PC Brief Reviews:
As
much as we'd like to, we just can't give a full review to all games that
have ever existed. There are hundereds of thousands of titles, and no magazine
could possibly cover them all. What we can do is cover in-depth the newest,
and most likely to be played games, and devote a "Reviews in Brief" section
to other memorable games, that may be older, or even new but without as
much exposure. This way, we can cover more games, to give you a better
idea of which to buy, and which to avoid.
Note: All the games listed below were rated according to their time period. In other words, a 90% for graphics on an older game, does not mean it could compare with a 90% graphics on a current game. Scores on gameplay, and replayability hold true today as they did back then.
ARCADE CLASSICS (Williams)
Needs: N/A. It will probably run on just about anything though.
What we have here is a collection of arguably the best games of the eighties. Heck, when I was 16 I would've sold my brother to slavery to own one of these machines. Defender, Defender II (A.K.A. Stargate), Joust, Robotron, Sinistar, and Bubbles. All the most widely played games of that era. I just loved all of them, and still do. To me Stargate is still better then 90% of the new games out there. No joke! These are arcade perfect ports too. Everything, including the bugs, has been included. If your too young to remember these, or it's been awhile since you've played them, I suggest picking it up. This is definetely my favorite collection of nostelgic games!
Graphics: 85% (Crude today, but cutting edge in the eighties)
Sound: 85%
Gameplay: 98%
Originality: 75%
Replay Value: 98%
Overall: 88% (GVA II)ATOMIC BOMBERMAN (Hudson / Interplay)
Needs: Pentium 90, 16 MB Ram, 40 MB Hard Disk, 2x CD Rom, Local Bus orPCI SVGA, Sound Blaster, Windows 95+, Direct X 3.0+
If you haven't heard of Bomberman, it is well regarded as the best multi-player game of all time. This version, as with the previous versions, are a blast to play as long as you have more then one player. As a stand alone game, it kinda sucks! Get two or more people together and it's awesome. Graphically, this is the best version of Bomerman available. I still perfer the console versions, because multi-player isn't something the computer is really designed for (with the exception of LAN or Internet Play). Definetely one to get if you don't own a console (Saturn, ect..).
Graphics: 89%
Sound: 82%
Gameplay: 88%
Originality: 80%
Replay Value: 87%
Overall: 85% (GVA II)BARYON
Needs: N/A
An excellent overhead arcade shooter. This game is super intense. I just loved it!! One of my all time favorite shooters. My only gripe was that it was a little hard, but other then that it's almost perfect. Big explosions, awesome sound, and non-stop action. One of the best!!
Graphics: 93% (Crude today, but cutting edge in the eighties)
Sound: 95%
Gameplay: 98%
Originality: 85%
Replay Value: 98%
Overall: 94% (GVA II)CREATURES (MindScape)
Needs: Windows 3.1, 95 or 98, Pentium 60+, Double Speed CD Rom, 16 bit Direct X Soundcard, SVGA, 8 MB Ram
When I first seen this game I was very impressed. Artificial life was actually here for the PC. This game was at the top of my Christmas list!!! Sadly, when I finally got chance to play, I was a little letdown. It did everything it promised. I was allowed to hatch little Norn eggs, I was allowed to raise my Norns, and teach my Norns. I had to guide my Norns, and feed my Norns. Finally, when my Norns got old, or sick, I watched my Norns die. Yep, just like in real life. Problem is they act like real kids! They don't usually listen, they are always doing the opposite of what you want, and what they say usually doesn't make sense. Heck, I already have two kids, and a wife, that don't listen and cause alot of problems. This game may be for some people, but it's definetely not for me. I'm happy with the family I have, and don't need an artificial one. Still, I rate it high because it is a great technical achievment.
Graphics: 96%
Sound: 85%
Gameplay: 96%
Originality: 96%
Replay Value: 75%
Overall: 90% (GVA II)CRUSADER NO REGRET (Origin)
Needs: 486 DX4/75 (or better), 8 MB Ram, 65 MB Hard Disk, 2 x CD Rom, Soundcard, SVGA, DOS 5.0+
This is a very cool, adventure based shoot-em-up. I don't really know what to call this type of game, but it's one of those with tiny character sprites, and a blow everything onscreen gameplay. This is one of the best of it's type. It has great graphics, cool sound, complex objectives, and plenty of wepons. A tad hard to control, and some really tough spots, are it's only faults. Definetely one to get!
Graphics: 98%
Sound: 95%
Gameplay: 81%
Originality: 80%
Replay Value: 83%
Overall: 87% (GVA II)DOOM (ID Software)
Needs: N/A
What can I say, it's "DOOM"! The game that literally hundereds of games have, and will try to imitate. It's starting to look a little dated today, but the gameplay's still there. This is the granddaddy of all 3D corridor shooters. It's actually a little too violent for my tastes, but still loads of fun. I guess I don't have to say "try this one", because I bet you already have.
