 (800) 757-7707 August '97, p. 123 Arcade 3DO Games: Decathlon Beautifully animated players, network compatible. Sterile presentation, cramping fingers from button mashing. While it may look pretty good, this game suffers from a lack of excitement. It’s not worth the finger cramps. 60 T Studio 3DO 600 Galveston Drive Redwood City CA 94063 800-336-3506 June '97, p. 118 Review Index 5th Fleet Ease of play masks the depth of authentic data in this game. Exciting scenarios; crisp graphics. Lovers of high-tech micro-management, a la Harpoon, may find it too streamlined. An elegant conversion of a board-gaming classic; a must-have for fans of naval war who relish action above all other elements. 85 F Avalon Hill 4517 Hartford Rd. Baltimore, MD 21214 (410) 254-9200 January Simulation 688[i] Hunter/Killer Detailed; great sound effects; a good mission editor; some multiplayer support. May be too complex; unimpressive 3D view; videos occasionally don't match performance. A great submarine sim, but only hard-core sim nuts should apply. 85 S Jane's Combat Simulations 1450 Fashion island Blvd. San Mateo CA 94404 415-571-7171 September '97, p. 164 Interactive Movie A Fork in the Tale Lots of great comedy from Rob Schneider; fast-moving, lag-free video. Tedious, uninteresting story; banal gameplay; frustrating repetition. Think FMV sucks? You’ll think it again. 34 A AnyRiver Entertainment 280 Utah Avenue South San Francisco CA 94080 415-742-7932 May '97, p. 129 Simulation A-10 Cuba! Detailed and frisky flight model; outstanding sound; smooth, simple graphics. Somewhat irksome controls; no printed manual; only 12 missions. An immersive but very limited flight sim that thrives in the Win 95 environment. 68 A Activision 11601 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1000 Los Angeles CA 90025 (310) 473-9200 March '97, p. 160 Review Index Absolute Zero Playing as a variety of characters gives AZ depth; the story is well-written. Only persistent gamers will be able to deal with the linear gameplay. An exercise in frustration that will put off all but the most patient gamers. 61 A Eidos 303 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94111 Tip Line: (900) 288-GAME March Review Index Abuse Great design, lots of hidden goodies, and built-in level editor. The interface takes some getting used to, so you wonÕt be hooked right at first. One of the most enjoyable shooters of the year. 88 A Crack.dot.com Austin, TX (800) 810-0022 January Review Index Aces of the Deep When everything works right, AOD is dramatic and convincing. Everything might not work right all the time. In places, the graphics are disappointing. Aces of the Deep is a worthy, ambitious, and detailed submarine simulation. 82 A Sierra 3380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, Washington 98007 February Review Index Across the Rhine Operational level feels authentic; "alternate history" campaign mode can be fascinating. Interface is all but impenetrable; learning curve is steep; even the shoot-'em-up mode fails. What works in ATR works impressively; be prepared to invest many frustrating hours for the payoff, however. 76 A MicroProse Software, Inc. 180 Lakefront Dr. Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (410) 771-1151 November Strategy Admiral: Sea Battles Great graphics, intense action, challenging scenarios. The manual needs to be translated into real English; some awkward design elements cause needless irritation. A tight, clean, unpretentious little game that could become a classic. 80 A Megamedia Corp. 47381 Bayside Parkway Fremont CA 94539 (510) 623-1100 February '97, p. 164 Review Index Aegis: Guardian of the Fleet A realistic but manageable sim of one of the world's most sophisticated ships. Maybe too high-tech for some; the lack of full-screen battle images mutes the intensity. Easier to get into than Harpoon, perfect for players scared off by that game's complexity. A Time-Warner Interactive Group 2210 Olive Ave. Burbank, CA 91506 BBS: 1-818-295-6730 July Review Index Afterlife Humor; novel concept; a fully-fleshed, complex and challenging sim. Blocked graphics, puzzling terminology, and thin documentation. A great sim for the diehard simmer. If you loved the SimCity games, youÕll like this. 85 A LucasArts P.O. Box 10307 San Rafael, CA 94912 (800) 782-7927 October Review Index Age of Rifles Wide variety of campaigns; detailed, accurate historical info; great editor. Disjointed campaigns, several bugs, and only average graphics and sounds. A great title with tons of customizability and months of gaming stuffed into one CD. 86 A SSI 675 Almanor Ave. Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 November Wargame Age of Sail Huge number of scenarios; solid campaign mode; excellent battle-editor. Controlling big engagements too often means zooming out and missing some of the fun. A sumptuous looking, smooth-playing recreation of a fascinating era. 85 A TalonSoft P.O. Box 632 Forest Hill MD 21050-0632 (410) 933-9191 March '97, p. 141 Shooter Agile Warrior F-111X Numerous missions to accomplish; lots of ammunition to play with. Bland landscapes; jerky control; targets difficult to find. Even die-hard shooter fans will find this insipid and uninspired. 40 A Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine CA 92614 714-883-8710 May '97, p. 116 Review Index AHD-64 Longbow Gorgeous sights and sounds; incredible realism and detail, balanced by a great tutorial. Very steep hardware requirements; occasionally long load times; onlly one campaign. AHD-64 Longbow isnÕt just the best chopper sim ever, itÕs one of the best flight sims, period. 94 A Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. Sand Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 July Review Index Air Havoc Controller Truly beautiful 3-D animations and realistic stereo sounds. No provision for saving or restoring scenarios; little variation in gameplay. AHC's outstanding graphics and sound make it stand out from the crowd. 75 A Trimark Interactive 2644 30th Street Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310) 314-2000 January Review Index Air Power Imaginative concept and strategy elements; beautifully executed graphics. Control feels unresponsive; unusual keyboard commands. So close to being a classic, but misses it by just an inch. 82 A Mindscape 88 Rowland Way Novato, CA 94945 (415) 897-9900 March Review Index Al-Qadim The game's series of simple challenges makes it accessible to beginning players. The series of simple challenges isn't very likely to satisfy experienced players. Good for the young set, maybe ages 8-11, as an introduction to the world of fantasy RPGs. 76 A Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 210 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 July Review Index Albion Entertaining story; lots of items, charcters, and places to explore; tons of magic. Movement can be frustrating at times; story is fairly linear; some graphics are dated. Albion has all the elements of a great roleplaying adventure. It may not be as non-linear as Daggerfall, but it's still a blast. 88 A Blue Byte Software 870 E. Higgins Rd., Suite 143 Shaumburg IL 60173 (847) 995-9991 November Review Index Alien Breed Delivers plenty of fun. Not much variety involved. A good, solid shooter lacking in the razzle-dazzle, but full of solid no-brain game play. 75 A MicroLeague 1001 Millersville Road Lancaster, PA 17604 (717) 872-6567 June Adventure Alien Incident Colorful graphics, good writing, and a solid game at the core. Flaky sound drivers, some setup troubles, no in-game voice acting. A good choice for adventure gaming beginners, or something to take out when the whippersnappers come over. 73 A Gametek, Inc. 3 Harbor Drive, Suite 110 Sausalito CA 94965 (800) GAMETEK February '97, p. 129 Review Index Alien Legacy Smooth and challenging with solid graphics and an intriguing storyline. The same things occur every time you play, so it can get too easy to cheat the fates. A fresh new feel in strategy gaming--although the straight-arrow storyline that makes it fresh also hurts replay value. 80 A Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, Washington 98007 August Review Index Alien Odyssey Nice graphics and environments; good sound effects. Enemies are weak and uninspired. The gameplay is confusing, and only moderately challenging. The game would be a winner if it stuck with one style. 70 A Philips Media Inc. 10960 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90024 (800) 340-7888 February Review Index Alien Virus Crisp hi-res graphics; simple point-and-click interface. Very slow gameplay. You're a space-age locksmith, trying to open doors just to play the game. The puzzles aren't very challenging, and there's little else to hold your interest 59 A Vic Tokai 22940 Lockness Avenue Torrance, CA 90501 (310) 326-8880 August Review Index Aliens Great graphics and cut scenes Extremely weak voice acting and dialog; timed puzzles make most of the game unnecessarily frustrating. A troubled and disappointing adventure for only the most patient gamer. 59 A Mindscape 88 Rowland Way Novato, CA 94945 (415) 897-9900 February Review Index Allied General Many of the same qualities that made Panzer General a winner, plus multiple-window interface. Not enough new here, and some desirable features are missing. A good beer-n-pretzels wargme for Windows, but it could have been a bit better. 89 A SSI 675 Almanor Ave Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901 April Review Index Alone in the Dark 2 Fantastic graphics and gameplay sure to please all but the most jaded gamer. Alone 2 lacks the same eerie atmosphere and devious puzzles that made the original game such a hit in the first place. A great game, superior to the already excellent original in all but atmosphere. 85 A I-Motion 1333 Ocean Avenue Suite J Santa Monica, CA 90401 June Review Index Alone in the Dark III Fluid motion; inventive puzzles and gameplay; and good atmosphere. Finding a good shooting angle is tough; it's still just Alone in the Dark. A rip-snorting good horror western, with the right blend of chills, humor, action, and puzzles. 88 A I-Motion 1333 Ocean Avenue Suite J Santa Monica, CA 90401 May Puzzle Amber A promising opening; nice rendered graphics. Illogical puzzles; mostly static backgrounds; very small amount of gameplay. Amber falls more than a few steps short of achieving its potential. 53 A Changeling 2507 Albata Avenue Austin TX 78757-2102 512-419-7085 May '97, p. 133 Review Index American Civil War Excellent balance between political and military aspects; clean interface. Some aspects of ACW become clear only after many hours of play; manual could be better. An admirable but somewhat recondite game with a steep learning curve. 80 A Interactive Magic P.O. Box 13491 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (919) 461-0722 September Shooter Amok Fast, frenetic action; it runs from the CD! Frustratingly difficult; stingy password allotment; no mouse or joystick support. Although it won’t win any prizes, Amok is a decent, but somewhat dated and repetitious, shooter. 65 A GT Interactive 16 East 40th Street New York NY 10016 212-679-6850 May '97, p. 125 Review Index Angel Devoid Good use of video technology and a good story line. Compatibility problems; less patient gamers may have a hard time sticking with it. Angel Devoid isn't a perfect full-motion video adventure, but it's encouraging proof that "interactive movies" can be enjoyable games. 78 A Mindscape 88 Rowland Way Novato, CA 94945 (415) 897-9900 May Review Index Anvil of Dawn An easy-to-learn interface and some solid, if mindless, RPG action. Mediocre graphics and sound effects; an almost complete lack of innovation. An attractive and enjoyable RPG that doesn't stretch the boundaries very far. 73 A New World Computing PO Box 4302 Hollywood CA 90078 (818) 889-5650 March Review Index Anyone for Cards? A wide variety of card games to choose from, many not available in other Windows game packs. The price ($49.95) seems a bit steep considering the overall quality of the game. A decent CD if all you're after is the occasional game of cards. 75 A Capstone 501 Brickell Key Drive 6th Floor Miami, FL 33131 January Review Index Apache Terrific flight model; countless options and missions; great gameplay. Explosion graphics could be more impressive. A flight game with broad appeal: Everyone from arcade players to sim hounds should delight in it. 95 A Interactive Magic P.O. Box 13491 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (919) 461-0722 October Review Index APBA Baseball Harwell's play-by-play; great SFX; realistic replays. Somewhat clumsy integration among the game's modules. Digital commentary has all the wonder the national pastime had when it was the national pastime. 90 A Miller Associates 11 Burtis Avenue Suite 200 New Canaan, CT 06840 October Action/Adventure Archimedean Dynasty Great graphics; sophisticated combat engine; plenty of strategy; involving story line. May run slow on older machines, gameplay is fairly linear, and there are no multi-player options. This intriguing sub combat game will please action lovers everywhere. 84 A Blue Byte Software 870 Giggins Rd., Suite 143 Shaumburg IL 60173 (847) 995-9951 March '97, p. 138 Review Index Archon Ultra Modem play; strategically challenging. Very picky about sound cards and mouse drivers. The combination of strategy and arcade sequences give it great replay value. 76 A Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 210 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 June Shooter Area 51 Lots of enemies to kill. Loads of ammo, power-ups, and aliens. Grainy graphics, sluggish pace, one-dimensional gameplay. Unless you absolutely adored the arcade version and can overlook some glaring flaws, don’t bother. 58 A Midway/GT Interactive 16 East 40th St. New York NY 10016 (212) 679-6850 February '97, p. 167 Review Index Armored Fist Good mission editor and some entertaining shooting action. Spotty graphics; lack of important options; frustrating play. Graphics cripple the play so much that Armored Fist doesn't work as either a detailed tank simulator or as a shooter. 65 A NovaLogic 19510 Ventura Boulevard Suite 200 Tarzana, CA 91356 February Adventure Arrival, The Outstanding graphics and sound, eerie and atmospheric. Some puzzles too easy; moderate amount of CD swapping. An engaging adventure despite the simplistic puzzles. 81 A Live Interactive 15400 Sherman Way, P.O. Box 10124 Van Nuys CA 91410 818-988-5060 June '97, p. 80 Review Index Ascendancy What's not to like? Just re-read all the adjectives in the review. It can be tricky to make your way through all the information that accumulates as your empire expands. Ascendancy is the best game if its kind, period. 93 A Broderbund Software Inc. 17 Paul Dr. San Rafael, CA 94948 (415) 883-5889 November First-person shooter Ashes to Ashes Attractive graphics, multiple vehicles, and interesting outdoor environments. Disorienting, confusing. Uninspired. There’s no reason to recommend this. It’s bland, confusing, and tiresome. 25 A Corel Corp. 1600 Carling Ave. Ottawa, Ont., Cananda K1Z8R7 K1Z 8R7 (800) 772-6735 February '97, p. 145 Action Assassin 2015 Adrienne Barbeau’s husky voice-overs are nicely done. The game is very short, not very challenging, and, aside from the cut-scenes, looks very dated.. Assassin seems to miss the point of what first-person shootin’ fun is all about. 35 A Inscape P.O. Box 251829 Los Angeles CA 90025 (800) 741-3043 January '97, p. 236 Review Index Assault Rigs Fast action on later levels; wide range of viewing options; varied graphics. Slow to start; maddening menu animations; clumsy viewpoints. Assault Rigs provides a modest amount of fun, but it couldÕve been so much more. 61 A Psygnosis 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. 2nd Floor Foster City, CA 94404 August Review Index AstroFire The prettiest version of Asteroids we've seen; plays well on a 286. Pretty or not, it's still just Asteroids; no music; loads slowly on that 286. A good trigger-finger workout; and it's easy to try before you buy. 72 A ORT Software 2A Berceau Walk Watford, Herts WDI 38L United Kingdom October Review Index Atari 2600 Action Pack Perfect recreations of some genuine gaming classics; killer nostalgia-fodder. The games themselves just aren't as much fun as I remember them. They're simplistic and repetitive. Don't buy it for the games, but do buy it for the memories it'll evoke. 68 A Activision 11601 Willshire Boulevard Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90025 May Review Index Atari 2600 Action Pack 2 Happy reminders of good days gone by; some truly classic games. Bafflingly slow performance; some agonizing reminders of how bad some of these games really were. If you're willing to time-warp back a dozen years, get it. If not, stay away. 66 A Activision 11601 Willshire Boulevard Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90025 October Review Index ATF Beautiful graphics; lots of high-tech planes to fly; high replay value. Frequently too tough; hardware requirements are still pretty steep. With its good looks, variety, and playability, ATF belongs in every air combat fan's collection. 90 A Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 June Adventure Atlantis: The Lost Tales Stunning scenes; gameplay is reasonably entertaining; good variety. Same old puzzles. Same old pop-up dialog boxes. 3D character movements are jerky and unbelievable. It's a standard graphic adventure that will only do in a pinch. 62 A Cryo 1592 Union St. #155 San Francisco CA 94123 (800) 468-3772 November '97, p. 291 Arcade Atomic Bomberman Fast-paced action; multi-play for up to ten players; entertaining time killer. Takes up way too much hard-drive space; no advancement system; ugly playing boards. Good clean fun for you and your buddies -- if you've got the hard-drive space to spare. 75 A Interplay 16815 Von Karman Ave. Irvine CA 92606 (800) 969-GAME October '97, p. 210 Adventure Azrael's Tear Beautiful in high-res; interesting plot-line; well-developed characters. Runs poorly even on high-end machines; lots of hunting for yet another key. A good graphic adventure with lots to explore, but you need a powerful PC. 82 A Mindscape 88 Rowland Way Novato CA 94945 (415) 897-9900 February '97, p. 160 Review Index Back to Baghdad Lots of options; extremely thorough recreation of instruments, radar modes, etc. Very expensive; demanding system requirements; unimpressive terrain. While the system demands and price are a bit hard to swallow, Back to Baghdad delivers and exciting F-16 simulation thatÕs a great addition to your flight sim arsenal. 78 B Military Simulations, Inc. 5 Tannery Drive Medfield, MA 02052 (360) 254-2000 December Review Index Bad Day on the Midway Bizarre, hallucinogenic style keeps you guessing and wanting more. Occasionally too hip for its own good; quirky camera angles; some abstract graphics. Weird and wacky, this adventure plays out like a David Lynch film. 80 B Inscape P.O. Box 251829 Los Angeles, CA 90025 (800) 741-3043 August Review Index Bad Mojo Absolutely unique; well-conceived and executed; intense and disturbing. May be too intense & disturbing (and possibly too easy) for some players. Until they make a game out of the movie Eraserhead, this is as weird as it gets.. 84 B Pulse Entertainment 246 First Street, 402 San Francisco, CA 94105 (310) 264-5579 February Puzzle Baku Baku Nicely rendered animals; great two-player mode; extra strategy makes it stand out. May be too “cute” for some; PC conversion loses a little. Despite its full-screen failings, Baku Baku is a puzzle game not to be missed. 83 B Sega Entertainment P.O. Box 8097 Redwood City CA 94063 (510) 371-3131 January '97, p. 251 Strategy Baldies Cute. A new twist. Much of the game relies on luck. You have little control over the baldies, which is very frustrating. It's a great attempt at making something fresh and funny, but it falls flat after the first few levels. 55 B Panasonic Interactive Media 4701 Patrick Henry Dr., Ste. 1101 Santa Clara CA 95054 408-653-1898 April '97, p. 112 Action Banzai Bug Lots of originality; good graphics and sound; cute touches throughout game. Flawed basic design; often frustrating to play; technically spartan. A promising title that didn’t quite live up to its potential. 56 B Grolier Interactive Inc. 90 Sherman Turnpike Danbury CT 06816 800-356-5590 May '97, p. 134 Review Index Batman Forever Lots of different gadgets to use. Clumsy interface makes using those gadgets a real pain; gameplay is stupefyingly unoriginal. ItÕs all been done before, and done much better. For Batman completists only. 40 B Acclaim Entertainment 1 Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove, NY 11542-2777 (516) 656-5000 June Review Index Battle Arena Toshinden Fast colorful fighting action, if you have the right hardware to run it. Choppy animation and sluggish control if you donÕt. Stay away unless youÕve got confidence in your machine. 55 B Playmates Interactive Ent. 16200 S. Trojan Way LaMirada, CA 90638 (310) 407-1490 September Review Index Battle Beast Wonderful graphics, inventive story, and a whole lot of silly humor. Controls are sluggish; lack of a ŅtournamentÓ structure makes for repetitive battles. ItÕs a decent fighting game, but one with significant flaws. 69 B 7th Level Inc. P.O. Box 832190 Richardson, TX 75083-2190 (214) 437-5531 December Review Index Battle Bugs Idiot-proof interface; funny animations; and a thorough online help system. The two-player mode suffers greatly from lack of modem support. A real winner! This is the perfect wargame for people who normally don't like wargames. 89 B Sierra On-Line 380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, Washington 98007 November Review Index Battle Isle 2200 It has the most important qualities of any good wargame: It's easy to learn yet tough to master. Only one unit can attack an enemy at a time; the graphics and sound are average. A wargame you can jump right into, but that offers plenty of challenge. 86 B Accolade 5300 Stevens Creek Boulevard San Jose, CA 95129 (408) 985-1700 May Review Index Battle Isle 2220 A truly unique strategy game packed with fascinating details and subtleties. Steep learning curve; oddball rules and conventions will be a turn-off to players who find the mass of detail overwhelming. One of the most eccentric games of its genre, but also one of the most imaginative. If you can get into it, it can be quite addictive. 80 B Blue Byte Software 870 E. Higgins Rd., Suite 143 Shaumburg IL 60173 (847) 995-9991 May Review Index Battle of Britain Gives a realistic impression of what the RAF command was up against in the autumn of 1940. That's all it does. The graphics are drab, and there's just not much depth of gameplay. Competent, but uninspiring. There are a lot of better choices out there. 55 B Deadly Games 38 Wayaawi Avenue Bayville, NY 11709-10115 (516) 482-4000 November Strategy Battlecruiser 3000 AD The intro animation is very cool. Annoying bugs; frequent crashes; features that don’t work; a pathetically inadequate manual. This game simply wasn’t finished when it shipped. Maybe Take 2 can still fix this game. Until then, don’t buy it. 15 B Take 2 Interactive 1004 Ligonier St. Latrobe PA 15650 (412) 472-2000 January '97, p. 208 Review Index Battledrome The ability to play over modem or network. Mediocre graphics and shell; repetitive combat scenarios. Rather uninspired and a sore disappointment after the terrific EarthSiege; head-to-head could sell this to dedicated modem players. 65 B Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 April Review Index Battleground: Ardennes Colorful and dynamic gameplay, first-rate interface, excellent use of video enhancements. Some players simply wonÕt want another Battle of the Bulge game, no matter how well done. A remarkably fresh and original design, executed with real flair. 91 B Empire Interactive 13220 Wisteria Dr. Germantown, MD 20874 (800) 216-9706 January Review Index Battleground: Gettysburg Magnificent graphics, near-perfect interface; dramatic and creative use of video clips. A few might-have-been scenarios would have been nice - like giving Lee all of his cavalry to see what difference J.E.B. Stuart might really have made. This is a classic wargame in every respect. 89 B TalonSoft PO Box 632 Forest Hill, MD 21050-0632 (800) 211-6504 March Review Index Battleground: Shiloh Beautiful map, slick interface, great videos and music. This is the complex, hard-to-control battle; novices should not attempt total command until they get used to things. Another superb addition to the growing shelf of ŅBattlegroundÓ titles. 84 B TalonSoft P.O. Box 632 Forst Hill, MD 21050-0632( 800) 211-6504 October Review Index Battleground: Waterloo Colorful simple to learn; ŅWhat-if?Ó scenarios will yield hours of replay value. You have to be very much ŅintoÓ Napoleonic history to get the most out of this game. A vividly colorful recreation of one of the most epic battles in Western history. 91 B TalonSoft P.O. Box 632 Forst Hill, MD 21050-0632 (800) 211-6504 August Review Index Battles in Time Good strategic-tactical game with lots of unique twists; the usual thorough QQP head-to-head support. Larger armies tend to move woefully slowly in the strategic section. Lots of replay value and an innovative design make this a truly entertaining wargame. 89 B QQP 495 Highway 202 Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 788-2799 January Strategy Battleship Hey, it's Battleship -- with snazzy cutscenes and great multi-player support. Those snazzy cutscenes refuse to go away, and there's no option for turn-based combat during the scenario modes. A pretty good port of a classic. 78 B Hasbro Interactive 50 Dunham Road Beverly MA 01915 (617) 746-2903 March '97, p. 110 Action Battlesport The name is kinda nice. Ancient graphics, lackluster gameplay, and shoddy controls deal a triple does of death on this clunker. Simply terrible. Trust us on this one, you'll want to avoid it at all costs. 20 B Acclaim Entertainment 1 Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove NY 11542-2777 516-656-5000 August '97, p. 127 Review Index BC Racers Great music; humorous animation; challenging racing. Can't customize racer; no network or modem play. If you want simple racing action and don't mind the few flaws, you'll enjoy this game. 75 B U.S. Gold 303 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 693-0297 October Review Index Beast Within Superb script, excellent videos, a fresh "take" on the traditional werewolf theme. Extreme system demands; if you get hooked on it, you may have to invest in a quad-speed CD-ROM drive, whether you're ready to or not. A great horror adventure, driven by a script that puts the competition to shame. 96 B Sierra 3380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, Washington 98007 April Review Index Beavis & Butt-Head A real, no-foolinÕ graphic adventure with all the funny elements of the MTV show. YouÕll want a fairly fast machine, and gamers who donÕt have Win Ō95 are out of luck. Fans of MTVÕs delinquent duo will adore it, but people who miss the point of the show wonÕt understand the game, either. 90 B Viacom New Media 1515 Broadway New York, N.Y.,10036 (800) 469-2539 February Action Bedlam Easy to control, lots of explosions. No multi-player mode, questionable level design, tedious switch-hunts, enemies too easy to kill. A reasonably workmanlike effort with some drawbacks. 68 B GT Interactive 16 East 40th St. New York NY 10016 (212) 679-6850 January '97, p. 225 Review Index Beneath A Steel Sky Some of the funniest dialog ever; simple interface; runs entirely off the CD. The difficulty of the puzzles in the final third of the game is disproportionately high. A slick, funny, and absorbing adventure that will appeal to a wide variety of gamers--two thumbs up! 91 B Virgin Interactive 1806 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 December Roleplaying Betrayal in Antara Engrossing story line; tried-and-true interface; huge game world. Traveling becomes repetitive; interface needs streamlining; lack of a professional writer's touch. If you liked Krondor, buy this game. It's deep, it's engrossing, and it's fun. 81 B Sierra Online 3380 146th Place S.E., Suite 300 Bellevue WA 98007 (800) 757-7707 October '97, p. 214 Review Index Big 3 (The) A sincere and well-intentioned game with lofty design goals. Scale doesn't work; elements of gameplay are murky; no real feeling of strategy. Here's a classic case of "ten lbs. in a five-lb. bag." 57 B Alliance Interactive Systems 1859 N. Pine Island Road Plantation, FL 33322 (305) 423-4289 May Review Index Big Red Racing Nice graphics, multi-player features and unique vehicles.. Annoying commentary, fuzzy controls, limited gameplay. One of the better arcade racing titles out there, but only in small doses. 75 B Eidos 303 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94111 Tip Line: (900) 288-GAME July Review Index BioForge A good mix of action and puzzle-solving; outstanding animations and graphics. Way too much text to read; camera angles aren't conducive to combat; steep system requirements. Despite a few flaws, you'll play this one all the way to the end. 88 B Origin Systems 12940 Research Boulevard Austin, TX 78750 (512) 335-5200 June Review Index Blackthorne Great animation and plenty of bang-bang make this the best action-adventure since Flashback. You'll find yourself doing the same thing over and over again; weak enemy animations. A great mix of gunplay and puzzles, sure to please any arcade fan. 86 B Interplay 17922 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 553-6655 January Review Index Blake Stone: Planet Strike Four skill levels; some mighty mean monsters; and impressive firepower. It can get a bit repetitive. The graphics are only average. Not a bad game--in fact better than a lot of the first-person stuff we're seeing. But it's no Doom, though. 75 B FormGen 7641 E. Gray Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (602) 443-4109 February FIrst-person shooter Blood Good fun; lots of dark humor; simply awesome Deathmatches. Very difficult. Doesn't feel quite as 'solid' as Duke. An excellent implementation of the BUILD engine that makes for a truly wicked shoot-'em-up. 85 B GT Interactive 16 East 40th St. New York NY 10016 (800) 305-3390 July '97, p. 208 Review Index Blood Bowl Original concept; clean design. AI is really slow and none to bright; promised modem support is a no-show. A faithful translation of a popular board game, but the PC version adds nothing new. 71 B MicroLeague 1001 Millersville Road Lancaster, PA 17604 (717) 872-6567 August Strategy Blood & Magic Lots of terrain variety, good graphics (for VGA), great single-player game. Flat sound effects, constantly clicking on basal golems. It's not just another WarCraft, Blood & Magic has some interesting, new ideas. 83 B Interplay 17922 Fitch Avenue Irvine CA 92714 Tech Support: (714) 553-6655 March '97, p. 118 Review Index Bloodwings Easy to install; high-quality sound effects and music. Choppy animation; so-so graphics; uninteresting gameplay. The most die-hard horror fans won't stick with this one long enough to make it worthwhile. 46 B MPCA Interactive 1401 Ocean Avenue Suite 301 Santa Monica, CA 90401 September Review Index Blown Away Good full-screen video and some really nice puzzles. The video and puzzles are a lot better on their own than combined; not very interactive. Another "multimedia" game. There's just not enough interaction here to satisfy most gamers. 79 B IVI Publishing 7500 Flying Cloud Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (800) 432-1332 February Review Index Blues Brothers' Jukebox Adventure Mindless arcade fun, and you can play it straight off the disk! Weak graphics; repetitive action; a disappointing soundtrack. You don't have to be a nostalgia hound to enjoy this shooter, but it helps. 65 B Titus Software 20432 Corisco Street Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818) 709-3692 October Review Index Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess Excellent for beginners. Graphics in play mode take you back to EGA days. The excellent beginner lessons, historical reference, and strong AI can't outweigh that ugly 2-D board. 67 B Mission Studios P.O. Box 1265 Palatine, IL 60078 (708) 991-0598 March Review Index Brainstorm! Interesting and challenging puzzles. Dry, clinical feel; limited replay value; and too few puzzles. If youÕre into puzzles that really make you think, this is for you. 67 B Simon & Schuster Interactive 175 Fifth Ave. Suite 2122 New York, NY 10010 October Review Index Bravo Romeo Delta Generates loads of tension; has a marvelously authentic feel to it. As we say down in the South, "It looks like it's been whupped with an Ugly Stick!" For those who can stomach the prospect of nuclear war -- and the horrid graphics -- it's a unique experience. 65 B R.A.W. Entertainment Inc. 957 NASA Road One, #146 Houston, TX 77058-3098 (713) 286-2386 June Review Index Breach 3 Entertaining squad-level combat. Good mission builder. Retro grraphics, lack of narrative thrust. An entertaining squad-level game that doesnÕt quite measure up to the current crop. 77 B Impressions 222 Third St. Suite 234 Cambridge, MA 02142 January Review Index Breakthru A lot like Tetris, but with more bells and whistles. The action and strategy quickly becomes familiar, then frustrating, and eventually tiresome. Good for a while, but isn't unique enough to have the staying power of a Tetris. 67 B Spectrum HoloByte 2490 Mariner Square Loop Alameda, CA 94501 (800) 695-4263 December Review Index Brett Hull Hockey Great player and goalie animations. The limited elements put BH 95 far behind in the simulation stakes. Not for sim fans who like to manage all aspects of their team; those who don't want frills should hit the ice. 73 B Accolade Inc. 5300 Stevens Creek Boulevard San Jose, CA 95129 (800) 245-7744 July Review Index Bridge Baron for Windows Basic strength of play is its best feature, but there's so much more. If you don't like bridge, there's nothing here for you. Any faults beyond that would be pretty nit-picky. Stacked with well-thought-out features, Bridge Baron really delivers the goods. 88 B Great Game Products, Inc. 8804 Chalon Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 August Review Index Bridge Olympiad Great graphics and a smooth interface make for quick play against strong opponents. Playability is slightly hampered by lack of minor features, such as auto-playing, forced moves, and canceling a rubber match. A really solid program. 86 B QQP 495 Highway 202 Flemington, NJ 08822 (505) 837-5447 September Sports British Open Championship Golf Easy to get into, tremendous atmosphere; gorgeous graphics; good commentary. Only two courses; lack of Internet options is a bummer. The tournament setting, presentation, and ease-of-use makes this a winner. 88 B Eidos Interactive 303 Sacramento St. San Francisco CA 94111 (415) 616-2022 July '97, p. 204 Review Index Bruce Jenner's World Class Decathlon Wide variety of events. Gameplay is little more than clicking your mouse at the right time; limited multimedia elements. One or two times through is probably enough, unless you want to invest enough hours to challenge Bruce one-on-one. 52 B Interactive Magic P.O. Box 13491 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (919) 461-0722 October Review Index Brutal: Paws of Fury Nice cartoon-style characters, a variety of special moves, and some genuine humor. Limited in gameplay; fast animation can be hard to follow. The simple nature and less-than-demanding gameplay keep it from standing out in the growing field of fighting games. 75 B GameTek 2999 Northeast 191st St. Suite 500 North Miami Beach, FL 33180 November Arcade Bug! Cute characters; solid control. The game itself is incredibly dry and uninspired. Not Sega’s best title to choose to port over to the PC. Unless you’re a die-hard platform freak, stay away from Bug! 44 B Sega Entertainment P. O. Box 8097 Redwood City CA 94063 (510) 371-3131 January '97, p. 259 Review Index Bureau 13 Simple interface; a good variety of puzzles; and lots of replay value. Numerous flaws will frustrate you; the voice acting is embarrassingly bad; the game world lacks vitality. If nothing else, Bureau 13 provides a good fix until a better graphic adventure comes along. 