INDUSTRY NEWS

MAJOR PLAYERS READY FIRST It features 90 different animated graphics featuring 3D shapes with color and QUARTER RELEASES! of characters/monsters and 85 different Newtonian physics (suggested $39.95). The spells. Bard's Tale II: The Destiny Knight latter, based on Egyptian mythology, is a January heralds the Consumer Elec- is nearing completion and features ranged mixed adventure/RPG which takes place tronics Show, so game manufacturers are combat. Also, creatures can be converted inside and outside of pyramids. pulling out all the stops to have their and made a permanent part of the adven- Strategic Simulations, Inc.: Gary software ready to display at the exposi- turer's team. They also plan to release Grigsby's War in the South Pacific should tion. Industry sources indicate that trans- Michael Stackpole's (Mercenaries, Spies be available on the Apple by the time you lations will take up much of the compa- and Private Eyes) new roleplaying game, read this and the C-64 version is expected nies' attention during the first quarter. Wasteland, which is similar to the Mad in late January. This is the only new re- Here are some of the items which are not Max films. lease definitely set for first quarter, 1987, translations which certain companies hope but there are over 26 conversions in the to release in the first quarter of 1987. Mindscape: The distributors of Master Designer Cinemaware and Balance of works, including Kampfgruppe for IBM Accolade: Expects to release their and Amiga and Rings of Zilfin, Shard of football game, 4th and Inches, at the show. Power aren't simply resting on their lau- rels. They are pinning positive hopes on Spring, and Wizard's Crown for the ST. The company also plans to release a mur- Strategic Studies Group: One thing der mystery entitled, appropriately their new Thunder Mountain Division (see below) of discount software, but aggres- which is as dependable as death and taxes enough, Killed Until Dead. Their is that SSG won't put out a game they're "Advantage Series" will be strengthened sively releasing other titles, as well. Paral- lax, a fast-paced space arcade game with a not pleased with. The good news is that by the addition of Power, loosely described Road to Appomatox will be an exciting as a space game. Almost ready for release, three dimensional effect leads the way, followed by a judo simulation (Uchi-Mata) and revolutionary product. The bad news but expecting to be retitled before Jan- is that it's not certain for the first quarter. uary, is a new adventure game using and a karate adventure. They are also ex- pected to preview Trailblazer, a bouncing Russia, an eastern front game, has been comic/cartoon situations. moved ahead of RTA on the production Avalon Hill: The microcomputer games ball arcade name with some new twists, at the Consumer Electronics Show. Also pos- schedule and should be available in early division is expecting to have Dark Horn 1987. ready for both Apple and C-64. This is the sible for the first quarter is the yet unti- long-awaited fantasy game by Tom tled, third issue in the Macventure series. Sir-Tech: The official position at Sir- BRAINWAVE CREATIONS FORMED! Cleaver, author of Galaxy. Guderian is Mike Berlyn, author of Suspended and still undergoing revision and would be a Tech is that there will be no official release date on Wizardry IV: The Return of other Infocom adventure games (as well as longshot for first quarter release. the recent Tass Times in Tonetown which Electronic Arts: EA's Interplay affili- Werdna or Wizardry V until they are ready to ship. The company does plan to he co-authored with Brian Fargo), and his ate is releasing a translation of The Bard's wife, Muffy, are rumored to be millimeters Tale for the Amiga which is much more release two other titles in January however: Space Combat Simulator and away from penning a deal with a major than a port. The new version has six dif- publisher for a line of text adventures that ferent songs (used in spellcasting) for the The Seven Spirits of Ra. The former will bard with four different instrumentations. be similar to Skyfox, but set in space and Continued on pg. 60 SNEAK PREVIEW: At first glance, the game looks like the Bard's Tale products (which should be no surprise since both produced are designed by Interplay). There is an WASTELAND animated "window" for viewing in the upper left hand corner of the screen and a description "window" on In January of 1987, Wasteland was described as a the right. The lower portion of the screen is devoted to potential Mad Max type adventure game to be writ- a quick reference sheet on the adventuring party itself. ten by Michael Stackpole (author of the Mercenaries, like its sister products, the game boasts crisp graphics Spies and Private Eyes roleplaying system and and limited, but effective, animation. The graphics "win- Mayfair Games' sourcebook on Batman for their DC dow" has over seventy different pictures. Heroes roleplaying game) and programmed by the CRPG experts at Interplay Productions. As this ar- Yet, the game is improved over its sister products. The ticle is being written, Wasteland has just passed its first game system in Wasteland is dynamic. Once some- week in "Quality As- thing on the map is changed, it is changed. Further, surance" at Electronic an old role-playing concept enters into the picture Arts with no major when players can "hire" non-player characters to fill problems encountered. out the party. Of course, they do not always do what This should mean [Ed.: they are ordered. Also, a new feature enables players Anyone who has observed to "Disband Party" into four different active parties. this industry very long This option enables ranged combat to occur and helps knows why we put a in the solution of some puzzles, but also means that "weasel word" in this sen- each party can have up to four encounters at a time. tence!] that the game is on Finally, this game features only one "Save Game" in- the shelves by the time this stead of the ability to have multiple saves. preview hits the stands.

