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MegaDisc 08 (1988)(MegaDisc Digital Publishing)(AU)[WB].zip
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MegaDisc 08 (1988)(MegaDisc Digital Publishing)(AU)[WB].adf
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GAMES_REVIEWS
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Crudds_Shorts
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1988-05-28
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137 lines
Software Reviews
by ======== =======
Stephen Hudson
Blackboard Computer Services
A is for:
Alien Strike
===== ======
This game has been around the shops for at least 8 months in Australia.
Aliens have landed and are attacking the US Navy who are fighting
valiantly back. The game has two aircraft combatting from an overhead
viewpoint with only 1 plane of movement (pun intended). Each aircraft has
a number of heat seeking missiles which can be fired one at a time at the
other aircraft and the usual lasers. The lasers can be fired rapidly at a
short range effect, longer range shots have to be fired much slower. The
sound effects are mind-blasting, with horns blaring indicating an enemy
missile launch, sizzling laser blasts and a variety of other noises
including digitised speech effects, like the pilot screaming in pain when
the aircraft is downed. At each successive level each side has a number
of dollars which can be spent renewing downed aircraft or repairing ships,
the number of ships on screen increasing with each level. Every ship is
armed with short range lasers so the best attack policy is to follow the
ships as they move horizontally across the screen and shoot them with long
range shots. At the end of each of the 4 levels it gives the winner of the
round, and at the completion of the four rounds gives the winner of the
simulation.
Gameplay is very fast with the computer having what I felt as an unfair
advantage in accuracy. The screen is split horizontally into two, flying
off the bottom of the screen wraps you back around into the middle heading
downwards. This is a little dis-orientating and takes quite a while
to get partially used-to. Before the game starts you can alter a number of
game-play features such as the number of missiles each plane can carry, or
the range of your lasers. However, this is one of the very few features
that redeem the game, when the only times that you shoot down the aliens
you aren't sure of what you had just done, the game becomes a little
tiresome.
For those of you with extremely fast reflexes and uncanny aiming this game
is definitely for you; for us mere mortals, the brilliant sound effects
aren't enough to warrant buying this one.
Arkanoid
========
As in the arcade game of the same name.. and a very faithful reproduction.
Based on the old breakout game with a new twist, some of the blocks drop
barrels when they are destroyed, and if you run the barrel over with your
bat you are awarded a special feature. The effects of the barrels
including a laser which you can shoot the blocks with, extra lives and a
larger bat size.
I didn't really like the arcade game, but for those of you that did this
game is a must. However, the hidden cheat mode in the game did make it
vastly more playable for me. Not bad overall.
Amegus
======
A similar game to Arkanoid, with the major exception of the functions of
the special blocks. The effects are very different, for example one block
splits into 4 which split into 4 and so on for four times. For those who
played the arcade to death, this one offers a new lease on the same
style, it is sufficiently different to keep your interest.
Archon II
====== ==
This game is similar to a chess type game with one essential difference,
to "capture" another piece the two pieces must battle it out arcade style,
with every piece having a different type of attack. The crux of the game
is your four wizards/princesses (depending on which side you play) who
can conjure up other creatures to sit on a plane. The object of the game
is to either destroy all of your opponents wizards or to have all of the
points of power occupied by your pieces during any turn.
An excellent game for two players, combines strategy with arcade reflexes
to test both players, and when playing against the computer it is still
quite possible to win with nicely thought out difficulty levels for each
player. Definitely worth every dollar.
Arena
=====
This is an olympic decathalon style game with detailed animation and
cartoon character judges popping up to give comments. Despite the visual
nicety of the game I found it too slow and even unresponsive overall to
warrant the dollars asked. Still, this game might be for you, if your
reflexes are shot to pieces and you want a decathalon look-a-like for your
Amiga.
Arazok's Tomb
======== ====
A combined graphics/text adventure game. You are an over zealous reporter
in search of Arazok's Tomb: perhaps this is reason behind the games name?
At any rate, the common commands (get all, look... etc) are all accessible
from a pulldown menu as is your inventory, minimising typing nicely.
Directions can be issued by typing, selecting from a pull-down menu or by
clicking on the direction icon. The graphics window uses backdrop/item
layout and the pictures are quite good. The response times are reasonably
quick and the vocabulary is adequate. The computer's responses to
incorrect actions are sometimes a little confusing which makes the game a
little frustrating in parts. Overall the puzzles are relatively easy to
solve but there are a quite a few hours of enjoyment in front of you.
Analyze!
========
A very good little spreadsheet. You can load Lotus 1-2-3 worksheets as
well as importing text/figures from the clipboard. It has all the features
that I expect of a spreadsheet, however whether or not it has everything a
business would want I am not qualified to say. I found it more than useful
for financial modelling and quite easy to use. If you want a spreadsheet,
I can highly recommend this one.
Backlash
========
A totally mindless shoot-em-if-they-move game. The graphics are pseudo
3D with shadows and the action is fast. Zip around a 3D landscape avoiding
enemy fire whilst getting them with yours. Use your HUD radar display in
the center of the screen to locate the enemy before it's too
late.
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