76 B Take 2 Interactive 1004 Ligonier Street Latrobe, PA 15650 (412) 539-3077 May Review Index Buried in Time Beautiful graphics; strong story line; and rich soundtrack. In the beginning, it's all too easy to become frustrated by the movement interface. Runs slow on 486s. A good sci-fi yarn with plenty of interesting puzzles; just don't expect to get through it in a weekend. 80 B Sanctuary Woods 1825 S. Grant Street San Mateo, CA 94402 (415) 286-6000 October Review Index Burn Cycle Cool cyberpunk atmosphere, great soundtrack, complex story line. Graphics are sometimes chunky; the plot is too linear. The blend of puzzles, arcade action, mysteries and cyberspace wonÕt be too interesting. 71 B Philips Media, Inc. 10960 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90024 (800) 340-7888 January Review Index C.E.O. An adequate train and bus simulation. Never jells into a cohesive whole; clumsy design elements, gameplay; sparse statistical data. More a transportation sim in disguise, C.E.O. never convinces you that you're running a huge corporation. 65 C I-Motion 1341 Ocean Avenue Box 417 Santa Monica, CA 90401 October Review Index Caddyhack The animations, graphics, and course design are nicely done. Lousy ball physics, bad controls, and cheesy horror theme. Minature golf gone bad. The poorly executed gameplay has given miniature golf sims a bad debut. 29 C Virgin Interactive Entertainment 18601 Fiitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 December Review Index Caesar II Magnificent grahics; well balanced strategy elements; highly addictive; rewarding. Some may find routine city-building monotonous; the frustration level may be a bit too high. Caesar II provides a colorful, rich, absorbing, game-experience and should delight a large, diverse audience. 93 C Sierra Online 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 January Adventure Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon There are some genuinely funny jokes. Gameplay is just right; not too easy or hard. There ar esome genuinely unfunny jokes. Some puzzles were pointless. A traditional adventure game with a good story, funny bits, and decent puzzles. 86 C Take 2 Interactive 1004 Ligonier Street Latrobe PA 15650 412-474-2000 May '97, p. 139 Review Index Campaign II Fans of the original will probably like it. This game has weak graphics, a clunky interface, and very confusing arcade sequences. It's just not much fun. It all adds up to frustration with a capital F. Only the games' designers (and possibly their mothers) could love this gobbler. 35 C Empire Software 4 Professional Drive Suite 123 Gaithersburg, MD 20879 June Review Index Cannon Fodder Incredible fast-paced gameplay; solid graphics engine; good sound effects. Sometimes hard to get exact control from the mouse interface. A great arcade game in every sense of the word; a simple idea that has been done up right. 88 C Virgin Interactive 1806 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 November Review Index Capitalism Broad and deep business simulation, helped along by an excellent tutorial. Too complex for some gamers; too tedious for others. If youÕre the least bit interested in the subject, give this one a try. 89 C Interactive Magic P.O. Box 13491 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (919) 461-0722 December Arcade Captain Quazar It’s easy to set up and start playing. No fun, plenty of annoying faults. Half-hearted arcade dross to be avoided. 19 C Studio 3DO 600 Galveston Dr. Redwood City CA 94063 (800) 336-3506 February '97, p. 141 Racing/Action Carmageddon Guts and gore! Very playable and addictive. An unfinished feel; feeble graphics engine; too many minor nags. An incredibly fun game, but rough around the edges and technologically inferior to other action racing games on the market. 78 C Interplay 16815 Von Karman Ave. Irvine CA 92714 (800) 969-GAME October '97, p. 211 Review Index Carriers at War II Simple interface, a wealth of info, and varied scenarios make it a winner. Graphics could be a lot better, and a decent campaign mode would be welcome too. The best carrier wargame around; easy to get into and deep enough to last. 85 C SSG P.O. Box 30085 Pensacola, FL 32503 July Review Index Case of the Rose Tatoo: The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes Great story; gorgeous graphics; good puzzles. Typical graphic adventure complaints; jarring lapses in realism; snail-like pace except on fast machines. A must-have for Sherlock Holmes fans and anyone who enjoys a good mystery. 80 C Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 December Review Index Casino Deluxe Beautiful graphics; accurate representations of popular casino games. No options for multiplayer competition; weak strategy guides. A great way to get your gambling fix without taking a big hit to your wallet. 80 C Impressions Software 222 Third Street Cambridge, MA 02142 (615) 225-0848 October Review Index Casino Expert for Windows You won't be risking much even if you don't like the game. You just can't lose, so this ain't gambling. And the games are all quite average. If realism doesn't matter to you and you're tight on cash, you might like it. 51 C Expert Software 800 Douglas Road North Tower, Suite 355 Coral Gables, FL 33134 August Review Index Casino Tournament of Champions Modem/network features mean you don't have to wait for Saturday night to play a little poker. A less-than-intuitive user interface makes for a lot of delays and unnecessary clicking. Plenty of casino gaming for the buck. A little tweaking could've really made this baby sing. 79 C Capstone 501 Brickell Key Drive 6th Floor Miami, FL 33131 June Review Index Catfight At least itÕs better than the same companyÕs Island Peril. Truly awful on all accounts. Bad graphics, tiresome action, and lame controls. A complete bore. Avoid this one like the plague. 18 C Atlantean Interactive Games 15127 Califa St. Van Nuys, CA 91411 (818) 908-9663 October Strategy Cave Wars A novel concept, with a multi-tiered world and bizarre subterranean milieu. A lack of update screens, diplomacy, interaction, custom options, tactical combat. Bare bones strategic gaming with few frills; fresh ideas but poor execution. 75 C Avalon Hill 4517 Hartford Road Baltimore MD 21214 Order Hotline: (410) 254-9200 March '97, p. 162 Review Index Celtic Tales Detailed control; great historical background; absorbing storyline. Confusing gameplay; poor instructions for beginners. It's a great game for experienced strategy gamers, but the average gamers will find the game confusing. 87 C KOEI Corp. 1350 Old Bayshore Hwy. Suite 540 Burlingame, CA 94010 September Review Index Chaos A grreat story with tricky puzzles. Graphics could be smoother, and some online hints would be welcome for the toughest puzzles.. A refreshingly different sort of adventure game, it will surelyy inspire many players to learn more about Chaos Theory. 82 C Harper Collins Interactive 10 E. 53rd St. New York, NY 10022 (800) 424-6234 July Review Index Chaos Continum Very impressive graphics and sound. Pretty short on actual gameplay. Like many CD-ROM games, it looks great, but you'll have to decide if that's enough. 61 C Creative Multimedia 514 N.W. 11th Avenue Suite 203 Portland, OR 97209 June Review Index Chaos Control The graphics and animation are as good as they get. ItÕs a tough game, and it could have used a bit more variety. The graphics and story elements help raise an otherwise monotonous shooter into an absorbing tale of adventure. 82 C I-Motion 1341 Ocean Ave. Box 417 Santa Monica, CA 90401 December Review Index Chessmaster 5000 Very strong AI; instructional aids; graphics -- all detailed and customizable. Supports Win 95 only. The flexibility of almost every aspect of this program makes it inviting for chess fans at any level. 90 C Mindscape 88 Rowland Way Novato, CA 94945 (415) 897-9900 November Review Index Chessnet For playing over third-party BBSs, networks, and direct modem connections, this program is the king daddy. As a stand-alone chess opponent, this program bites. If you're a chess player with a modem and $20, buy Chessnet 3. 81 C Masque Publishing P.O. Box 5223 Englewood, CO 80155 (303) 290-9853 November Review Index Chronicles of the Sword Nice, high-res graphics and a decent game engine. Not enough story; gameplay dissolves into a series of pixel hunts. Synthetic Dimensions draws on neither the strength of their game engiine nor of the subject matter for this laclkuster title. 65 C Psygnosis 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. 2nd Floor Foster City, CA 94404 September Review Index Chronomaster Excellent graphics, variety of puzzles, raning from no-brainers to hair-pullers; good plot and lots of interaction keeps things interesting. Too much time is spent traveling; newcomers may find the options overwhelming. It doesn't break any new ground, but it delivers a mighty big dose of puzzle-solving fun, even for experienced gamers. 84 C Capstone 501 Brickell Key Dr. 6th Floor Miami, FL 33131 April Review Index CIA: Central Intelligence This could have been a great premise. Not entertaining; not exciting; not really much of a game. A lesson in wasted potential, Central Intelligence is strictly for those who like stats-based, slow-paced gaming. 53 C Ocean of America, Inc. 1855 O'Toole Avenue Suite D-102 San Jose, CA 95131 June Adventure Circle of Blood Simple interface; beautiful, crisp graphics; challenging puzzles; intriguing story line. Voice acting isn’t exactly professional; some puzzles require too much pixel-hunting. It’s entertaining, challenging, and worth playing, but it’s not a graphic adventure that will blow you away. 80 C Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine CA 92714 (800) 874-4607 January '97, p. 234 Arcade Circuit Racer Runs on low-end systems; only takes up 7MB. Blah, circa-1995 graphics; no convincing sense of speed; unrefined gameplay. You can do a lot better than this -- unless you have an older system, there are no reasons to bother. 58 C WizardWorks 2300 Berkshire Lane North Plymouth MN 55441 (612) 559-5301 November '97, p. 230 Adventure City of Lost Children, The The graphics are sensational; dark mood. Incredibly short playing time; pointless puzzles; Euro-crap interface. Rent the cult movie instead; it'll blow your mind. The game will just blow your temper. 48 C Psygnosis 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. Foster City CA 94404 (415) 655-8000 July '97, p. 194 Review Index Civil War: 1861-1864 It's packed with details and achieves great balance between the strategic and the tactical. Graphic style may alienate as many as it pleases, especially the miniatures-style battle scenes. The most ambitious Civil War game ever designed for the PC. Very impressive indeed. 84 C Empire Interactive 13220 Wisteria Drive Germantown, MD 20874 (401) 252-5332 May Puzzle Clandestiny Nice rendering, and there's a hidden book with some good Scottish recipes. Cheesy animation, bad dialog, lame-o puzzles. If tired puzzlers ye buy, best give it a try. If ye're nae inta it, ye'd best let it sit. 30 C Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine CA 92714 Order Hotline: (800) 874-4607 March '97, p. 157 Review Index Classic Five Mouse interface is easy to use; lots of games for one price. No bells or whistles; you'll probably yearn for a more intelligent computer opponent. Individually these games have been done before and done better. 56 C Interplay 17922 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 969-4263 July Review Index Classic Jackpot! Five fast-playing casino games; perfect for work breaks. Three of the games require little or no skill, and there's no tutorial to help you master the other two. A fun--and safe--way to enjoy casino action. 77 C Impressions Software 222 3rd Street Suite 0234 Cambridge, MA 02142 September Review Index Clockwerx Intricate movement system adds new dimension to an otherwise standard puzzle game. Lack of humor and the limited variety of puzzles affect the games' longevity. As puzzlers go, the idea behind Clockwerx is clever enough to demand a look. 75 C Spectrum HoloByte 2490 Mariner Square Loop Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 522-1164 July Review Index Close Combat Realism, strategy, immersion and action combine in one close quarters wargame. Minuscule men, control problems, no elevation, and a limited choice of scenarios. Close Combat is brilliant and engaging, a bold new chapter in wargaming, but not without its drawbacks. 89 C Microsoft 1 Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 (206) 882-8080 October Review Index Colonization An effective interface for gaming complexity to satisfy the most exacting player. Graphics could be a lot better, and a decent campaign mode would be welcome too. Strategic simulations as only Sid can do it; need we say more? 85 C MicroProse 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (410) 771-0440 January Simulation Comanche 3 Overall fun gameplay and sharp graphics engine. Idiot wingman, small game world, dippy AI in general. A fun, good-looking game that will keep you playing -- just don't expect Longbow - level sim quality. 78 C NovaLogic 18510 Ventura Blvd., Suite 200 Tarzana CA 91356 818-744-0600 July '97, p. 148 Review Index Command & Conquer A great real-time wargame set against a well-executed cinematic backdrop. More could have been done to upgrade the Dune II Engine, such as an additional zoom level. If you like strategy games, get Command & Conquer. 91 C Virgin Interactive Entertainment 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-9710 November Review Index Command & Conquer: Red Alert ItÕs a follow-up to one of the best games of all time, and itÕs faithful to the original. Some changes are merely cosmetic; the AI hasnÕt improved that much; some missions have too much of a ŅpuzzleÓ element. Red Alert will be liked by the legions of the faithful, and win new converts as well. 91 C Virgin Interactive Entertainment 18601 Fiitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 December Review Index Commander Blood There's certainly nothing else quite like it. Once the novelty wears off, there's just not enough gameplay to hold your interest for long. If a friend buys it, it's worth watching him or her play for a few minutes. 58 C Mindscape 88 Roland Way Novato CA 94945 May Review Index Congo: Descent Into Zinj Simple interface, above-average acting. The solutions to puzzles are often far-fetched; inability to examine the items you pick up; steep system requirements. Die-hard adventurers may like it, but most folks will toss up their hands in confusion. 57 C Viacom New Media 1515 Broadway New York, NY 10036 (800) 469-2539 April Review Index Connections James Burke and his collection of videos; great graphics. Not much gameplay; thin connections; only five levels. Burke is entertaining to watch, but that doesnÕt necessarily make Connections a great game. 59 C Discover Channel Multimedia 7700 Wisconsin Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 986-1999 December Review Index Conquer for Windows Slick, fast-paced, strategic exploration and combat. It has a nice balance between strategy and production priorities. Pig-ugly; a brazen rip-off of a better game. If you liked Empire, youÕll like Conquer. TheyÕre practically the same game. 65 C Micro Star 2245 Camino Vida Roble Carlsbad, CA 92009 (800) 444-1343 August Review Index Conqueror, A.D. 1086 Looks great, sounds great, and the field battles are good, bloody fun. Hopeless mouse control in jousting segments, big logic-holes in the economic system, no siege warfare, numerous skimped details that could easily have been corrected. A beautiful but half-baked game from a company that should know better. 60 C Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 March Review Index Conquest of the New World Flexible gameplay lets you focus on what you want; best combat model of any nation-building sim; network play. Not a lot of variety in the graphis; interaction is dry and lifeless; no map editor. An enjoyable strategy game for fans of the genre; good change of pace for any gamer. 79 C Interplay Productions 17922 Fitch Ave. Irvine CA 92714 (800) 969-4263 July Review Index Conspiracy The video clips, and Donald Sutherland's fine performance, really stand out. Aside from the new high-tech shell, this is a very basic game with a linear plot and confusing tone. A case of new clothes for an old game. 58 C Virgin 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 874-4607 June Review Index Corridor 7 Fast-paced action, plenty to do, and some nice extras. The sound and graphics aren't all that great, hurting the overall package. If this is the sort of gameplay you'll love, It's worth a look. If it's not, though, this game won't convert you. 68 C Capstone 501 Brickell Key Drive 6th Floor Miami, FL 33131 July Review Index Cowboy Casino The interaction with each character is good for a few hoots and belly laughs. Limited gameplay; what's here just isn't very challenging. The game's best feature is the live action video. When the novelty wears off, though, you're left with a mediocre game. 64 C Intellimedia Sports, Inc. Suite 300 Two Piedmont Center Atlanta, GA 30305 September Review Index Creature Shock Incredible graphics, great atmosphere...did I mention the incredible graphics? The gameplay is thin; the controls are occasionally frustrating. The visuals earn it a high rating--but if you're hoping for depth, keep looking. 83 C Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 March Review Index Crime Patrol Nice, bright video; good B-movie soundtrack. Some truly cheesy acting; low on interaction. One of the best titles from American Laser Games, and a fun arcade romp. Don't expect a lot of strategy, though. 78 C American Laser Games 4801 Lincoln Road NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (800) 880-1718 February Review Index Crossword Wizard Easy to use, tons of puzzles, and lots of options to personalize the game. Obviously, if you don't like crossword puzzles, this one won't hold a lot of appeal for you. A great way for crossword addicts to get their fix. 88 C Cogix Corp. 419 Redwood Rose San Anselmo, CA 94960 September Review Index CrossWorld Lots of crosswords; lots of ways to cheat. Outdated an lame clues; nearly unreadable ŅDecoderÓ section; lazy design. ThereÕs nothing new here; for crossword fanatics and cheaters only. 30 C GameTek 2999 Northeast 191st St. Suite 500 Aventura, FL 33180 July FIghting Crow: City of Angels, The Lovely backgrounds. Lasts longer than the movie. Bad audio, bad control, bad movie. The Crow walks funny. The worst movie license fighting game since Expect No Mercy. 32 C Acclaim 1 Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove NY 11542-2777 (800) 759-7800 July '97, p. 205 Review Index Crusader: No Regret Gamepad support, cool new graphics and weapons, and brutal new levels. Extremely violent. Too tough at times, sluggish response at times, and touchy controls. If action, adventure, and a little multimedia hamminess is up your alley, look no further than Crusader: No Regret. 88 C Origin 5918 Courtyard DR. Austin, TX 78730 (512) 434-4263 November Review Index Crusader: No Remorse Incredible graphics, sound and gameplay.. Graphic violence, unsuitable for youngsters; no joystick support. A great alternative to first-person shootÕem-ups, and a definite must-play for action fans.. 93 C Origin 5918 W. Courtyard Dr. Austin, TX 78730 (512) 434-4263 December Strategy Crush! Deluxe Unique, turn-based style of play; multi-player mode can be entertaining. Bore-o-rama graphics and sound; the higher math can get tedious. A mediocre thinking-man's game of blood, sweat, and tears. 58 C MegaMedia 47381 Bayside Parkway Fremont CA 94538 (800) MEGAMEDIA November '97, p. 250 Review Index Crystal Caliburn Realistic graphics combined with seamless arcade play make this one a classic. No screen-scrolling option; sound effects could have been a lot better. Shows that you don't need a CD-ROM to find extraordinary arcade fun. 90 C StarPlay Productions Inc. P.O. Box 217 Greeley, CO 80632 (800) 203-2503 December Review Index Crystal Skull, The A few okay puzzles; some of the acting is good for its unintentional comedic value. Mostly puzzles; less-than-great graphics. If you want a Multimedia Aztec Adventure, try Inca instead. If you want a good adventure, go buy The Beast Within. 33 C Maxis 2121 N. California Blvd. Walnut Creek CA 94596-3572 (800) 336-2947 February '97, p. 172 Review Index Custer's Last Command Does exactly what it sets out to d, and does it with real style. The interface is annoyingly sluggish for some functions. For anyone interested in Custer and the Battle of Little Big Horn subject, this game is a must. 86 C HPS Simulations PO Box 3245 Santa Clara, CA 95055 (408) 554-8381 November Review Index Cyber Judas Interesting facts from CIA book; different players each game. Interface can be clumsy; repetitive gameplay in some scenarios; long load times on slower machines. Offers a lot to those interested in the presidency, but most will find it dull. 65 C Merit Studios 13707 Gamma Road Dallas, TX 75244 (800) 238-4277 October Review Index CyberBykes Supports head-to-head play via modem or over a network, and thereÕs a built-in editor for creating custom levels. Unconvincing graphics, irritating soundtrack, frustrating gameplay. The single-player game is a bust. 57 C GameTek 2999 Northeast 191st St. Suite 500 Aventura, FL 33180 January Arcade CyberGladiators Attractive graphics; smooth animations; intuitive controls. Minimal story line or options; uninspired, angular characters. CyberGladiators is a real arcade-style fighter for the PC that's more than capable of standing up to a fight. 80 C Sierra Online P.O. Box 3404 Salinas CA 93912 (800) 757-7707 February '97, p. 117 Review Index Cyberia Lots of arcade action and gut-grabbing graphics. Experienced gamers may be disappointed with this fancy shootin' gallery. Lots of flash and a few puzzlers, but like Chinese food, it may leave you hungry an hour later. 75 C Interplay 17922 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 553-6655 April Review Index Cyberia 2: Resurrection ItÕs easy to get into, attractively presented and good for a few aimless thrills. Very little to get your teeth into, and even less to keep you playing after a few hours. Cyberia is one game that really didnÕt need to be resurrected. 40 C Virgin Interactive Ent. 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 July Review Index CyberMage Gorgeous graphis, excellent sound effects; a very effective blend of action and adventure. Not a lot of interaction with other characters; pretty steep hardware requirements. A fantastic mix of all the best elements from several gaming genres. 92 C Origin 5918 Courtyard Dr. Austin TX 78730 (512) 434-4263 April Review Index Cyclemania Full-motion video backgrounds look pretty sharp in high resolution mode. The graphics are block in full-screen mode, and the odd perspective can be frustrating. Cyclemania's nifty backgrounds just aren't enough to make up for mediocre gameplay. 66 C Accolade 5300 Stevens Creek Boulevard San Jose, CA 95129 (408) 985-1700 February Review Index Cyclones It has all the good things that make a first-person shooter tick. Moving while shooting in the heat of battle can be awkward at times. And that full-motion video--why? Cyclones shows that Doom-like games are here to stay, and they're not all cheesy rip-offs. 81 C Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901 March Review Index D Well-paced, compelling, and genuinely creepy. The game is too linear, too simple, too short; thereÕs very little replay value. D is fair entertainment, for about two hours. 69 D Acclaim Entertainment 1 Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove, NY 11542-2777 (516) 656-5000 June Adventure D.A. Pursuit of Justice: Sunset Boulevard Deuce, The Interesting and original; and even educational. Short lifespan, game procedures can be repetitive and frustrating. A game of limited appeal, but armchair attorneys willing to do their homework will find it interesting. 70 D Legacy Software 5340 Alla Road Los Angeles CA 90066 310-823-2423 August '97, p. 124 Review Index D-Day: America Invades Beautiful graphics; smooth-as-silk gameplay; exceptional historical depth. You may find the fighting a bit too claustrophobic for your taste. This game is excellent in every respect. 95 D Avalon Hill 4517 Harftord Road Baltimore, MD 21214 (410) 254-9200 October Review Index D-Day: The Beginning of the End Simple interface, good graphics, and a fun campaign game. Micro-Miniatures combat is often confusing, making tactics nearly impossible. Some interesting qualities, but they don't add up to a satisfactory whole. 71 D Impressions Software 222 3rd Street Suite 0234 Cambridge, MA 02142 August Review Index Daedalus Encounter Smooth, beautiful video; variety of gameplay; and plenty of puzzles. Excessive sit 'n watch segments, and some really dumb dialog. A sincere attempt to make a program that works both as an interactive movie and game. 79 D Virgin Interactive Entertainment 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 874-4607 July Review Index Dagger's Rage Excellent graphics; more than just an arcade game. Action is repetitive and simple; strategic elements are frustrating, clunky interface. ItÕs all been done - and done better - many times before. Only worth a look if youÕre tired of play Raptor or Tyrian. 55 D Microforum 1 Woodborough Ave. Toronto, Canada M6M5A1 (800) 465-2323 December Review Index Daggerfall A huge world with tons of dungeons, monsters, characters, spells. Bugs that shouldÕve been smoked out before release. Some of the generic dungeons are boring to explore. Without a doubt, one of the more realistic, involved, and impressive RPGs on the market. A definite must for any roleplaying fan. 90 D Bethesda Softworks 1370 Piccard Drive Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 926-8300 December Review Index Dame Was Loaded (The) Lots of puzzles; good interface; multiple endings give the game good replay value. Poor save-game option and inventory access; static photos make for a lifeless feel. A fun adventure in spite of a few design problems. 72 D Philips Media, Inc. 10960 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90024 (800) 340-7888 July Strategy Dark Colony Good graphics and mix of units; the chance to play the "Grays." Not too original; almost idential units for both sides. Simple AI. Even though it doesn't improve on the real-time strategy genre, it's an enjoyable sci-fi romp with a good campaign mode. 79 D SSI 675 Almanor Ave., Suite 201 Sunnyvale CA 94086-2901 (800) 601-7529 November '97, p. 235 Review Index Dark Eye Truly inspired and evocative presentation of PoeÕs story. Actual ŅgameÓ content is lean; structure can be confusing. A weird, wild, not altogether understandable nightmare journey, though not terribly interactive. 80 D Inscape P.O. Box 251829 Los Angeles, CA 90025 (800) 741-3043 August Review Index Dark Forces Terrific Star Wars atmosphere; tons of weapons; and true 3D action. No multi-player support, and some of the levels are a little too busy. It's easily the best first-person shooter since Doom, and a must for Star Wars fans everywhere. 92 D LucasArts P.O. Box 10307 San Rafael CA 94912 (800) 782-7927 May Review Index Dark Legions Outstanding graphics, sound, design, and gameplay--with modem play to boot! Multicreature combat would have been a nice touch. A rare, winning combination of strategy and arcade combat. Expect folks to be talking about this one for a while. 90 D Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 210 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 July Review Index Dark Sun Strong interface with playable combat and good interaction with NPCs. Graphics aren't great, hard-drive requirements are horrendous, and handling objects can be clumsy. If you liked the first Dark Sun game, buy this one immediately. 85 D Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901 January Action Darklight Conflict Gorgeous graphics, impressive effects and challenging missions. No modem or TCP/IP options; poor control and limited joystick support; extremely difficult missions. A beautiful and challenging alternative to cinematic space combat games. 80 D Electronic Arts P.O. Box 7578 San Mateo Ca 94403-7578 415-513-7171 July '97, p. 158 Review Index Darkseed II Giger's artwork and backgrounds provide a menacing atomosphere. Bad dialog, bad animation, bad puzzles. It's not nearly as troubled as the original Darkseed, but it's certainly not a good way to spend your gaming dollar. 45 D CyberDreams/MGM Interactive 2500 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90404 (310) 449-3000 May Review Index Dawn Patrol Some of the finest plane graphics and forgiving flight physics. Flight physics may be too forgiving; many missions feel the same; confusing keyboard commands. Doesn't knock Red Baron from the skies, but makes a good addition to your flight-sim library. 83 D Empire Interactive 13220 Wisteria Drive, Bay N-2 Germantown, MD 20874 (301) 916-9302 March Arcade Daytona USA Realistic driving physics; smooth graphics. Choppy frame-rate; limited number of cars and tracks; port could have been done much better. Daytona USA is a solid, if limited, racing experience. 67 D Sega Entertainment P.O. Box 8097 Redwood City CA 94063 (888) SEGA-SALES February '97, p. 171 Review Index Deadline Nice variety of missions, a few interesting concepts. Maddening interface, mediocre graphics, occasional problems with controlling your team. Despite its interesting concept, Deadline is dead on arrival. 51 D Vic Tokai, Inc. 22904 Lockness Ave. Torrance, CA 90501 (310) 326-8880 August Review Index Deadlock Deep, engrossing, and handsome, itÕs one of the best conquer-the-planet strategy games in years. Surly and ungrateful colonists get pissed off too easily and too often. This may well be the long-awaited inheritor of the Master of Orion crown. 88 D Accolade 5300 Stevens Creek Blvd. Suite 500 San Jose, CA 95129 December Arcade Deadly Tide Damn fine graphics, a semi-playable 360-degree shooting mode, and plenty of cool rendered bubbles. Too bad it’s still a cookie-cutter rail-shooter. Gets real boring, real fast. The Waterworld of gaming. 60 D Microsoft One Microsoft Way Redmond WA 98052-6399 (206) 637-9308 January '97, p. 260 Arcade Death Rally Beautiful graphics; fast racing action; it’s fun playing dirty No race map;; merely average computer opponents. You can take revenge on all those bad drivers in this fun little arcade racer (without all those nasty legal consequences). 84 D GT Interactive 16 East 40th St. New York NY 10016 (800) 434-2637 February '97, p. 142 Action DeathDrome Runs fast, looks good, and it can be fun. Once you figure out how to exploit a glaring design flaw, it's far too easy. With a little more care and attention paid to gameplay, DeathDrome could have been a lot better. 68 D Viacom New Media 1515 Broadway New York NY 10036 800-469-2539 April '97, p. 130 Review Index Deathgate Great visuals; unusual and absorbing storyline; and scores of challenging puzzles. The lack of any animation or action may turn off gamers looking for more "modern" fare. The best of Legend's text-and-pictures games--but perhaps a bit too bland for some. 83 D Legend Entertainment 14200 Park Meadow Drive Chantilly, VA 22021 (703) 222-8500 April Review Index Deathkeep Each of the levels is different from the others. Blocky graphics; difficult control; few roleplaying elements; jerky first-person movement; stupid monster AI; unoriginal story. SSI has made some good RPGs using the TSR license, but his is not one of them. 20 D SSI 675 Almanor Ave. Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 November Wargame Decisive Battles of WWI: The Ardennes Offensive Surprisingly good AI. Good replication of classic tabletop wargames. Some questionable victory requirements. Retro design (which some will consider a "High"). Sure, it's just another Bulge game, but it's a very good one. 83 D SSI 675 Almanor Ave., Suite 201 Sunnyvale CA 94086 (800) 601-7529 October '97, p. 258 Review Index Delta V Visually stunning with fast 3-D gameplay and simple controls, so you can concentrate on flyin' and shootin'. It may be pretty, but it's just too repetitive and frustrating to play for very long. There's a great game lurking in here; I hope we get to see it one day. 68 D Bethesda Softworks 1370 Piccard Drive Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 926-8300 December Review Index Descent Terrific graphics; non-stop action; and true 3D movement. The complex controls can take a while to master. Parallax did a magnificent job -- easily one of the most addictive and entertaining action games you'll play. 96 D Interplay Productions 17922 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 969-GAME May Review Index Descent II Great new weapons, features, and graphics. Too many l abyrinthine and claustrophobic levels; very, very tough. If you thought the original Descent was a walk in the park, youÕll meet your match in Descent II, but stick with it, and youÕll enjoy the ride. 88 D Interplay 17922 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 969-4263 June Review Index Desert Strike: Return of the Gulf The graphics are decent, and the missions are varied. Childish story; ticklish control; and some truly annoying sound effects. If you wondered if you should have bought a cartridge system instead of a PC, Desert Strike will convince you that you made the right call. 61 D Gremlin 2551 N. Clark Street Suite 496 Chicago, IL 60614 February Strategy Destiny Strategic level play has great detail and epic sweep. Tactical combat and 3-D modes just don’t work; Discovery system is poorly explained. An admirable contender, but it won’t replace Civilization in the hearts of many gamers. 75 D Interactive Magic P.O. Box 13491 Research Triangle Park NC 27709 (919) 461-0722 January '97, p. 242 Review Index Destruction Derby Great slam-bang action; modem and network play. The computer opponents are pretty wimpy. Destruction Derby is a blast, and a welcome change of pace from high-end driving simulations. 88 D Sony Interactive 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. 2nd Floor Foster City, CA 94404 March Arcade Destruction Derby 2 Sensational graphics, bone-breaking action; about as subtle as a shower of anvils. Hardware requirements are steep if you want maximum performance. If you liked the original, you'll love this sequel. 86 D Psygnosis/Sony Interactive 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. Foster City CA 94404 (415) 655-5683 March '97, p. 124 Review Index Detroit A well-balanced, thoughtful, and enjoyable strategy game. The graphics and sound aren't nearly as good as the game deserves. One of the best economic strategy games to come along in quite some time. It's almost too much fun. 86 D Impressions Software 222 3rd Street Suite 0234 Cambridge, MA 02142 July Adventure Deus Immersive sound; two play modes; an improvement over its predecessor. Irritations still outweigh any enjoyment you might find. Interesting ideas are sabotaged by poor implementation and dated design. 58 D ReadySoft 2221 Yonge St., Suite 400 Toronto, Ontario Canada M4S24B 416-322-7350 April '97, p. 137 Review Index Devo's Adventures of the Smart Patrol Lots of Devo influence, and some pretty funny moments. ItÕs too bad itÕs held together by a lousy game. ItÕs much better than the Cds coming from Queensryche and that little thing known as Prince, but that ainÕt saying much. 57 D Inscape P.O. Box 251829 Los Angeles, CA 90025 (800) 741-3043 December Adventure Diablo Beautiful scenery; stream-lined interface; multi-player support. Load times long for slow PCs; quests are fairly linear when you get them; limited options with ranged weapons. RPG fans have waited for this one for a long time, and they won't be disappointed. 