N N Vol. 5 No. 4 Sept-Oct 1985 FEATURES Operation Market Garden 14 A Review Bob Proctor Fog Of War 16 A Critique of "Limited Intelligence" Jay Selover Computer Games 1985 20 A Report From Summer CES Rick Teverbaugh Ultima II 22 A Review of the Mac Version Patricia Fitzgibbons Amiga: The Dream Machine 24 Review of the New Amiga Computer Jon Freeman Game of The Year Awards 41 Help Us Select the Best Games DEPARTMENTS Taking a Peek 10 Screen Photos & Brief Comments Come Cast A Spell With Me 21 Computer Gaming in Japan Roe R. Adams III Atari Playfield 23 Jack Tramiel and Gemstone Warrior David Stone Sports Scoreboard 26 Sports Games Reviewed Rick Teverbaugh Dispatches 27 Friendly Games Dan Bunten Scorpion's Tale 28 Phantasie Tips Scorpia A Crock of Crawford 30 Process Intensity in Games Chris Crawford Strategically Speaking 31 Playing Tips on Strategy Games Micro-Reviews 36 The Railroad Works; Six-Gun Shootout Commodore Key 40 Sound and Fury Roy Wagner Reader Input Device 41 Game Ratings 48 100 Games Rated Don't Panic! Regular readers of CGW will notice that there is a slight date change on this issue. Our previous issue was our June/July issue (5.3). This is our Sept/Oct issue (5.4). No, you did not miss a myste- rious August/Sept issue. At the request of our distributors we are taking this action so that each issue of CGW can be on the newstand before the cover date on the issue. The bottom line is that there will only be five issues this year instead of six. Thus our next issue will be our Nov-Dec issue (5.5). The Jan/Feb '86 issue will be 6.1. Those subscribers whose subscription ex- pires on or after the not-to-be issue 5.6 have had their subscription's expiration number extended one issue. This date change makes life easier for our retailers and we aim to make life easier for everyone. CGW Welcomes New Columns Beginning with this issue CGW will feature a regular column by Chris Crawford. Those of you familiar with Chris' writing know that he is always informative and often flamboyant. In keeping with that spirit, Chris' new column will be called A Crock of Crawford. We are also adding a Sports column written by the very capable Rick Teverbaugh. Access Software Inc from time to time. Be aware the STATIS PRO BASEBALL: If we had 925 East 900 South models are anatomically correct. the review copy of this game for our Salt Lake City, UT 84105 Joystick. Many computers. $39.95. baseball survey it would have ranked 801-973-0123 Circle Reader Service #16 quite high. The graphics are minimal and the text is sparse but the technical BEACH-HEAD H: is a multi-scenario, COMPUBRIDGE: A tutorial for quality is quite good. Players are rated multi-level game for one or two learning to play bridge. Ten chapters for many non-stat categories (range players. The player can choose either of text, eight quiz sections. Computer factor, catcher's arms, etc in the same offensive or defensive game-play roles. generates practice hands and evaluates manner as Computer AP A. Stats are Good graphics, animation, scrolling play. Useful mostly for pure novices to compiled and updated. You can create playfields, sound effects and some the game. Many computers. $24.95. your own teams. If you are in the voice synthesis. A practice mode allows Circle Reader Service #17 market for a stat baseball game this players to develop various battle skills. one should be considered. We like it It also has a provision for recording better than AH's other baseball entry the top ten scores. BH II is a worthy Avalon Hill - PRO MANAGER. Many computers. successor to the original BH. Joystick 4517 Hartford Rd $35.00. Baltimore, MD 21214 Circle Reader Service #19 required. C-64. 800-638-9292 Circle Reader Service #15 COMPUTER CIRCUS MAXIMUS: An SUPER BOWL SUNDAY: A statistic adaptation of AH's board game of the based hi-res football game for the C- same name. Design your own chariot Artworx Software 64. Although there are only five basic and then try it out in the Colosseum. 150 North Main St offensive plays (off tackle, sweep, flat Up to 12 players. Five race campaign Fairport, NY 14450 pass, short pass, long pass) you do game with wagering. IBM. $25.00. 