August OS/2 Shareware

By Christopher Relf

Every now and then, you need to get away from the real world. OS/2 games may have lagged in the past, even though the operating system is the perfect gaming platform. Fortunately, StarDock Systems games are always way ahead. Unfortunately, demo versions aren't always released, so we've included downloadable files where they are available.

NB: The $US16 postage and handling charges mentioned below are per order, not per item.

Like many other war games, Entrepreneur is a real time multiplayer or single-player strategy game in which you must build a global corporate empire while competing against your opponents (who are hopefully not as ruthless as you are). You can think in real-world circles by creating new technologies, manufacturing them faster than your opponents, and keeping your head in the business world (which includes spreading horrible rumours about your competitors).

To win, all you have to do is dominate your competition through superior marketing skills, exceptional technological prowess, and, of course, overwhelming manufacturing might. As the CEO, it's your job to nurture your company to fight your competitors and bring your products to every corner of the globe at a faster, cheaper, and more reliable rate than your competition. One of the things I liked best about the game was the array of unexpected tools you could use. It's true that I'm not a particularly savvy businessperson, but I was able to call on a few 'friends' from the underworld to assist me by rubbing some of my competitors out.

If you're connected to the Internet, you can play an online game with someone else through StarDock's server for no extra cost -- a great idea. With exceptional artificial intelligence, StarDock's Entrepreneur is fantastic.

This is a classic game that really sucks you in.

Links OS/2 is great for those rainy weekends when you can't quite make it onto that wonderful course!

Trials Of Battle may remind you of other games like Descent, but it's a truly OS/2-native and purposed game. During battle, you compete against some pretty mean opponents, and, providing you survive, you can use the points you gain to upgrade your hovercraft. Add plasma weapons or better armour; equip it with jump jets, better sensors, or tracking systems. Your opponents can be controlled by either the computer or by other players communicating via LAN, modem or the Internet. While Trials of Battle's single-player mode is exceptional, due to its quite extraordinary OS/2-native AI engine, it shines brilliantly in multiplayer mode. Additionally, unlike most games, Trials of Battle can combine the multiplayer options. If you are in a group playing on a LAN, another friend can call in via modem and join the game -- fantastic!