90 D Blizzard Entertainment P.O. Box 18077 Irvine CA 92713 (714) 953-7669 March '97, p. 102 Arcade Die Hard Trilogy Successfully captures the Die Hard spirit in three different, enjoyable game styles. High system requirements, somewhat sluggish controls, gets a bit repetitive. Great value for your gaming dollar, provided you have the horsepower. 84 D Fox Interactive P.O. Box 900 Beverly Hills CA 90213 310-369-5369 June '97, p. 82 Review Index Dig (The) Good story line, challenging puzzles and satisfying gameplay. IitÕs a slow starter. Some puzzles are too vague at the beginning. The Dig is yet another fun and rewarding adventure game from the masters of the genre. 88 D LucasArts P.O. Box 10307 San Rafael, CA 94912 (800) 782-7927 February Review Index Diggers The variety of equipment keeps things interesting. Controlling your miners can sometimes seem more trouble than it's worth. A combination of Lemmings and Populous, Diggers doesn't quite offer the appeal of either. 75 D Millennium Media Group 234 North Columbus Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 625-8888 April Review Index Dinotopia Lush graphics; delightful, creative details; compelling, non-violent story. Some episodes out-stay their welcome; occasionally tricky movement controls may cause frustration. A handsome CD-ROM adaptation of a fantasy classic, and definitely a game for the whole family to share and enjoy. 89 D Turner Interactive 1050 Techwood Drive NW Atlanta, GA 30318 (404) 885-7972 June Adventure Discworld II: Mortality Bytes Terrific animation, great music, and a huge story to work your way through. Too much pointless dialog, working knowledge of Discworld books required. Discworld fans will have fun, but everyone else will simply be confused. 73 D Psygnosis 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd., 2nd Floor Foster City CA 94404 (800)438-7794 April '97, p. 102 Review Index Dominus The ability to create your own monsters and discover new spells is a plus. The manual could be better; it's easy to get lost in the clunky interface; and more combat views would be nice. With real-time action and a variety of paths to victory, Dominus is a worthy addition to the growing pantheon of fantasy games. 79 D U.S. Gold 303 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 693-0297 January Review Index Don't Quit Your Day Job There's quite a lot of stand up comedy included in the game. Bathroom humor; limited interactivity; mediocre graphics. Avoid this really lame attempt at a graphic adventure -- it's not worth the time or money. 40 D Philips Media 10960 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90024 (303) 739-4131 November Review Index Doom II More Doom than you can shake a stick at; nice new levels; tough enemies; excellent Deathmatch play. It's still just Doom, and a few more new additions would have been appreciated. Go ahead and buy Doom II--if you think you can take the heat. 90 D id Software Town East Tower 180601 LBJ Freeway Suite 615 Mesquite, TX 75150 December Review Index Double Talk One plus: The PC acts as a convenient timer. There's only so much of these word puzzles one can stand. Not a very successful mix of sports trivia and word game, or... ah, it's just disappointing that's all. 54 D Boyle and Elggren Games, Inc. 77 W. 2nd S. Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (800) 634-8255 February Strategy Dragon Dice A good way to learn Dragon Dice. You can get dice combos without spending tons of money. It's difficult to track the number and movements of your units. Lack of useful information. It's a good learning tool, but the tabletop version is a deeper strategy game. 55 D Interplay 16815 Von Karman Ave. Irvine CA 92714 (800) 969-4263 November '97, p. 303 Review Index Dragon Lore Great graphics; an entertaining story line; and enough action to keep it all pretty interesting. Character animations are very stiff looking and many of the game's creatures are unrecognizable. A solid adventure that goes beyond graphic gimmickry to create an intriguing story in an absorbing world. 82 D Mindscape 88 Roland Way Novato CA 94945 May Review Index Dragon's Lair It plays exactly like the arcade original. It plays exactly like the arcade original. If you liked the coin-op, you'll probably like this new CD-ROM version. But if you didn't, this won't change your mind. 65 D ReadySoft 375 14th Avenue Suite 7 Marham, Ontario, Canada L3R OH2 August Arcade Dragonheart: Fire and Steel Them dragons are good eatin'. Clumsy controls, repetitive gameplay, and chunky graphics. A terrible use of a good movie license. It's pointless and it has little to do with the movie. Don't bother. 25 D Acclaim One Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove NY 11542-2777 516-759-7800 April '97, p. 113 Review Index Dragonsphere An exciting new graphic adventure, packed with people and places to discover. It could be longer, allowing for more detailed interaction with the characters you meet. It's easy to lose yourself in this fresh, engaging game. 87 D MicroProse 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (410) 771-0440 June Review Index Dreamweb A gritty story and style and almost unlimited exploration. Tiny view window and graphics give the game a dated look; more depth would be nice. An involving gameworld and premise; not as polished as the best adventures, but definitely worth a look. 76 D Empire Interactive 13220 Wisteria Drive Bay N-2, Germantown, MD 20874 (301) 916-9302 January Puzzle Drowned God Visually sumptuous and atmospheric, with interesting conspiratorial content. Many familiar and frustrating puzzles, with almost as many bugs and frequent dead ends. A fair twiddle-ware game that's undermined by bugs and mediocre gameplay. 69 D Inscape P.O. Box 251829 Los Angeles CA 90025 (800) 741-3043 February '97, p. 110 Review Index Drug Wars Lots to shoot, and with the ALG Game Gun, Drug Wars should play just like an arcade game. The video is pretty grainy; the repetitive action means there's little replay value here. Easy-to-understand action that will more than satisfy fans of previous ALG games. 73 D American Laser Games Inc. 4801 Lincoln Road NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (800) 880-1718 June Review Index Druid: Daemons of the Mind Inventive story and game content; simple magic system. Fussy interface, repetitive combat sequences. An engaging adventure/RPG that purists may hate and newbies and adventure gamers enjoy. 81 D Sir-tech PO Box 245 Ogdensburg, NY 13669 (800) 447-1230 March Review Index Duke Nukem 3D Incredible graphics; more non-stop violence than a John Woo film; level editor; addictive multi-player action. Some levels are disorienting, and some bosses are very, very tough. ThereÕs no sublte way to put it...Duke kicks ass! 93 D 3D Realms P.O. Box 496419 Garland, TX 75049 (800) 337-3256 July Strategy Dungeon Keeper Highly addictive, lots of subtle detail, and very attractive graphics. Slow pace in multi-player battles; no built-in Internet support. The line on the box is right; Evil is good. 90 D Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo CA 94404 415-513-7171 September '97, p. 142 Review Index Dungeon Master II Good character development, nice magic system, and a nostalgic feel. There's nothing new here; graphics and sound are extremely dated. A return to the classic Dungeon Master universe; but is it really necessary? 65 D Interplay 17922 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 94086 (800) 969-GAME November Review Index Dust Realistic 3D environment; highly interactive characters; intuitive interface. Lots of dialogue trees; slow story line; and bad voice acting. If youÕre in the mood for a conversation with your computer, check it out. Otherwise, youÕll probably get bored rather quickly. 68 D Cyberflix, Inc. 4 Market Square Knoxville, TN 37902 (615) 546-7846 December Review Index EarthSiege 2 Superb SVGA graphics and music, lots of missions, and a sleek interface. Complex controls, steep system requirements, and a lack of variety in missions. No matter how you look at it, EarthSiege 2 is an all-around good time. 90 E Sierra 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 June Review Index Earthworm Jim 1&2: The Whole Can of Worms Excellent animation and level design, challenging action that never gets stale. Sometimes touchy controls; very difficult levels; silly password/save system. An incredible value for one of the best arcade titles available for the PC, period. 91 E Playmates Interactive 16200 S. Trojan Way LaMirada, CA 90638 (310) 407-1490 August Review Index Eastern Mind Highly stylized, with a unique flavor and a metaphysical slant. May be too obscure for many gamers; inspires the use of words like "metaphysical." Pretty pictures, plenty of puzzles, but it's very strangeness may be off-putting. 58 E Sony Imagesoft 2400 Broadway Ave. Suite 550 Santa Monica, CA 90404 November Review Index Ecco the Dolphin A welcome departure from the usual platform game. The controls can take some getting used to, and the graphics arenÕt great. A solid, unusual bit of videogaming. 75 E Sega of America 255 Shoreline Dr. Redwood City, CA 94065 January Review Index ECO: East Africa Beautiful graphics; timely subject matter; good concept. Monotonous game play; not enough action to keep your interest. Only those who are interested in East Africa--and have a great deal of patience--need apply. 63 E IVI Publishing 7500 Flying Cloud Drive Minneapolis, MN 55344 (800) 432-1332 August Review Index Ecstatica Ultra-realistic character movements; near-perfect perspective scaling; and fantastic graphic vistas. Extreme violence and a touch of nudity may offend some. A game that will delight and consume you in one fell swoop. 93 E Psygnosis 675 Massachusetts Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 497-7794 February Action/Adventure Ecstatica II Excellent graphics; lots of gameplay. No joystick support; incredibly difficult and repetitive. Despite its flaws, Ecstatica II is more than the sum of its parts, delivering hours of challenging, attractive gameplay. 82 E Psygnosis 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. Foster City CA 94404 415-655-5683 September '97, p. 170 Review Index Eddie Kanter's Bridge Companion Good lessons on playing out those difficult hands. Lessons on advanced bidding theories are non-existent. Overall, Eddie K delivers a strong program capable of competing with the better bridge programs on the market. 81 E Lifestyle Software Group 63 Orange Street Street Augustine, FL 32084-3584 (904) 825-0220 April Review Index EF2000 Cutting edge graphics; good flight engine; network play. Very steep hardware requirements; a few bugs hamper the realism of the game. A must-buy for hard-core flight simmers and a great game for novices. 88 E Ocean of America 1870 Little Orchard St. San Jose, CA 95125 (408) 298-1411 March Review Index Elder Scrolls: Arena Fantastic graphics and sound; a very intuitive interface. The storyline is a little thin, and there's not much meaningful interaction with NPCs. A stunning technological achievement; give this game a better storyline, and you might have the best FRP ever designed. 88 E Bethesda Softworks 1370 Piccard Drive Rockville, MD 20850 June Review Index Elements A novel concept with nice graphics and sound. Having to repeat things so often can be a pain. A simple puzzler, but entertaining and challenging enough to keep you coming back. 78 E Vila Crespo 1725 McGovern Street Highland Park, IL 60035 October Review Index Elk Moon Murder High quality production of video sequences; fairly good acting; unique setting.. No replay value; lame murder mystery; doesnÕt add anything new to FMV game genre. This is a good FMV game. Just donÕt expect to be entertained for very long. 68 E Activision 11601 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90025 October Strategy Emperor of the Fading Suns It’s epic in scale, atmospheric, and full of extremely deep gameplay. Inadequate manual; stratospheric learning curve; solo play becomes a real trudge. A lot of people are going to love this game; I didn’t - but I respect it greatly. 75 E SegaSoft 150 Shoreline Drive Redwood City CA 94065 415-802-4400 May '97, p. 138 Review Index Empire II The most powerful, flexible, wargame construction set ever published. Some preset scenarios are pathetic; scenario builder is staggeringly complex and wretchedly explained. One of the biggest disappointments in years. 63 E New World Computing P.O. Box 4302 Hollywood, CA 90078 (818) 899-5650 December Review Index Empire Soccer 94 Fast, fun and easy to play, but it presents a real challenge at higher levels. Passing is tough because you can't see very far up field. Hold onto your seat--it may run too fast on the faster 486 machines. There's plenty of entertaining soccer action packed into this little game. 79 E Empire Software 4 Professional Drive Suite 123 Gaithersburg, MD 20879 September Review Index Endorfun If you like no-brainers, Endorfun is as fluffy as they come. ItÕs the Lite 1990Õs version of Tetris. Excruciating color combinations, annoying New Age music, boring gameplay. Endorfun just isnÕt fun. There are much better puzzle games out there. 59 E Time Warner Interactive 2210 West Olive Ave. Burbank, CA 91506 (800) 482-3766 December Strategy Enemy Nations Solid core gameplay; good balance of elements; lots of replay value. Gameplay glitches; poor memory management. Needs better way of presenting resource information. Entertaining; just the right blalance of construction, research, resources, and combat. 86 E Head Games P.O. Box 2698 Reston VA (612) 321-9470 August '97, p. 110 Review Index Entomorph Both the cutscene animations and gameplay graphics look great. Puzzles are also terrific. As original as it is, the plot tends toward chaos, and often leaves the player confused. Combat can be more frustrating than rewarding. Entomorph is an attractive, innovative break from the usual RPG fare. 81 E SSI 675 Almanor Ave. Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901 January Action Eradicator PIP; new enemies to kill; a few good weapons. A few bad weapons; aggravating levels; repetitive, uninspired music. It’s a decent shoot-’em-up, but Eradicator needed to do more to take on Quake or Duke on their home turf. 78 E Accolade 5300 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Suite 500 San Jose CA 95129 (800) 245-7744 January '97, p. 212 Review Index ESPN: Baseball Tonight You get to hear Dan Patrick say "whiff" when a batter strikes out. Once you go past the set-up screens, the visual quality turns "foul" with graphics that look at least five years old. A decent baseball sim, but in today's market, that just isn't enough. 68 E Sony Imagesoft 2400 Broadway Suite 510 Santa Monica, CA 90404 March Review Index Evasive Action Fast, fun and easy to play, especially in two player mode. Planes stall too easily, and the machine guns are set to semi-automatic. Great fun, but probably too simple for serious flight sim fans. 80 E Mindscape 88 Roland Way Novato CA 94945 August Review Index Expect No Mercy Gory finishing moves; plenty of blood-and-guts; neat box art. Ludicrous controls; lame puzzlles; tie-in with a grade B movie doesnÕt help it any. Further evidence that movies should be seen and not played. 30 E Microforum 1 Woodborough Ave. Toronto, Canada M6M5A1 (800) 465-2323 September Review Index Expert Chess Graphics are the strong units here with plenty of zany piece sets. Weak AI; poor time controls; and no modem play. There's really nothing new here. Even at $14.95, it's not much value to anyone but the novice player. 55 E Expert Software 800 Douglas Road Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 567-9990 January Review Index Exploration A good, solid addition to a very popular genre. Sub-par graphics; decidedly weird interface; too similar to other strategy/trading games. Nothing new here, but if you haven't burned out on colonization games, it's a good time. 76 E Interactive Magic P.O. Box 13491 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (919) 461-0722 September Review Index Extractors A good variety of mining tools; challenging gameplay; and plenty of levels. Weird plot and characters; the interface can often prove more challenging than the puzzles. If you like Lemmings-style puzzlers and can get past the convoluted story line, it's worth a look. 73 E Vic Tokai 22940 Lockness Avenue Torrance, CA 90501 (310) 326-8880 July Arcade Extreme Assault Incredible graphics; fast action; slick presentation. Complex control mode is a pain to master; steep difficulty curve. It looks great, and sometimes plays great, but the fiddly control is too much of an obstacle for the average gamer to overcome. 68 E Blue Byte Software 33 S. Roselle Rd., Suite 201 Schaumburg IL 60193 (847) 534-7950 October '97, p. 224 Chess Extreme Chess Powerful chess engine; many classic games; strong analysis and annotation features. Poor documentation; occasionally awkward and confusing interface; no Internet play. This is the chess game for serious chess players. It may help improve your game. 91 E Davidson/Simon & Schuster 19840 Pioneer Ave., Torrance CA 90503 310-793-0600 April '97, p. 131 Review Index Extreme Sports Unique idea; varied gameplay; good contols. Limited replay value, too few courses, and less-than-stellar graphics. Extreme Sports is a limited diversion from the usual sports game. Just don't expect more than a few hours of fun. 62 E Sony Interactive 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. 2nd Floor Foster City, CA 94404 May Review Index F-22 Lightning II Beautiful graphics; easy to get into; multi-player sessions require only one CD. Too simplistic, and too easy, to satisfy most hard-core air combat fans. F-22 Lightning II is hardly the realistic, detailed simulation NovaLogic claims it is, but thereÕs still fun to be had here. 78 F NovaLogic Inc. 2 6010 Mureau Road Suite 200 Calabasas, CA 91302 December Flight Simulation F/A-18 Hornet 3.0 Authentically modeled aircraft and systems. Smooth frame rates. No real campaign; not enough missions (or an editor); kinda tough for beginners. A realistic simulation that's also fun to fly once you get the hang of it. 88 F Graphic Simulations Corporation 15400 Knoll Trail #104 Dallas TX 75248 (972) 386-7575 July '97, p. 167 Adventure Fable Gorgeous backgrounds; good voice-acting; straight-forward puzzles. Writing is mediocre; inventory is clunky and difficulty level is low. Allegedly "improved" ending is lame. Beautiful production but only modestly challenging, or interesting, gameplay. 68 F Sir-Tech Ogdensburg Business Center, P.O. Box 245 Ogdensburg NY 13669 (315) 393-6633 July '97, p. 190 Review Index Fade to Black Nice animation, exciting combat; adventure-style puzzles. Commands are pretty complex; contrl is choppy on a 486. A strong balance of battles and brain-teasers that should be a nice break from shooters and adventures. 82 F Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 November Strategy Fallen Haven A simple approach that allows for quick play. Too few units. High unit expendability in a turn-based game doesn’t really work. No multi-player. A fair bet if you want some quick gameplay, but it could use some refinements. 79 F Interactive Magic P.O. Box 3491 Research Triangle Park NC 27709 919-461-0722 June '97, p. 113 Review Index Fantasy General Slick; colorful; easy to sink into; lots of exotic units and spells. It lacks the depth of Warlords II; occasional lock-ups necessitate frequent saves. ItÕs not the best fantasy wargame out there, but itÕs still a terrific diversion. 78 F SSI 675, Almanor Ave. Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901 June Review Index Fast Action Paq It will not interfere with normal Windows' operations. There are only four games, and none of them are fun. There are better ways to spend your gaming dollar, and better choices in Windows' entertainment. 49 F Quackers (Mallard Software) 3207 Justin Road Flower Mound, TX 75028 July Review Index Fast Attack Excellent design provides a you-are-there feeling; smoothly integrates the numerous complex elements into a working game of substantial depth. Milquetoast enemies; no way to save a game in progress; mission time limit. ItÕs flawed, but Fast Attack is till the best nuclear sub game in many moons. 82 F Sierra 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 June Review Index Fields of Glory Epic sweep combined with a fantastic amount of detail; very friendly interface; stunning graphics. The AI routines are dodgy and tend to spoil the realism. The finest tabletop miniatures wargame yet released, and a true joy to play. 89 F Spectrum HoloByte 2490 Mariner Square Loop Alameda, CA 94501 (800) 695-4163 August Review Index FIFA Soccer Looks great, plays smooth, and has all the extras that a fan could want. Difficult passing and power kicks take a great deal of the fun out of play, at least at first... A very deep soccer sim for players who have the patience to deal with some quirky controls. Another winner from EA. 84 F Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 October Review Index FIFA Soccer 96 Multiplayer and modem options; brilliant graphics; realistic play; comprehensive league and tournament play. YouÕll need a Pentium 90 or better to really enjoy the high resolution graphics. If youÕre in the market for a top-notch sports sim, look no further. 92 F Electronic Arts 11450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404-2064 (415) 571-7171 December Sports FIFA Soccer 97 Authentic, fun, gameplay; exquisite presentation. Players occasionally behave erratically; tournament modes could be better defined. FIFA 97 is a great leap forward for PC soccer games, and terrific entertainment in its own right. 88 F Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 March '97, p. 152 Review Index Fighter Duel Outstanding two-player dogfighting, excellent frame rate on modest systems. Weak single-player game; no real compaign mode. Modem dogfighters are in for a treat, but solo players should stick to in-depth sims. 84 F Philips Media Inc. 10960 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90024 (800) 340-7888 January Review Index Fighter Wing Looks great; and multi-player games in low resolution can be fun. Abysmally slow on the best systems. It's better than Operation Airstorm, but not by much. 49 F Merit Studios 13707 Gamma Road Dallas, TX 75244 (800) 238-4277 June Review Index Final Doom All the good features of Doom -- this game is still great. The game is three years old now, and starting to show its age. If, for some unfathomable reason, you've never played Doom and you can't find the original, Final Doom is worth picking up. 80 F GT Interactive 16 East 40th Street New York, NY 1006 (800) 434-2637 November Review Index Fire Fight ItÕs fast itÕs slick, itÕs action-packed, and itÕs multiplayer. What more do you want? Only 18 sinel-player missions, so not much longevity for those without friends to play with. The best out-and-out sprite-based blaster on the PC. 90 F Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404-2064 (415) 571-7171 August Review Index First Encounters Impressive depth and variety; nice texture-mapped graphics. Can be painfully repetitive, and combat is frustratingly tough. First Encounters is an ambitious game--but it has a lot of problems that drag it down. 70 F GameTek Inc. 2999 N.E. 191st Street Suite 500 Aventura, FL 33180 August Review Index Fleet Defender Great graphics and sound; multiple realism options make it as challenging (or as easy) as you like. Much horsepower needed to keep it airborne; learning the controls can be time-consuming. MicroProse has scored a direct hit with it. If you enjoy modern air-combat sims, this is definitely for you. 88 F MicroProse 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (410) 771-0440 June Review Index Flight Commander 2 A thoughtful, intelligent simulation, and one that really has no current competition. May be too leisurely for many flight-sim fans; pedestrian graphics just barely pull the plow. If the subject interests you, by all means give it a try. It's different, and it's designed very cleverly. 82 F Avalon Hill 4517 Hartford Road Baltimore, MD 21214 (410) 254-9200 March Review Index Flight Sim Toolkit A super program that really does let you create your very own worlds. It's in dire need of better documentation and can prove frustrating at first because of it. Despite its limitations, a clever and original program worth sticking with. 87 F Eidos Interactive 303 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94111 Tip Line: (900) 288-GAME June Review Index Flight Unlimited Best graphics ever seen in a flight sim; excellent flight school puts an instructor right beside you. You'll need at least a Pentium 90 before the game really starts to cook. With its incredible graphics and great flight school, Flight Unlimited soars above the pack of flight simulations. 91 F Looking Glass Technologies 1 Alewife Center Suite 450 Cambridge, MA 02140 September Simulation Flying Corps Visually gorgeous and full game world. Detailed flight model; strong gameplay. Useless Win95 mode; screwy keyboard layout and viewing options; joystick problems. A flawed gem, but a gem nonetheless. A wonderful sim with an authentic feel. 90 F Empire 13220 Wisteria Dr., Bay N-2 Germantown MD 20874 310-916-9303 May '97, p. 120 Racing Formula 1 Pretty; 30fps with 3Dfx even on a P90; lots of tracks, teams, drivers. Driving engine is terribly unrealistic; only supports four accelerator cards; no multi-player functions. It's fun for a bit, but the lack of replayabilitiy will disappoint many die-hard fans. 60 F Psygnosis 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. Foster City CA 94404 (800) 438-7794 September '97, p. 190 Review Index Fortress of Dr. Radiaki Good character graphics and a sense of humor; plenty of action. The level graphics and architecture leave a lot to be desired; no joystick support. Fortress of Dr. Radiaki may not be the best shooter around, but it's definitely worth a look. 81 F Merit Studios 1307 Gamma Road Dallas, TX 75244 (800) 238-4277 February Review Index Foxhunt Slapstick comedy and antics make the non-interactive sequences worth watching. Bad video; long load times; little interaction. If you're starved for low-brow entertainment, Foxhunt will do in a pinch, but if gameplay is your thing, you'll be disappointed. 57 F Capcom 475 Oakmead Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408) 774-0400 May Review Index FPS: Baseball The career play, physics-based action, and unmatched graphics and sound set a new standard for baseball simulations. Weak stats and a few annoying bugs keep it from earning an Editors' Choice Award. If you love baseball and even a computer, you must have this game. 86 F Sierra 3380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 December Review Index FPS Baseball Pro 96 Same as in 1994; Good graphics; rich career play; physics-based action. Same as in 1994: Steep system requirements; big statistical and gameplay problems. CouldÕve been great if gameplay had gotten as much attention as graphics. 78 F Sierra Online 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, Washington 98007 Order Hotline: (800) 757-7707 October Review Index FPS: Football Pro 96 Gorgeous and realistic-looking SVGA grahpics; still the best football sim around. Steep hardware requirements; few reasons to upgrade. A minor upgrade, but still the chammp of football sims. 86 F Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 March Sports FPS Football Pro '97 The original design is there; you won't find a better way to make leagues and plays. Dubious multi-player action; numerous bugs; Windows screen clutter, DOS hangovers. You'd be better off with an earlier DOS version of the game. 65 F Sierra 3380 146th Place S.E., Suite 300 Bellevue WA 98007 800-757-7707 April '97, p. 116 Strategy Fragile Allegiance Nice production; good ideas (taken from other games). Familiar themes; boring gameplay; repetitive; too much screen-hopping. A competently programmed yawn with limited replay value. 60 F Interplay 16815 Von Karman Ave. Irvine CA 92606 (800) 969-PLAY July '97, p. 176 Review Index Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball Realistic pitching highlights excellent action play; and there are enough stats to keep purists interested. Awkward keyboard controls. One of the best action-oriented baseball games available for the PC. 89 F Acclaim Entertainment 1 Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove, NY 11542-2777 (800) 759-7800 September Review Index Frankenstein Looks great; the sinister mood is well done. Exploration is unnecessarily frustrating, gameÕs solitary nature can get boring. Folks who loved Myst might find it appealing, but if you demand more depth, youÕd probably be better off reading ShelleyÕs book. 75 F Interplay 17922 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 969-4263 February Review Index Front Lines Beautiful graphics; a friendly interface; and a challenging variety of mission scenarios. Experienced wargamers will probably feel like they've seen it all before. This is a well-designed product that should have wide appeal. 80 F Impressions Software 222 Third Street Suite 0234 Cambridge, MA 02142 May Sports Front Page Sports: Baseball Pro '98 Incredible depth; statistical accuracy; totally customizable; loads of play options. Sterile, unexciting gameplay; primitive graphics; no sense of "being there." Achieves what it sets out to do, but baseball has never looked less inviting. 60 F Sierra P.O. Box 3404 Salinas CA 93912 800-757-7707 September '97, p. 174 Sports Front Page Sports: Golf TrueSwing is intuitive and realistic; fun, tough courses; realistic ball movement. TrueSwing is tough to learn; pointless player commentary. The truly revolutionary swing style makes FPS: Golf intuitive and fun. 90 F Sierra 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue WA 98007 (800) 757-7707 August '97, p. 114 Review Index Full Throttle A head-long adventure that will take your breath away from the very start. Veteran players will finish the game quickly; gameplay is rigidly linear; arcade sequences get old. It may be a little short, but it's one wild ride while it lasts. 90 F LucasArts P.O. Box 10307 San Rafael CA 94912 (800) 782-7927 August Arcade Full Tilt! 2 Pinball Great graphics and sound; many clever enhancements over the original game. We wish it came with five or six tables, instead of three. No pinball addict should miss Full Tilt 2! 84 F Maxis 2121 North California Blvd., Suite 600 Walnut Creek CA 94596 (800) 33-MAXIS March '97, p. 149 Review Index Full Tilt Pinball Good sound effects; slick grahpics and nice table design. Only three different tables; not enough graphic options for some. As pinball simulations go, Full Tilt Pinball is hard to beat - but there are still better ones out there. 86 F Maxis 2121 N. California Blvd. Walnut Creek, CA 94596-3572 (800) 336-2947 March Review Index Fury 3 3D action fans will love the nonstop flyinÕ and shootinÕ excellent terrain graphics. High system requirements; gameplay gets old; whereÕs the modem-play option? This is a first-rate 3D game that proves Microsoft is serious about gaming. 84 F Microsoft 1 Microsoft Way Redmond, WA (206) 882-8080 December 3D Fighter FX Fighter Turbo It's more of the same for FX Fighter fans; the network play is a plus. Inferior graphics; little innovation; and clumsy controls. If you must have network play, you might as well go for this one, but there are plenty of other, better 3D fighters. 47 F GTE 2035 Corte Del Nogal, Suite 200 Carlsbad CA 92009 (800) GTE-TODAY March '97, p. 105 Action G-Nome Pretty graphics; the ability to eject and enter enemy ‘bots and buildings adds variety. Choppy animation; sluggish control; inadequate manual. G-Nome had the goods to be a hit, but poor execution makes it a disappointment. 68 G 7th Level P.O. 832190 Richardson TX 75083-2190 800-884-8863 Ext. 77 May '97, p. 116 Review Index Gadget Fantastic visuals and a powerful soundtrack give Gadget atmosphere to spare. Where's the game? A few good puzzles could have put this in game-of-the-year territory. Cinema meets gaming; cinema wins with a TKO. 63 G Synergy 605 W. 7th Street Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213) 891-9636 December Review Index Galactic Civilizations Great AI; computer players have distinctive personalities and respond to your playing style. You'll need OS/2 to run this one; graphics could be better; it's just another resource management game. If you're wondering if a good game can be done under OS/2, you ought to check out Galactic Civilizations. 78 G Stardock Systems, Inc. Gibraltar, MI (313) 782-2248 May Review Index Game Creation System A simple interface; plenty of tools; and a library of objects to get you started. The basic engine you're building on doesn't stand a chance against the current crop of 3D games. A reasonably priced construction kit that lets you show your friends how games should be made. 81 G Pie in the Sky Software 1596 Ayrault Road Fair Port, NY 14450 (716) 425-8782 June Review Index Gazillionaire It's addictive; you just can't stop yourself from visiting one more planet. It would be nice if there were more planets to choose from. The funky atmosphere is much of what makes this simple but fun game work. 84 G Spectrum HoloByte 2490 Mariner Square Loop Alameda, CA 94501 (800) 695-4263 March Review Index Gearheads ItÕs a fun and catchy game built around a unique idea. It can get old quickly, so itÕs best taken in small doses. ItÕs a simple little game that doesnÕt take itself too seriously. 75 G Philips Media, Inc. 10960 Wilshire Blvd. 7th Flr. Los Angeles, CA 90024 June Review Index Gender Wars A fun squad-based combat game. Degrading to both sexes, and some weird screen flicker takes away from the enjoyment. This one should hold you over Ōtill Syndicate Wars arrives in town. 78 G GT Interactive 16 East 40th St. New York, NY 10016 (800) 434-2637 December Review Index Gene Wars Clean interface, sharp graphics, and moody sound effects. Uninspired combat and resource management, lack of vaariety in missions and unit types. With more variety and less repetition, Gene Wars couldÕve been something special. 61 G Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 December Review Index Genghis Khan 2 A detailed sim with speed, drama, and depth. Might be too complex for some. One of the best Koei titles in some time. If you like historical sims, get this one! 81 G Koei Corp. 1350 Old Bayshore Hwy. Suite 540 Burlingame, CA 94010 June Arcade Gex A few interesting additions to the genre,and you can turn off Gex's voice! So-so graphics; not all that amusing If Microsoft tells you something's funny, run for your life. I found more humor in Windows 95. 58 G Microsoft One Microsoft Way Redmond WA 98052-6399 206-882-8080 April '97, p. 141 Review Index Glider Addictive, challenging gameplay makes it fun. The simplicity and 2-D gameplay may discourage hard-core gamers from giving it a chance. A fun, relatively non-violent game that will appeal to gamers of all ages. 84 G Casady & Greene 22734 Portola Drive Salinas, CA 93908-1119 (408) 484-9228 December Review Index Goblins Quest Terrific gameplay, graphics, and sound. A few of the puzzles might be a little too tough. Part puzzle game, part graphic adventure, this is sure to please fans of either genre; a very good title. 89 G Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, Washington 98007 June Puzzle Golden Gate Nicely done watercolor style graphics. Really bad acting; tedious puzzles; complete lack of originality; one of the worst endings in gaming history. If you’ve played Myst, you don’t need to play it again in San Francisco. 31 G Panasonic Interactive Media 4701 Patrick Henry Drive Santa Clara CA 95054 408-653-1898 May '97, p. 128 Casino Golden Nugget Adam West! Pure West! Pitifully slow, even on a fast computer; no instructions; bad controls; poor recreation of casino games. Golden Nugget makes you appreciate shareware casino games. 