Nevertheless, the game is certainly superior to the original concept. Instead of being a "Mad Max" role playing game presented on the computer, this post- holocaust game has a unique plotline all its own. Players want to find out what the "Servants of the Mushroom Cloud" are up to, among other matters. In fact, the game contains 250K of text to present this plotline. However, at least 100K of the text which is vital for successfully com- pleting the adventure is "off- line" in a book which comes with the game and serves as a non-technologi- cal copy protection. The story itself is so huge that there are many possibilities which the player may not find, while still able to win the game. The story-line is non-linear and there are al- ways, at least, two ways to get around a problem. Interplay insists that the game should be rated PG-13 because of the personalized violence in the adventure, as well as the sexual hints. We must agree that there is an undeniable visceral response when the description window describes someone as being turned into "blood sausage," reduced to a "fine red mist," or pul- verized into "unrecognizable gore." However, it seems to fit the model of a post-holocaust society gone rabid with barbarism. their credit and it's been a while since you've been to the barber, hasn't it? You start the game with four pre-generated characters or create four characters of your own. Each character is rated for strength, intelligence, luck, speed, agility, dexterity, charisma, skill points, rank, constitution, money, sex and nationality. Each characteristic enables you to do certain things. Intelligence is the most important because it al- lows the characters to learn invaluable skills that are necessary to complete the various tasks in the by William "Biff' Kritzer game. Strength helps in opening closed doors, moving obstacles, hitting people, etc. Killing monsters gives you experience points as in most he moisture dripping from the subterranean role playing games. At certain experience point cavern's ceiling echoed eerily in the shrouded T levels you get promotions. Each promotional level distance that loomed ahead of Hell Razor and his gives you two intelligence points that can then be battered party. Retracing their path back up to cashed in to gain skills and raise skill levels. For ex- the surface was out of the question as long as An- ample, with two intelligence points you could add - gela Death two skills such as assault rifle and picklock, or you was still un- could raise your skill levels on forgery or medical conscious. from two to three. This is the heart of the charac- Snake Var- ter generation system and having the proper mix gas had of skills is absolutely necessary to overcome the used his many obstacles and problems in the game. The medical various other characteristics affect combat, skills to sta- negotiating ability, physical task solving, etc. The bilize her party of four the computer gives you initially is a condition well rounded group that I used to finish the game, but time but you have the ability to customize your own was the only group if you like. healer for An- gela now. Until she xploring dangerous catacombs was not came to, no EHell's idea of a good time, but being a one dared Desert Ranger was not the safest of jobs in this go forward post-holocaust world. Hell, along with Angela, or back. Snake and Thrasher had volunteered to solve the After all, mysterious deaths in the region and the trail led Angela's per- into a cyborg ambush hundreds of feet below the ception and Las Vegas country club. Fortunately, Angela's Ke climbing vlar vest had stopped the killer cyborg's spray of skills had bullets from penetrating and killing her, but when gotten them she awoke she would be bruised and sore. If this far. Hell Thrasher's Uzi hadn't jammed on his first shot the Razor party probably could have gotten by without vowed to much damage, but Snake's AK 47 stunned the build up his own skills so this metal monster long enough for Hell's well thrown TITLE: Wasteland SYSTEMS: Apple II, C-64 (soon) wouldn't happen again.(If grenade to finish it off "There really is safety in # PLAYERS: Solitaire they got out of this mess numbers down here", thought Hell. This comfort- PRICE: $49.95 alive!) ing thought was quickly dispelled as the echoes DESIGNER: Alan Pavlish PUBLISHER: Electronic Arts of a Slicer/Dicer rang out up ahead. "Grab Angela San Mateo, CA and let's blow!", snapped Hell to no one in par- Wasteland is Electronic ticular. "I'll give back cover, Snake, take point. Arts' new interactive role play- Let's move, now!" ing game based on a pseudo Road Warrior fu- ture, set in the southwest deserts of a post- Each player-character can carry up to thirty items, holocaust United States. The player directs a party including weapons, ammunition and armor. These of Desert Rangers, out to protect survivors and can be bought, sold or traded as players see fit. rebuild some semblance of society. While undergo- Matching the proper tools with the proper skills is ing this often arduous task, you come upon important. The ability to use assault rifles doesn't several situations that hint at sinister goings' on help much if you're using a submachinegun. The that are beyond the scope of your original assign- types of useable weapons cover a wide range. ments. It's up to you to then follow the various There are pistols, rockets, submachineguns, laser leads to a fitting conclusion, or death. It's rough weapons, grenades and other modern weapons in out there! Dozens of monsters, machines and your arsenal and they all come in handy. To finish criminals are just waiting to add a few scalps to the game your crew will probably be using some heavy weapons. These don't come cheaply, in games, but it is refreshing to play a game that con- terms of money or blood. centrates on being skillful enough to disarm an alarm, instead of putting monsters to sleep. amming his last clip into the NATO assault If you like sophistication in your simulations, grab Rrifle, Hell had a glimmering thought of how this one. Its ease of play, richness of plot, problem lovely the desert must be right now - hot, radioac- solving requirements, skill and task system, and tive and full of mutant lizards. Maybe it wasn't so graphic display all make this one of the best bad down here after all! Just then, Hell heard games I've ever played. It wins my vote for "Adven- Snake's cry of despair. Turning quickly, he saw a ture Game of the Year." glittering hulk of metal towering over Snake, its laser tipped arms locking in on the ravaged party. As they scurried for cover, Hell heard the he desert really is quiet and peaceful at sun- set, reds and purple blend into a cool black, reassuring chatter of Thrasher's Uzi. "Unjammed at last," Hell thought, moments before a stream of hiding death below the ground. bullets threw him against the crumbled remains of the sewer wall. Darkness drowned out the party's cries and shouts as Hell drifted down into Desert Ranger the first rest he'd had in weeks. Survival This is a bloody game. You'll meet a wide variety of nasties out there, ranging from radiation rats to Handbook: mutant metal monsters. Knowing when to gun and when to run will keep you alive, for a while. 1. Don't be in a hurry to waste You'll also be interacting with many non-player everyone you meet. Some of those characters. With the proper charisma or skills, you unruly looking characters can really may even get some of them to join your party. help by joining your party. There is room for three more in addition to your 2. Always make sure you have original four and there is safety in numbers in this plenty of ammo. When you run low, get more. game. Don't count on finding solitary monsters AK47s are great weapons, but clubs are just as out there, they travel in packs and you should too! good if you're out of ammunition. Once your party is assembled it's out into the 3. Try to get your party to have all the skills be- great unwashed desert. The first community you tween them. You'll need almost all of them to visit should be Highpool, a nice quiet little com- solve the game. Also, you can never have too munity that should get your party acquainted with many members with medical skills. the surrounding countryside and its inhabitants. There you'll pick up the first pieces of the puzzle. 