Graphics: 96% (Crude today, but cutting edge then)
Sound: 96%
Gameplay: 98%
Originality: 98%
Replay Value: 98%
Overall: 97% (GVA II)DUKE NUKEM II (Apogee)
Needs: 386, 560K RAM, VGA, DOS 3.3+
Ever wonder where the Duke craze started, It started with this, and one other Duke game before it. I downloaded the shareware version of this one day, and couldn't stop playing. I blazed through the trial size, and immediatly bought the full version. It's an old side scroller, but definetely a fun one. Highly playable, and great fun even by today's standards. I recommend you give this one a try!
Graphics: 85% (Crude today, but cutting edge back then)
Sound: 92%
Gameplay: 98%
Originality: 89%
Replay Value: 88%
Overall: 90% (GVA II)INDYCAR RACING (Papyrus)
Needs: 386 DX 25 MHz, 4 MB RAM, VGA, DOS 5.0+, 25 MB Hard Disk
Papyrus is the undisputed king of PC racing simulations. This special pack that I'm reviewing includes the original 8 tracks, plus 7 tracks from the expansion pack. This game is cool. Even today the simulation features make this a highly playable game. Papyrus has seemed to have perfected this genere over the years, and even early efforts like this are great fun to play. If you find it, it can be great fun, but you'd be better off getting IndyCar Racing II (now known as Cart Racing). Got a slow CPU? There's still plenty of action here!
Graphics: 88% (Crude today, but cutting edge back then)
Sound: 95%
Gameplay: 98%
Originality: 95%
Replay Value: 97%
Overall: 95% (GVA II)MAGIC CARPET (Bullfrog)
Needs: 486/33, 8 MB Ram, DOS 5.0+, VGA, 2 MB hard disk, CD ROM
This is a 3D shooter similar to Space Harrier, but on a magic carpet. I just didn't like this one. The graphics were foggy, the control wasn't good, and it was an overall bore going over the same terain. I guess it had it's followers, but I'm not one of them.
Graphics: 72%
Sound: 71%
Gameplay: 75%
Originality: 80%
Replay Value: 72%
Overall: 74% (GVA II)MECH WARRIOR II (Activision)
Needs: N/A
This was a highly sucessful game that just didn't appeal to me. Sure, the idea of piloting a giant mech, with every option available under the sun, seemed good. It just didn't strike my fancy. I thought the missions were hard, control was awkward, and gameplay was inconsistant. To it's credit however, there are countless Mech Warrior fans, and it was one of the top games of it's time. Maybe I just missed the ballgame.
Graphics: 95%
Sound: 93%
Gameplay: 75%
Originality: 82%
Replay Value: 75%
Overall: 84% (GVA II)MISSION FORCE: CYBERSTORM (Sierra)
Needs: 486 DX-66, 2 x CD Rom, Mouse, Sound Card, 6 Mb Hard Disk
A strategy game set in the Earthseige universe. I really couldn't get into it, so my review is based on this fact. If this is your type of gaming fun, you may want to try it. It has some cool features like: Up to 36 Hercs on battlefield, over 75 weapons, and Modem-Network play. Still, it didn't strike my interest. If your an Earthseige fan, or complex strategy is just your thing, I'd say try it. You can surely find it pretty cheap!
Graphics: 75%
Sound: 75%
Gameplay: 70%
Originality: 80%
Replay Value: 75%
Overall: 75% (GVA II)NOVASTORM (Psygnosis)
Needs: N/A
This is a rail based shooter that has you fying through level after level with a fmv background. First off, I want to say "I hate this type of game!" There is absolutely no variation, so it's boring as heck. I think the developers were trying to impress with the backgrounds, so they let virtually everything else go. Even at that, the backgrounds look OK, but the rest (ship, firepower, enemies, ect..) sucks! I cannot in good faith recommend this game to anyone. Pass, or you'll wish you had!
Graphics: 60%
Sound: 50%
Gameplay: 40%
Originality: 30%
Replay Value: 30%
Overall: 42% (GVA II)POWER: THE GAME (IBM)
Needs: Windows 3.1 or 95, 486 DX -33MHz, 8 MB Ram, SVGA, Sound Blaster
This game is a joke!!! Solid 20% rating!!
Graphics: 20%
Sound: 20%
Gameplay: 20%
Originality: 20%
Replay Value: 20%
Overall: 20i% (GVA II)RAPTOR (Apogee)
Needs: N/A
Here's an overhead scrolling shooter, that's definetly worth a try. Great graphics, combined with well balanced gameplay make it a real winner. It's a little dated, but still much fun. Probably one of the best shooters of the era.
