Review by: Brian Clair

The Mechwarrior 2 expansion pack returns you to the popular FASA universe of big mechs and deadly combat. Ghost Bear’s Legacy again puts you in the role of a Clan mechwarrior but with a cool new twist. At the beginning of the game, you are given a Trial of Combat to determine your beginning rank — which could give you the rank of Star Captain to start off with. What makes the expansion pack different is that it’s not just more missions for the original Mechwarrior 2, it’s a whole new game. As a member of clan Ghost Bear, you have a special purpose in life with special customs. One of these customs is to choose your own battlemech, any one you want from the heavy Warhawk to the light Jenner. But, as the game warns you, choose carefully because this is the mech you will have throughout the game.

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Review by: Brian Clair
Published: March 12, 1999

One of the most well-known game franchises in the world today is Maxis’ SimCity — a series that has captured the minds of gamers ever since the original top-down classic was released years ago. I can still remember playing the original SimCity in high school; it was my first introduction to city-building games and would make me a lifelong fan of the genre. Maxis continued to evolve SimCity with SimCity 2000, which was a huge jump from the original game, and has recently released the next evolution, SimCity 3000. ( read more… )

Review by: Brian Clair
Published: December 9, 1997

“Location updated…location updated…” sputters your field computer in its cold mechanical voice as you unholster your blaster. Strogg bodies lay scattered on the floor nearby, their blood inking the walls — saving you the trouble. Explosions rock the compound as your bombers fly overhead and you mutter, “It’s a shame the rest of the marines got pasted on the way in, but that leaves more for me!”

If you thought Quake II was going to be a pale shadow of the original based on the public test demo, think again. This game delivers and not just graphically but on every level that makes a game outstanding. Quake II begins with something unusual, no not screaming demons or semi-naked women, a story. That’s right, for the first time that I can remember someone has finally taken the time to create an actual storyline for a 3D shooter and integrate it fully in the game. I’m not talking about something written in a manual either (although you can read about it there too), I’m talking about a richly detailed, explicit, full motion video sequence that not only relays the story but does it perfectly. According to id Software, Quake II originally wasn’t going to include any FMV, but I’m glad they changed their minds because it makes the game that much more real. ( read more… )

Review by: Brian Clair
Published: July 23, 1997

From the creators of Blood comes a new game based on a genre we don’t see very often — the side-scroller. Claw from Monolith Studios is the second game from the highly talented group which looks like it could be the surprise hit of the year. Based roughly during the 15th century, Claw takes us to an almost parallel earth where the known world is ruled by the Cocker Spaniard Kingdom. However, instead of playing a human, cyborg, or mushroom like in other popular side-scrolling adventures, you get to play a part in one of the classic rivalries — cats against dogs! Your role in this monumental adventure is that of Captain Nathaniel J. Claw, a feline pirate of the seven seas, infamous to all. The King, tired of your exploits, has put a rich bounty on your head of one million gold pieces, dead or alive. ( read more… )

Review by: Brian Clair
Published: January 1, 1997

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times – “Nothing good ever came from a Mac.” Well, A-10 Cuba! is the sequel to the Mac game A-10 Attack! and as it turns out, I’m partially right – but not because of the Mac comment (I think). As the name implies, A-10 Cuba! puts you into the cockpit of the famous tank killing Fairchild Warthog. Having seen what a real A-10 can do I quickly tore open the gods evil shrink wrap and installed this bad ass game onto my computer. Needless to say, the trouble started just as soon as I was done but we’ll get to that later… ( read more… )