18 G Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine CA 92714 800-874-4607 May '97, p. 132 Review Index Gone Fishin' Captures the relaxing and thrilling feel of fishing. It's simple, addictive stuff. The artwork could be better in spots, and the action may be too low key for some. Try it. Even if you don't fish, you may be surprised how much fun this game is. 88 G Amtex P.O. Box 572 Belleville, Ontario, Canada K8N 5B2 (613) 967-7900 April Review Index Good to Firm Loaded with all the statistics and the info you need to go horse racing. Primitive graphics and lack of sound effects severely handicaps the racing action. A solid horse-racing sim, but a visually weak presentation. 75 G Wizard Games of Scotland P.O. Box 498 Wilmington, MA 01887 September Review Index Grand Prix II Amazing graphics, unmatched detail, and a great sense of speed. Steep learning curve; multi-player options donÕt include network support. At least until Sierra releases the next title from Papyrus, Grand Prix II is the best racing sim you can get. 95 G MicroProse 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (800) 879-7529 October Review Index Grand Prix Manager An exhaustive and intriguing simulation of a big-league racing operation; user-friendly interface. Not enough action for some gamers. If the subject of big-time racing interests you, you'll love GPM. 86 G Spectrum HoloByte 2490 Mariner Square Loop Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 522-1164 April Sports Grand Slam Unique control meters for pitching and batting; good graphics and sound. No network or Internet play; simplistic arcade feel; not as fun as other baseball games. Grand Slam does not score a grand slam. You'd be better off with Triple Play '98. 72 G Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine CA 92714 800-847-4607 September '97, p. 146 Review Index Grandest Fleet Plenty of depth; easy to learn but tough to master; good graphics. Contrived scenarios require suspension of disbelief. If you like The Lost Admiral, you'll love this, though there are as many differences as similarities between the two. 82 G QQP 495 Highway 202 Flemington, NJ 08822 (505) 837-5447 July Historical Simulation Great Battles of Alexander Rich graphics; historical accuracy; a good manual; a real sense of spectacle. Slow battle development due to animation; steep learning curve; somewhat messy interface. If you're at all interested in this era of warfare, this is the only game in town. 86 G Interactive Magic P.O. Box 13491 Research Triangle Park NC 27709 919-461-0722 September '97, p. 178 Review Index Great Naval Battles IV Great graphics, sound; a fascinating range of historical might-have-beens. ItÕs still a very complicated sim, especially if you havenÕt played the previous installments. If youÕre really into the subject, youÕll have a great time changing history. 79 G SSI 675 Almanor Ave. Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901 February Review Index Great Naval Battles Vol. III Gripping intensity; great graphics/sound; exceptional complexity. Definitely an advanced simulator; for newcomers, a steep learning curve. The balance between epic sweep and war-movie detail is ideal. Simply the best WWII naval sim on the market. 92 G Strategic Simulations, Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901 June Review Index Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf Unique golfer profiles and great graphics. Not enough features to make it competitive; looong load times. An interesting new take on golf simulations, but one that needs more to make it work. 78 G Grolier Electronic Publishing 90 Sherman Turnpike Danbury, CT 06816 (203) 797-3530 March Arcade Grid Runner Fast-paced action, good-looking graphics. Network play would have been great, and the split-screen two-player mode wears on the eyes. Grid Runner dares to be different, and succeeds, but where's the 'net-play? 77 G Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine CA 92614 Order Hotline: (800) 874-4607 March '97, p. 144 Review Index H.U.R.L. The idea is there for a great, non-violent kids game with Doom-like qualities. There isn't much challenge, satisfaction, or fun here. It fills a void in the kids market, just not very well. 53 H Millennium Media 234 N. Columbus Boulevard Philadelphia, PA ( 215) 625-8928 August Review Index Hammer of the Gods Vikings, this is your game. If the whole Nordic thing turns you off, you probably won't get it. A fresh and original concept, realized with energy and zest. The whole is decidedly better than it's parts. 83 H New World Computing P.O. Box 4302 Hollywood, CA 90078 (818) 889-5650 March Review Index Hannibal Good strategic elements. No real tactical component. Beautifully detailed graphics, but it lacks the depth to make it great. 65 H MicroLeague 1001 Millersville Road Lancaster, PA 17604 (717) 872-6567 June Review Index Hardball 4 Stunning SVGA graphics; more extensive statistics than previous HardBall games. Unrealistic play on the field; disappointing sound effects. If you're a HardBall fan, or more interested in fun than realism, this latest version will surely satisfy. 79 H Accolade 5300 Stevens Creek Boulevard #500 San Jose, CA 95129 (408) 985-1700 March Review Index HardBall 5 Excellent arcade play; improved league play and modem options make this the best HardBall yet. Unrealistic replay statistics. ItÕs still weak on realism, but HardBall 5Õs the best action baseball game available. 86 H Accolade 5300 Stevens Creek Blvd. #500 San Jose, CA 95129 January Action Hardline Video quality is good; the graphic sex scene is sure to tick off the busy-bodies in Washington. Held together by the worst arcade sequences in recent memory. Go watch a Troma movie instead. 24 H Virgin Interactive 1861 Fitch Avenue Irvine CA 92614 800-874-4607 May '97, p. 109 Review Index Harpoon 2 Sleek interface; extraordinary realism; excellent scenarios; a massive database. A tough game to learn and master; appeal is limited to those with an interest in modern naval warfare. Simply the best modern warfare game ever. This is a classic made even better. 93 H Three-Sixty Pacific 2105 South Bascom Suite 165 Campbell, CA 95008 September Review Index Harry and the Haunted House The well-written story stars four funny friends and a gang of deliciously ghastly ghouls. The story's message is a bit confusing. Harry and the Haunted House entertains children with an excellent story and surprising embellishments. 95 H Living Books P.O. Box 6144 Novato, CA 94948-6144 (800) 776-4724 December Review Index Harvester A serviceable adventure with an unflinshing approash; delivers the gory goods as promised. Outdated interface; unrelenting unpleasantness bound to offend some. Definitely not for the squeamish. 82 H Merit Studios 13707 Gamma Rd. Dallas, TX 75244 (214) 385-2353 December Casino Game Haunted Casino Doesn't take much hard-drive space. Casino games are ugly and poorly designed; adventure game element doesn't work. Haunted Casino attempts to combine two wildly different game genres and succeeds in making both look bad. 15 H Micro Star 2245 Camino Vida Roble, Ste. 100 Carlsbad CA 92009 (760)931-4955 October '97, p. 231 Review Index Havoc Plentiful multi-player options. Solo action is pretty humdrum, thanks to uninspired enemies. Havoc can be fun over a network, but the one-player action just doesnÕt cut it. 75 H Reality Bytes 1 Kendall Square Bldg. 400 Cambridge, MA 02139 July 3D Shooter Helicops Nice arcade-like feel; solid if antiseptic graphics; interesting Japanese touches. No real flight model to speak of; little replay value. The lite beer of 3D shooters. 69 H 7th Level P.O. Box 832190 Richardson TX 75081 (800) 884-8863 July '97, p. 201 Review Index Hell Great story, puzzles, graphics, and believable voice-acting. The nudity, violence and strong language may be a bit too much for some folks. Hell draws the latest line in the sand for other designers to cross. 92 H Take 2 Interactive 1004 Ligonier Street 3rd Floor Latrobe, PA 15650 March Review Index Hellbender Nice accelerated graphics and, if you enjoyed Terminal Velocity, hereÕs more of the same. TV has been through enough incarnations. Big chunky graphics and nasty subterranean play equal frustration. WeÕve seen this before, and it really is time to move on... 66 H Microsoft Corporation 1 Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 (206) 637-9308 December Review Index Hello Kitty's Big Fun Piano A beautifully executed program with smooth graphics and clever options. Limited scope might not hold a child's interest for long periods at a time. Does one thing very well rather than spreading itself thinly across several activities. 87 H Big Top Productions 548 Fourth Street San Francisco, CA 94107 (415) 978-5363 December Review Index Heretic Slick graphics; new enemies; and the chance to change your friends into chickens. Heretic's mystic setting just doesn't equal Doom in bone-crushing atmosphere. The same kick-in-the-teeth violence buffet as Doom, but with great new trimmings. 88 H id Software Town East Tower 180601 LBJ Freeway Suite 615 Mesquite, TX 75150 April Review Index Heroes of Might & Magic Remarkably strong, simple strategy gaming. You won't stop playing! It ain't flashy -- but that doesn't hurt the gameplay any. One of the most enjoyable games of the year. This one will have a long life on your hard drive. 88 H New World Computing PO Box 4302 Hollywood, CA 90078 (818) 889-5650 November Strategy Heroes of Might & Magic II A very well-designed strategy game. Anything this hard to stop playing has to be good. The wait-your-turn, multi-player option for network and modem play can be tedious without any type of time limit imposed. If you enjoy strategy games, you simply must have this one. 91 H New World Computing PO Box 4302 Hollywood CA 90078 (818) 889-5650 February '97, p. 138 Review Index Hexen: Beyond Heretic Beautifully executed, with a wide variety of weapons and non-stop action, Many novel twists. Gameplay is limited to the same mindless slaughter found in previous shooters. Not many secrets or puzzles. A solid action game with terrific fantasy trappings, but ultimately familiar gameplay. 85 H id Software/GT Interactive 16 East 40th St. New York, NY 10016 (800) 434-2637 February Review Index Hexx: Heresy of the Wizard Nice atmosphere, fast action, and a cleaner interface than in most RPGs. There may be too many puzzles and not enough variety to keep your interest alive. A well-designed, straight-forward game, well worth considering if you crave a similar form of roleplaying. 79 H Psygnosis 675 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 497-7794 July Review Index Hi-Octane Real sense of speed; great graphics; and plenty of gunplay. The game just ends, and much too quickly. A very good game--but it could have been a great one. 82 H Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 September Review Index High Seas Trader A good, solid trading sim with enough variables to keep gameplay fresh. There's just not much to do besides trading; too many still screens. Plenty of fun if you're a big fan of economic sims, but not enough variety for most gamers. 68 H Impressions 222 Third Street Suite 0234 Cambridge, MA 02142 June Review Index Hind A solid flight model with crisp graphics and a slew of gameplay options. Dodgy joystick calibration and support. Explosions still chunky. Just about everything a flight hack could want in a sim is here. Buy it. 90 H Interactive Magic P.O. Box 13491 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (919) 461-0722 December Strategy History of the World Fans of the original will enjoy the multi-player options. Solo play is predictable and routine, and the game quickly becomes boring. Thisis for fans of the boardgame only. 55 H Avalon Hill 4517 Hartford Rd. Baltimore MD 21214-3192 410-254-9200 September '97, p. 192 Review Index Hive (The) Gorgeous visuals and lots of button-pushing action. Thin gameplay, rail-shooter design restricts interaction. Pretty to look at, occasionally fun, but ultimately repetitive. 66 H Trimark Interactive 2644 30th St.. Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310) 310-2000 May Review Index Hodj 'n' Podj A truly "G-rated" game that's fun for the entire family. Veteran PC gamers have seen it all before and may not care to see it again. Within its modest parameters, this is a solid and successful game design. 80 H Virgin Interactive Entertainment 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 874-4607 October Review Index Hooves of Thunder Exhaustive simulation of a horse racing operation. Not enough action for some gamers; better sound effects would help the track ambiance. If the subject of world-class horse racing interests you, you'll love this game. 82 H MicroLeague 750 Dawson Dr. Newark, DE 19713 (717) 872-6576 April Review Index Horde (The) Good acting in the video clips; a great soundtrack; and fast-paced gameplay. The interface is somewhat clunky, and gameplay can get a little repetitive. This is a solid mix of strategy and fun that anyone can start enjoying as soon as they pop it in their CD-ROM drive. 80 H Crystal Dynamics 2460 Embarcadero Way Palo Alto, CA 94303 June Card Game Hoyle Poker Many variations of poker, some you might not be familiear with; free access to SIGS. The "attitude" gets tiresome real fast. Sierra's put its experience to good use, with an attractive, easy-to-use, and fun poker simulation. 80 H Sierra 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue WA 98007 (800) 757-7707 August '97, p. 125 Action Hunter Hunted It looks good, sounds great, and is easy to pick up and play. Addictive while it lasts, but it won’t last for long. The two-player mode isn’t so compelling. Impressive example of 2D action gaming, showing what the PC can do in this genre. 78 H Sierra Online P.O. Box 3404 Salinas CA 93912 (800) 757-7707 February '97, p. 155 Adventure Huygen's Disclosure Well designed interface; some challenging puzzles. Some of the puzzles are of the abstract, 7th Guest variety. Bad voice acting, graphics and dialog. A decent graphic adventure with a handful of significant flaws. 68 H Microforum 1 Woodborough Ave. Toronto, Ontario Canada M6M5A1 800-465-2323 April '97, p. 153 Review Index Hyper 3-D Pinball Photo-realistic graphics; fantastic sound; plenty of great tables. Steep system requirements; 3D perspective takes getting used to. If you're a pinball fan with a fast computer, this one's a keeper. 90 H Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 April Action HyperBlade Fast action, smooth graphics, and built-in 3D accelerator support. Odd controls, erratic artificial intelligence, and disorienting environments. If you're willing to accept a few minor flaws, HyperBlade can make you a superstar in the sport of the future. 78 H Activision 11601 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1000 Los Angeles CA 90025 (310) 473-9200 February '97, p. 120 Review Index I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream Narrative elements that go deeper than any previous adventure game. Extremely grim subject matter means the game isnÕt exactly fun. An intriguing adult game that definitely wonÕt be everyoneÕs cup of entertainment. 87 I CyberDreams 23586 Calabasas Rd. Ste 102 Calabasas, CA 91302 January Review Index Icebreaker Lots of levels; good difficulty range; mildly fun. Below average control and movement, becomes boring; no motivation to keep playing. This is not the worst puzzle game out there, but itÕs certainly not the best, either. 55 I Twentieth Century Fox/Magnet Studios 3255 Grace St. NW Washington, D.C. 20007 (800) 996-0011 August Simulation iF-22 First detailed simulation of F-22 Raptor; dynamic campaign engine. Graphics aren't that great; huge hard-drive and hardware requirements; some significant design flaws. The ideas behind it are sound; but lackluster execution keeps it from taking off. 65 I Interactive Magic P.O. Box 13491 Research Triangle Park NC 27709 (919) 461-0722 October '97, p. 206 Simulation iM1A2 Abrams An exciting and challenging game, with solid graphics, excellent sound, and plenty of battlefield action. Graphic presentation has some rough edges. An exceptional, heavyweight sim, and a worthy successor to its forebearer. 89 I Interactive Magic P.O. Box 13491 Research Triangle Park NC 27709 919-461-0722 June '97, p. 100 Strategy Imperialism Original, engrossing, and fun; for connoisseurs of raw strategy. Artificial victory conditions; clumsy ocean maps; non-historical geography; no edit options. Fresh, well-balanced gaming that serious strategy gamers shouldn't miss. 87 I SSI 675 Almanor Ave., Suite 201 Sunnyvale CA 94086-2901 (800) 601-7529 November '97, p. 297 Strategy Imperialism Original, engrossing, and fun; for connoisseurs of raw strategy. Artificial victory conditions; clumsy ocean maps; non-historical geography; no edit options. Fresh, well-balanced gaming that serious strategy gamers shouldn't miss. 87 I SSI 675 Almanor Ave., Suite 201 Sunnyvale CA 94086-2901 (800) 601-7529 November '97, p. 297 Strategy Imperium Galactica It's an elegant, challenging, addictive take on the classic space strategy themes. The interface is burdensome, and the manual is almost as confusing as it is helpful. A surprising and delightful product for fans of conquer-the-galaxy gaming. 87 I GT Interactive 16 East 40th St. New York NY 10016 (800) 305-3390 July '97, p. 186 Review Index In Pursuit of Greed A semi-interesting twist on the action game idea; fair head-to-head play. Pre-Doom graphics; not really challenging. Wy bother? There are so many better games in this genre, this one is hardly worth a look at. 59 I Softdisk Publishing 606 Common St. Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 221-8718 August Review Index In the First Degree A great idea; quality video segments; good acting and story line. It would be more fun if there were other cases; slow access times; excessive sit-and-watch segments. A quality game. If you donÕt mind lots of video clips and some repetition, youÕll like it. 82 I Broderbund 500 Redwood Blvd. Novato, CA 94948 (800) 521-6263 December Review Index Inca II Great diversity of gameplay; and at $34.95, it's a real value. Some of the gameplay is too simple, and the acting is pretty cheesy (not necessarily a bad thing!). It's a weird mix, but Inca II is ultimately a winner. It's fun to play, easy on the wallet, and often stunning to look at. 81 I Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, Washington 98007 July Review Index Incredible Machine 2 Dozens of puzzles; a do-it-yourself mode; and near open-ended game play. None, really, unless you consider a somewhat sensitive cursor and a hunger for base memory to be fatal flaws. How often can you say really got what you paid for? 90 I Sierra 3380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 January Arcade Independence Day Looks great, and runs well on minimum ( though high) spec machines. Insanely difficult, repetitive, uncontrollable with analog joystick. Gamepad slingin' console freaks will love it, but true PC gamers will probably (and rightly) expect more. 70 I Fox Interactive P.O. Box 900 Beverly Hills CA 90213 (310) 369-5369 July '97, p. 181 Review Index Indian Jones and His Desktop Adventures Simple to play; low hardware requirements; and the price is right. Repetitive structure means limited play life; poor graphics.. Desktop Adventures isnÕt spectacular, but it doesnÕt pretend to be. As time-killers go, itÕs a refreshing change from Solitaire. 72 I LucasArts P.O. Box 10307 San Rafael, CA 94912 (800) 782-7927 September Review Index IndyCar Racing II Stunning graphics and sound; ;very detailed car physics. The replay mode is really excellent. YouÕll still need a fast Pentium to enjoy the SVGA graphics mode. Racing simulations donÕt get any better than this. 95 I Papyrus 1 Arsenal Marketplace Watertown, MA 02172 (617) 926-7575 February Review Index Inferno Impressive graphics and outstanding music. Complex keyboard commands almost make a programmable controller a necessity. If you're itching for something new, Inferno's well worth the trouble. 76 I Ocean of America, Inc. 1855 O'Toole Avenue Suite D-102 San Jose, CA 95131 May Review Index Inherit the Earth Beautiful VGA graphics; good voice acting; and an exciting new game world. Slow-paced with tedious gameplay and puzzles that just never seem to entertain. It has everything going for it, except the thing that matters the most--enjoyable game play. 63 I New World Computing P.O. Box 4302 Hollywood, CA 90078 (800) 251-9582 August Review Index International Tennis Tour Excellent animation and digitized speech, plus a good selection of difficulty options. Doesn't save player statistics; no option for doubles play. Terrific graphics and sound wrapped into this top-notch tennis sim make this game an ace. 83 I Philips Interactive Media 10960 Wilshire Boulevard Seventh Floor Los Angeles, CA 90024 December Review Index Interplay's 10 yr. Anthology A great collection for nostalgia fans with some surprisingly playable old titles. If you already have the two newer titles, the rest might not be worth the asking price. A solid collection, and one of special value to those with a serious interest in the history of PC gaming. 83 I Interplay 17922 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 969-4263 August Action Interstate ‘76 Original premise; great gameplay, graphics; built-in Internet support. Steep hardware requirements; some frustrating missions. Full of 1970s atmosphere and attitude, I76 proves that Activision has more tricks up its sleeve than giant robots. It’s a blast. 93 I Activision 11601 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1000 Los Angeles CA 90025 310-473-9200 June '97, p. 76 Review Index Invasion of the Mutant Space Bats of Doom Cheap, challenging, and runs on almost any system. Gets very hard very fast. If you're a shooter fan, there's no excuse not to get this one. 80 I Pop Software P.O. Box 60995 Sunnyvale, CA 94088 September Review Index Iron Assault Easy to manage; fun for two players in the city scenarios. Primitive enemy animation and ill-conceived play areas. Pretend it's an old Amiga game, and you'll love it. 74 I Virgin Interactive Entertainment 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-1999 August Review Index Iron Cross Much more attractive than the real war. But then again, it doesn't have anything to do with the real war. A lightweight combat game packaged as a tactical simulation. Not as fun as The Perfect General. 65 I New World Computing P.O. Box 4302 Hollywood, CA 90078 (818) 889-5650 January Arcade Iron Man/X-O Manowar In Heavy Metal Umm, I'm thinking... Poor graphics; sluggish control; no AI to speak of; lack of innovation; outdated comic book license. Avoid this dog like it has rabies, and don't say we didn't warn you. 15 I Acclaim Entertainment One Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove NY 11542-2777 516-759-7800 April '97, p. 129 Review Index Ishar 3 Thoughtful character development; sumptuous graphics; and a vast world to explore. The combat system stinks, and the automapping function is frustratingly limited. Hard-core FRPG fans will probably like it--novices will find it tedious, overwhelming, and frustrating. 74 I ReadySoft 3375 14th Avenue Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R OH2 (905) 475-4801 March Review Index Island Peril It all fits in one subdirectory on your hard drive, so itÕs easy to delete. Terrible graphics; anemic sound; appalling acting; thoroughly unoriginal and uninteresting gameplay. What more can we say? Island Peril is an unmitigated dog. 13 I Atlantean Interactive Games 15127 Califa St. Van Nuys, CA 91411 (818) 908-9663 August Sports Jack Nicklaus 4 Much-improved graphics; superb play; marvelous course designer; your chance to play with the Golden Bear. Some aspects of play are too easy. Required equipment for computer golfers. 89 J Accolade 5300 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 500 San Jose CA 95129 (415) 985-1700 August '97, p. 100 Review Index Jack the Ripper Good, traditional, Sherlock Holmesian detective game. May seem hum-drum to players weaned on high-velocity, graphics intensive adventure games. Nothin' fancy, but a solid addition to the ever-growing Ripper canon. 78 J GameTek Inc. 2999 N.E. 191st St. Suite 500 Aventura, FL 33180 April Review Index Jagged Alliance An utterly engrossing experience, equal to the best fantasy RPGs. As in a complex fantasy RPG, there are a zillion things to keep track of, which makes it frustrating. Whatever you choose to call this hybrid genre, Jagged Alliance is right at the top of it. 89 J Sir-tech Software, Inc. Ogdensburg Business Center Ogdensburg, NY 13669 (315) 393-6633 July Review Index Jazz Jackrabbit CD Beautiful graphics; great music; and high-speed action. Control with a standard joystick can be a little awkward. If you find yourself missing the simple excitement of your old Sega or Nintendo machine, you need this game. 87 J Epic Megagames Inc. 3204 Tower Oaks Boulevard #410 Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 983-9771 June Simulation Jetfighter III Great action; impressive graphics, controls. Fuzzy physics model, demanding system requirements. No multi-play. If you can forgive the occasionally unrealistic action, you'll be rewarded with one of the most thrilling sims to date. 88 J Interplay 17922 Fitch Avenue Irvine CA 92714 (800) 969-4263 March '97, p. 142 Review Index Jewels of the Oracle A generous selection of good logic puzzles nicely integrated into SVGA scenes. Some spotty graphics and choppy animations; action is minimal. If you like puzzle games of the Myst variety, you'll certainly enjoy this. 81 J Discis P.O. Box 66 Buffalo, NY 14223-0066 (800) 567-4321 July Simulation Jimmy Houston's Bass Tournament USA 97 Tournament play makes for a challenging day on the lake. Unimpressive graphics, limited fishing areas, touchy casting interface, dull multimedia elements. Anglers who prive diversity and challenge should stick to Trophy Bass or Gone Fishin'. 55 J Sammy USA 901 Cambridge Dr. Elk Grove Village IL 60007 (847) 364-9787 November '97, p. 289 Simulation Jimmy Houston's Bass Tournament USA 97 Tournament play makes for a challenging day on the lake. Unimpressive graphics, limited fishing areas, touchy casting interface, dull multimedia elements. Anglers who prive diversity and challenge should stick to Trophy Bass or Gone Fishin'. 55 J Sammy USA 901 Cambridge Dr. Elk Grove Village IL 60007 (847) 364-9787 November '97, p. 289 Review Index Johnny Mnemonic It's a step in the right direction for IM games. Substantial system requirements; initially confusing; not much replay value. An acquired taste; if you're a traditionalist who shuns the video movement or have a slow system, forget it! 80 J Sony Imagesoft 2400 Broadway Avenue Suite 550 Santa Monica, CA 90404 September Adventure Jonny Quest: Cover-Up At Roswell Excellent production value for animation and sound. Entirely too easy. The puzzles are very childish in nature. The colorful animations of the “Jonny Quest” universe aren’t enough to propel this breeze of an adventure. 60 J Virgin Sound & Vision 122 South Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90048 (310) 246-4666 January '97, p. 240 Review Index Judge Dredd Cool concept borrowed from the film. Boring graphics, fussy controls, and forgettable gameplay. A cookie-cutter side-scroller that doesnÕt explore the potential excitement of its big-budget film license. 38 J Acclaim Entertainment 1 Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove, NY 11542-2777 (800) 759-7800 October Arcade Jumanji Sharp graphics; no violence; kids may enjoy the movie tie-in. Too easy for skilled gamers; nothing to keep you coming back. There are better arcade games out there for kids and adults. 65 J Philips Media 10960 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90024 (303) 739-4131 February '97, p. 145 Review Index Jump Raven Nice graphics and voice acting; a lot of work went into creating this game. Little variation in background graphics, in-flight dialog, and gameplay. Die-hard arcade fans will probably love it, but others may not feel they're getting their money's worth. 76 J Paramount Interactive 700 Hansen Way Palo Alto, CA 94304 (415) 812-8255 September Review Index Jungle Strike Good, solid, shoot-'em-up action. The action can get repetitive, and the sound is pretty thin. If you like shooters, this one's worth checking out. 74 J Gremlin Interactive 2551 N. Clark Street Suite 496 Chicago, IL 60614 June Review Index Jurassic Park Solid graphics and two types of gameplay. The action quickly becomes repetitive. There are much better action games out there. 54 J Ocean 1855 O'Toole Avenue San Jose, CA 95131 (408) 289-1411 June Sports Kick Off 97 Simple and easy to get into; above average control. Nonexistent AI; slow pace of play; some presentation bug problems. Yet another mediocre soccer sim to gather dust in the bargain bins. 56 K Maxis 2121 N. California Blvd. Walnut Creek CA 94596 800-33-MAXIS September '97, p. 148 Review Index Kingdom O' Magic Funny dialogue; the unexpected is the only thing you can count on. Non-linear gameplay can leave you lost; the need for lots of backtracking makes it tedious at times. The quirky adventure has comedic flair. If you like off-beat games, pick it up. 71 K Philips Media, Inc. 10960 Wilshire Blvd. 7th Flr. Los Angeles, CA 90024 June Review Index Kingdom: The Far Reaches Excellent sound and music. It'll make you nostalgic for Dragon's Lair. It's repetitive, frustrating, and almost arbitrary in the many ways it kills you. It just doesn't seem to have been made by people who play games. 60 K Interplay Productions 17922 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 969-GAME September Review Index Kingdoms of Germany The game's easy-to-learn, easy-to-use interface gets you into the fray fast. There's not much in the way of chrome, and the relative simplicity of gameplay limits overall complexity. A good, solid wargame--although perhaps not as detailed as it could be. 77 K Realism Entertainment 6N 522 Pine Street Bensenville, IL, 60106 August Review Index Kingmaker An historical soap opera in the best blood-and-guts tradition. So-so graphics and steep base memory requirements; complex gameplay will frighten newcomers. A great game for hard-core strategy fans that has the added value of unraveling a confusing historical area. 81 K Avalon Hill 4517 Hartford Road Baltimore, MD 21214 (410) 254-9200 July Review Index Kings' Quest VII Sierra always delivers pretty, enjoyable graphic adventures. The interface doesn't leave much for the gamer to do, and the save-game method stinks. It's not the best graphic adventure--or even the best in the KQ line--but it's fun and pretty and not too hard. 84 K Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 March Review Index Knight Moves Interesting concept that mixes chess-style thinking with arcade reflexes. The 3D interface is awkward; the no-frills manual and lack of features makes this as slim as some shareware releases. More fun than Under Pressure, or Endorfun, but it's not Tetris. 65 K Spectrum HoloByte 2490 Mariner Square Loop Alameda, CA 94501 (800) 695-4263 March Review Index Knight's Chase Graphically stunning; detailed and historical story line; simple interface. Obscure puzzles require a lot of luck; bad camera angles; occasioanlly poor voice acting. If the puzzles werenÕt so poorly done, it would be a fantastic adventure. As it is, itÕs probably best to wait for the next Time Gate game. 60 K I-Motion 1341 Ocean Avenue Box 417 Santa Monica, CA 90401 September Action Krazy Ivan Lots of weapons and power-ups; smooth gameplay; multi-player. Easily finished in a few sittings; occasionally wonky controls. Even as a PlayStation game, Krazy Ivan was a little too simplistic; most PC gamers will find it a hollow experience. 60 K Psygnosis 919 East Hillsdale Blvd. Foster City CA 94404 415-655-5683 April '97, p. 154 Strategy Krush Kill ‘N Destroy Polished graphics, nice variety, decent multiplayer options. Weak artificial intelligence. Extremely difficult missions. Like most me-too games, some of the touches that made the originals great aren’t here, but KKND is still worth trying. 82 K Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo CA 94403 415-513-7171 May '97, p. 112 Review Index Last Bounty Hunter Fun arcade action, plenty of challenge, and lots of bad guys to shoot. Some scenes are ridiculously difficult; the acting occasionally gets too cheesy. If you're a fan of ALG shooters, or looking for some mindless arcade action, check it out. 72 L American Laser Games Inc. 4801 Lincoln Road NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (800) 880-1718 November Review Index Last Dynasty It tries really, really hard to do something different and stylish. Play is confusing, uneventful; sound, video are below par. The story is just a mess; the action is nothing special; and the adventure game is a muddle. 60 L Sierra PO Box 3404 Salinas, CA 93912 (800) 757-7707 November Adventure Last Express, The Lovely graphics and mood are complimented by good acting and a rich story line. Puzzles are often quite difficult, and the save-game system is off-putting in the extreme. A unique and polished adventure game with a strong, sustained, historical flavor. 90 L Broderbund Software P.O. Box 6121 Novato CA 94948 415-382-4400 June '97, p. 108 Review Index Lawnmower Man Sounds great; lots of animation; addictive. 32-color palette; no saved games--three strikes and you're out. An intriguing, but flawed, first effort. Wait for the 256-color sequel that'll be released later this year. 67 L Sony Electronic Publishing 2400 Broadway Avenue Suite 550 Santa Monica, CA 90404 June Review Index Legend of Kyrandia Great characterizations; simple interface. So-so graphics except in the Windows Mode; interface can get in your way. Tricky puzzles; hilarious dialog; no single right way to win; provides a challenging and entertaining adventure. 88 L Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 January Adventure Leisure Suit Larry in Love For Sail! Great graphics; Al Lowe's skewed humor; the return of the (optional) text-based interface. Fairly high "been there, done that" factor; sometimies the tongue-in-cheek humor is tiresome. If you can handle Adult Situations and Partial Nudity, this is a ship-shape winner. 84 L Sierra P.O. Box 85006 Bellevue WA 98007 206-644-4343 April '97, p. 133 Review Index Lemmings Chronicles Challenging puzzles; lots of levels. New interface doesnÕt measure up to the classic. Fans of previous Lemmings will still want to add this to their collection. Newbies should try the earlier games. 77 L Sony Interactive. March Review Index Lemmings Paintball Colorful graphics, easy to use interface and addictive gameplay. Difficult puzzles in later levels. Half-realized multi-player games. Psygnosis creates a wonderful new dimension of Lemmings fun thatÕs every bit as challenging as the original games. 80 L Psygnosis 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. 2nd Floor Foster City, CA 94404 September Review Index Lighthouse Interesting world and story, many good puzzles with different solutions. Some frustrating puzzles, pixel hunting, occasionally awkward interface. A somewhat flawed but overall entertaining trip through a parallel world. 82 L Sierra P.O. Box 3404 Salinas, CA 93912 (800) 757-7707 December Review Index Line Wars II The use of light and shading is effective and eye-catching. Controlling your ship is difficult, and the game screen is so dark that it becomes hard to even see the targets. With so much good shareware out there, there's no sense in bothering with this. 50 L Safari Software/Epic Megagames 10406 Holbrook Drive Potomac, MD 20854 (301) 983-9771 December Review Index Links LS Stunning graphics, multiple perspectives, modem play, and much more challenging golf. High system requirements; it could be time for that new computer. Golf on a computer can't get much better. 96 L Access 4750 Wiley Post Way Bldg. 1 Suite 200 Salt Lake City, UT 84116 November Sports Links LS 1998 Edition Incredible visuals; stable Internet play; plenty of features and courses. Some reports of bugs and video card problems; club selection quirks in off-line tourneys. A small step forward for the best of golf sims, but a step forward nonetheless. 