4. Practice makes perfect, if you try a skill that There are several courses open to you at all times should work but it doesn't, keep trying. Eventually and there is always more than one way around it will and your levels will go up with every puzzle in the game, so you're not locked in successful use. to any particular order of missions, except in the 5. Write down everything anyone broadest sense. You will need certain items to get tells you. You'll need the clues they to different stages of the game, but there are al- give to solve problems downline. ways several ways to get what you need. It is a great feature that makes the game move swiftly. In 6. When low on constitution, go fact, the 80-100 hours it takes to finish the game into the deepest part of the desert really do move along rapidly. I spent many nights to recover. No one will bother you awake until 1:30 or 2:00 AM before grudgingly out there while you're healing. Just powering down to await the next day's session. be sure you have plenty of water with you! Wasteland uses a paragraph system to flesh out the clues given by NPCs in the game. It really gives 7. Be careful of diseases and radia- a nice depth to the plot. These paragraphs are tion sickness. Doctors are expensive and your printed in a booklet which is included with the medical skills only work for wounds. Radiation suits game and they save plenty of disk space without are worth their weight in gold! sacrificing plot depth. It's a nice hybrid that you will 8. Go everywhere, clues are hidden in the least probably be seeing in most games of this genre in likely spaces. the future. Also, if you decide to peek at the paragraphs out of order, there is a false subplot 9. Save the game often! It's easy to die and you'll hidden in them that makes it very difficult to cheat. be restored to your last save when the game res- In fact, when finished, the paragraph book is tarts. Back up your disks! The game writes to disk "must" reading. whenever you enter a new location, so keep that in account when venturing into unknown territory I like the fact that there is no magic or food to with a depleted party. deal with in this game! You don't have to scrounge around for food every twenty minutes and you 10. Use the print utility on the key disk to keep a need not spend time thumbing through a book of list of personnel and their skills. It makes it easy to arcane magic to find the right spell to throw. quickly see who should be attempting various Those features may add atmosphere to some tasks. Summer is sneaking up on us (the year swimming. Skills that two or three in the group does seem to be moving along, doesn't should have are perception, demolition, medic (very it?); time for those long, lazy days of com- important), and picklock. Beyond that, it's up to you puter gaming under the air conditioning. It what skills to take, although I never found a use for getsS pretty hot in the summertime (except, perhaps, things like bureaucracy, sleight of hand, forgery, around here), and where you're going, it's hotter yet and gambling. . . . in fact, you might even say it's radioactive. There is one point in the game where swimming is Wasteland was reviewed in the last issue of CGW extremely important, and this is based not only on (May '88), so what we have here are tips to help you your swimming skill, but also to some degree on make it (more-or-less) safely through the dangers of the character's strength and agility. Make sure that post-nuclear catastrophe. these attributes are not too low for each person in the party. The manual is quite vague about your assign- This month, ment, simply saying that your team of Desert Many skills will go up over time as you use them, Wasteland takes Rangers is being sent out to investigate disturban- so it's generally not necessary to start out with more center stage as ces in the desert. That could be almost anything, so than the minimum ability in any particular skill, al- adventuredom's four it's best to be prepared for everything, including though you might want to put some extra points mutants, monsters, unfriendly people, voracious into Medic. star rated innkeeper animals, death machines, and other things too hor- weaves her regular rible to contemplate (like radiation poisoning and Open Hostility tale of mystery and sewer rot). suspense. Once you have your initial party set up, it's off to You can start with the team of four that comes the great outdoors of the partly-irradiated deserts of with the Arizona and Nevada. Fortunately, you won't need to game, or do any mapping; the outdoors is actually quite a create your small place, in spite of the distances you cover. The own charac- towns and such are also small, and no mapping is ters. I made really needed there, either. my own, but other people You can pretty much expect that anything you run have finished across in the outdoors is hostile, ready to rip you to with the shreds or blow your guts out, so don't hesitate to originals, so shoot first and ask questions later. You won't get do whichever any treasures from these encounters, but the per- pleases you. son who gets in the killing hit will receive some ex- Either way, perience points. make sure as Indoors (towns and the like) are a bit different. you go up in Most of the inhabitants will be hostile, but not all of rank (which them. Several will give you information. Some can substitutes for even be added to your party (good ones to have are level) to add a Ace, Christina, Covenant, and Metal Maniac; since point now and you can only add three, you'll have to make a then to Intel- choice somewhere along the line). ligence. You also need to be on the alert for clues con- Skillful tained in diaries, scraps of paper, scrawlings on walls, etc., so it pays to go over an area thoroughly. Recruiting Most of the buildings in the towns are abandoned, What you're however, so you needn't go over them with a fine- aiming for is tooth comb. A few steps inside is usually all it takes to get everyone (including the NPC's in the party) to tell you whether or not the place is worth explor- up to an IQ of 23. There are some skills out there ing. that the manual doesn't tell you about, and one or Your first stop is likely to be Highpool, followed by two of them are extremely important as you reach the Agricultural Center (while you can go to the the latter half of the game. These skills do not show towns in any order, they become progressively more up in libraries unless the character actually has the difficult, so on your first tour it's best to do em in necessary IQ. order). Highpool doesn't have too much of interest, One problem with the listed skills is that some are but it's a good place to get some practice with the not necessary at all, while others are useful only at game, being relatively safe to walk around in. The one specific place (as far as I can tell). Metallurgy, Ag Center is another matter, and you probably for example, is pretty much a waste. I found only won't want to spend much time there until you one spot where it does anything (geology would have some good weapons and armor. have made more sense in that instance), and not very much even then. Mayor Problem The skills you absolutely want everyone to have So it's off to Quartz. Plenty of encounters here, are: clip pistol, submachine gun, rifle, assault rifle, and many opportunities to pick up some good stuff. anti-tank weapons, energy weapons, climbing, and Rescuing the mayor and his wife should be high on your list of things to do, although not the first thing, Sewer Thing as there are a number of clues and hints to pick up on first. By the way, don't bother about the broken Soon after, you'll be taking a little pleasure trip jeep outside town. While it can be fixed by Ace, through the city sewers. For this, make sure you you'll only have it for a short while, and driving is bring even more than lots of ammo, plus as many automatic (only takes you to certain places, whether rockets as you can get your hot little hands on: the you want to go there or not). sewers are a nasty place, infested by Cyborgs of all descriptions (none of them friendly). You'll also want There are at least two ways into the building where rope and a pickax (the sewers, by the way, is where the Mayor is held, plus at least three ways of getting swimming skills are essential; be prepared for sewer to his actual location, so the rescue itself, when rot). you're ready, should not be much of a problem. With the mayor, his wife, and Ace in your merry The best way to fight the Cyborgs is the same as band, as well as better weaponry and armor, you with death machines: using full clips and rockets. As should be in pretty good shape to go back and before, some of the Cyborgs are easier to kill than clean out the Agricultural Center. others (Tazels, for instance, are real wimps, and the Cybertrikes are pretty easy, too), so don't waste pre- With that taken care of, a jaunt over to Needles is cious rockets on them. Just spray 'em with hot lead next. Inhabited by a lot of weirdos, including a and keep moving. variety of Jerks (yep, that's what they're called) and a mysterious cult, this is not the healthiest place in While there are a lot of the world. You can be sure that most people are random Cyborgs wandering out to get you, so get them first. Somewhere in around down below, some Needles you'll run across Christina; don't make the