Review by: Jim Brumbaugh

When the original Magic: The Gathering collectible card game was released in August 1993, an unsuspecting and ravenous public quickly purchased all product in sight. The game achieved widespread popularity very quickly, and many credit this product with spawning the vast array of CCG’s that are on the market today. Any consumer expecting Acclaim’s real-time strategy adaptation of the card game, Magic: The Gathering – Battlemage, to cause a similar stir in the PC gaming community will be very sadly disappointed. ( read more… )

Review by: Jim Brumbaugh

Brain teasers galore make up the bulk of Obsidian from SegaSoft Incorporated. A bright, orange sticker affixed to the front of the neon green colored box claims that this game does “…everything Myst did, only much better.” Quite a claim, and quite a standard against which to be measured. ( read more… )

Review by: Jim Brumbaugh

The year is 1592. Toyotomi Hideyoshi had united Japan by conquest and alliance ten years earlier, and he then turned his attention to China. His plans were to invade and conquer the Chinese, but to do so, he wanted to enlist the cooperation of the Korean government. Korea stalled for five years, unable to decide whether it was better to side with China, or to risk offending China by supporting the Japanese. Hideyoshi decided that he was tired of the Korean vacillation, and he instead invaded Korea.

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Review by: Jim Brumbaugh
Published: December 12, 1997

The Monopoly board game and the Star Wars Trilogy: each one is a classic in its own right, with millions upon millions of fans devoted to them. It makes a lot of sense to marry one of the most popular entertainment series of all time with one of the most popular board games of all time. So what do you get when you merge films that deal with the conquest of the universe with a game that is based upon the acquisition of real estate? You get Monopoly Star Wars, in which the objective is to own the entire Star Wars universe. ( read more… )

Review by: Jim Brumbaugh
Published: December 10, 1997

World War II has been examined in many war games throughout the history of computer gaming. When a new game covering the WWII era is released, one might wonder exactly what the attraction to such a product might be. Perhaps it is a sequel to a game that that was popular in the past. Perhaps it is a game that is being created by a company that has a historical track record in producing successful wargames. It might be a product that incorporates new features and new technologies in order to produce a superior product. In the case of SSI’s Panzer General II, all of the above are true. ( read more… )

Review by: Jim Brumbaugh
Published: November 24, 1997

As any member of Starfleet will tell you, it is difficult to rise to the position of sitting in the Captain’s Chair. If you prefer to live in the “real world,” most humans will tell you that it is nigh impossible. On occasion, certain “special” people are given the opportunity to park their derriere in the “Big Chair” (although Paramount might not want to admit that, I have heard stories…), but for the most part, that chair is reserved for only a handful of people. If you are the type of person that has always wanted to see how a starship bridge looks from the center seat, then Simon & Schuster’s Star Trek: Captain’s Chair is for you. ( read more… )

Review by: Jim Brumbaugh
Published: November 4, 1997

In the land of Dominia, things have changed. There are new Lands. There are additional Spells. There are more enemies looking to battle one-on-one. Furthermore, there are new tools available to the Human Wizard which will assist him in achieving his nefarious goals. For owners of the original Magic: The Gathering for the PC, the expansion set Spells of The Ancients is spawned for your amusement. ( read more… )

Review by: Jim Brumbaugh
Published: October 20, 1997

Good luck, fair weather, and never forget that risk is your business.
– Captain James T. Kirk, speaking to incoming Freshman class

Excitement abounds on the first day of school. Students are wondering who their new classmates will be, they are curious as to whether or not the teachers instructing them will be difficult graders, and in the case of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy cadets, they want to know how soon they will be able to launch some photon torpedoes! ( read more… )

Review by: Jim Brumbaugh
Published: October 8, 1997

The world of Etheria is under attack. The year is 1232 S.E., representing nearly one-and-one-quarter millennia since the founding of the Selentine Empire. A profane alliance between Lord Bane, the fabled Dark Horseman of Death, and Lord Sartek, the Dark Horsemen of War, is now threatening the Empire. After capturing the lands and ports of the High Elves in the Northern Tundra, their campaign of death and destruction has taken a southern turn — to the Selentine Coast. As they descend upon the homeland of Siria, it is the destiny of the Sirian Knights to reclaim captured lands and drive the evil forces of Chaos and the Undead back to the hell from whence they came.

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Review by: Jim Brumbaugh
Published: September 22, 1997

Do you have what it takes to mold a tiny country into a Great Power? Think you could handle not only the military aspects of your burgeoning kingdom, but also the economic, industrial and diplomatic ones? Interested in engineering the infrastructure of your fatherland, in order that food be collected for your people, and natural resources be developed to be used in industry? If these sorts of challenges appeal to your more “civilized” of senses, then Imperialism from SSI will satisfy your “kingmaking” desires. ( read more… )

Review by: Jim Brumbaugh
Published: September 10, 1997

In the many years since the release of the hugely popular game Tetris, game companies have been trying to come up with the ultimate “puzzle” game that would capture the interest of players as much as the original Tetris did. Rather than attempting to produce some pale imitation, Microsoft’s The Puzzle Collection contains an assortment of ten games which come from the mastermind of the original Tetris, Alexey Pajitnov. ( read more… )

Review by: Jim Brumbaugh
Published: September 5, 1997

It has always been my belief that serious wargame fanatics require two things above all else from any wargame product: detail and realism. Realism is necessary in order for the gamer to immerse himself in the historical experience of the war that is being simulated. Detail as it pertains to terrain and fighting units not only adds another element of realism, but also gives the player more options from which to choose when mounting an assault or defending his territory. As a reader, if you agree with my assessment of the ingredients necessary for a wargame to be considered a success, then Pacific General from Strategic Simulations (SSI) is definitely worth a long, hard look.

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Review by: Jim Brumbaugh
Published: August 7, 1997

Today, life is not so good. Not only are you one of the few humans on this planet, but now, you have been asked to enter a wretched place filled with scum and villainy. The Planet is called Armpit VI, and the place you have been ordered to is “The Thirsty Tentacle.” This seedy spaceport bar is where you must search for the criminal element in SegaSoft’s The Space Bar. ( read more… )

Review by: Jim Brumbaugh
Published: August 6, 1997

It’s a beautiful day; nary a cloud in the sky, the birds are chirping, and all is quiet. You study every angle and pitch of your adversary, as you try to beat that all-time course record of 66. Perhaps today is your day, as you play Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf by SegaSoft and Grolier. ( read more… )

Review by: Jim Brumbaugh
Published: July 28, 1997

There have been many a kingdom rise and fall throughout the progress of mankind. Some had risen to power and remained for many years, while others appeared briefly and were swept away with the sands of time. In Avalon Hill’s History of the World, the player is given the opportunity to command the forces of seven of the world’s Empires which have appeared through the course of history, in an effort to dominate the world by the end of each game. ( read more… )