95 L Access 4750 Wiley Post Way, Bldg. 1, Ste. 200 Salt Lake City UT 84116-2878 (800) 800-4880 October '97, p. 240 Review Index Lion Another fine and intriguing simulation of predators in the wild. There's still not much to do between meals. As Doom II is to Doom, Lion is to Wolf. It's more of the same, but well worth playing. 86 L Sanctuary Woods 1825 S. Grant St. San Mateo, CA 94402 (415) 286-6000 March Review Index Litil Divil A great title character; varied gameplay; and nice graphics and sound. Meandering labyrinths can get tiring; some game elements are often repeated. You'll love that cute litil divil despite what he may have done to end up in hell. 86 L Philips Interactive 11111 Santa Monica Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 444-6600 January Review Index Little Monster at School Excellent graphics and music provide long-term interest for kids. It doesn't make advances over other Living Books; a little more educational content would be nice. This is a program you'll really enjoy exploring with your kids. 89 L Living Books P.O. Box 5144 Novato, CA 94948 (800) 776-4724 October Review Index Live Action Football A quick, pretty dose of NFL action; good video and excellent audio play-by-play. Video plays quickly become repetitive. Kids will love it, but serious football fans may lose interest. 75 L Accolade 5300 Stevens Creek Boulevard San Jose, CA 95129 (408) 985-1700 April Review Index Lode Runner Easy to learn but very tough to stop playing; perfect mood music and captivating character animations. A modem-support option would give the head-to-head mode much more replay value. Great fun for puzzle fans and arcade fiends alike--a real winner! 85 L Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 November Review Index Lords of Midnight Lords of Midnight does have an interesting idea or two. Bad sound, bad graphics, bad interface, impenetrable gameplay. An absolute mess. 40 L Eidos 303 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94111 Tip Line: (900) 288-GAME February Strategy Lords of the Realm II Excellent balance of strategic and tactical play; fun combat; superb realm-building. More charts would help. AI is sometimes either too easy or too hard. No custom castles! LORII is immense fun for both the empire-builder and the medieval combatant, with all the intrigue and bloodletting you could want. 92 L Sierra Online P.O. Box 3404 Salinas CA 93912 (800) 757-7707 February '97, p. 148 Review Index Lords of the Realm II A good balance between micro and macro management. The battlefield screens could stand a bit of enhancement. Lords of the Realm has all the ingredients, and in the right proportions, to satisfy anyone interested in historical simulations. 91 L Impressions Software 222 Third Street Suite 0234 Cambridge, MA 02142 November Review Index Los Angeles Times Crossword Super-friendly interface; tournament play option. It is just a crossword game; non-abecedarians need not apply. For crossword lovers, L.A. Times is a whole lot of entertainment at a great price. 74 L Random House Electronic Pub. 201 E. 50th Street 3rd Floor New York, NY 10022 May Puzzle Lose Your Marbles Highly addictive gameplay; original concept; good graphics and sound effects. Awkward keyboard configurations for multi-player games; no Internet mode. Good clean fun that hooks you from the very start. 88 L SegaSoft 150 Shoreline Dr. Redwood City CA 94065 (888) SEGASOFT November '97, p. 241 Puzzle Lose Your Marbles Highly addictive gameplay; original concept; good graphics and sound effects. Awkward keyboard configurations for multi-player games; no Internet mode. Good clean fun that hooks you from the very start. 88 L SegaSoft 150 Shoreline Dr. Redwood City CA 94065 (888) SEGASOFT November '97, p. 241 Review Index Lost Eden Beautiful graphics; wonderful music; and an original setting. Lurking behind the innovative premise are some old adventure-game cliches. If you're looking for something different and genuinely entertaining, Lost Eden is your paradise. 89 L Virgin Interactive Entertainment 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-1999 June Review Index Lunicus Nice graphics, sound, and music with lots of explosions. Incredibly repetitive combat sequences; doesn't coexist peacefully with QEMM memory manager. The lack of variety in gameplay gives this one little replay value. If you do stick with it to the end, you'll be glad it's over. 55 L Paramount Interactive 700 Hansen Way Palo Alto, CA 94304 (415) 812-8200 December Strategy M.A.X.: Mechanized Assault & Exploration Great balance among units and structures; tough AI; multi-player options; loads of replay value. No Internet support; manual should have been better. This could end up being the best turn-based strategy game of 1997. 90 M Interplay 16815 Von Karman Ave., Irvine CA 92606 714-553-6678 April '97, p. 124 Review Index M4: Sherman Tank Combat and navigation are easy to master. Gameplay is very repetitive, and the graphics and sound do nothing to suspend your disbelief. There's a good game here somewhere, but it's crippled by lifeless graphics and repetitive gameplay. 48 M Deadly Games 312 E. 23rd New York, NY 10010 Combat and navigation are easy to master. Gameplay is very repetitive, and the graphics and sound do nothing to suspend your disbelief. July Review Index Maabus The graphics and animation aren't too bad. A sluggish interface; vague documentation; and a zillion unavoidable deaths. Buy it if you like flashy graphics and don't care about gameplay--otherwise, steer clear. 55 M Microforum Inc. 1 Woodborough Avenue Toronto, Canada M6M 5A1 (416) 656-6406 June Review Index Machiavelli the Prince One of the best powermonger games around. It is a revamped, repackaged title. Colorful, complex, addictive, and subversive! Play with a friend (while you still have one...). 84 M MicroProse Software, Inc. 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (410) 771-0440 July Action Machine Hunter Addictive action. Unique strategy makes for varied gameplay. Unimpressive graphics; sluggish gameplay on some systems. Despite the chunky graphics and clunky control, Machine Hunter delivers a nice blend of fast-paced fun and puzzling. 72 M MGM Interactive 2500 Broadway St. Santa Monica CA 90404-3061 (800) 586-2021 November '97, p. 232 Action Machine Hunter Addictive action. Unique strategy makes for varied gameplay. Unimpressive graphics; sluggish gameplay on some systems. Despite the chunky graphics and clunky control, Machine Hunter delivers a nice blend of fast-paced fun and puzzling. 72 M MGM Interactive 2500 Broadway St. Santa Monica CA 90404-3061 (800) 586-2021 November '97, p. 232 Review Index Mad Dog McCree II Good video, good acting and music; you'll need a calculator to keep track of the body count. It doesn't take long to finish even if you play all three games. It doesn't have a lot of replay value, but it's a real kick while it lasts. 78 M American Laser Games 4801 Lincoln Road NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (800) 880-1718 October Sports Madden NFL 97 Excellent graphics and animation; smooth interface; more than 100 teams. The AI is suspect; questionable season simulation results; mediocre play-by-play commentary; numerous gameplay quirks. There’s a lot of fun to be had with Madden NFL 97, but not a lot of realism. 74 M Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 January '97, p. 216 Review Index Magic Carpet Amazing graphics; terrific sound and action. No way to save a game in the middle of the level, which can take hours to complete. There's a whole lot of game here, and it's all excellent. Magic Carpet may well become the talked-about game for 1995. 95 M Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404-2064 (415) 571-7171 April Review Index Magic Carpet 2 A great game made better with new visual effects and loads of new spells. Some of the visual effects get tiresome. The game doesnÕt forge as much new ground as it might have. More of what you liked in the original - and then some. 88 M Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404-2064 (415) 571-7171 December Strategy Magic: The Gathering Stays true to the Wizards of the Coast card game; intelligent computer AI. Adventure element is not very interesting; no multi-player support; high system requirements. If you’ve played the card game, you’ll like the PC version, it’s also a good way to learn. 83 M Spectrum HoloByte 2490 Mariner Square Loop Alameda CA 94501 Order Hotline: (800) 695-4263 June '97, p. 86 Action Magic: The Gathering -- BattleMage It tries to capture the feel of playing Magic: The Gathering real-time. It fails to achieve its goal with any sort of success A terrible game. If you want a Magic: The Gathering PC game, wait for MicroProse’s turn-based version to come out. 30 M Acclaim 1 Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove NY 11542-2708 516-759-7900 May '97, p. 102 Review Index Majestic Sharp graphics; nice sound effects; efficient interface. Long CD accesses, short game time and weak puzzles. A few peculiar puzzles add stamina to an otherwise uninspired game, but only if youÕre really bored. 52 M Piranha Interactive Publishing 1839 West Drake Suite B, Tempe, AZ 85283 July Review Index Manic Karts Sharp graphics; upgrade system lets you improve your cart. No crashes, no bounces. ItÕs just high-speed graphics bumping into eachother trhough impossible turns. Unless you just canÕt live without another arcade racer, donÕt bother. 59 M Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 847-4607 August Puzzle Marble Drop Gorgeous DaVinci-style graphics, low system requirements. Tedious and repetitive gameplay; no level editor; not much fun. Marble Drop is a love-it or loathe-it title. Proceed at your own risk. 48 M Maxis 2121 N. California Blvd., Suite 600 Walnut Creek CA 94596 (800) 33-MAXIS July '97, p. 159 Review Index Martian Chronicles The Ray Bradbury interviews are interesting and provide some appeal. Stunningly boring, cliched, lifeless, and bland. A tragic waste of brilliant source material. 49 M Simon & Schuster Interactive 175 Fifth Ave. Suite 2122 New York, NY 10010 February Review Index Master of Magic Fantasy world has a vast array of races, spells, and combat units. Uninspired sound; graphics could be better; and the artificial intelligence routines are sub-par. A powerful mix of empire building, wizardry, and combat. 83 M MicroProse 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (410) 771-0440 January Strategy Master of Orion: Battle at Antares Endless replay value, thanks to randomly generated universes and gameplay variables. The amount of micromanaging required is almost overwhelming. A great update of a classic game, even with the micromanaging. 86 M MicroProse 280 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley MD 21030-2245 (410) 771-1151 March '97, p. 134 Arcade Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow Smooth animation and Disney's attention character design. Reliance on traditional platform formula makes it predictable. If you're nostalgic for a mindless action/platform thrill,, this could be it, but there are much better action games for the PC. 62 M Disney Interactive 500 South Beuna Vista St. Burbank CA 91521 800-426-3306 April '97, p. 113 Review Index Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Kids will easily identify with the charming main character. The actual typing exercises are presented against an environment that can be distracting to kids. Kids who enjoy the main character will learn to type, but there are better children's typing tutorials on the market. 75 M Mindscape 88 Roland Way Novato CA 94945 December Action MDK Silky smooth performance, difficult levels, incredible graphics. Complicated interface, vague puzzles and objectives; too short. If you can warm to the console-style sensibilities of MDK, you'll find a brief but well-done action game. 86 M Playmates Interactive 16200 S. Trojan Way La Mirada CA 90638 (310) 407-1490 July '97, p. 166 Action Meat Puppet Impressive character animation. Great music and sound effects. Controls are awful and make playing the game a chore. Puzzles are annoying. AI is baffling. Watch "Aeon Flux" instead. You get great animation without carpal tunnel syndrome. 45 M Playmates Interactive Entertainment 611 Anton Blvd. Suite 500 Costa Mesa CA (714) 428-2112 October '97, p. 244 Review Index MechWarrior 2 Cinema-quality visuals and sounds; silky-smooth control; demanding missions. Demanding system requirements for hi-res modes; full-fledged net gaming will have to wait. If you can only play one battling-robot game a year, make sure it's this one. 93 M Activision 11601 Willshire Boulevard Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90025 September Review Index MechWarrior II: Mercenaries New business model, improved graphics make Mercs even more fun than Mech2. New graphics options mean steeper hardware requirements. If you liked MechWarrior 2, youÕll love Mercenaries. 95 M Activision 11601 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90025 December Review Index MegaRace Psychedelics tracks alone are nearly worth the price. The cars handle like motorized shopping carts; aside from different track designs, there's not much variety in gameplay. If you like non-stop action and killer graphics, you'll love MegaRace. M Miindscape 88 Roland Way Novato CA 94945 July Review Index MegaRace 2 Gorgeous graphics and big, branching tracks.. Dodgy controls; long video segments; and underwhelming sense of speed. Where the original MegaRace shined on the track, MegaRace 2 merely putts along at a leisurely pace, letting the world race by. 65 M Mindscape 88 Rowland Way Novato, CA 94945 (415) 897-9900 December Review Index Menzoberranzan Good graphics and sound, and, eventually, a good plot. Hack, slash, hack, slash. Are we having fun yet? A solid engine, and a good premise, but is combat oriented in early levels and takes its sweet time getting to the narrative elements. 85 M Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901 February Review Index Merchant Prince If smooth, addictive gameplay packed with skull-duggery appeals to you, this game's for you. The graphics aren't anything to write home about. With its balanced gameplay, Merchant Prince is one of the best new trading games around. 85 M QQP 495 Highway 202 Flemington, NJ 08822 (505) 837-5447 June Review Index Metal Marines Delightful graphics and animation; fast and furious action. Solo play is too damn fast for you to enjoy all the details. Excellent for modem play; a bit too frustrating in the solo mode. 63 M Mindscape 88 Roland Way Novato CA 94945 May Review Index Metaltech: EarthSiege Plenty of action and a wide degree of control. Hard to master the controls; some overly difficult missions. A super battling robots game; undoubtedly the best on the market; a challenging but rewarding game. 90 M Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 March Review Index Micro Machines 2 Going against a friend head-to-head is a blast; excellent track editor. Lacks network options; all multi-player action has to be played off the same PC. Good clean fun. ThatÕs the reason itÕs been around so long, itÕs a good game. 80 M GameTek 2999 Northeast 191st St. Suite 500 North Miami Beach, FL 33180 October Review Index Microcosm Fluid animation and a good soundtrack keep the game moving. Frustration levels are high, and the gameplay value is low. It could only appeal to the hard-core arcade-shooter fans, but there's not enough gameplay on display for that crowd. 45 M Psygnosis 675 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 497-7794 July Sports Microsoft Golf 3.0 Easy multiplayer options for playing over the 'net. The graphics should've been updated; the menu-driven interface is sorta clunky. If Internet competition is your thing, MS Golf delivers a seamless entry onto the web; if you're a die-hard duffer, stick to Links LS. 65 M Microsoft One Microsoft Way Redmond WA 98052-6399 206-635-6100 April '97, p. 136 Sports Microsoft Soccer Easy installation; network play. Frustrating gameplay; average graphics; cheesy sound effects; only one view of on-field gameplay. In the market for a great soccer sim? You won't find it here. 58 M Microsoft 1 Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052 (800) 429-9400 March '97, p. 129 Review Index Microsoft Space Simulator Stunning high-res graphics; realistic approach to space travel. Poor or non-existent sound; the interface can be awkward and confusing. Solid science combined with a sense of wonder equals an entertaining, educational way to explore the galaxy. 84 M Microsoft 1 Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 (206) 882-8080 March Review Index Millenia: Altered Destinies Innovative approach combining time-travel, strategy, and narrative elements. Some sense of frustration over how to deal with certain problems or dead ends. Awkward and unnecessary combat sequences. A refreshingly different type of narrative science-fiction game. 88 M Take 2 Interactive 1004 Ligonier St. Latrobe, PA 15650 (412) 539-3077 January Review Index Millennium Auction Lavishly rendered solid 3D character, surreal animation and lovely digitized photos flesh out this engaging sim. Little variation from game to game. A believable game world that's entertaining and (gasp!) educational; much fun for CD-ROM owners. 79 M Eidolon 5716 Mosholu Avenue Riverdale, NY 10471 August Review Index Mindgrind Ten categories and five playing arenas make for loads of possible questions. No clear variation between easy and hard questions; mediocre graphics. Unless you simply adore trivia games, don't bother with this one. 45 M Microforum 1 Woodborough Ave. Toronto, ONT., Canada M6M5A1 (800) 465-2323 November Review Index Mirage The graphics are pretty. Stilted video, puzzling transitions, bad acting, and clumsy interface make it almost painful to play. Nice visuals aren't enough to save this disjointed, confusing game. 47 M Atlantis Interactive 15127 Califa Street Van Nuys, CA 91411 (818) 908-9663 October Review Index Mission Critical Fine graphics and sound, silky interface, good acting, exceptional script. Inadequate online help, a bit too much corridor-prowling between the more intense sequences, and an anti-climatic ending. A mature and thought-provoking adventure that plays the way a good science fiction novel reads. 85 M Legend Entertainment P.O. Box 10810 14200 Park Meadow Dr. Chantilly, VA 22021 February Review Index MissionForce: Cyberstorm Slick production value, no-nonsense mission structure, and lots of options. Hex-based movement is a pain; steep learning curve; limited multi-player excitement. A solid and demanding strategy game thatÕs every bit as exciting as the real-time shoot-Õem-ups. 82 M Sierra Online 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, Washington 98007 Order Hotline: (800) 757-7707 October Adventure Mode Hitting the escape button gets you out of the game very quickly. It exists. It takes up four Cds that would have been better used for John Tesh music. The nadir of non-interactive video junk. 10 M Corel Corp. 1600 Carling Ave. Ottawa, Ont., Canada Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z8R7 K1Z8R7 (800) 772-6735 January '97, p. 248 Review Index Monopoly Super smooth animations, Internet play, slick interface and plenty of options. It is, after all, still a board game conversions, and so ultimately has a flat feel. We bet that even Monopoly-haters will be charmed by this clever and well-executed game. 90 M Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-9710 November Review Index Monopoly CD Super smooth animations, Internet play, slick interface and plenty of options. It is, after all, still a board game conversions, and so ultimately has a flat feel. We bet that even Monopoly-haters will be charmed by this clever and well-executed game. 90 M Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-9710 December Review Index Monster Truck Madness Great-looking trucks; outstanding racing; fun network play. The horn plays ŅDixieÓ. Really needs to monster systsem to run. More tracks would have been nice. More fun thanyou can have at the state fair arena. 85 M Microsoft Corporation 1 Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 (206) 637-9308 December Review Index Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail Lots of Python for the Python lover. Not much game play. Finding necessary items is a pixel hunt on the screen. Only the most dedicated Python fan would play this game. Otherwise, just rent the film. 47 M 7th Level Inc. P.O. Box 832190 Richardson, TX 75083-2190 (214) 437-5531 October Review Index Mordor Plenty of stats-heavy roleplaying for gamers who miss the classics. Almost no graphics or sound to speak of; very little gameplay apart from combat. This is a dungeon crawl from the old school, but it's worth a look from the uninitiated. 68 M TDA 720 132nd St. SW Suite 202 Everett, WA 98204 November Review Index Mortal Kombat Great fighting action; clever graphics; and near-perfect gameplay. A little bit too violent for some people--but hey, it's a fighting game. If you've been burned by watered-down IBM action in the past, here's your chance to make up for it! 91 M Ultratech 584 Broadway New York, NY 10012 June Review Index Mortal Kombat 3 Network options; more special moves than you can shake a bloody spine at. The look and feel of the Mortal Kombat series is getting a little stale. Yet another excellent arcade experience from the king of fighting games. 89 M Acclaim Distribution Inc. 71 Audrey Avenue Oyster Bay, NY 11771 (516) 624-9300 October Review Index Mortal Kombat II All of the blood and gore and gameplay of the arcade version; excellent control with a gamepad. If you've already spent a fortune in quarters playing MKII, you won't find anything new here. A great arcade fighter that makes the transition to the PC with no compromises. 86 M Acclaim Distribution Inc. 71 Audrey Avenue Oyster Bay, NY 11771 (516) 624-9300 May Review Index Multimedia Celebrity Poker Nice full-motion video footage; simple and intuitive interface. Motions and comments by the stars become repetitive very quickly, so there's not much replay value. Don't expect to stay up late nights with this one. 58 M New World Computing, Inc. P.O. Box 4302 Hollywood, CA 90078-4302 (818) 889-5650 September Adventure Mummy: Tomb of the Pharaoh The music and sound effects provide a wonderful atmosphere. Plot and puzzles are ordinary, without anything new to offer the seasoned player. A good introduction to the adventure game genre, but there's better out there. 65 M Interplay 16815 Von Karman Ave. Irvine CA 92606 714-533-6678 April '97, p. 150 Review Index Muppets Inside Colorful, entertaining, and extremely user-friendly. ItÕs the same old song; the better your system, the better the game performs. YouÕd have to be either Statler or Waldorf not to enjoy this game. 88 M Starwave Corporation 13810 SE Eastgate Way Bellvue, WA 98005 (206) 957-2000 September Puzzle/Arcade Mutant Penguins Whimsical graphics, nice music, and tough puzzles. Repeated access of the CD-ROM under Win95 will frustrate most players. A new take on Lemmings with a budget price, Mutant Penguins is a wannabe winner. 68 M GameTek Three Harbour Dr., Suite 110 Sausalito CA 94965 800-GAMETEK June '97, p. 96 Review Index Myst Graphics, sound, and gameplay that pull you in and never let you go. It's a crap shoot as to whether your particular hardware set up combo will bring even more woe to Myst Island. Finally a game that validates the hype of CD-ROM. If you were looking for a reason to move up to those silvery little discs, this is it. 95 M Broderbund 500 Redwood Boulevard Novato, CA 94948 (415) 382-4567 June Review Index NASCAR Racing Great graphics; stirring sound; hair-raising action. A mid-range 486 is barely adequate to run the game, even in standard VGA mode. If you're a race fan with a fast computer, your life simply isn't complete without NASCAR Racing. 94 N Papyrus 35 Medford Stree Somerville, MA 02143 (617) 868-5440 February Simulation NASCAR Racing 2 Improved graphics, framerate, interface; great multi-player options. Demanding system requirements. Occasionally fishy AI. If you're a fan of the original, this is a worthwhile upgrade. If you never tried the original, here's your chance to catch the fever. 90 N Sierra Online P.O. Box 3404 Salinas CA 93912 Order Hotline: (800) 757-7707 March '97, p. 116 Review Index National Lampoon's Blind Date Realistic depiction of the tribulations of strategic naval command. Limited appeal, and the usual drawbacks of the Windows environment. An entertaining revival of the "dating simulation" concept. 74 N Trimark Interactive 2644 30th Street Santa Monica, CA 90405-3009 (310) 392-3243 December Review Index Navy Strike Good graphics, campaign mode adds new dimension. Bewildering keystrokes, m enus; unrealistic flight models. With its emphasis on fun air combat and the intriguing Command Module, Navy Strike is a good introductory sim. 80 N Empire Interactive 4 Professional Drive. Ste 123 Gaithersburg, MD 20879 February Sports NBA Full Court Press Slick presentation; great commentary; what you’d expect from an NBA license. Bland graphics; unsatisfying feel; doesn’t pack the kind of attitude an NBA license suggests. There have been better basketball games; there’s better to come. Why buy this? 60 N Microsoft 1 Microsoft Way Redmond WA 98052-6399 (206) 637-9308 January '97, p. 247 Review Index NBA Live 95 You name it. Every about NBA Live '95 is a treat for the eyes and ears. You can't edit players, and coaching and strategy options are limited. If you're a hoops fan, and you have a high-end machine, you shouldn't be without this game. 90 N Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA (415) 571-7171 June Review Index NBA Live 96 Brings expansion teams, a player-creation feature, on-the-fly play-calling, and multiple camera angles to an already great game. Too many blocked shots and out-of-bounds passes; tricky to find a good camera angle; steep hardware requirements. A great simulation that can be enjoyed on a variety of levels. 88 N Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 May Sports NBA Live 97 Incredible graphics, full rosters, all the stats, and unequaled presentation. Slippery control, poor frame-rate on slower systems, and some flaws as a sim. the best-looking, best-playing, basketball game available, even with its flaws. 84 N Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo CA 94404 (415)-571-7171 April '97, p. 98 Review Index NCAA Basketball Good oncourt gameplay; recruiting and multi-player optinos give it a good shelf life. Results of simulated games are questionable; only one viewing perspective; no out-of-bounds; inaccurate physical stats and jersey numbers. A fun college basketball sim, but one that can clearly stand some improvement. 65 N GTE Entertainment 2035 Corte Del Nogal, #200 Carlsbad, CA 92009 (619) 431-8801 December Sports Simulation NCAA Basketball Final Four '97 Unprecedented variety of post-up moves. Sloppy control; basketball is too big for the rim; speed is a little slow. It's the best college hoops game on the PC, but there isn't much competition out there, either. 71 N Mindscape 88 Rowland Way Novato CA 94945 415-897-9900 July '97, p. 154 Review Index NCAA: Road to the Final Four 2 Three seasons of NCAA tournament fields; handsome graphics and some exciting action. Choppy animation; awkward coaching interface. If you've been waiting for a good basketball sim, Road to the Final Four 2 is definitely worth a look. 80 N Bethesda Softworks 1370 Piccard Drive Rockville, MD 20850-4304 (301) 926-8300 February Arcade Necrodome Many play options; Internet support; lots of things to smash and shoot. Murky, circular levels; too many stops and starts. Fun and playable, but not really remarkable. 84 N SSI 675 Almanor Ave., Suite 210 Sunnyvale CA 94086-2901 (408) 737-6880 February '97, p. 114 Review Index Need for Speed Great hi-res graphics; cool videos of the cars. Limited number of tracks; no crashes; the single-player mode gets old. If you've been looking for a slick action game with the right mix of realism and arcade gameplay, look no further. 84 N Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 November Arcade Need for Speed II Pretty graphics, lots of cute touches; mucho multi-player options. Short tracks; no cops; slower than molasses on low-end Pentiums. Try as it might, this just can't touch the original. 73 N Electronic Arts P.O. Box 7578 San Mateo CA 94403-7578 (415) 513-7171 July '97, p. 180 Adventure Nemesis: The Wizardry Adventure Pretty graphics; unique puzzles; variety of creatures, dungeons. Awkward combat interface; story line isn’t involving. A decent graphic adventure, but if you’re dying to play more Wizardry games, you’re bound to be disappointed. 73 N Sir-tech Software P.O. BOX 245 Ogdensburg NY 13669 (315) 393-6633 February '97, p. 134 Review Index Neverhood Chronicles Wonderful claymation animations and backdrops. Repetitive and pointless puzzling;; almost no interaction. The tiresome puzzles and limited interaction squash the life out of what could have been an amazing adventure. 40 N Dreamworks Interactive 640 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049 (310) 234-7000 December Review Index New Horizons Plenty of variety gives this one a good replay value. Way too cutesy, with cliched dialogue, videogame-looking graphics, and little real challenge. Light, lively entertainment, but nothing new; not for the serious strategist. 68 N KOEI Corp. 1350 Old Bayshore Hwy. Suite 540 Burlingame, CA 94010 July Review Index NFL Pro League Football Lots of players, teams, and statistics; accurate and lightning-fast replay results. Rough animations; sparse sound effects. As a number cruncher, this is a solid football sim, but if you demand graphics as well, you can do better. 76 N MicroSports One Northgate Park Suite 103 Chattanooga, TN 37415 October Review Index NFL Quarterback Club 96 Unprecedented degree of control on the field; great animations; an extensive playbook. Lack of trades or a draft; simulations of historic games only support one player. The best action-oriented football sim yet. 90 N Acclaim Entertainment 1 Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove, NY 11542-2777 (516) 656-5000 May Review Index NFL Quarterback Club 97 Lots of pre-built plays, customizable camera views. Annoying camera shifts during possession changes, confusing four-button gamepad controls, and chunky player graphics. For fast, furious, football action QBC '97 delivers a rousing amount of playability, options, and fun. 80 N Acclaim Entertainment 1 Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove, NY 11542-2777 (800) 759-7800 November Review Index NHL 96 Knockout graphics, thrilling sound effects, modem options and the best hockey action around. Some camera angles donÕt give the optimum view of the rink; steep system requirements. If you love hockey or sports games in general, be sure and add this one to your collection. 90 N Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404-2064 (415) 571-7171 December Review Index NHL 97 Current high-water mark for sports sims, especially in its use of polygonal characters. Commendable AI. No customizability, little management, sluggish fights, and some slanted scoring results. If youÕve got the system and are even remotely interested in hockey, pick this one up! 93 N Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 December Review Index NHL Hockey 95 Professional presentation and great game play. There's not much other than improved game presentation and stats to separate this from the original NHL Hockey. If you don't own the original, this is as good as it gets. If you do, try before you buy. 90 N Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404-2064 (415) 571-7171 January Review Index NHL PowerPlay 96 Fast-paced action; detailed player animations. The look and feel of NHL PP Ō96 may seem a bit dated. For accurate and controllable hockey without excessive extras, NHL PP Ō96 is one of the best hockey sims on the market. 86 N Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 847-4607 August Review Index Nigel Mansell's World Championship Driving is a snap because you couldn't wreck if you tried. There's no real challenge whatsoever; racing has never been this tedious. There are much better driving sims around. 40 N Gremlin Graphics 2-4 Carver Street Sheffield, England July Arcade Nihilist The soundtrack is vaguely rocking. Shallow gameplay and generally mediocre design make this game a downer even in the bargain bin. Flashy graphics mean little when a game is this bad. 26 N Philips Media 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Seventh Floor Los Angeles CA 90024 (800) 340-7888 March '97, p. 158 Review Index Noctropolis Gorgeous SVGA graphics and challenging but fair puzzles. The dialogue could have used another pass through the typewriter, and the acting is strictly amateur. Noctropolis is a solid adventure set in an intriguing and visually stunning world. 82 N Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404-2064 (415) 571-7171 February Adventure Noir Well-chosen locations and music create the feeling of 1940s film noir. Lack of interactivity; infuriatingly confusing movement interface. Film buffs might appreciate what Cyberdreams achieved on a superficial level, but hard-core adventure gamers will be let down. 58 N Cyberdreams 23586 Calabasas Road, Suite 102 Calabasas CA 91302 (818) 222-9348 February '97, p. 126 Review Index Normality Slick navigation interface and generally good puzzles. Dialog falls flat at times; may be too easy for some gamers; annoying hero. Some good fun in the ŅI want to be Sam & Max when I grow upÓ vein. 80 N Interplay 17922 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 553-6655 September Action/Strategy Norse by Norsewest It's more of the same for Lost Vikings buffs; nice presentation of cutscenes. Sub-par graphics; very little improvement over the original. Hardly a respectable follow-up, but it may keep fans of the series busy. 62 N Interplay 16815 Von Karman Ave. Irvine CA 92606 (800) 969-4263 August '97, p. 122 Review Index Nothing But Net! The draft and playbook features are as good as you'll find. Lack of a schedule creator makes for a lot of needless work; no real NBA players used; gameplay is slow. Nothing But Net! is a good coaching simulation, but it's shortcomings are too serious to justify a recommendation. 64 N Strategic Gaming Designs 659 Cary Towne Boulevard 176 Cary, NC 27511 (919) 552-1807 November Review Index Novastorm A good shooter; Uses CD-ROM enhancements instead of being limited by them. No save features; Not everyone likes shooters, and that’s all this is. A refreshingly simple and effective CD-ROM title. 85 N Psygnosis 675 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 497-7794 February Review Index Obsidian Great graphics and sound, engaging story line. Lots of CD swapping. Brief gameplay for experienced adventure fans. Obsidian manages to distanguish itself as a truly different adventure, where traditional puzzling melds with abstract thought. 