of them are fixed in one mistake of killing her (this is a good place to dump place. These are the ones the mayor's wife). that will give you loot after being defeated. Among the loot from various en- Terror in the Temple counters you'll come across odd things like servomotors, The major activity in Needles will be snooping rom boards, power con- around the Temple of Blood. Be careful here; much verters, and the like. Make of the area surrounding the Temple is radioactive sure you take all of these items with you, as they are (from time to time you may see radiation canisters extremely important. on the ground nearby.... DO NOT step on them, un- less everyone is in rad suits), although the interior is Now, you'll probably want to investigate the fairly safe . . . from radiation, anyway. Sleeper Base, which does not appear until after you've successfully completed the sewers. It's a pret- There's a lower level to the Temple, which can be ty safe place; aside from a couple of mechanical reached only by going across the giant chessboard guards, there are no monsters or machines wander- pattern. This is essentially a matter of trial and error; ing around inside it. no clues are available to help you find the safe path through it. Once you've made it across (and There are some neat things in the place, including answered the question; you may want to map the a couple of vaults that hold some very good stuff. path), be prepared for additional nastiness beyond One vault you won't be able to open right away (the and below. Bring lots of ammo with you. one with the blue barrier inside it), so leave that alone for awhile. The other one, which contains the Also bring LOTS of ammo (and rockets, like LAW more mundane items, should not be much of a rockets and RPG-7's) with you to Las Vegas, home problem for you, and makes for a nice personal ar- of the death machines. They're all over the place, senal. and are extremely unpleasant to meet. Burning full clips (assault rifle clips) is about the only way to handle them (although grenades often work well Devolution in Darwin onlesser devices, like Chopters and such), but save your rockets for the really mean machines, like the Around about now you may want to visit the town Scorpitron (no relation to yours truly!), and the Mark of Darwin (if you haven't come across it before). I, II, and III tanks. The one thing you have to keep in mind is that you should always approach Darwin from the north, as it Before entering Las Vegas (I recommend coming is surrounded on the other three sides by radioac- in from the NE corner of the city the first time), you tive cannisters (which are sometimes visible, and might want to dump the Mayor so you'll have room sometimes not). for Covenant. Remember to take back everything the Mayor has first, as Covenant will not come with Darwin itself isn't all that interesting a place (al- any weapons or armor. though the black market there sells a few rockets), but it will lead you to another area that is much Of course there will also be the human element to more important where you can obtain what you deal with, but they are easy to dispose of, compared need to open up the second vault at Sleeper Base. to the machines. Eventually you should make it to Just watch out for the Humungous Coyote (he's a Faran Brygo (if the name sounds familiar, it is) and mean one!). hear his little tale. (Continued on page 53) (Continued from page 23) Write On! When you're done with that, you should be about One more thing: while the game writes often to ready for the Citadel. It is never made entirely clear disk, and there are many one-time items, almost as to why it's necessary to assault this place, as nothing is truly irrevocable. If you make a mistake there is nothing to indicate that the Guardians are on disks 2, 3, or 4, you can always create a new particularly evil (strange, yes). However, they too copy and try again (there is really no reason why have a vault, with some very good armor in it, and anyone should have to restart the game). The only you'll be needing that armor for the end game (boy, time you can run into trouble is if you make a mis- will you need it!). Rockets and energy weapons will take on disk 1. be most helpful in dealing with the Citadel denizens. Then you might have problems, so it's good prac- Don't forget to poke around the other places in the tice to backup disk 1 every so often. This can be Citadel; you might find a few interesting items. done easily (for you Apple owners) with good old COPYA. While this isn't able to make a new disk You'll want as many power packs as you can pos- (you have to use the utility that comes with the sibly carry for your journey through the end game, game), it works perfectly in creating backups of exist- and these are not for sale anywhere, so don't waste ing play disks. 'em. Use regular weapons (Uzis, assault rifles, etc) for the piddling monsters in the desert or towns. Well (peeking at the invisible clock), I see that it's Stocking up on rockets is another good idea, and about that time again. Remember if you need help you'll probably want to bring along some plastic ex- with an adventure game, you can reach me in the plosives for contrary doors, as well as a rad suit or following ways: two. On The Source: send SMail to ST1030. On Del- phi: Visit the GameSIG (under the Groups and The final base (once you get inside) may not seem Clubs menu). On GEnie: Stop by the Games to have much, but as we all know, looks can be Roundtable (type: Scorpia to reach the Games RT). deceiving. A perceptive person might just discover By US Mail (those living in the United States must a secret or two that will lead you onwards to destiny enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if they or something. At the penultimate moment, remem- want a reply): Scorpia, PO Box 338, Grade Station, ber that there's a reason for that disband command New York, NY 10028. and I hope you can run fast. Grin! Copyright 1988 by Scorpia, all rights reserved. W ell, it's August, and Fred back issues, or copies of articles Wasteland (clues carefully ir- is off at the annual Grues that appeared in previous issues, of radiated over a glowing atomic pile): Convention being held (as COW. You have to write directly to A number of people are having usual) in the Dark Room of Colossal the CGW address to order back is- some problems with opening the Cave. I under- cylinders at Base stand that this Cochise. What is year they're going needed here are to try and get some keys (NOT Daylight Savings secpasses); if you Time repealed Scorpion's Mail don't have one for (grin). Anyhow, each cylinder, it's with Fred away very likely that you and the dog days missed something of summer upon at the Citadel. Go us, this is a good over each room time to trek into thoroughly. Also, the cool back there is a pattern room and peek involved here, into the (overflow- which can be ing) mailbag. figured out only by trial and error. Before we get to the letters, Bard's Tale I though, I'd like to (answers served remind everyone "on the rocks"): that it really is Some folks are necessary, if you being puzzled by live in the United the "one of cold" States, to enclose riddle in a self-addressed, Kylearan's Tower. stamped envelope This one is actual- with your ques- ly simple to tions. Otherwise, answer, if you've you aren't going paid enough to get a reply (a money to the bar- SASE is not tenders at the necessary if you taverns. live outside the US). Bard's Tale III (hints displayed Also, I really do on a bed of try to get a reply "iceberg" lettuce): out the day after I The Ice Keep in receive a letter, Gelidia seems to and usually can be a popular manage that. problem these However, mail ser- days, specifically vice has been very getting past the erratic lately. wards of the three Sometimes a let- towers. If you ter can take as don't mind freez- much as a week ing a bit (or even or more to reach if you do), wander me, when another letter from some- sues (copies of individual articles are around the outdoors until you locate one else in the same state (or even not generally available). Check the the hut. Inside you will find some- city) will arrive in my box in only a listing of back issues before order- thing to put you on the track of the couple of days. I have never figured ing anything. Some back numbers solution. Don't overlook the phrases out why this is so, but it is. So when become sold out and if the issue by the wards, and keep your manual you write, keep in mind that a you want is not listed, it is no longer handy (you'll be referring to it often). response could be delayed by the available (photocopies of articles vagaries of the US Postal Service. from out of print issues run $1.00 Beyond Zork (silken solutions Finally, I am not able to provide each). Now, on to the games! with a dash of color): Caterpillars Game Hints