800-828-6573 select ball carrier/receiver. The defense Circle Reader Service #20 has a large variety of options. Despite STRIP POKER: Based on the the limited offense (e.g., no screens or Ba'rac Limited standard game of five card draw. Suzi draws) the game is exciting and does a PO Box 37206 and Melissa are your opponents on the good job of creating the "feel" of Shreveport, LA 71133 standard "data" disk, optional disks viewing a game on the "tube". are available (including male Computer can play either or both STAR CRYSTAL: A solitaire text opponents). Hi-Res graphics. Mildly sides. amusing program, might be fun at a adventure series based on the party. By the way, the program cheats Circle Reader Service #18 TRAVELLER science fiction role- a true war game with fantasy themes. playing game system. Each episode is You have standard war game items played separately or in sequence as a such as range factors and target solitaire campaign. Five non-player selection, along with various magic characters, 200 locations, 380 objects, spells. IBM. $34.95. etc. Playing time is quoted at 10 to 50 hours! The nice documentation includes quite a bit of background PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: We get hundreds of games a year into our material regarding the TRAVELLER offices but this one is unique. You are series. Apple. a young woman of the Regency Period. Circle Reader Service #21 Your goal is to marry the best possible match and avoid spinsterhood. One to Broderbund Software six players with each player having 17 Paul Drive varied attributes - beauty, wit, grace, San Rafael, CA 94903 etc. You attend parties, spread gossip 415-479-1170 and keep an eye out for a wealthy CAPTAIN GOODNIGHT AND THE bachelor. Many computers. $34.95. ISLANDS OF FEAR: An arcade game with an animated hero, superb STARBALL: A 3-D game of graphics and varied scenarios. Captain racquetball. Multilevel, real-time Goodnight fights aboard tanks, planes, action for one or two players in a fully boats, submarines and ski lifts to simulated four-wall court. Apple, C- defeat the evil Dr. Maybe and his 64. $29.95. Doomsday Machine. Joystick required. Apple $34.95. Circle #22 STARCLASH H: A strategic conflict simulation, i.e. a fairly standard space Berserker Works Ltd game of exploration, development and PO Box 14268 warfare. Contains a nice short story by Albuquerque, NM 87191 Stephen Walton that sets the stage for 505-298-3237 Circle #23 the game. IBM. $29.95. WIZARD WAR: An interactive fantasy war game by the creators of FORCE 400: A game combining Berserker Raids. You are the character elements of chess and checkers. The Prince Shan who must defeat the evil result is a fairly interesting game of forces led by the computer. The game strategy . For one or two players. IBM is an interesting variation in that it is and TRS-80. $34.95. complex space strategy games. It also in bringing life to a dull subject. The Big Ben Games, Ltd. contains a role playing concept as you arcade game seems well designed for 1765 Maple Street start out as a rookie cadet in the fleet the intended age group (10 years and Northfield, IL 60093 up). Also has an editor to add your 312-446-610 and attempt to progress to admiral. Extensive use of color and sound. The own words. Apple, IBM & C-64. ATARI SMASH HITS #1: Big Ben is 98 page manual should be the tipoff $49.95. the importer for a large number of that this is not a Star Trek type game. English games. This entry is a A lot of complex decision-making is Digital Kamp Group collection of arcade items. Jet Boot required for success. The 1737 Walnut Grove Jack, Firefleet, Dan Strikes Back, documentation is easily among the Decatur, IL 62526 Captain Sticky's Gold and Hyperblast. best we have ever seen for a game Atari. $16.95. program, it rivals an IBM hardware CLASH OF WILLS: The scope of this Circle #24 manual. Can only be described as game is nothing less than the war in "state-of-the-art" for space games. Europe 1940-45. Includes production, CBS Software IBM. $49.95. One Fawcett Place Circle #26 strategic air, weather, sea movement Greenwich, CT 06836 (including amphibious assaults), 203-622-2525 Davidson & Associates movement and combat. The computer 6069 Groveoak Place #12 will play the Western Allies, the DR. SEUSS - FIX-UP THE MIX-UP Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274 Soviets or both. The hardcopy map is PUZZLER: A delightful puzzle game 213-373-0971 a minus in that it is difficult to for the young (ages 4 and up). Pieces Circle #27 interpret terrain features and of Dr. Seuss characters, such as the objectives. However, battles within the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch and the MATH BLASTER!: Eye-catching game are resolved on a Strategic Star-Bellied Sneetch are mixed graphics, animation, bright colors and Overview Map. Documentation is together in a puzzle. The child must sound effects to hold a child's interest minimal but adequate. Atari.