83 O SegaSoft 150 Shoreline Drive Redwood City CA 94065 415-802-4400 May '97, p. 124 Review Index Old Time Baseball Beautifull graphics, especially the stadiums. A few bugs and some questionable statistical results. A couple of errors keep this from being a perfect game. 82 O Stormfront Studios P.O. Box 11686 San Rafael, CA 94912 (800) 245-4525 February Review Index One Must Fall: 2097 Excellent moves and variety; just the thing for bloodless carnage. Repetitive commentary following each bout; the graphics aren't particularly exciting. Grab your gamepad and buy yourself some Band-aids because your thumbs are gonna get sore! 84 O Epic MegaGames 10406 Holbrook Drive Potomac, MD 20854 (301) 983-9771 February Review Index Operation Airstorm The computerized model-assembly instructions are kind of neat. Stupid narrative context; crude flight models; awful explosion graphics; cretinous AI. Experienced gamers beware; for the budget-conscious novice only. 45 O Expert Software 800 Douglas Road Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 567-9990 April Review Index Operation Body Count Having comrades that you control is nice, and one of the best ideas we've seen. The flat, cardboard-cutout enemies are bad enough, but why does every floor have to look so much alike? Check it out if you're a fan of the genre, but there's really nothing new here. 64 O Capstone 501 Brickell Key Drive 6th Floor Miami, FL 33131 February Review Index Operation Crusader A superb and wonderfully playable war game. It rules. Disappointingly terse Tobruk scenario if you play the Allied side. There are few PC wargames, past or present, that are able to reach a comparable level of excellence. 94 O Avalon Hill 4517 Hartford Road Baltimore, MD 21214 (410) 254-9200 December Review Index Operation Europe The battlefield scenes are very good. Complex, arbitrary rules will discourage novice gamers while veteran grognards will find the game risable in the extreme. If you accept the game on its own terms, it can be quite entertaining; but it is not a serious simulation by any stretch. 64 O KOEI Corp. One Bay Plaza Suite 540 1350 Bayshore Highway Burlingame, CA 94010 December Review Index Origamo One of the better Tetris-style games. If your mouse is sluggish, you'll be frustrated; limited number of puzzles. Plenty of options make it accessible to all skill ranges, and the backgrounds and music spice things up nicely. 78 O QQP 495 Highway 202 Flemington, NJ 08822 (505) 837-5447 August Review Index Orion Conspiracy An intriguing plot, and a fairly good cast of characters. Sparse animation; lots of poorly written dialogue; and weak voice acting. If you can endure the game's slow pace, there is a good mystery to solve. 50 O Eidos Interactive 303 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94111 Tip Line: (900) 288-GAME September Action Outlaws Nice graphics, cutscenes; very good multi-player action and musical score. In single-player mode, some levels are frustrating; enemy AI leaves much to be desired. Outlaws has more atmosphere than any ten other 3D shooters, but it's not perfect. 82 O LucasArts P.O. Box 10307 San Rafael CA 94912 (800) 782-7927 July '97, p. 174 Review Index Outpost Unbelievable graphics; fantastic sound; addictive and ever-changing gameplay. Windows slows it down, and there isn't enough info in the manual to get you started on your first colony. Might be hard for first-timers. It you're a strategy fan, you most own Outpost. Period. 93 O Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, Washington 98007 September Strategy Outpost 2 Variety spices up campaign missions; good multi-player action; free Internet play. Inadequate manual; offers little originality. A pretty enjoyable and solid game that doesn't deserve to be saddled with its predecessor's reputation. 75 O Sierra 3380 146th Place S.E., Suite 300 Bellevue WA 98007 (800) 757-7707 November '97, p. 225 Strategy Outpost 2 Variety spices up campaign missions; good multi-player action; free Internet play. Inadequate manual; offers little originality. A pretty enjoyable and solid game that doesn't deserve to be saddled with its predecessor's reputation. 75 O Sierra 3380 146th Place S.E., Suite 300 Bellevue WA 98007 (800) 757-7707 November '97, p. 225 Wargame Over the Reich Elegant interface; exciting battles; engrossing campaign play. High-tech sim-jockeys may find it too sedate, maybe too abstract. A unique and singularly intelligent game; should captivate anyone with an interest in the subject of WWII aerial combat. 85 O Avalon Hill 4517 Harftord Road Baltimore MD 21214 Order Hotline: (410) 254-9200 March '97, p. 165 Review Index Pacific Air War 1942 Great graphics; optional tactical control of carrier battle; lovely details. Demanding hardware requirements for high graphic settings; thin sound effects. A great simulation that both novice and veteran PC pilots can enjoy. 95 P MicroProse 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (800) 879-7529 June Strategy Pacific General Many stand-alone scenarios are fun and historically interesting. Lots of bad changes to the interface; Battle Generator is a nightmare; can't save at the end of a campaign battle! One of the biggest disappointments I've ever experienced as a game reviewer. 48 P SSI 675 Almanor Ave., Suite 201 Sunnyvale CA 94086 (408) 737-6800 November '97, p. 312 Air Combat Simulation Pacific Strike The story setting makes for a great flight-sim environment, and there are tons of great planes to fly. Poor frame rate; touchy controls; and confusing setup instructions. Hold off until a CD-ROM version comes out. It's bound to be the best choice. 70 P Origin 12940 Research Boulevard Austin, TX 78750 (512) 335-5200 August Action Pandemonium Attractive graphics, 3Dfx support, and large game world. With a few exceptions, Pandemonium is full of repetitive, uninventive side-scrolling gameplay. Even the most dedicated side-scroller fans will grit their teeth on this one. 58 P Crystal Dynamics 2460 Embarcadero Way Palo Alto CA 94303 (800) 262-7668 November '97, p. 246 Action Pandemonium Attractive graphics, 3Dfx support, and large game world. With a few exceptions, Pandemonium is full of repetitive, uninventive side-scrolling gameplay. Even the most dedicated side-scroller fans will grit their teeth on this one. 58 P Crystal Dynamics 2460 Embarcadero Way Palo Alto CA 94303 (800) 262-7668 November '97, p. 246 Review Index Pandora Directive Deep, intricate plot; memorable characters; excellent acting all around. Some puzzles are exasperatingly far-fetched and require much repetitious travel to complete. This is a better game, in every respect, than its predecessor. 90 P Access 4750 Wiley Post Way Bldg. 1 Suite 200 Salt Lake City, UT 84116 October Wargame Panthers in the Shadows Unexcelled realism and detail. A serious tool for study and a formidable game. Drab graphics, wretched sound effects; demands a high level of commitment. Overwhelming for casual wargamers; hardcore gamers will love its complexities. 78 P HPS Simulations P.O. Box 3245 Santa Clara, CA 95055-2345 (408) 554-8381 December Review Index Panzer Dragoon Great looking graphics (at a distance); more interaction than most rail-shooter games. Graphics get blocky at close range; frustrating delays on all but the fastest PCs. If you've already got the Edge 3D, Panzer Dragoon is a good addition to the lineup. 70 P Sega of America 255 Shoreline Dr. Redwood City, CA 94065 (800) 872-7342 (USA-SEGA) May Simulation Panzer General A beautiful, superbly balanced, hyper-addictive war game. May be deemed too populist by the crustier grognards. The best wargame since Empire--and we certainly can't think of any higher praise for a game. 93 P Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 February Adventure Paparazzi! Original idea; some funny riffs about Hollywood. Tasteless jokes; repetitive gameplay; little interaction; not much challenge. It would be too nice to say that it's mind-numbingly entertaining--it's actually just plain mind-numbing. 47 P Activision 11601 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90025 October Review Index PBA Bowling Great bowling action; intuitive interface, nice graphics. Lack of multi-player options or computerized opponents. PBA is a one-of-a-kind simulation, and great fun for fans of the sport -- but you may tire of the solo action before the beer frame. 70 P Bethesda Softworks 15235 Shady Grove Rd. Ste. 100 Rockville, MD 20850 May Wargame Perfect General II A beautiful, addictive, smooth-playing game with terrific replay value. The manual is a disgrace and fails to explain adequately a number of elements. A sequel worth the wait! It will make you long for those days of playing with toy soldiers. A masterpiece. 91 P Quantum Quality Productions 495 Highway 202 Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 788-2799 August Fighting Perfect Weapon Smooth animation and nice backgrounds. Plays crummy; annoying sound effects. Tedious, and for the most part unenjoyable. Perfect Weapon just doesn't live up to its name. 54 P ASC Games 9 Old Kings Highway South, Suite 301 Darien CT 06820 (203) 327-3326 July '97, p. 171 Sports PGA Tour 96 Spectacular graphics, sound, gameplay. Good difficulty levels. YouÕll need a Pentium to overcome the slow load times. More courses would be a welcome addition. If you love the game of golf, this is a dufferÕs delight. 90 P Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404-2064 (415) 571-7171 December Sports PGA Tour Golf 486 Outstanding graphics; real PGA pro playing partners; the best golf sounds yet. Runs slow on all but the fastest machines. PGA Tour Golf 486 is a serious contender--in fact, we'd say it's the current leader. 90 P Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94403-7578 (800) 245-4525 December Sports PGA Tour Pro Photo-realistic graphics and video-captured players; PIP windows are fun. Poor club suggestion; targeting arrow limits play; requuires a monster system to enjoy. PGA Tour Pro is great to look at, but the gameplay doesn't match the graphics. 70 P EA Sports P.O. Box 7578 San Mateo CA 94403-7578 415-513-7171 September '97, p. 184 Adventure Phantasmagoria Amazing graphics, a genuinely suspenseful ending, and a cat named Spazz. Generally poor acting, a little too easy for veteran adventurers. Phantasmagoria proves that a full-motion video extravaganza can be a good game. 88 P Sierra PO Box 3404 Salinas, CA 93912 (800) 757-7707 November Adventure Phantasmagoria: A Puzzle of Flesh Original premise; good acting; generally good special effects. Very little interactivity; far too easy; ending feels tacked-on. A Puzzle of Flesh has great production values and more shock value than any previous PC adventure, but as a game it falls flat. 63 P Sierra Online P.O. Box 3404 Salinas CA 93912 Order Hotline: (800) 757-7707 March '97, p. 122 Review Index Philip Marlowe Private Eye Wonderful animation, superior voice action, very easy to complete. ItÕs not much of a game; low interactivity; for novices only. If youÕre a fan of Marlowe, it might be worth checking out. But donÕt expect a lot of gaming goodness from your investment. 60 P Byron Preiss Multimedia Co. 24 West 25th St. New York, NY 10010 (212) 989-6252 October Pinball Pinball Illusions New display options, great pinball action and controls; authentic sights and sounds. CanÕt change display options during gameplay; four tables may not be enough for some. If pinball is your thing, you canÕt go wrong with Pinball Illusions. 87 P 21st Century Entertainment Inc. P.O. Box 415 Webster NY 14580 (716) 872-1200 January Adventure Pitfall A solid arcade game that runs well under Windows 95. Jerky animation on slower machines; there are simply better games in this genre. A promising first outing for Windows 95 arcade games. 75 P Activision 11601 Wilshire Blvd. Sutie 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90025 November Strategy Pizza Tycoon A detailed strategy/resource game graced with good graphics; it's practically an alternative career. It's practically an alternative career... If you like nano-management tasks and hanker to own a chain of restaurants, by all means go for it. 65 P MicroProse Software, Inc. 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (410) 771-0440 June Sports Planet Soccer Great graphics; full team rosters; and plenty of options. Bad documentation; awkward view of the action; and vague player control. With all its stats and options, it has plenty of strengths--but you have to contend with a lot to enjoy them. 70 P Infogrammes 1341 Ocean Avenue Box 417 Santa Monica, CA 90401 October Arcade Racing POD Beautiful with MMX and 3D accelerator; tons of replay value with Internet connection. Control is imprecise; there' s no real feeling of speed; high system requirements. It's pretty to look at but not that much fun to play. Nice Internet options. 65 P Ubi Soft Entertainment 625 Third Street, 3rd Floor San Francisco CA 94107 415-547-4000 July '97, p. 155 Adventure Police Quest: S.W.A.T. Good graphics, interface; the ability to choose multiple careers. Finishing a given scenario is tough. The emphasis on proceedure over gameplay brings an intriguing idea to a halt. Only wannabe police officers need apply. 70 P Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 March Adventure Pool Champion A unique adventure mode keeps it interesting. Stilted dialogue; an arcade-style interface. ItÕs no Virtual Pool, but itÕs well worth a look. 67 P Mindscape 88 Rowland Way Novato, CA 94945 (415) 897-9900 June Strategy Power Good strategy game with simple rules; a potential for complex strategy. No "chrome" on this one; just bare-bones graphics and sound. As a player-vs.-computer strategy game it's OK, but the real strength is in modem, network, and internet play. 75 P Power Games International 280 West 4800 South Murray, UT 84107 (800) 671-6333 August Sports Power F1 Fun arcade-style racing in a realistic setting; impressive graphics and sound; Big Red Racing is thrown in as a bonus. Poor control; high system requirements. A decent, action-based racing game that isn't good enough to lead the pack. 73 P Eidos Interactive 303 Sacramento St. San Francisco CA 94111 415-616-2022 September '97, p. 150 Card Games/Chess Power Poker Great new graphics and a million extra features add depth to a classic game. The graphics seem a little spartan, even while you play in SVGA mode. A great game if you're into playing all those crazy poker variations, but only fair to middlin' if you ain't. 79 P Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 October Strategy Powerhouse Engaging mix of economics, strategy, and dirty deeds; good interface; detailed SVGA graphics. Long-term play seems redundant. Modest video quality adds little to game. A good game for business sim fans and SimCity aficionados, but others might find it a bit of a yawn. 80 P Impressions 222 Third Street Suite 0234 Cambridge, MA 02142 September Action Powerslave Good level-design, novel setting, nice music. Well intentioned... ...But poorly executed, with a dated engine and inadequacies in everything from mouse support to modem play. Pick up Duke or Quake, or wait for Shadow Warrior, Blood, Jedi Knight, etc... 58 P Playmates Interactive 611 Anton Blvd., Suite 500 Costa Mesa CA 92626 714-428-2112 May '97, p. 107 Fighting Game Pray for Death Lovely graphics and audio design. Everyting else -- plays worse than Killer Instinct. With good looks and lousy gameplay, it’s the Myst of fighting games. 24 P Virgin Interactive Ent. 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine CA 92614 (714) 883-8710 February '97, p. 163 Fighting Games Primal Rage Killer graphics and animation, cool soundtrack, and enough hidden moves and goodies to satisfy hard-core arcade fans. You need 16MB RAM and a 486/66 to see this game at its best; pulling off some of the special moves on a four-button pad is tough. If you like fighting games, buy this one. 90 P Time Warner Interactive 674 Sycamore Dr. Milpitas, CA 95035-0782 (408) 433-3999 December Review Index Prince Interactive Great full-motion videos and two new jams. The gaming is silly with sluggish movements and a total absence of interaction with the artist formerly known as Prince. If you are a true fan, you should consider waiting awhile for this baby to be reduced in price before purchasing it. 49 P Compton's New Media 2320 Camino Vida Roble Carlsbad, CA 92009 (619) 929-2500 September Adventure Prisoner of Ice A good mix of challenging puzzles; some of the cinematic sequences are nice. Poor voice-acting; timed puzzles are unnecessarily frustrating. A quirky adventure game that's only for the die-hard Lovecraft fan. 73 P I-Motion 1333 Ocean Ave. Suite J Santa Monica, CA 90401 November Action Privateer 2: The Darkening Great graphics; good acting; lots of weapons and ships. A few bugs apparently slipped by in the playtesting stages; joystick control doesn't support fancier features. A terrific space shoot'em up that has more to do between missions than watch movies. 92 P Origin 5918 Courtyard Dr. Austin TX 78730 (512) 434-4357 March '97, p. 109 Sports Pro League Baseball A potentially solid combination of stats replay and action graphics. The game locks up a lot, and the thin manual isn't much help. Micro Sports supports their products, so there's a good change this game could be excellent once they work out the kinks. 77 P Micro Sports One Northgate Park Suite 103 Chattanooga, TN 37415 September Sports Pro League Baseball ‘97 Hands-off general manager feature does an adequate job. The game is buggy and the control interface is poorly designed. Practically useless manual. Problem-plagued graphics and an unplayable arcade control system. 30 P Micro Sports Inc. 1001 Millersville Road Lancaster PA 17604-9975 800-334-2722 May '97, p. 106 Pinball Pro Pinball: The Webb A well designed table, sharp graphics, and detailed touches make it close to the real thing. ThereÕs just the one table to play on; sound effects are sparse. One of the best pinball games out there. 81 P Empire Interactive 4 Professional Drive Ste. 123 Gaithersburg, MD 20879 August Arcade Pro-Pinball: Timeshock! Great ball physics, superb realism, great table design. Only one table. Gets repetitive in a hurry. If you've got that itch to play some pinball, but can't get to the pub, this is the next best thing. 82 P Empire 580 California St., 16th Flr. San Francisco CA 94104 (415) 439-4854 October '97, p. 241 Adventure Psychic Detective This is an effective interactive movie, with good acting and an intriguing plot. With its repetitive nature and low interactivity quotient, it's not much of a game. As PC games go, Psychic Detective is one heck of a movie. 77 P Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd San Mateo, CA 94402 (415) 571-7171 April Review Index Psychotron The quality of the video is fairly good, as is the acting. Veterans will find little challenge in this very linear adventure. The save-game routine is clumsy. Another stab at "interactive movies" falls short of the hype. 57 P Merit Studios 13707 Gamma Road Dallas, TX 75244 (800) 238-4277 November Wargame Pure Wargame Good-looking; sweet-playing; drenched in authenticity. So-so replay value (only seven battles); shoddy-looking documentation. If you're at all interested in airborne operations, don't pass this one by. 82 P Quantum Quality Productions 495 Highway 202 Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 788-2799 July Sports Pursue the Pennant Full rosters, realistic results and stats--and all in a flexible, easy-to-play game. The company could have spruced up the display a bit. But nah, why bother? You can't ask for anything more from a text-only baseball sim. 84 P Pursue the Pennant P.O. Box 19703 Greensboro, NC 27419 August Puzzle Puzzle Collection, The Some engaging and fun puzzles; wide range of puzzles may satisfy whole family. Some real stinkers in the mix; wide range of difficulty may turn off whole family. A decent package for puzzle fiends, but none of the puzzles comes close to Tetris. 52 P Microsoft 1 Microsoft Way Redmond WA 98052-6399 (800) 429-9400 November '97, p. 308 Adventure Qin Nice graphics, and it's an original setting... ...but the gameplay is still the same old tile-dragging drivel, and the lack of an inventory system is a pain. It's Myst in a Chinese tomb. Take it or leave it. 70 Q Time Warner Electronic Pub. 2210 West Olive Ave. Burbank, CA 91506 (800) 482-3766 November Action Quake Great graphics; animated 3D monsters; excellent multi-player options.. Nothing really new in terms of gameplay or technology; unfriendly save feature; no automap. Quake isnÕt destined to revolutionize action games, but itÕs a very good first-person shooter from the guys who invented the genre. 90 Q GT Interactive 16 East 40th St. New York, NY 10016 (800) 434-2637 October Review Index Quaranatine Super-fast action; lots of cool weapons and plenty of enemies to use them on; nice sound effects. Some will think the action is repetitive; EMM386 compatibility problems can make it tough to run. A high-octane addition to anyone's gaming library--it rocks! 92 Q GameTek 2999 Northeast 191st Street Suite 500 North Miami Beach, FL 33180 December Sports Quarterback Attack Decent video and a straightforward interface; learning to read defenses and time your passes provides a challenge. It doesn't take long to start seeing the same clips over and over; playing for and against the same teams means things get old fast. QBA provides a few kicks, but the video-based format kills any replay value. 60 Q Digital Pictures 1825 South Grant St. San Mateo, CA 94402 (415) 345-5300 March Adventure Queensryche's Promised Land The rockumentary videos will be of interest to fans. Confusing world exploration, uninteresting puzzles. This is a bunch of New Age mumbo-jumbo wrapped in m usic videos and a crummy Myst clone. 45 Q Virgin/EMI 1290 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10104 (310) 260-4776 August Puzzle Qwirks A good no-brainer; surprisingly addictive; cute little pieces will amuse youngsters. Useless story line; gameplay challenging only to young players; there's nothing new here. If you're looking for a good game for young kids, or a brainless time-killer for yourself, pick up a copy of Qwirks. 73 Q Spectrum HoloByte 2490 Mariner Square Loop Alameda, CA 94501 (800) 695-4263 November Arcade Rally Championship Looks, sounds, and feels like a driving game ought to look, sound, and feel. Once completed, you may be too exhausted to play it again. Some technical glitches. An outstanding racer that should please arcade and simulation fans alike. 89 R Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine CA 92614 (888) 843-2661 September '97, p. 188 Adventure Rama A rich, faithful adaptation of the novels; lovely interface; gorgeous visuals. The most complicated, convoluted puzzles you’ve ever wrestled with. A monumental achievment; a landmark game that raises the bar several notches. 92 R Sierra Online 3380 146th Place S.E., Suite 300 Bellevue WA 98007 (800) 757-7707 February '97, p. 152 Arcade Raptor Satisfies the appetite for destruction and looks good doing it. Like all shooters, it gets a bit repetitive after a while. This one's about the best-looking PC shoot-'em up around. 82 R Apogee Software 3960 Broadway Suite 235 Garland, TX 75043 September Roleplaying Ravenloft Great graphics; plenty of options; nice cut-scenes; new horror-setting adds much. Weapons, spells, attributes, etc., all getting very familiar now. One of SSI's best AD&D-based games; packed with character; featuring just enough novelty; very nicely put together. 82 R Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 210 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 June Roleplaying Ravenloft: Stone Prophet Great graphics; plenty of options; nice cut-scenes; new horror-setting adds much. Weapons, spells, attributes, etc., all getting very familiar now. One of SSI's best AD&D-based games; packed with character; featuring just enough novelty; very nicely put together. 82 R Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 210 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 July Action Rayman Great animation; lots of variety; precise play control. Could be too challenging at high levels; chances to save cann be few and far between. Rayman is undoubtedly one of the best arcade-style games for the PC. 83 R Ubi Soft Ltd. Bridge House 11 Creek Rd. Hampton Court, Surrey KT89BE June Adventure Realms of the Haunting Large game world; devious puzzles; creepy atmosphere. Clunky interface; sluggish beginning; occasionally vague plot. If you've been looking for a good adventure yarn with genuine thrills, Realms awaits. 86 R Interplay 16815 Von Karman Ave., Irvine CA 92606 714-553-6678 April '97, p. 140 Action Rebel Assault II Great cutscenes, sound-track, effects; entertaining story. Almost no interactive fun; ridiculously short gameplay. If you want Star Wars, get X-Wing or TIE Fighter. If you want a challenging arcade game, look elsewhere. 65 R LucasArts P.O. Box 10307 San Rafael, CA 94912 (800) 782-7927 February Roleplaying Red Crystal Your goals are clear, the interface is simple, and you'll be ready to play in no time. The game won't blow you away with innovations. It's fun, fast and addictive, but not particularly complex. 75 R QQP 495 Highway 202 Flemington, NJ 08822 (505) 837-5447 June Strategy Red Ghost Diverse gameplay; many opttions; the chance to step in when things get tough. Coarse terrain graphics. Limited to single-player action. A competent, enjoyable game, especially if you liked Midwinter and its sequels. 71 R Empire Interactive 13220 Wisteria Dr. Bay N-2 Germantown, MD 20874 (301) 916-9302 June Wargame Red Sky at Morning Realistic depiction of the tribulations of strategic naval command. Poor documentation; minimalist graphics; can be off-putting. Naval combat buffs might get their money's worth--but all others should steer clear of this anachronism. 62 R Simulations Canada P.O. Box 452 Bridgeware, Nova Scotia Canada, B4V 2X6 July First-person shooter Redneck Rampage Wonderful audio/visual presentation; redneck humor. Requires massive hard disk space. Offensive language may be rough for young ears. If you bought a PC just so you could play this game, you might be a ... oh, never mind. 87 R Interplay 16815 Von Karman Ave. Irvine CA 92696 (800) 468-3775 July '97, p. 162 Adventure Relentless: Twinsen's Adventure Great look; extremely easy to use interface; and nice sound effects. Cartoonish storyline; poor voice acting; and a clumsy save-game feature. Beyond the few flaws, Relentless: Twinsen's Adventure is a pretty unique--and enjoyable-- game. 82 R Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404-2064 (415) 571-7171 January Space Combat Renegade Great-looking graphics and some interesting roleplaying elements. Long waits for data to load are frustrating; much of the in-flight speech is meaningless. It has some nice touches, but lots of little flaws weaken the overall package. 75 R Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 May Space Combat Renegade II Attractive SVGA graphics, mulit-player features. Confusing interface, poor wingman control, and not enough mission variety. A nice game if you're looking for some multi-player space combat action, but a forgettable single-player experience. 71 R Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 June Review Index Renju Simple to learn, but its tough AI makes it a challenge to master. Minimal graphics and sound; nothing here will attract anyone other than hard-core strategy gamers. Proves that simple and easy don't always go hand-in-hand. 71 R Denver Software Development Company 1401 17th Street Suite 1400 Denver, CO 80202 December Adventure Resident Evil Terrific graphics, great atmosphere, loads of blood and guts to satisfy splatter fans. Some silly control, inventory and save-game flubs mar an otherwise excellent game. If you can overlook the minor niggles, Resident Evil comes highly recommended. 87 R Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine CA 92614 (800) 874-4607 November '97, p. 215 Adventure Resident Evil Terrific graphics, great atmosphere, loads of blood and guts to satisfy splatter fans. Some silly control, inventory and save-game flubs mar an otherwise excellent game. If you can overlook the minor niggles, Resident Evil comes highly recommended. 87 R Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine CA 92614 (800) 874-4607 November '97, p. 215 First-person Shooter Retribution Good graphics; high degree of challenge and action. Missions get very hard very fast; narrative pretext is vapid; interactive sense is ludicrous. It's a good, solid, shooter--no frills, but lots and lots of intense bang-bang. 71 R Gremlin Interactive 2551 N. Clark Street Suite 496 Chicago, IL 60614 April Action Return Fire Enough strategic elements to keep it interesting. Cartoony graphics; lacck of modem or network support. The single-player game is good; the s;lit-screen tow-player game is a real throwback. 64 R Time Warner Interactive 674 Sycamore Dr. Milpitas, CA 95035-0782 (408) 433-3999 July Arcade Return of Arcade Dead-on representations of classic arcade games. Four classics just aren't enough; these games don't stand up to today's best titles. If you just want a quick break in between printing spreadsheets, RTA is great. 69 R Microsoft 1Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 (206) 637-9309 May Adventure Return to Ringworld An expansive game-world; challenging gameplay; true to Niven's works. The Ringworld landscape is a bit overwhelming, and the graphics could be better. True Niven fans--and anyone looking for an enormous new world to explore--will enjoy this one tremendously. 88 R Tsunami Media, Inc. 48677 Victoria Lane Suite 201 Oakhurst, CA 93644 October Review Index Reunion Reunion's exploration, colony building, and military strategy provide its depth. Takes a loooong time to get to the good stuff. Too much time is spent with busy work. An interesting, accessible game undetermined somewhat by a slow beginning and too much micro-management. 72 R Merit Studios 13707 Gamma Road Dallas, TX 75244 (800) 238-4277 November Arcade Revolution X The soundtrack is done by Aeorsmith, the head villainess is named Headmistress Helga, who can resist a name like that? Just about everything else. If you buy it, donÕt blame us. 25 R Acclaim Entertainment 1 Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove, NY 11542-2777 (800) 759-7800 October Review Index Richard Scarry The programs are true to Richard Scarry's style and are very nicely animated. The graphics are so-so with the kind of jaggies we used to see years ago; little depth. Both neighborhoods will engage children through words and pictures, but parents will wish each disc had more activities. 73 R Activision 11601 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90025 September Adventure Riddle of Master Lu Great graphics, great puzzles, and a fantastic story that most gamers will love to spend time with. No real deviation from standard graphic adventure format. If you love graphic adventure, youÕll find your heartÕs desire here. 91 R Sanctuary Woods 1825 S. Grant Street San Mateo, CA 94402 (800) 943-3664 December Adventure Ripper Great graphics, a challenging variety of puzzles, and a simple interface. Puzzles can be too tough; there's a lot of over-acting, even from the professionals; it takes forever to get from one place to another. If you've got tones of patience and love tough puzzles, you'll probably fun with this one. Otherwise, make sure you pick up a hint book when you buy the game. 72 R Take 2 Interactive 1004 Ligonier St. Latrobe, PA 15650 (412) 472-2000 May Strategy Rise and Rule of Ancient Empires Easy to use sliding buttons; luscious animated cutscenes; network play. No map editor, less than informative unit status bar. A decent, playable simulation of ancient empires. 70 R CyberDreams 23586 Calabasas Rd. Ste. 102 Calabasas, CA 91302 July First-person Shooter Rise of the Triad Huge, complex levels; rich multi-player features; the option to tone down the violence for the kiddies. Mediocre graphics and a distinct 2D feel. There's nothing new here. It's not a knockout, but it'll more than satisfy your most violent urges until something better comes along. 81 R Apogee Software, Ltd. 3960 Broadway Suite 235 Garland, TX 75043 June Arcade Road Rash Nice graphics; great action; multi-player support. It gets dull, since itÕs basically the same old Road Rash that appeared on the 3DO. ItÕs repetitive and campy, but itÕs a chance to relive those irreverent days of youth. 79 R Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 December Action Road Warrior Superior graphics and sound plus a great story line set this one apart from the crowd. Vehicle control can be awkward; too many missions end to early; inaccurate manual. Mile-a-minute action with a snot-nosed attitude - I like it! 89 R GameTek 2999 Northeast 191st St. Suite 500 Aventura, FL 33180 March Simulation Robert E. Lee Civl War General Easy to learn; excellent you-are-there video reenactments. Simplified command structure forces player to control each unit; may be too easy for veteran wargamers. A serious wargame, wrapped in a friendly multimedia package. 84 R Sierra Online 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, Washington 98007 Order Hotline: (800) 757-7707 December Roleplaying Robinson's Requiem A well-thought-out world that might have been interesting in another game. Pixel lovers will find a lot to cherish here. These are big juicy pixels you can really sink your teeth into. It's pixelicious! The meaningless wandering puts this one high on the frustration index. 49 R ReadySoft 30 Wertheim Court Suite 2 Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 189 Canada October Action RoboQuest Since it doesn't include an unistall program, you'll get some practice in deleting files. Construction kit is linear and pointless; the sub-par Doom-clone doesn't make up for it. Two poorly designed segments can't hope to make a good game. 12 R Philips Media 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90024 800-340-7888 April '97, p. 145 Adventure Robot City Straight-forward and intensely atmospheric; wall-to-wall sound. Sometimes slow; no way to skip conversations or animations you've already seen. An original and entertaining adventure, but not for puzzle fanatics. 82 R Byron Preiss Multimedia Co. 24 West 25th St. New York, NY 10010 (212) 989-6252 November Action Rocket Jockey Addictive action, intuitive controls, loads of variety. Demanding requirements, annoying time limits, no sign of the touted multi-player features. Rocket Jockey is a raucous action game that pulls off a truly inventive theme with loads of style, humor, and addictive gameplay. 85 R SegaSoft 150 Shoreline Dr. Redwood City CA 94065 (415) 802-4400 February '97, p. 130 Review Index Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire The best graphics yet in the series; sieges are beautifully rendered. Confusing interface; sad air of ennui hangs over the whole thing. Koei should have stopped while they were ahead; this new version adds no luster to a classic series. 60 R Koei Corp. 1350 Old Bayshore Hwy Suite 540 Burlingame, CA 94010 May Puzzle Russian Six-Pak Six games in one; Windows environment makes for easy access. Only two of the six are worth playing. It may be from Russia, but Tetris it ain't. This collection will appeal to only especially dedicated puzzle gamers. 54 R Interplay 17922 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 969-4263 July Review Index Sabre Team Easy to get into; novices may enjoy it for a brief period of time. Serious flaws and impossibly jerky game-play; why should it cost 3 Action Points to turn my head? This simulation simply does not measure up to the competition. 49 S MicroLeague Interactive Software Bellevue Building Suite 201 262 Chapman Road Newark, DE 19702 November Simulation Sail Simulator Accurately depicts all aspects of sailing. Except for most of the fun. An excellent instructional aid, but there's not much of a game here. 63 S Amtex Software Corp. P.O. Box 572 Belleville, Ontario, Canada K8N 5B2 (613) 967-7900 October Simulation Savage Video sequences are informative; levels get progressively harder. Unrealistic; choppy graphics; boring and repetitive gameplay. If you want a realistic and fun animal sim, go buy Lion or Wolf and leave Savage on the Serengeti. 40 S Discovery Channel Multimedia 7700 Wisconsin Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 986-1999 November Fighting Games Savage Warriors High-quality soundtrack; good variety of fighters; colorful backgrounds. Blocky graphics and unconvincing animation; no way to reconfigure keyboard commands. It just doesn't stand up to the current crop of fighting games. 