ummer is behind us at last, Which also brings up the matter of and what a long, hot summer the shepherd, who some folks have S it was; hardly any new games found to be came out (sigh). Even Fred was rather elusive. depressed. Now, we can look for- Remember that ward to all the new releases coming each town repre- out for Christmas (yeah!). While sents one of the Scorpion's we're waiting for these goodies to ar- attributes, and rive, let's take a trip to the back thus provides room and see what the mailbag has one member of to say about current favorites. the party (don't Mail forget to include yourself there!). If you think about Wasteland it, you'll realize there is only one I've been getting a lot of mail on place the this one lately, and several questions shepherd can have been showing up with great fre- be, and that's quency. many people are having a where to look . . great deal of trouble reaching the . you just have to door located in the teleport room (in look very careful- Finster's brain). This one isn't so ly. much hard as tricky. You can think your way out of this one, but only after you've been trapped. Another popular question concerns the night terror. A lot of folks have been wast- Ultima V ing precious ammo on him. He real- ly is indestructible, so just leave him After mention- alone. Finally, there is the problem ing in a previous of servo motors when repairing Max. Mail that it's bad A number of people have reported to take crops needing more motors than they can from the fields, find. Not everyone has this problem, I've been receiv- but the easiest way around it is to ing letters asking make a new disk 3 and try again. If if it's ok to take that doesn't work, make a couple the crops from more and collect as many servo lob's field. The motors as you can. Eventually, you answer to that will put enough into Max to make one is "No!." him work (and if Max isn't fixed, you Even though lolo can't get to the endgame, so you may be in your really have to do it). party, you still can't take the food. This may not be logical, Ultima IV but that's the way it is. Also, Many people do not realize the im- people have portance of having a complete party been looking in of eight when going into the Abyss. vain for an air- Without a full party, you won't be ship (balloon) able to complete the game. I've had and/or a ship's several people write to me about wheel. Despite being denied entry at the Codex the fact that Door, and that is the reason why. Un- these objects are less you have all eight (including mentioned, they are not in the yourself, of course), the game won't game. If you've been trying to find let you in. In fact, note that all eight them, forget about them and go on must be alive (corpses don't count!). to more important things. (Continued on page 24) Game of the Year Awards

Game of the Year Awards

On September 3, 1988, Computer Robert Woodhead, and Roe R. Adams III Gaming World presented the Computer (designers). Gaming World Game of the Year And the WIN- NER of CGW's Ad- Awards at the Los venture Game of Angeles Airport the Year is: Hyatt Hotel during the Gateway 1988 Electronic Arts for gaming conven- Wasteland—[Ed: tion. Editor, Wasteland offers in- Founder, and teresting en- Publisher Russell counters via in- Sipe was the visible attribut Master of checks, one of the Ceremonies and cleverest uses to the program began with an audio-visual date of skill-based character growth, stroll down CGW's memory lane. Then, and an intriguing storyline.] some candid shots of the staff and work Next, nominees for Action Game of environment at the the Year were magazine's offices were presented: shown. After these brief Spectrum Holobyte for presentations, the Falcon—Gilman Louie nominees for Adven- and Mark Johnson ture Game of the (designers), Bob Cos- Year were presented: ton, Gilman Louie, Electronic Arts for Jody Sather, Jeffrey Bard's Tale III: The Stokol, and Mark Thief of Fate—Bill Johnson (graphics), Heineman, Michael A. with Ed Bogas (music). Stackpole, and Bruce Sublogic for Jet Schlickbernd (desig- (68000 versions)---Char- ners), Todd J. Camasta les Guy (original desig- (graphics), Kurt Heiden ner), Chris Green (music), Brian Far!- (68000 versions), and Bruce Artwick (ex- (executive producer for Interplay Produc- ecutive producer for Sublogic). tions), and Dave Albert (producer for Microprose for Pirates—Sid Meier and Electronic Arts). Arnold Hendrick (desig- Infocom for Beyond ners), with Michael Zork—Brian Moriarty Haire (graphics). (designer). Microprose for Stealth Origin Systems for Ul- Fighter—Jim Synoski tima V: Warriors of and Arnold Hendrick Destiny—Richard "Lord (designers), Michael British" Garriott Haire and Michele (designer). Mahan (graphics), Ken Electronic Arts for Was- Lagace (music and teland—Alan Pavlish, sound), and Ed Bever Michael A. Stackpole, (scenario development). Brian Fargo, and Ken Cinemaware for The St. Andre (designers), Three Stooges—John Todd J. Camasta Cutter, Bill Zielinski, (graphics), Elizabeth T. Timothy Skelly, and Danforth (additional maps), Brian Fargo David Thiel (designers), Richard Ditton (executive producer for Interplay Produc- (video compression), Larry Garner tions), and Dave Albert (producer for (sound compression), and Phyllis and Electronic Arts). Robert Jacob (executive producers). Sir-Tech Software for Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna—Andrew Greenberg, (Continued on page 35) Game Ratings Chart

Both CGW's overall Game of the Year, "Empire," and dogfight over fifth position. Adventure Game of the Year, "Wasteland," strengthened Except for the continual downward slide of older titles, their position at the top of their respective ratings lists by the Strategy list seems firmly entrenched. "Rommel: Bat- slightly improving their score. In the only real movement tles for North Africa" is the only fresh title in the top 20, in the Action/Adventure Top Ten, "Stealth Fighter" and but that could change when "Red Storm Rising" is rated "Falcon" looped around each other in their continuing and "Battles of Napoleon" is finally released. (Continued from page 21)

Ultima V awhile and try again when your party has Scorpion's Mail gone up a level or two. Unless a door Food is a problem for many, especially has some special description to it (aside now that almost everyone knows it's bad from being locked), you can usually get it to steal crops from the fields (including open without needing a special item. lobo's). Unfortunately, there isn't any some of those who have gotten far along secret method for making money quickly. have complained that their energy levels The best thing to do is keep your party Demon's Winter are too low to perform certain important small at the start (no more than four), sell tasks. Be kind to animals, even hostile I have heard from Craig Roth, author of everything you don't really need, pray for the game, that the problem with the ones. Look at them sometimes; they can trolls under bridges (heh), roam around a use a little help. orb/crystal has been fixed. It is now impos lot at night (when chances of encounters sible to get the orb before you have the are better), and always have the most in- crystal (which will save the lives of many a Wasteland telligent person in the party do your party). Also, he tells me that, although buying and selling, to get the best prices. this is not mentioned in the manual (left I have been advised by a couple of On another matter, a number of people, out by accident?), you can erase charac- readers that it is possible to kill the Night especially those who have not played IV, ters you don't want during their creation Terror, if you keep at it long enough, are having a hard time finding dungeons by simply hitting return at the name especially with a Proton Axe (which re- (which are not marked on the maps). prompt (wish I'd know about this one a quires no ammunition). There isn't any They're all in the mountains; look for a lit- lot sooner!). This will help you avoid reason to do this, but if you're feeling tle pile of boulders, which marks the having to save and then delete unwanted especially hostile, go ahead (grin). The entrance (the words to open them, how- characters. Thanks for the info, Craig. helicopter is only good for one ride, and ever, you'll have to learn on your own). you need a high agility to train for it. Hmm . . . seems we've reached the bot- Since you can walk to anyplace the Wizardry V tom of the bag In the meantime, if you helicopter can take you, you may want to need help with an adventure game (I'm skip it entirely. Finally, you will not be There are several locked doors on the not too helpful with arcade games, as I don't play many of them), you can reach able to get into Darwin Base until after first level. All but two (the silver door and me in the following ways: you have been in Sleeper Base (which in the bronze door) can be opened eventual- turn means having successfully gone ly by either lockpicking or the Desto spell. On Delphi: visit the GameSIG (under through the sewers). If these aren't working for you, wait the Groups and Clubs menu). On GEnie: Stop by the Games RoundTable (type: Scorpia to reach the Games RT). On The Source: send SMail to ST1030. By US Mail (include a self-addressed stamped en- velope if you live in the United States and expect an answer): Scorpia, PO Box 338, Gracie Station, New York, NY 10028. Until next time, happy adventuring! Copyright 1989 by Scorpia, all rights reserved. Industry News