65 S Mindscape 88 Roland Way Novato CA 94945 October Action SCARAB Internet play is good fun; an okay title for fans of Powerslave and MechWarrior 2. Poor graphics; you have to admit that Powerslave and Mech2 did it much better. Unless you’re extremely desperate for a different style of Deathmatch, skip it. 58 S Electronic Arts P.O. Box 7578 San Mateo CA 94403-7578 415-571-7171 June '97, p. 116 Action Scorched Planet Splendid graphics; good gameplay, and a slick morphing vehicle to control. Music isn't great; full-motion video is only so-so. This has the fun, creative spark that too many other games aim for and miss. 85 S Virgin Interactive 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine CA 92614 714-883-8710 April '97, p. 146 Strategy Scrabble Handy help features; multi-player options; plenty of challenge. Takes some effort to find a suitable difficulty level; some of the baordgame's charm is lost. Scrabble is best played on a board and not on a PC, but this comes really close. 75 S Hasbro Interactive 50 Dunham Road Beverly MA 01915 (508) 921-3700 October '97, p. 230 Arcade Racing Screamer Fast-paced action that never gets bogged down; rocketing these cares around the gorgeous VGA tracks is a blast. There's little realism, few custom options, and no modem play; some veteran PC drivers may find it too easy. If you just want to drive fast and not worry about the details, this is for you. 83 S Virgin 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 April Arcade Screamer 2 Astonishing graphics; great arcade driving “feel” puts Ridge Racer to shame. Needs more tracks and more cars. Pull this out when your Playstation-owning friends come over for tea, and be sure to wipe up the drool afterwards. 88 S Virgin Interactive 18601 Fitch Avenue Irvine CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 January '97, p. 256 Strategy Sea Legends Good naval combat and dueling scenes; story has some charm. Cartoony graphics; absurd save function; obnoxious interface. A deriviative game with a cubersome interface, but with enough going for it to make it marginally competitive. 61 S Ocean of America, Inc. 1855 O'Toole Avenue Suite D-102 San Jose, CA 95131 October Simulation Seaworhty These games should run fine on just about any machine. Deep in historical data and play options. Graphics are just too dated and the games weren't top-of-the-line even when new. Unless you just can't afford better, don't waste your money on these. 55 S Alliance Interactive Software 1859 N. Pine Island Road 103 Plantation, FL 33322 August Arcade Sega Rally PC Great graphics; smooth control; excellent Internet play. May leave you craving more tracks and cars; some pretty high system requirements. This great conversion is a must-have for arcade racing fans. 88 S Sega 150 Shoreline Drive Redwood City CA 94065 415-802-4400 May '97, p. 140 Review Index Sensible Soccer Good control and fast action combine for fun gameplay. Sub-par graphics and a lack of options may have you shelving this one before long. A semi-realistic soccer simulation that's relatively easy to learn, but lacks replay value. 62 S Everyware 1119 Colorado Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90401 October Adventure/RPG Sentient A genuinely large gaming world; lots of characters to interact with. Spotty Direct3D support; interface from Hell; dialog that reads like a third generation translation. Those who are able to cope with its cumbersome shortcomings may like Sentient. 56 S Psygnosis 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. Foster City CA 94404 (415) 655-5683 August '97, p. 118 Strategy Serf City Good landscapes and engaging gameplay. So-so character graphics; cluttered interface; only moderate depth. Fun if you're unfamiliar with kingdom-building, but it needs more variety. 75 S Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 210 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 August Strategy Settlers II Charming graphics; some clever variations on a classic theme. One-dimensional micro-management invites fatigue, frustration. If youÕve got a passion for resource-management, you could do worse; you could also do a lot better. 65 S Blue Byte Software 870 E. Higgins Rd., Suite 143 Shaumburg IL 60173 (847) 995-9991 September Adventure Shadow of the Comet It can be a lot of fun to play, especially if you're a Lovecraft fan. Primitive interface; the game never really delivers on its horror promise. Steadfastly average gaming; it's not bad, though, and you might enjoy it There are a lot better games out there. 59 S I-Motion 1333 Ocean Avenue Suite J Santa Monica, CA 90401 August Action Shadows of Cairn The graphics are nice. What little there is to do in this game is extremely frustrating. This one fails on just about every level--there's no story to speak of, and the action is slow and repetitive. 40 S Masque Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 5223 Englewood, CO 80155 (303) 290-9853 June Roleplaying Shadows Over Riva Engrossing story line; lots of NPCs, items, subquests, and stats for hard-core gamers. Dated graphics; clumsy interface at times; annoying combat views. It's worthy sequel to Star Trail, and the old engine is still fun to play with. 88 S Sir-tech Software P.O. Box 245 Ogdensburg NY 13669 315-393-6633 August '97, p. 130 Puzzle Shangai: Great Moments A faithful Windows adaptation of an old favorite means a whole new audience can enjoy this classic. We would like to have seen a few more tile sets included. The perfect nerve tonic for burned-out arcade freaks. 79 S Activision P.O. Box 67713 Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310) 479-5644 July Review Index Shanghai II: Dragon's eye A faithful Windows adaptation of an old favorite means a whole new audience can enjoy this classic. We would like to have seen a few more tile sets included. The perfect nerve tonic for burned-out arcade freaks. 79 S Activision P.O. Box 67713 Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310) 479-5644 December Adventure Shannara Sharp, hi-res graphics; a few challenging puzzles; solid interface and inventory system. Frustrating combat interface, far too many easy puzzles. Fans of the books won't like the simplified story, and gamers will find it too easy. 72 S Legend Entertainment P.O. box 10810 14200 Park Meadow Dr. Chantilly, VA 22021 April Action Shattered Steel Nice, fast graphics; great network play; more big-robot action than you can shake a joystick at. A bit lacking on the strategy side. For no-fault mech combat, Shattered Steel is a blast. 87 S Interplay 16815 Von Karman Ave. Irvine CA 92606 (800) 969-4263 January '97, p. 239 Arcade Shellshock Plenty of stuff to destroy; network support gives it good replay value. Poor joystick support; limited weaponry; too few savegame slots; and annoying in-game chatter. Not the slickest game, but it has enought strategy and action to make it worth a look. 74 S U.S. Gold 303 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 693-0297 June Adventure Shivers Stunning graphics; good sound; well-conceived plot; a good variety of puzzles. Doesn't deliver any real horror; lots of backtracking; not much character interaction. Puzzle fans who enjoyed Myst have a new one to add to their collection. 84 S Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 March Puzzle Shivers II: Harvest of Souls Intricate plot that will use all your detective and puzzle-solving skills. The plot's vague early on, and loses momentum at the end. A pretty good game with a little bit of everything that makes graphic adventures worthwhile. 79 S Sierra P.O. Box 85006 Bellevue WA 98007 (800) 757-7707 July '97, p. 170 Simulation Silent Hunter Slick graphics, great gameplay, realist control. You canÕt play from the other side. Not enought diversity in the missions. Simply a blast for anyone, from the dabbler to the true submariine buff. 91 S Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 June Strategy Silent Steel Excellent video (with MPEG hardware), acting, and writing make drama work well. Wafer-thin game elements and very little replayability. A surprisingly entertaining game, despite its lack of substance. 75 S Sigma Realmagic Interactive 46501 Landing Parkway Fremont, CA 94538 (800) 494-8848 December Simulation Silent Thunder Gorgeous terrain graphics; lots of action. Grossly inaccurate flight model; sluggish controls; and no printed manual. Ground-based targets can be very diffcult to locate in some terrain. As an action game, Silent ThunderÕs all right, as a simulation, itÕs a bust. 70 S Sierra 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 June Review Index Sim Tower Good-looking SVGA graphics, and an interesting concept. Oh yeah, and little people to lord over. Not enough to do, and not enough real challenge. At first, you'll play it a lot. But then you'll figure out the strategy and find yourself just watching the thing. 74 S Maxis 2 Theater Square Orinda, CA 94563 (510) 254-9700 August Simulation SimCity 2000 Great new graphics and a ton of extra features add depth to a classic game. It can take an awfully long time to get to a stage where you can enjoy some of the game's new options. One of those rare games that presents a different challenge each time you play. 95 S Maxis 2 Theatre Square Orinda, CA 94563 (510) 254-9700 June Simulation SimCopter Swooping around skyscrapers is a blast. Control is too simplistic; and not all of the bugs have been cleaned up. Think of it as a modern day Choplifter, and you'll be fine, think of it as a sim, and you're doomed. 76 S Maxis 2121 North California Blvd., Suite 600 Walnut Creek CA 94596 (800) 33-MAXIS March '97, p. 150 Sports SimGolf Robert Trent Jones, Jr., does the video tips. The profile view is well done. Poor controls, ancient graphics, bad interface. There are much better golf games out there. 52 S Maxis 2121 N. California Blvd., Suite 600 Walnut Creek CA 94596 (800) 336-2947 April '97, p. 107 Strategy SimIsle Challenging mix of economic and environmental concerns. Graphics and animations are dated; not enough action to keep the game engaging. If youÕre a fan of Maxis sims, this is worth adding to your collection. 82 S Maxis 2 Theatre Square Orinda, CA 94563-335 (510) 254-9700 January Review Index SimTown There's a lot to explore and plenty of variety. It can get boring if you don't take advantage of all the extra touches the program has to offer. You learn valuable management lessons and have fun at the same time. 76 S Maxis 2 Theater Square Orinda, CA 94563 (510) 254-9700 September Sports Skins Game at Bighorn Simple interface; decent sound effects. Limited perspectives; incredibly easy to shoot low scores. Unless you demand unrealistic scores from your golf games, donÕt bother with The Skins Game. 45 S Interplay 17922 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 553-6678 December Roleplaying Sky Realms of Journe: Alien Logic Beautiful graphics and intriguing plotline. Real-time combat and a so-so side view will turn off cerebral RPG veterans. If you're tired of "more of the same" in RPGs, then you'll agree--Alien Logic is a breath of fresh air in a stale genre. 83 S Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 March Action SkyNET Clean SVGA graphics; slick interface; expansive mission areas; new multi-player options. Extremely difficult at times; poor control layout for Hunter/Killer. If you're into multi-player games or looking for something different, this is hard to beat. 88 S Bethesda Softworks 1370 Piccard Drive Rockville MD 20850 (301) 926-8300 February '97, p. 108 Arcade Slam City The full-motion video is high quality stuff. Little interaction; lame acting; stereotypes straight out of "Sanford and Son." It's just plain bad; even if you've got the hardware for the Pentium version, you'll want to stay out of Slam City. 46 S Digital Pictures 1825 South Grant Street Suite 900 San Mateo, CA 94402 May Action Slamscape Uh, well, God Lives Underwater did do the soundtrack. Overall lousy game play, no networking, audio design still sucks. This sucks, Beavis -- even a dill-hole can figure that much out! 53 S Viacom NewMedia 1515 Broadway New York NY 10036 (800) 469-2539 February '97, p. 146 Action Slipstream 5000 Fast-paced action and absolutely beautiful graphics. Pretty steep hardware requirements; unfriendly game-saving feature. Gremlin isn't known for knockout games, but they've got a real winner in this one. 89 S Gremlin Interactive 2551 N. Clark Street Suite 496 Chicago, IL 60614 July Puzzle Smart Games Challenge 1 Pleny of variety; good puzzles. Not every-oneÕs cup of tea; limited replay value; no multi-player options; some puzzles are real stinkers. Only brainiacs with time on their hands need apply. 68 S Grolier Electronic Publishing 90 Sherman Turnpike Danbury, CT 06816 (203) 797-3530 September Arcade Soccer Kid Sharp graphic detail; smooth animation; pleasant soundtrack. Somewhat repetitive gameplay; may be a little difficult for beginners. A good platform title if you're looking for some pretty mindless gaming. 75 S MicroLeague 1001 Millersville Road Lancaster, PA 17604 (717) 872-6567 October Arcade Soldier Boyz Uh, um, let me think..., you can kill people and not get arrested. Sloppy video; nonexistent control; most definitely not a polically correct game by any stretch of the imagination. Soldier Boyz is bad newz. 21 S DreamCatcher Interactive 265 Rimrock Rd. Toronto Ontario, Canada M3J3C6 888-611-9999 September '97, p. 156 Sports Solid Ice Flexible player editor; you can design uniforms. Gameplay is slow, and the artificial intelligence is merely average. There are better hockey games out there, and until this undergoes some serious revisions, customizability is its only saving grace. 30 S Empire Interactive 13220 Wisteria Dr. Germantown MD 20874 (301) 916-9302 February '97, p. 124 Card Games/Chess Solitaire Deluxe ItÕs an easy-to-use adaption of the classic card game. If youÕve never cared for solitaire, thereÕs nothing here thatÕll change your mind. If you want to play a whole slew of variations on solitaire, this is for you. 75 S Interplay 17922 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 553-6687 December Arcade Sonic CD A great conversion, every bit as fast and colorful as the Sega Genesis originals. Formless gameplay; limited re-play value. Tried and tested fun for kids, but just an MTV-style high-speed headache for the rest of us. 65 S Sega Entertainment P.O. Box 8097 Redwood City, CA 94063 (510) 371-3131 December Action/Puzzle Soultrap Funky graphics and a unique play system. Frustratingly narrow levels cause you to die more often than not; a stinker of an ending. 3D platformer fans may dig it, but the rest of us may find it too frustrating. 69 S Microforum 1 Woodborough Avenue Toronto, Ontario Canada 800-685-3863 May '97, p. 113 Adventure Space Bar, The Hilarious dialog; engaging story. Good puzzles. Excellent interface. Frequent CD swapping. Some of the voice acting is poor. Some difficult puzzles. A return to the older style of adventure gaming, reminiscent of Infocom at its best. 90 S SegaSoft 150 Shoreline Dr. Redwood City CA 94065 (888) 734-2763 October '97, p. 254 Strategy Space Bucks Good concept; clean, high-res graphics. Economics model too basic for serious fans; puzzling interface takes getting used to. Sim fans who demand detail, customizable options, and realistic economics, will be greatly disappointed. 59 S Sierra 3380 146th Place S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 May Strategy Space Dude The box has one of those funny moving pictures that changes as you tilt it. Installation, graphics, gameplay, music... I hate to knock a family effort, but it must be done: This game stinks. 19 S FormGen 15649 Greenway-Hayden Loop Scottsdale, AZ 85260-1750 (602) 443-4109 October Action Space Hulk: Vengeance of the Blood Angles Sharp graphics, menacing atmosphere, and challenging squad-level excitement. Damanding system requirements; occasionally tricky planning interface. If youÕre a Doom fan looking for something with a lot more depth, look no further than Space Hulk. 87 S Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404-2064 (415) 571-7171 September Adventure Space Quest 6 Plenty of the puzzles and sci-fi jabs you've come to expect from the SQ series. Annoying narration; the animation feels too cute for the subject matter. It's not the best of the series, but it's something fans of the previous Space Quest games will want to check out. 82 S Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 September Review Index Spaceship Warlock It doesn't take up any hard drive space; graphics are OK. Boring, slow, and bereft of imagination; the lack of an install program costs this one 15 points right off the bat. It's a drag, man, a real drag. 40 S Reactor 442 West Erie Chicago, IL 60610 September Strategy Spaceward Ho! IV Easy to learn, but with hidden depth; tenacious AI opponents; multi-player options. A few gamers who insist on micro-managing all the fiddly bits won't go for it. A great little strategy game with a street price that should be less than $30, it's a bargain. 89 S New World Computing P.O. Box 4302 Hollywood CA 90078 (818) 889-5600 February '97, p. 118 Arcade Spectre VR Can be mucho fun when a lot of players compete on a network. Weak graphics, and the one- and two-player games get tiresome pretty quick. It this is Virtual Reality, I'm in no hurry to "jack in." 68 S Velocity P.O. Box 2749 San Francisco, CA 94126 June Adventure Spycraft: The Great Game Innovative puzzles and top-notch video put Spycraft ahead of the pack. A few of the puzzles fall falt: Internet-based content could be better. An engrossing, unique adventure with top-flight production values. 89 S Activision 11601 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90025 June Wargame SSN-21 Sea Wolf Sweet graphics and sound; modem play gives it life beyond its 32 scenarios. Stupid interface decisions; spotty AI; bad campaign mode; and some unrealistic elements. An entertaining game, but one that could have been so much better. 75 S Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 August Wargame Stalingrad The beautiful "World at War" engine has been refined even further. Play balance is a problem in some scenarios; German forces placed in no-win situations. It's got every feature seasoned wargamers want; also lets beginners jump right in. 95 S Avalon Hill 4517 Hartford Road Baltimore, MD 21214 (410) 254-9200 May Strategy Star Command: Revolution Many units; some new gameplay concepts; long, non-linear campaign. Low-key action; ho-hum graphics; token space environment. There are some new twists here, but nothing really compelling. 75 S GT Interactive 16 East 40th Street New York NY 10016 800-434-2637 June '97, p. 94 Adventure Star Control 3 Epic story line; wide variety of aliens; professional voice acting; tons of things to do. Alien animatronics arenÕt as impressive as expected; l ots of traveling time between star systems; strategic colony element gets boring. Even with its few faults, Star Control 3 is a worthy successor, and a blast to play. 90 S Accolade 5300 Stevens Creek Blvd. Suite 500 San Jose, CA 95129 December Review Index Star Crusader A seductive, involving storyline; Unequaled degree of campaign control. The space combat--the very core of the game--could be more satisfying. This promising first title from Take 2 is a terrific and innovative addition to your sci-fi collection. 86 S Take 2 Interactive 575 Broadway New York, NY 10013 (212) 941-2988 November Strategy Star General Good, jump-right-in gameplay with time-tested Panzer General play style. Mediocre and often confusing graphics. Some scenario goals are far-fetched. Long waiting times when late in the game during multi-play. A good beer-n-pretzels space wargame for those who like their combat without a lot of micro-management. 86 S SSI 675 Almanor Ave., Suite 210 Sunnyvale CA 94086-2901 (800) 601-7529 March '97, p. 116 Space Combat Star Rangers An exciting mix of strategy and combat keeps things cooking. The linear nature of the campaign game robs the game of realism, as does the lack of character development. If you're into space-combat games, check this one out. 85 S Interactive Magic PO Box 13491 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (800) 789-1534 January Review Index Star Reach Fairly challenging and varied computer opponents; nice two-player mode. Graphics and sound effects are mediocre, and there are very few things to build. A simple space-strategy game, but without the depth to keep you interested in the long run. 70 S Interplay 17922 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 553-6655 November Roleplaying Star Trail Incredibly detailed roleplaying; tons of options and a crisp interface. Complex play will most likely turn off newcomers to the genre; graphics can get a bit repetitive. A great title for those who're tired of adventure games masquerading as RPGs--but not for the uninitiated. 88 S Sir-Tech Ogdensburg Business Center P.O. Box 24 Ogdensburg, NY 13669 February Adventure Star Trek DS9 - Harbinger Good story line, sharp graphics; full-speech from TV cast. ThereÕs not much gaming going on; annoying arcade sequences and uninventive puzzles add nothing to experience. A good license only counts for so much; if a game isnÕt fun to play, whatÕs the point? 66 S Viacom New Media 1515 Broadway New York, NY 10036 (800) 469-2539 June Action/Adventure Star Trek: Generations Some Trek fans will enjoy playing as crew; good use of film footage. Virtually worthless save-game feature; awkward controls; all the problems of the movie. Pass this one up, unless you're an absolutely rabid Trek fan. 64 S MicroProse 2490 Mariner Square Loop Alameda CA 94501 (510) 522-1164 August '97, p. 96 Adventure Star Trek: Judgement Rites Smooth play; excellent characters; clever storylines; a real Star Trek feel. The space-combat scenes could be more realistic, and installing the game can be pretty time consuming. Whether you're a true Trekker or a casual fan, you're going to enjoy this game. 90 S Interplay 17922 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 969-4263 June Adventure Star Trek: Klingon Surprisingly good production quality, and a curiously amusing storyline... ...for an hour or so, until youÕve reached the end or are just plain bored of it all. Even die-hard Trekkers will find their faith tested by this sorry cash-in. 35 S Simon & Schuster Interactive 1230 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 (800) 910-0099 July Action Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Lots for Trek fans to like; decent multi-player mode adds longevity. Unsuitable overall approach; uninpsired FMV; simplistic combat. A promising idea that's inadequately executed -- budding Starfleet captains won't find the challenge they crave here. 67 S Interplay 16815 Von Karman Ave. Irvine CA 92606 (714) 553-6655 November '97, p. 255 Action Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Lots for Trek fans to like; decent multi-player mode adds longevity. Unsuitable overall approach; uninpsired FMV; simplistic combat. A promising idea that's inadequately executed -- budding Starfleet captains won't find the challenge they crave here. 67 S Interplay 16815 Von Karman Ave. Irvine CA 92606 (714) 553-6655 November '97, p. 255 Arcade Starball Whimsical and action-packed. One, low-res table, and three balls per game. Moderately entertaining, but itÕs not the best or most complete PC pinball game you can get. 58 S GameTek 2999 Northeast 191st St. Suite 500 Aventura, FL 33180 July Arcade Starfighter Smooth graphics; plenty of missions; the explosions are really cool. Control is on the jumpy side; cruddy mission map; loads of scenery pop-up. It's a clone of Terminal Velocity, but at least it's remotely enjoyable. 70 S 3DO 600 Galveston Drive Redwood City CA 94063 (415) 261-3454 March '97, p. 166 Arcade Stargunner A good, pure, arcade-shooter; clean, crisp graphics. The game may be too hard, even on the easy settings. If you’re in the mood for an arcade-shooter, this is one of the best -- it may be as good as Apogee’s own Raptor. 80 S Apogee P.O. Box 496419 Garland TX 75049 800-APOGEE1 June '97, p. 91 Strategy Stars! Rich in depth and flexibilty, intuitive interface, excellent manual, unmatched turorial. The number of command windows can be confusing. May not interest casual gamers. Proves there can be more to games than cute characters and big explosions. 88 S Empire Interactive 13220 Wisteria Drive Germantown MD 20874 (301) 916-9302 April '97, p. 106 Wargame Steel Panthers Beautiful to behold, easy to learn, and full of drama. Inadequate manual (youÕll definitely want to print out the READ.ME file!); artillery support system can be a little tricky to master. One of the best tactical-level wargames ever designed for the PC. 90 S SSI 675 Almanor Ave. Suite 201 Sunnyvale, Ca 94086-2901 December Wargame Steel Panthers II Great graphics, silky-smooth interface, tremendous variety of scenarios. Lots of niggling little flaws that indicate a premature release. When and if the bugs are fixed with a patch, this’ll be a helluva wargame. 80 S SSI 675 Almanor Ave., Suite 201 Sunnyvale CA 94086-2901 (408) 737-6880 February '97, p. 158 Adventure STNG: A Final Unity The familiar faces, familiar voices--even familiar sound effects--ought to please any Trek fans. The adventure game elements are a little too familiar, and at times this game is slow going. If you loved the Next Generation, you want A Final Unity--just don't expect anything extraordinary. 74 S Spectrum HoloByte 2490 Mariner Square Loop Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 522-1164 September Roleplaying Stonekeep Fantastic sound effects, nice graphics, intuitive and simple interface. ItÕs just not fun in the long term, and the graphics and sound canÕt carry it. ItÕs certainly not the best RPG out there, but if youÕre a roleplaying fanatic, it might be worth your while. 77 S Interplay 17922 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 969-4263 February First-person Shooter Strife Mission-based structure requires thought; good story line; nice modifiactions to the Doom engine. Graphically inferior to other current first-person shooters; RPG elements are scarce. Strife offers a lot in the way of a thinking-gamerÕs shooter. 82 S Velocity Inc. P.O. Box 2749 San Francisco, CA 94126 (800) 856-2489 August Sports Striker 96 Straight-forward, unmuddled, and pleasant to look at. Annoying sound effects, frustrating control, and bad AI. Another failed attempt at an authentic and playable PC soccer sim. ItÕs just not very much fun to play. 40 S Acclaim Entertainment 1 Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove, NY 11542-2777 (800) 759-7800 December Simulation SU-27 Flanker Dynamic flight model, excellent missions and mission builder, challenging opponents, deep play. Bugs, confusing interface, zero chrome. If SSI does the proper patches for it, SU-27 might just be the next classic air combat sim. 78 S SSI 675 Almanor Ave. Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901 February Arcade Super Karts Lots of tracks with clever hazards; good modem and network options. On tough settings, you'll have a hard time keeping your cart on track; single-player mode gets repetitive. If you're frustrated by the demands of NASCAR, SuperKarts is a sure-fire way to driving excitement. 83 S Williams Entertainment 16 East 40th Street New York, NY 10016 (212) 686-9432 August Fighting Games Super Street Fighter II Turbo Great graphics; solid control; white-knuckle fighting action. All of this still isn't enough to bring a very old, 2D fighting game up to today's standards. A great translation of the arcade game, if you're still interested in trying it. 78 S GameTek Inc. 2999 NE 191st Street Suite 500 Aventura, FL 33180 August Roleplaying Superhero League of Hoboken Good, solid gameplay with a high level of difficulty and plenty of humor. Mediocre graphics and sound; movement can become irritating during exploration. An exciting mix of adventure and roleplaying; perfect for the gamer who's more concerned with gameplay than graphics. 84 S Legend Entertainment P.O. Box 10810 14200 Park Meadow Drive Chantilly, VA 22021 October Action Surface Tension Mission maps are large, and there are plenty of missions to fly... Still, you have to put up with a crummy flight model, shabby acting, and sub-par graphics. It’s basically a sci-fi rehash of Commanche, but it may interest die-hards. 62 S Gametek Inc. 3 Harbor Drive, Suite 110 Sausalito CA 94965 (800) GAMETEK February '97, p. 156 Action Syndicate Wars Demanding real-time action; wonderfully dark and moody feel. Dark graphics occasionally make details hard to spot; missions could use more variety. If you liked the destruction and carnage of the original Syndicate, prepare to create a new world order all over again. 88 S Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 January '97, p. 221 Roleplaying System Shock The most astonishing movement control in any game anywhere ever. Some of the puzzles aren't very inspired; steep system requirements. One of the finest, best-executed, and most enjoyable first-person RPG shooters ever; a landmark achievement. 96 S Origin 12940 Research Boulevard Austin, TX 78750 (800) 245-4525 January Arcade T-MEK Two modes of play, good frame rate. Poor graphics even in High Detail mode, limited gameplay. The promise of a decent ‘mech fighter is lost in the reality of this lackluster shooter. 36 T WizardWorks Software 2300 Berkshire Lane, No., Plymouth MN 55441 612-559-5301 June '97, p. 90 Wargame TacOps Good enough to be played by professional warriors. Homely graphics may be a turn-off, and some gamers may find it overwhelming at first. All the detail and authenticity you could ask for, plus tremendous replayability. 90 T Arsenal Publishing, Inc. 449091 Falcon Place Ste. 108 Sterling, VA 20166-9531 July Action Tank Commander Some good features (way points, helicopter views), and multi-player action. Inconsistent graphics and sound quality; thick headed crews; awkward controls. A fair action game, but certainly not a sim or strategy title. 69 T Eidos Interactive 303 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94111 Tip Line: (900) 288-GAME August Review Index Tanks! War Game Construction Set II Incredibly friendly interface; virtually infinite replay value. If you're not naturally fond of board wargames, this computerized adaptation isn't likely to convert you. An old honorable style of wargame and loads of fun. 84 T Strategic Simulations Inc. 675 Almanor Avenue Suite 210 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 July First-person Shooter TekWar Sharp, living game world with moving vehicles and innocent civilians. Unsophisticated combat, inaccurate manual, tedious searches, and flat special effects. ItÕs a fun game to play on a high-end machine - at least for a little while - but itÕs no Doom-killer. 74 T Capstone 501 Brickell Key Drive 6th Floor, Miami, FL 33131 (305) 373-7700 February Arcade Tempest 2000 It's still Tempest -- a classic. The graphics are dated, and it's no fun to control. If you're looking for a PC version of Tempest, this is it -- but if you're looking for something to take Tempest to the next level, keep waiting. 59 T Atari Interactive April Sports Simulation Ten Pin Alley Good use of humor to mock the very sport it's based on. Limited control over the action of the game; too much time is spent watching the action. A great party game, and a nice relaxing time-killer even if you don't like bowling. 82 T ASC Games 9 Old Kings Highway South, Suite 301 Darien CT 06820 (203) 327-3326 July '97, p. 163 Arcade Terminal Velocity Highly playable, fast, and addictive with almost no learning curve. Not much depth, but that's hardly a negative in this kind of game. This is a great shoot-'em-up with lots of new worlds to destroy. 86 T Apogee Software, Ltd. 3960 Broadway Suite 235 Garland, TX 75043 October First-person Shooter Terminator: Future Shock Lots of action and a large environment to explore; killer sound effects. Occasionally clumsy controls when driving. Poor automapping. No multi-player mode. A solid action game with sharp graphics and an exciting and familiar world that gamers will love. 84 T Bethesda Softworks 1370 Piccard Dr. Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 926-8300 April Action Adventure Terra Nova Multi-faceted gameplay, slick interface, and built-in mission builder. Occasionally chunky graphics; some missions are extremely tough. If you've got a thirst for first-person combat in a different vein, Terra Nova really delilvers. 90 T Looking Glass Technologies 100 Cambridge Park Dr. Cambridge, MA 02140 (617) 441-6333 May Review Index Terrace The rules are simple, and the play is lively. Finding an equal opponent might be a challenge in itself. Even with the Star Trek tie-in, it may not beat the Chess Checkers Backgammon barrier. 75 T Siler/Siler Ventures P.O. Box 2405 Lake Oswego, OR 97035 (503) 635-6333 November Adventure Terror T.R.A.X. ThereÕs some genuinely creepy material here... ...but itÕs far too brief, with little interaction and even less replay value. Wait for the TV movie and spare your A and B keys. 38 T Grolier Electronic Publishing 90 Sherman Turnpike Danbury, CT 06816 (203) 797-3530 September Simulation Terry Bradshaw Fantasy Football Simple and flexible menu interface; plenty of options. Few bells and whistles; Bradshaw only adds his name and expertise in the reference manual. If you're in to fantasy football, this is a top-notch league manager. 88 T Fantasy Sports Properties, Inc. P.O. Box 2698 Reston, VA 22091 (800) 872-0335 November Racing Test Drive Off Road Network play is okay; groovy thrash soundtrack. Scenery pop-in from hell; bizarre physics; chunck-a-licious graphics. It would be better to find an Apple IIe emulator and get your hands on the original Test Drive. 64 T Accolade 5300 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 500 San Jose CA 95129 800-245-7744 June '97, p. 112 Simulation Theme Hospital Very original, deeply absorbing, and lots of fun to watch. Intense micro-management can become daunting. Oodles of gameplay and lots of laughs, for those who have plenty of patience and concentration. 86 T Bullfrog Productions/Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo CA 94404 415-571-7171 June '97, p. 104 Strategy Theme Park Terrific premise; great sound and graphics; more resource management than most strategy fans could hope for. Annoying movement interface; control of the park is unreliable; little long-term play value. A first-rate strategy game with some let-downs. Fans of SimCity will like it. 79 T Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 September Arcade Thexder Good weapons variety; network and multi-player options. Slow graphics, lackluster gameplay, confusing multiple windows. If you're a side-scrolling fan, stick to Earthworm Jim or Pitfall. 55 T Sierra 3380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, Washington 98007 April Wargame Third Reich PC It’s a solid, faithful adaptation of the boardgame. But that’s all it is -- there’s no multi-play, no what-if scenarios -- just a conversion of the board game. If it had come out five or six years ago, it coulda been a contender. 72 T Avalon Hill 4517 Hartford Rd. Baltimore MD 21214 (410) 254-9200 February '97, p. 168 Strategy This Means War! Some of the explosion graphics are kinda neatÉ Manual omits necessary information; interface is a muddle, graphics are primitive. Go buy yourself a copy of Command & Conquer instead. You'll thank us. 49 T MicroProse Software, Inc. 180 Lakefront Dr. Hunt Valley, MD 21030-22454 (401) 771-1151 April Roleplaying Thunderscape A new, innovative design with engaging gameplay. Sound and graphics could have used a little more polish. A fresh approach and a good start to SSI's new line. Considering the shortage of good RPGs, fans won't want to pass this one up. 84 T SSI 675 Almanor Ave. Suite 201 Sunnyvale, CA 94086 November Strategy TIE Fighter This is one of the most absorbing and satisfying PC games ever designed. There are no add-on disks available--yet. If I were stuck on a desert island (with electricity and a PC) and could only have one game to play, I'd choose TIE Fighter. 