D on't you just hate long lines? So convincing, but each release seems to was aware of Psygnosis' Baal (a battle do I. Still, that's where I was. Wait- get closer. In fact, Velocity Software (an against the Canaanite god of evil with ing in a 90 minute line to see affiliated label of Broderbund who recent- Obliterator style graphics) and Ballistix, a Disneyland's most popular attraction, ly published Jetfighter) is expected to sup- wild and crazy pinball game with incredib- Star Tours. I was just about to go crazy port formation flying (e.g. "Blue Angels" ly fast play. She seemed rather knocked when I flashed on something other than or "Thunderbirds" style acrobatics) in fu- out by them. my own discomfort. A familiar Japanese ture releases. Speaking of Velocity name caught my ear over the familiar Software, there are persistent rumors As a software reviewer, though, there is strains of C-3PO's worried remonstrations that a more significant "marriage" be- one attraction at Disneyland that makes toward R2-D2. The name was Kyodai, tween affiliate and distributor may be in me extremely uncomfortable. I mean, the joint venture between Broderbund the offing. "Yo, ho, ho, ho, a pirate's life for me!" is and eleven Japanese partners. As imagi- not a happy theme for someone who nary travelogues about depends on the software in- fictional outer space des- dustry for his living. Neverthe- tinations played on the less, we joined those "Pirates of overhead screens, I over- the Caribbean" on their regular heard a conversation fun cruise. Then, as we cruised about two Kyodai The past the "Blue Bayou Res- releases I hadn't heard taurant," I noticed a program- about before. mer who works with several software publishers. I couldn't It seems that the next wait to get back from the "Bar- wave of imports (after Rumor bary Coast" to eavesdrop on the three mentioned in him. He said that SSI is hard at the WCES report in work on the Pool of Radiance CGW #56) will include a sequel. Watch for Curse of the C-64 arcade game en- Azure Bonds during the latter titled Babylon and a Bag half of the year. He also graphic text adventure by Hari Watanaiful revealed that Westwood As- for the IBM to be known sociates, the developers of Bat- as Murder Club. The ar- tletech for Infocom, is working cade game will utilize a on a new game in that style. simple adventure format with a side-view After the Star Tentatively titled Hawks On The like coin-op action games and provide a Tours experience, Edge, it is expected to be more choice of four different soundtracks. They the Tomorrowland challenging than their first Bat- hope to appeal to a younger audience Jets just weren't the same. Of course, it tletech game. In fact, I was just sneaking than most action-adventure games. takes variety to make a successful amuse- notebookout of the inrestaurant hand when with Imy heard little him say ment park and the same principle applies I would have listened longer expect I to software publishers. Microprose was startled as the line progressed past a that FTL Software is projecting a first seems poised to accomplish this with its "droid" welding a portion of our imaginary quarter 1990 release of the Dungeon Medalist International program. They starship and the noise of the tools Master sequel. Entitled Chaos Strikes just signed French publisher Loriciels to caused me to briefly suspend my disbelief Back, the Amiga, ST, and IBM versions the Medalist program and will publish about waiting in an alien starport. Those will have priority over other machines. U.S. versions of the arcade games, Al- repairs jogged my memory regarding a bedo and Mach 3 (with their excellent recent conversation I had with Gary animation and sound on the Amiga and I didn't get out in time, though, and the Grigsby, SSI's prolific wargame designer. ST versions), as well as the popular ac- programmer caught up with me in the I was trying to find out Gary's current tion-adventure, Sapiens. The company "Haunted Mansion." It's a little spooky to project and he told me he had just com- also plans to launch their new Microplay have an acquaintance pound on the pleted reprogramming a custom version label. These products will be published back of your ghostly carriage, call you by of Typhoon of Steel for a customer who under Microprose direction, but will not name, and tell you that Scorpia's wanted the "Banzai" routine removed actually be programmed by Microprose February hint on Wasteland was incor- from the game and was willing to pay Labs, the in-house design team. The first rect. According to this fellow, taking the $150 for it. His story reminded me of the Microplay titles are expected to be helicopter wipes out the set encounters recurring rumor that Mark Baldwin was Destroyer Escort and Microplay Soccer. outside Base Cochise. "Just think how working on a special "Jerry Pournelle" ver- many readers could have avoided those sion of Empire where fighters can safely Next, we rode through /t's A Small heavy duty robots!" he chided me. Then, overfly armies. Wonder how I could get he went on to tell me that he had heard that version? World. One of my worst nightmares is getting stuck in the middle of that ride about that as yet untitled Koei game we The line continued to wind through with that incessant soundtrack ringing in reported on in CGW #56. The Chinese enough atmospheric scenery to help us my ears. Apparently that same nightmare folk tale it's based on is called "The Tale let down our mental guards and almost was in the mind of a British tourist in our of the Willow and the Pond" and is essen- believe we were awaiting an actual space boat. She thought those marionettes tially a Chinese Robin Hood tale. It might flight. We entered the "vehicle" and took were really freaky and reminded her of a be called Romance of the Three off on a simulated flight that was like new game to be released by Rainbird. Kingdoms H in the U.S. riding a rollercoaster after being force-fed Entitled Weird Dreams, the arcade game amphetamines. Even though we knew will feature nightmare sequences like This issue's rumors involve British we weren't flying, there were plenty of mo- battling roast chickens and other od- games, French games, and Japanese ments when it was difficult to be sure. I dities. Encouraged by meeting a fellow games in addition to U.S. games. I guess can't wait until flight simulators are this software aficionado, I asked her if she it really is a small world after all. Game Hints

King's Quest IV

Lots of trouble here with getting safely out of the ogre's hut. I wish I had some special method to tell you about that, but it seems to be a random thing and all you can do is keep trying (frustrating as that may be) until you get out. I have heard that those with the faster PC's don't have as much trouble as others, so it may be related to clock timing in some way. In any case, don't give up hope, you'll do it eventually. On another matter, your shovel can be used only five times. Make sure you're digging in the right places. Once the shovel breaks, you won't find another one, so read before you dig.