96 T LucasArts P.O. Box 10307 San Rafael, CA 94912 (800) 969-4263 October Action Time Commando Wonderfully cinematic gameplay, sleek controls, and detailed animations. Restrictive game environment, horrendous ending, and brief gameplay. This is a brief but enjoyable action game that delivers plenty of multimedia oohs and aahs with loads of interaction 78 T Activision 11601 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90025 November Sports Time Out Sports Baseball Great graphics; games are quick, clever, and easy to learn. Lacks depth, but that's to be expected from a product like this; the ump-baiting game is pretty silly. A nice time-out from work. 75 T MicroLeague 1001 Millersville Road Lancaster, PA 17604 (717) 872-6567 August Arcade Time Warriors It's funny to hear the announcer say "Dong Wins." Crap control; bad animation; playing on different difficulty levels doesn't change gameplay that much. Buy this if you want to learn how not to do a 3D fighter. 34 T Malofilm Interactive 3575 St-Laurent St., Ste 650 Montreal Canada H2X 2T7 (514) 844-4555 November '97, p. 238 Arcade Time Warriors It's funny to hear the announcer say "Dong Wins." Crap control; bad animation; playing on different difficulty levels doesn't change gameplay that much. Buy this if you want to learn how not to do a 3D fighter. 34 T Malofilm Interactive 3575 St-Laurent St., Ste 650 Montreal Canada H2X 2T7 (514) 844-4555 November '97, p. 238 Puzzle Timelapse Beautiful graphics; intriguing story line; some interesting puzzles. Too many meaningless puzzles; restricted movement; linear gameplay; standard point-and-click affair. The graphics and story line aren't enough to save Timelapse. 60 T GTE Entertainment 1035 Corte Del Nogal, #100 Carlsbad CA 92009 800-GTE-TODAY April '97, p. 110 Sports Title Fight Pro Boxing Lots of boxers; historically accurate; runs on just about any PC. Canned commentary seems random and often inappropriate. Title Fight is a realistic and comprehensive simulation for boxing fans who can live without flashy graphics. 79 T Comp-U-Sports 317 Stewart St. Saltsburg, PA 15681 (412) 845-7843 February Simulation Tom Clancy SSN Great atmosphere, terrific sound, and plenty of gameplay to get your teeth into. Missions can become repetitive; no facility to save the game within a mission. Too flashy for the real experts, but one of the most fun and playable sub games around. 84 T Simon & Schuster 1230 Avenue of the Americas New York NY 10020 (800) 910-0099 March '97, p. 130 Action Adventure Tomb Raider Terrific puzzle design, nail-biting action, sumptuous environments. Very rare and minor though they are, some clipping or polygon-cracking bugs crop up from time to time. Tomb Raider is one of the most addictive, original, and atmospheric games the PC has ever seen. 95 T Eidos Interactive 303 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94111 CA 94111 (415) 616-2022 February '97, p. 104 Sports Tony La Russa Baseball 3 Outstanding graphics; solid stats; and dynamite career and league play. CD-ROM access can be slow during menu transitions; the flow of action not as fluid as it could be. All negatives aside, this is a crowning achievement in sports sims. 95 T Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404, (415) 571-7171 July Sports Tony LaRussa Baseball 4 Pitcher/batter animations are slick; management and sim options are still solid. Worse stadium graphics than in the previous game; sluggish; few improvements. Not a very impressive outing from one of the giants of the sport. 62 T Maxis 212 N. California Blvd., Suite 600 Walnut Creek CA 94596 800-336-2947 September '97, p. 196 Adventure Toonstruck Great presentation wrapped around a solid, playable adventure. Tiresome interaction, predictable humor, and neverending cliches grind down the player’s will to live. Cartoon freaks will have some fun, but for everyone else, Toonstruck simply tries way too hard to amuse. 70 T Virgin Interactive Entertainment 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine CA 92714 (800) 874-4607 January '97, p. 254 Simulation Top Gun Nice full-motion videos; slick tutorial missions; novice-friendly manual. Hardware requirements are pretty steep; full-on graphic detail requires a premium computer; pixelicious terrain graphics. A gentile introduction to flight sims that can still provide some punch for veteran flight jocks. 87 T Spectrum HoloByte 2490 Mariner Square Loop Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 522-1164 May Adventure Torin's Passage Wonderful graphics; simple control; hint button for tough puzzles. Only a few tough puzzles. Seasoned players will finish it quickly. It's great if you're looking for a game to share with your kid, but experienced gamers should find something more challenging. 79 T Sierra 3380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, Washington 98007 April Sports Total Control Football This team management sim is comprehensive and unique. On-field action doesnÕt measure up to currently available gridiron games. If a suit and tie is your idea of a football uniform, this is your game. 82 T Philips Media 10960 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90024 (303) 739-4131 December Adventure Total Distortion Nice graphics, outstanding sound, and an offbeat sense of humor. Some long loading time; bizarre premise and humor won't appeal to everyone. Total Distortion is an entertaining and unusual rock-and-roll adventure. 80 T Pop Rocket 1320 7th Ave. San Francisco, CA 94122 (415) 731-9112 March Review Index Total Knockout Championship Female Boxing Genuine arcade-style action at a bargain price. The presentation is just a little outdated, and the juvenile theme wasnÕt really necessary. While itÕs far from a true boxing sim, thereÕs really nothing else like it for the PC. 62 T Digital Lobster Co. 810 W. Amy Trail Road Suite 280 Carol Stream, IL 60188 August Action Total Mayhem Nice graphics; good music; multi-player options (with Windows Ō95). Extremely frustrating control problems; early and middle levels are too easy. More than anything, the vexation factor drags Mayhem into the mediocrity zone. 58 T Eidos 303 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94111 Tip Line: (900) 288-GAME August Adventure Touche Nice graphics, good voice-acting, and a humorous story line. Long-winded dialog, a few obscure puzzles, and a finicky interface. Touche is a satisfying adventure game that doesn't take itself too seriously. 77 T U.S. Gold 303 Sacramento St. San Francisco, CA 9411 (415) 693-2097 April Action Toy Story Those cute Toy Story characters. Sluggish control; children will find it overly difficult and frustrating. This is just a lackluster side-scroller game; Toy Story doesn't come close to recapturing the magic of the film. 27 T Disney Interactive 500 S. Buena Vista St. Burbank CA 91521 800-426-3306 April '97, p. 149 Puzzle Tracer Decent graphics; good music; net multi-player add-on could add excitement. Stark, bland playing field; tedious gameplay; nothing new. After itÕs all said and done, itÕs just not addicting enough to hold your attention. 55 T 7th Level Inc. P.O. Box 832190 Richardson, TX 75083-2190 (214) 437-5531 October Simulation Transport Tycoon You name it--beautiful graphics, a near-perfect interface, and a chance to play god (or at least Andrew Carnegie). The inadequate documentation is the gameÕs only big drawback. Buy it. Classic games like this don't come around often. 91 T MicroProse 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (410) 771-0440 March Sports Triple Play 97 Fantastic graphics; generous multi-player options; great fun. Video plays quickly become repetitive. If you're looking for action that captures the fun of baseball,, you can't do better than Triple Play '97. 92 T Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 November Sports Triple Play 98 Awesome atmosphere; fast, instinctive play; oodles of options. Requires a monster machine and a monster install for peak performance of the game. Baseball on the PC doesn't get any more fun than this. Unreservedly recommended. 92 T Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Blvd. San Mateo CA 94404 (415) 571-7171 August '97, p. 106 Puzzle TriTryst Good variety and challenging puzzle gameplay. Replay value depends on what you want; puzzle games just don't have a lot of depth. TriTryst is a fun little puzzle game that's every bit as addictive as Tetris. 83 T Virgin 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 April Review Index Trivial Pursuit It has potential for being a party game. Not very interactive; too many missing pieces. A flawed attempt to bring Trivial Pursuit into the 1990s. 65 T Virgin Interactive Entertainment 18061 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-1999 May Adventure Trophy Bass Great graphics, plenty of options, and good fish AI. The odd, Ņomnipotent fishermanÓ perspective isnÕt very realistic. A great simulation, and a hell of a lot of fun. 90 T Sierra 3380 146th S.E. Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 February First-person Shooter Tubular Worlds A good-looking, good-sounding shooter. If you don't like shooters, there's not much here for you. A lot of fun, but it seems pretty pricey for what you actually get. 75 T Dongelware Publishing 35 Howard Street Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 497-1130 October Review Index TuneLand The sound and graphics are very well crafted. There's not a whole lot to do in the program, and some of the voices are pretty hard to understand. In spite of the admirably creative presentation, TuneLand could be more engaging than it is. 80 T 7th Level 5225 San Fernando Road West Los Angeles, CA 90039 July Puzzle TV Guide Multimedia Crossword 170 crosswords; handy hint features. Confusing clues; lack of difficulty levels; poor use of multimedia; little challenge. If you want to do a good crossword puzzle, why not pick up a newspaper? 53 T InterMedia 3624 Market St. Suite 302 Philadelphia, PA 19104 April Adventure Twinsen's Odyssey Bizarre environments, characters; massive game world; tasty graphics. Frustrating controls; crummy voice-acting; some difficult puzzles. Fans of the original should line up and snag a copy, but newcomers should be aware of the game's flaws. 80 T Activision 11601 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1000 Los Angeles CA 90025 (310) 473-9200 October '97, p. 220 Action Tyrian Great graphics; non-stop action. It's an excellent shooter, but there's no great depth hiding under the surface. Gamers looking for a break from complex RPGs and simulations will welcome this fast-paced challenge. 87 T Epic Megagames, Inc. 10406 Hollbrook Drive Potomac, MD 20854 (800) 972-7434 October Air Combat Simulation U.S. Navy Fighters Great attention to the details of naval flight operations. A couple of minor techno-gaffes, plus a dire need for the latest CPU in existence. If you've got the horses, this sim will really show you what being a naval aviator is really all about. 82 U Electronic Arts 1450 Fashion Island Boulevard San Mateo, CA 94404-2064 (415) 571-7171 February Wargame U.S.S. Ticonderoga Super graphics provide a "you are there" feel as no other naval game has. Game play is flawed, buggy, and confusing. Harpoon 2 it ain't, but users looking for a warm, fuzzy naval warfare game might enjoy it. 64 U Mindscape 88 Roland Way Novato CA 94945 June Roleplaying Ultima VIII: Pagan Great graphics, sound, storyline, and special effects. The arcade emphasis is likely to turn off roleplaying fans, and the roleplaying elements will turn off arcade fans. A really strange mix of gameplay that doesn't quite pay off. 78 U Origin 5918 W. Couryard Dr. Austin TX. 78730 BBS: (512) 346-2227 June Strategy Ultimate Backgammon The easy-to-use interface allows for a quick game without a lot of setting up. No way for two players to compete at the same computer. No hoopla here, just a solid game. Capstone took a simple concept and kept it that way. 77 U Capstone 501 Brickell Key Drive 6th Floor Miami, FL 33131 May Strategy Ultimate Domain It has some of everything--great graphics, strategy, and AI that will give you a run for your money. The game tends to get unbalanced toward the end, and a few more sound effects would have been nice. An all-round excellent title. 91 U Mindscape 88 Roland Way Novato CA 94945 July Review Index Ultimate Football Great-looking graphics, modem play; super playbook editor. Choppy animation on all but the fastest machines; questionable statistical results. A solid effort, but this isn't quite the ultimate football simulation. 83 U MicroProse 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (410) 771-0440 December Sports Ultimate Football 95 Modem play; fairly low hardware requirements. Dated-looking menus; it's too easy to beat the computer coach. Perhaps the most complete package among football sims. You won't be disappointed. 84 U MicroProse Software 180 Lakefront Dr. Hunt Valley, MD 21010 (410) 771-1151 November Review Index Ultra Pinball 3-D for Windows Great graphics; innovative table design gives more bang for the buck. 3-D Ultra PinballÕs physics model may be too forgiving for pinball purists. A fun alternative to traditional pinball simulations, and a great way to spend an afternoon. 86 U Sierra P.O. Box 3404 Salinas, CA 93912 (800) 757-7707 December Pinball Ultra Pinball 3D: Creep Night Great graphics effects, sounds, and gameplay. Only three tables; limited appeal with the “creepy” theme. Whether you love pinball or not, this game will grab your attention... and keep it. 85 U Sierra Online 3380 146th Place S.E., Suite 300 Bellevue WA 98007 (800) 757-7707 February '97, p. 141 Adventure Under A Killing Moon Truly interactive video with great characters, script, and puzzles. Low frame rates for slower computers and all-but-forgotten art of disk swapping. It's a game that challenges and entertains; it leaves you wanting more of this believable virtual world. 92 U Access 4910 W. Amelia Earhart Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84116 (800) 800-4880 January Puzzle Under Pressure Intriguing puzzles, super graphics. Slow and unwieldy, unless you have some considerable horsepower in your computer. Only high-end Windows Ō95 users who love puzzles need apply. 68 U Starhil Productions 139 Townsend Street San Francisco, CA 94107 (415) 442-5000 December Sports Unnecessary Roughness Excellent arcade action and play design; good sound effects and graphics. Steep hardware requirements. Definitely a Super Bowl contender, and a nice alternative for action-oriented gamers who want to do more than coach. 84 U Accolade 5300 Stevens Creek Blvd. San Jose, CA 95129 (800) 245-7744 March Sports Unnecessary Roughness Great graphics; an NFLPA license; and easy-to-use tools for creating custom leagues. The football action is so unrealistic that it all but cripples the game. Unless you don't care about realism, pass this one up. Although it looks great, it just ain't football. 64 U Accolade 5300 Stevens Creek Boulevard San Jose, CA 95129 (800) 245-7744 June Card Games/Chess Virtua Chess A powerful chess engine; sharp graphics and plenty of extras. Players eager to gain insight into advanced techniques will be disappointed by the lack of a tutorial. If you like a challenge, Virtua Chess is a surprisingly strong entry into the computer chess arena. 86 V Titus Software Corp. 20432 Corisco Street Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818) 709-3692 September Fighting Games Virtua Fighter PC Remarkable graphics; sound, music; super-tight control, lots of special moves. Very high system requirements. The best fighting game on the PC, bar none-- as long as you've got the hardware to get it running. 90 V Sega Entertainment 150 Shoreline Dr. Redwood City, CA 94065 (800) 872-7342 November Arcade Virtua Squad Spectacular to look at, and intense fun to play in the early stages. Only three levels, which are over all too quickly. An entertaining diversion and competent “twitch” game, but one that will likely be gathering dust a few weeks after purchase. 70 V Sega Entertainment 150 Shoreline Dr. Redwood City CA 94065 (415) 802-4400 January '97, p. 226 Simulation Virtual Karts Menus are straightforward, network play can be fun. Dodgy controls, high system requirements, oddball physics. Even if you're a fan of go-cart racing, you'll probably be disappointed with Virutal Karts. 59 V MicroProse 180 Lakefront Dr. Hunt Valley, MD 21030-2245 (800) 879-7529 March Simulation Virtual Pool One of the most realistic and addictive sims ever. Some of the multimedia stuff is bad and feels tacked on. The pool engine is so impressive that everything else you get is just gravy. It will make you a better pool player. 93 V Interplay Productions 17922 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 969-GAME July Sports Virtual Snooker A great simulation of a fantastic pool challenge. Getting down the basics takes a while; minimalist sounds and music. A ball-breaking good time for pool fans everywhere. 82 V Interplay 17922 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 969-4263 June Review Index Vortex: Quantum Gate II Good concept, impressive acting; some strong visual ideas. An embarrassingly gooey script; total "playing" time is two or three hours max, which ain't much. If I want a sermon, thank you, I'll go to church. 59 V Hyperbole Studios 2225 4th Avenue 2nd Floor Seattle, WA 98121 April Review Index Voyeur II Little interaction; repetiitive game play is frustrating; cheesy acting and story line. Lots of niggling little flaws that indicate a premature release. TV offers plenty of trash, you donÕt need to waste your time on Voyeur II. 40 V Philips Media 10960 Wilshire Blvd. Seventh Floor Los Angeles, CA 90024 October Sports VR Soccer It looks great, sounds good and has gallons of options. Annoying control, inconsistent AI, and unhelplful camera views combine to frustrate rather than compel. Under the glossy presentation, thereÕs not enough to engage the would-be soccer fan. 58 V Virgin Interactiv 18601 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 August Strategy Wages of War: The Business of Battle The trimmings aren't much, but the basic game is a solid and rewarding effort. Graphics are a little bland and dated; thin manual could've been better. A few quirks don't keep this from being a good squad-level combat game. 78 W New World Computing P.O. Box 4302 Hollywood CA 90078 (818) 889-5600 March '97, p. 106 Wargame War College Hyper-accurate and fascinating battle sims; detailed online reference library. Only for serious military history students. A deep, richly-textured program that makes a unique, provocation break from genre traditions. 82 W GameTek, Inc. 2999 Northeast 191 St. Suite 500 Aventura, FL 33180 July Strategy War Wind A detailed approach to real-time strategy gaming, with complex units and a rich background. Some goals are not clearly defined. A strong, fulfilling strategy title; a good bet for people who want to move on to more complex gaming than WarCraft II. 90 W SSI 675 Almanor Ave., Suite 201 Sunnyvale CA 94086 (800) 601-7529 January '97, p. 230 Online Flight WarBirds Top 'net technology; human opponents; realistic flight-modeling; 100 plus player arenas. Poor graphics; lack of official documentation; high cost; tough online competitors. Highly recommended to serious flight sim fans with time and money to spare. 78 W iMagic Online 1701 NW Hwy. Grapevine TX 76051 (817) 424-5638 October '97, p. 234 Strategy WarCraft II Diverse and challenging play; excellent mission editor; technically superb head-to-head play. There's the usual occasional holes in AI, but nothing serious. Engrossing strategy fun for the whole family. 96 W Blizzard 19840 Pioneer Ave. Torrance, CA 90503 (310) 793-0600 March Review Index WarCraft: Orcs and Humans Good graphics, two-player options, and unbeatable play value. It's so addictive, it belongs on the FDA's controlled-substance list with Civilization and SimCity 2000. If you like action, strategy or fantasy games, check out Warcraft. It doesn't get much better than this, folks. 92 W Blizzard Entertainment P.O. Box 18077 Irvine, CA 92713 (714) 556-6671 March Review Index Warhammer A solid wargame with a good fantasy background. Fuzzy interface, no difficulty options, and sluggish gameplay on anything less than a Pentium. Some of the best fantasy wargaming out today, but only if you have the system and the patience to make the most of it. 86 W Mindscape 88 Rowland Way Novato, CA 94945 (415) 987-9900 May Review Index Warhammer: Dark Crusaders Quality full-motion video; attractive SVGA graphics, intriguing squad-based combat. Weak companion AI; sluggish controls; crude sound effects; no multi-player support. Warhammer is a modest value, but it lacks the punch to set itself apart. 65 W Mindscape 88 Rowland Way Novato, CA 94945 (415) 987-9900 July Strategy Warlords III Stable program; lovely art; solid AI and scenarios; new TCP/IP and IPX support. Little customizability; middling maps; no economics or tactical combat; lack of charisma. Demanding and interesting, Warlords III offers a no-frills, focused challenge. 85 W Broderbund/Red Orb PO Box 6121 Novato CA 94948 (415) 382-4400 October '97, p. 248 Air Combat Simulation Werewolf vs. Comanche Network and modem game-play, challenging if unrealistic missions. Flight model and missions are simplistic, games a little too similar. An excellent value for people looking to play a helicopter game head-to-head. 78 W NovaLogic 26010 Mureau Suite 200 Calabasas, CA 91302 December Action Wetlands Gritty animation and graphic novel-style story-telling. Touchy controls and action sequences that couldÕve used some work. If you really want arcade action with a story line, wait for Rebel Assault II. 73 W New World Computing P.O. Box 4302 Hollywood, CA 90078 January Arcade Whiplash Varied, challenging, fun tracks; beautiful high-res graphics; network play. Too slow in high-res; control is sometimes jumpy. If youÕre a fan of arcade racing. you definitely want to pick up Whiplash. 81 W Interplay 17922 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (800) 969-4263 June Review Index Who Killed Brett Penance? Armchair detectives may be entertained for an hour or two. No replay value; it's disappointing that suspect and witness stories remain consistent for all three cases. Good multimedia elements, but there's not enough meat in this mystery title for experienced crime-solvers. 68 W Creative Multimedia 513 NW 13th Avenue Suite 400 Portland, OR 97209 November Review Index Who Shot Johnny Rock? You couldn't ask for a simpler interface, and there's lot of bang-bang. Games like this need good graphics--and Johnny Rock doesn't have 'em. Video-card compatible problems don't help either. If you want a CD-ROM shooter, with live action video, pass this one up. 59 W American Laser Games 4801 Lincoln Road NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (800) 880-1718 September Review Index Wing Commander III A stunning visual and aural feast; good acting. Requires the ultimate PC to work properly, and, on a dream machine, it features a long wait during mission loading. A fantastic interactive experience blending drama and action so skillfully that it will redefine multimedia standards. 96 W Origin Systems 12940 Research Boulevard Austin, TX 78750 (512) 335-5200 March Space Combat Wing Commander IV Incredible video sequences with Hollywood production values; greater variety in combat sequences. Not much new in terms of gameplay; very demanding hardware requirements. WCIV is a great science fiction movie that also happens to be fun to play. 90 W Origin Systems 5918 W. Courtyard Dr. Austin, TX 78730 (800) 245-4525 May Arcade Wingnuts Wonderfully goofy Easter eggs; a decent shooter with some interesting features. Needs meat in gameplay; fuzzy controls. If youÕre looking for the ultimate shooter, pass on Wingnuts, but if you enjoy fun surprises, pick it up. 71 W Rocket Science Games 139 Townsend St., San Francisco, CA 94107 (415) 442-5000 December Review Index Wings of Glory Wonderful graphics; superb sound; believable flight models; a corny-but-lovable narrative. The primitive aircraft may be too ornery for some players. The best WWI simulation ever; this one flies with the eagles. 92 W Origin Systems 12940 Research Boulevard Austin, TX 78750 (512) 335-5200 May Arcade Wipeout Nice graphics and a pumping techno soundtrack. Steep system requirements; no multi-player capabilities. Not bad for h over-racing junkies with high-end systems, but serious gamers should look elsewhere.. 55 W Psygnosis 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. Foster City, CA 94404 (800) 438-7794 July Arcade Wipeout XL Graphically stunning; excellent control. No Internet or multiplayer play (although it's promised in a future patch); requires a 3D card; limited replay value. An adrenaline-soaked showcase of PC polygon-pushing prowess. 84 W Psygnosis 919 E. Hillsdale Blvd. Foster City CA 94404 415-655-5683 September '97, p. 161 First-person Shooter Witchaven A good engine at work here; multi-player options greatly extend gameplay. Limited character animations; close-quarters combat gets old pretty quickly. Not a bad entry into the shooter arena, but it could've been better. 82 W Capstone 501 Brickell Key Dr. 6th Floor Miami, FL 33131 November First-person Shooter Witchaven II A good engine at work here; multi-player options greatly extend gameplay. Limited character animations; close-quarters combat gets old pretty quickly. Not a bad entry into the shooter arena, but it could've been better. 82 W Capstone 501 Brickell Key Dr. 6th Floor Miami, FL 33131 November Review Index Wolf Hours pass like minutes in this fascinating RPG for nature lovers. In simulation mode, the game can get a little slow. An unusual, entertaining game that gives genuine insight into one of nature's most magnificent and misunderstood creatures. 88 W Sanctuary Woods Suite 260 1875 S. Grant Street San Mateo, CA 94402 November Wargame Wooden Ships and Iron Men Snappy graphics; marvelously intuitive interface; a good scenario generator. The Campaign element is a bit thin, and those log entries grow tiresome rather quickly. This game is easy to like if you have any interest in the subject matter. 80 W Avalon Hill 4517 Hartford Road Baltimore MD 21214 (410) 254-9200 January '97, p. 262 Review Index Woodruff & Schnibble Looks great; fun and detailed storyline; solid, logical challenges. Some characters are tough to understand; inability to skip through dialogs and animations gets tiresome. A great graphic adventure, and further reason to praise Coktel Vision. 90 W Sierra On-Line 3380 146th Place SE Suite 300 Bellevue, WA 98007 August Review Index Word Puzzles, Vol. 1 Good range of puzzles for a little bit of cash. Once you've done each of the puzzles, there's really no replay value. Lots o' puzzles; lots o' fun--at least for a limited period. 79 W Vila Crespo 1725 McGovern Street Highland Park, IL 60035 July Review Index World Cup Golf It's pretty, and match-play options add variety. There are so many little flaws, idiosyncrasies, and odd design choices that playing seems like a chore. Not the best golf sim out there. Not even close. 61 W U.S. Gold 303 Sacrament Street San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 693-0297 April Arcade World Hockey 95 Training mode and penalty shots are welcome additions. Retina-burning graphics; sluggish controls; and very weak AI. Unless you're a die-hard fan of international hockey, steer clear of this one. 53 W Merit Studios 13707 Gamma Road Dallas, TX 75244 (800) 238-4277 September Review Index World Series of Poker The strongest poker AI to date, plus you get to sit in on the World Series. No tutorial option included; poor segue graphics. One of the best poker sims on the market, and a true Las Vegas experience. 86 W Masque Publishing P.O. Box 5223 Englewood, CO 80155 (303) 290-9853 July Arcade Worms Clever design, cute graphics, and loads of fun with more than one player. Turn-based action is a bit slow against computer opponents. Worms is a humorous and enjoyable take on strategy games, and fun for the whole family. 82 W Ocean of America 1870 Little Orchard St. San Jose, CA 95125 (408) 298-1411 March Review Index Wrath of the Gods It has a load of puzzles, and the acting is good to excellent throughout. Very choppy animation; moving between locales can take an eternity. A good choice for novice or average games, but there's so much gameplay here that veterans can appreciate it too. 79 W Luminaria 3288 21st Street Suite 64 San Francisco, CA 94110 July Review Index WuKung It's a promising idea. There's some nice cartoon animation, and the interface is easy to use. Long loading times; terrible voice acting; lack of subtitles; etc.; etc. Man, this game sure is bad... 37 W Abudoe Software Inc. 320 108th Avenue NE Suite 500 Bellevue, WA 98004 September Arcade WWF In Your House Manages to be totally stupid and totally enjoyable; excellent network play. This game deserved better graphics than it got. Takes the dumbest phenomenon on cable television and makes it fun. 79 W Acclaim One Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove NY 11542-2777 516-759-7800 April '97, p. 111 Sports WWF Wrestlemania Big characters, lots of moves, and nice control. Two-dimensional feel, and no new characters to face in tournament mode. Plenty of mat-slamming fun for the whole family. 80 W Acclaim 1 Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove, NY 11542-2777 (516) 656-5000 February Review Index X-COM The gameplay is great. Custom characters, great storyline, and simple combat make it absorbing. Graphics and sound are simple fare. It's not for those who want to be wowed by imagery. Well worth buying--what it lacks in flash, it makes up for in playability. 88 X MicroProse 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (410) 771-0440 August Strategy X-COM: Apocalypse A highly enjoyable strategy game. All the "first encounters" are as intriguing as ever. Amount of micromanagement borders on the absurd; takes practice to get controls down. X-COM fans will enjoy having another go at those menacing aliens. 86 X MicroProse 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley MD 21030-2245 (800) 659-GAME October '97, p. 202 Review Index X-COM: Terror from the Deep It's almost a dead-ringer for last year's best strategy game. That's just about all there is--there's very little new here. If you're just dying for more X-COM, this is your game; but don't look for any major differences. 82 X MicroProse Software Inc. 180 Lakefront Drive Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (410) 771-0440 July Fighting X-Men: Children of the Atom Great-lookinng animation, ultra-enjoyable button-mashing madness. Runs in a bizarre resolution; a few joystick compatibility problems. Though it has its flaws, X-Men is a perfectly enjoyable adrenaline rush. 78 X Acclaim One Acclaim Plaza Glen Cove NY 11542-2777 516-759-7800 September '97, p. 152 Space Combat X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter Superior graphics, great multi-player action, well-designed cooperative missions. No 3D support, limited single player gaming, lack of dramatic story, unreliable Internet play. Primarily a multiplayer game, X v. TIE is ahead of its time. 87 X LucasArts PO Box 10307 San Rafael CA 94912 800-782-7927 July '97, p. 146 Simulation XCar: Experimental Racing Customizable; smooth frame rate; inventive concept. Controls don't feel right; boring default cars; relentless AI. XCar is great for tinkerers and pit crew wannabes, but casual gearheads will find it all too much to handle. 68 X Bethesda Softworks 1370 Piccard Drive Rockville MD 20850 (301) 926-8300 November '97, p. 210 Simulation XCar: Experimental Racing Customizable; smooth frame rate; inventive concept. Controls don't feel right; boring default cars; relentless AI. XCar is great for tinkerers and pit crew wannabes, but casual gearheads will find it all too much to handle. 68 X Bethesda Softworks 1370 Piccard Drive Rockville MD 20850 (301) 926-8300 November '97, p. 210 Adventure Yoda Stories Simple and solid gameplay, 15 deceptively large levels; bonus multimedia movie. The big head characters may be too cute for some. Graphics aren't great. Yoda Stories is a fun, addictive little game in the fine tradition of Star Wars titles. 80 Y LucasArts PO Box 10307 San Rafael CA 94912 (800) 782-7927 July '97, p. 161 Review Index You Don't Know Jack Clever trivia questions; clean, thoughtful design; hilarious categories. There's not much replay value. Triva buffs will really dig it, and will find themselves coming back to it again and again. 84 Y Berkeley Systems 2095 Rose St. Berkeley, CA 94709 (510) 549-2300 March Trivia You Don't Know Jack Movies Great presentation, lots of humor and just darn tremendous fun to play. 800 questions will eventually run out, relegating it to the back of the shelf. If you can round up one or two other movie buffs, this is a must-buy. 90 Y Berkeley Systems 2095 Rose Street Berkeley CA 94709 (510) 540-5535 July '97, p. 200 Review Index Z Looks great, and has plenty of originality to breathe some life into the genre. Movement is sometimes annoyingly slow; ultimately limiting campaign structure. A welcome addition to the genre which offers plenty to intrigue real-time wargamers and action freaks alike. 90 Z Virgin Interactive 1806 Fitch Avenue Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 October Review Index Zapitalism Highly original and creative game world; E-Mail Internet play. Too many random factors and a lack of detail derail the economic gameplay. Although amusing, it lacks the depth and sophistication of other business sims. 60 Z LavaMind September Review Index Zeddas: Servants of Sheol Some genuinely weird and unusual visual elements. A tired Myst rip-off with a dash of lame bloodshed to goose the action. Some intriguing elements are undermined by familiarity and lame grameplay. 58 Z Synergy Interactive 444 DeHaro St. Ste. 123 San Francisco, CA 94107 July Review Index Zephyr Zephyr's sound effects and music are good. Cluttered graphics, poor documentation, and a slight case of vaporware. If Zephyr is any indication, New World should stay away from action games and stick to publishing good strategy and RPGs. 48 Z New World Computing P.O. Box 4302 Hollywood, CA 90078 (818) 889-5650 March Review Index Zeppelin Good concept; nice graphics; smooth gameplay. Once you've played through WWI, you've seen and done all there is to see and do. This coulda been a contender, if the idea was developed to the fullest; a paradigm of failed design. 57 Z MicroProse 180 Lakefront Dr. Hunt Valley, MD 21030 (410) 771-6411 April Review Index Zig Zag A classy brain-teaser that will challenge even the most experienced word-game maven. The quest variants didn't turn me on, although others will surely respond differently. A crossword puzzle with attitude--if you play one game and like it, you'll be hooked. 85 Z Quantum Quality Productions 495 Highway 202 Flemington, NJ 08822 (908) 788-2799 August Review Index Zone Raiders Excellent concept with fast and nimble vehicle physics. Occasional graphics glitches. No modem play. Fun, fun, fun 'til your daddy takes the T-Bird away. 89 Z Virgin 18061 Fitch Ave. Irvine, CA 92714 (714) 833-8710 April Review Index Zork Nemesis Beautiful graphics, Z-vision 360-degree rotation, and puzzles that actually make sense in the context of the story. ThereÕs little replay value, once youÕre finished, thatÕs it. Some clues are hard to find. ItÕs pretty, itÕs spooky, and itÕs immensely entertaining. 89 Z Activision Inc. 11601 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1000 Los Angeles, CA 90025 July Review Index Zorro The full-motion video clips are pretty well done. Poor control; boring graphics; and an ample supply of cheesy music. You don't need this kind of frustration in a simple platform puzzler. 57 Z Intracorp 501 Brickell Key Dr. 6th Floor Miami, FL 33131 June Review Index Zulu Wars The campaign games are fascinating and challenging. The smaller scenarios would work much better as tactical simulations If you loved the movies Zulu! and Zulu Dawn, you must have this game. 83 Z HPS Simulations PO Box 3245 Santa Clara, CA (408) 554-8381 November