Wasteland

People have been asking about the password to enter Savage Village. I never found it myself and took the direct way of getting in, namely blowing up the wall with explosives. A great time-saver, al- though you can't do this everywhere. The door of the club in Needles, for instance, is quite secure, and you do need a password to get in, although I didn't find anything of interest when I had managed that. For those of you being washed away in the sewers, there is an easier way to get across. You can use a rope, if you stand in the right spot. Just keep trying Every other issue, Scorpia leaves the at different locations along the river of common room at that famous tavern of sewage and it will work sooner or later. the mind, "Scorpion's Tale," and answers the mail delivered to the back Leisure Suit Larry II room. The KGB agents on the beach and at Warning: There are specific hints the airport have been giving some folks a about popular adventure games lo- lot of trouble. The main difficulty with the cated in this vicinity. spies on the sand seems to be having a "full" bikini top. This problem is easily It's time once again to look into the old solved by using something from the mailbag sitting here in the back room of guest room in the jungle. In order to the Tale. "Old" is certainly the word for it; keep things clean, I won't say more on mail service, sorry to say, continues to be that subject. For the KGBishna at the air- erratic, not to mention slow. So, my port, you need an item from the jungle (I apologies for late responses; there isn't can hear groans from people who have anything I can really do about it (except already been through it more times than complain, alas). I'd also like to remind they'd like to count). While you can't folks that I only answer specific questions direct Larry's movements as he wanders on games; I don't provide hint sheets or around the jungle, you can still give maps. Now, let's see what we have in the other commands (if you're quick bag today. enough). Look carefully at the screen, and you should see what you need. Manhunter A fair number of letters have come in Ultima IV about this game; it seems to be catching on. Aside from complaints about punks I've heard from people who have found in alleyways, a major problem appears to Blissful, and followed her advice, but the be finding the fourth module. This can't expected results didn't happen. No one I be done until you've worked out "the" know of has ever gotten any information name and entered it into MAD. That will after doing the specified meditations. The lead you to the computer, which is more best thing is to forget about Blissful and than just a pretty face (grin). (Continued on page 51) Game Hints

es, we're here in the backroom again (I think I'll have to have the y place enlarged; the crowd is getting bigger all the time). Before we get to the mailbag, however, a word (or several) about SASE's (self-addressed stamped en- velopes). At the end of each column, I al- ways make it quite clear that if you live in U.S., you must enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. However, every month, without fail, in come 2-3 letters that do not include a SASE, or sometimes the envelope is there but no stamp. Please folks, before you send your questions off, make sure Scorpion's Mail you have that SASE in there so you'll get a reply. Now, on to the games!

Battletech: A lot of people are having trouble in the map room at the end of the game. As long as you have the manual, getting the password is easy. Take a look at the star map in there. You should notice that there is something that sets several of the planets apart from the others. Once you know what that is, you should have no trouble figuring out the password.

King's Quest IV

Quite a few folks have been struggling with the whale's tongue. It is a tough Bard's Tale III climb, especially if you don't start from the right spot, which is the far left. From The death's-head names in Tarmitia there you want to go mainly on a have been giving some folks a little dif- diagonal until you reach top center. It ficulty. You get the first name in Berlin just takes a lot of perseverance (and (just walk all around the place and you'll maybe a little luck, but it can be done). hear it). Then, you go through the I've heard it's supposed to be easier with various portals to the other time periods a mouse, but not having one myself, I until you find the place where the name can't confirm this. Also, several people works. That gets you another name. You have been wondering when, if ever, night find where that belongs, you get another will come. Well, you can wait around for name, and so on, until you end up back it, but that does take quite awhile. It's in Berlin again with the last name. There much better to get the fruit for daddy is, of course, a lot of going back and (remember, that's why you're here in the forth until you have found all the names. first place?). Once you do that, nighttime On the other hand, if you are up on your will come right along. mythology, you can bypass all that if you happen to know the name of the death's head in Berlin (Hint: all the gods are gods of war). Wasteland: A number of adventurers have arrived Wizardry V: at Base Cochise and found themselves unable to go any further. Don't bother There is no need at all to go into the about the computer inside. You can't do Mystery Playhouse at Manfretti's. Disap- anything to it, or anything else you see pointing, especially since you have to pay there. What you really want to do is make to get in there, but true. You won't find a careful and thorough check of all the anything important inside and you could walls inside the base. That should help very well end up with your party wiped you on your way. Continued on page 42) Game Hints

Prophecy Several folks are having a hard time Scorpion's Mail finding the password to the Tower of Jed. You can get this from one of the Jedist prisoners being held by the goblins. Look at what they say very carefully; one of them actually does give you the word, al- though not straight out. You have to put es friends, it's time once again to it together yourself. haul out the old mail sacks and see what the postal carrier has brought us. Now that the long, hot, days of sum- Might & Magic II mer are gone, he's probably going to be overworked soon, especially when the Orb problems have been bothering a flood of Christmas games starts to arrive. few people. Specifically, getting the orb However, it's only October (Fred's favorite out of the cavern. This puzzle is certainly month; he does so look forward to Hal- illogical, and it's not surprising that loween), so the post office has a short people are having trouble with it. For- breather before the tide rises. tunately, the solution is a simple one, as long as you have a hireling in the party. First, though, I must extend my apologies to several readers. Embarrass- ing to relate, I lost some mail. These Wizardry V were letters sent to me around mid-to-late July. How many in all, I can't say for It's amazing how difficult it is to put sure, but it was something like 5 or 6 of together a working watch (grin). Of them (ouch). This is an extremely rare oc- course, if you knew the exact parts you currence, as usually I'm very careful needed, it probably wouldn't be quite so about these things. Unfortunately, it did hard. A visit to the Mad Ballroom of happen, and I'm really sorry about it. So, Manfretti's, and a chat with a certain for those who may have wondered why thief, should help enormously in this you didn't receive a reply, that's the respect. reason. Ok, now let's take a look in the mailbag. Leisure Larry II Some people have discovered that stuff- Wasteland: ing a wild bikini is not as easy as it A number of people have been having sounds (heh). This is basically a three- difficulties with the cylinders in the end part problem. First, you need the proper game. For this, you need four special item. It can be found right there in the keys: blackstar, nova, pulsar, and quasar. guest room. Second, you have to do If you don't have them, there's no point your stuffing in the right place (careful!). in going to Cochise just yet; you'll get to Finally, you also have to use the right syn- the bottom and find you can't do any- tax in your command (remember that the thing (or not much, anyway). Also, regard- parser in these games tends to be rather ing the password to Savage Village: if you unforgiving). climb the sand hill in Needles enough times, you'll find out what it is. Persist- ence pays off (many thanks to Michael Liu of Ontario for passing this one along).

Ultima III Some of you out there aren't reading the manual carefully enough (tch!). The only way to increase magic points is to in- crease intelligence; character level has nothing to do with it. So if you're still stuck with low-level spells, it's time to start looking for a way to raise intel- ligence (and other attributes as well).