Graphics: 85%
Sound: 82%
Gameplay: 96%
Originality: 80%
Replay Value: 88%
Overall: 86% (GVA II)RISE OF THE TRIAD (Epic Megagames)
Needs: N/A, Probably a fast 386 or slow 486
When I first saw this game, I couldn't believe how grusome it was. I blasted a Nazi with a rocket launcher, and he exploded into pieces with his eyeball flying straight at the screen. The game is a Doom type, but was made way before Doom was even thought of. This was done kinda neet, and can still be a little fun today. Download from your favorite ftp site, and give it a shot.
Graphics: 90% (Only rates a 30% by todays standards)
Sound: 80% (Same here)
Gameplay: 92%
Originality: 85%
Replay Value: 88%
Overall: 87% (GVA II)STARFIGHTER (Studio 3DO)
Needs:
Got good reviews everywhere else. I didn't like it though. Had some cool firepower, but the control was pretty rotten. You may like it, but there are much better 3D games out there.
Graphics: 75%
Sound: 70%
Gameplay: 70%
Originality: 85%
Replay Value: 65%
Overall: 73% (GVA II)SUPERKARTS(GT Interactive, Williams, Maniac Media)
Needs: 386 DX 20 MHz, 4 MB RAM, VGA, CD ROM
Boring! That about sums up this review. The karts are slow, graphics are extremely crude, and overall it just wasn't much fun to play. I think they should've spent much more time tweeking this title. Pass on this one!
Graphics: 70%
Sound: 71%
Gameplay: 65%
Originality: 70%
Replay Value: 65%
Overall: 68% (GVA II)THE HORDE (Crystal Dynamics)
Needs: 386 33 MHz, 4 MB ram, VGA, 14 MB Hard Disk space
I really liked this game. You have this farm your trying to protect, and just when you think it's safe this Horde of creatures rolls in. They eat your cows, your fields, and anything else they can find. The graphics are stale now, and the feeling is dated, but this is a game can be fun in any time. Love to see a 64 bit update!!
Graphics: 75%
Sound: 75%
Gameplay: 93%
Originality: 94%
Replay Value: 88%
Overall: 85% (GVA II)THEXDER (Sierra)
Needs: Windows 95, 486 66 MHz, 8 MB Ram, 640 x 480, Sound Card
I haven't played the DOS version (so I can't comment on it), but the Windows 95 version is pretty cool. It's a side scrolling mission based adventure that includes 50 levels of intense action. Plenty of weapons, powerups, and gameplay diversity make this a real winner. At times, you can even morph your character into a rocket, ect.. for added variation. The game is multi-threaded too, allowing multiple windows to be open at once. With these you can check your map, change weapons, or identify your foe. Nowadays, you can find this game pretty cheap, and it is definetely a worthwile purchase. I say give it a try!
Graphics: 88%
Sound: 80%
Gameplay: 81%
Originality: 91%
Replay Value: 80%
Overall: 84% (GVA II)TRIPLE THREAT- An Arcade Adventure (IBM)
Needs: Windows, 486 DX/33, 8 MB Ram, VGA, CD ROM Drive, Sound Card
I don't understand this. IBM has produced a collection of totally crappy games. It seems that with their resources they could've found at least a couple of programmers who could make decent games. What we have here are 3 way below average programs, that are hardly playable. The games are: "F-18 No Fly Zone" Shooter similar to Afterburner but with teeny weeny sprites, "Quatra Command" A game similar to Asteroids only updat.. Wait, I take that back. It's not updated. And "Black Rein" A tank simulation that makes Atari's Hover Craft seem like programming magic. Don't buy this one folks, it's an enormous waste!
Graphics: 60%
Sound: 60%
Gameplay: 58%
Originality: 50%
Replay Value: 50%
Overall: 56% (GVA II)WARHAMMER: SHADOW OF THE HORNED RAT (Mindscape)
Needs: Windows 3.1 or 95, 486 DX/2 66 MHz, 8 MB Ram, 25 MB Hard Disk space
This is a medival strategy based game played out in real time. I kinda liked this game, but I thought it had some problems. 1) It needs better control during the battles. 2) The graphics look kinda crude. 3) The interface needed a little better design. Other then that, it is pretty darn good. Give it a chance!
Graphics: 70%
Sound: 80%
Gameplay: 75%
Originality: 80%
Replay Value: 83%
Overall: 78% (GVA II)WING COMMANDER III (Origin)
Needs: N/A. I can't find the box, but I remember it hogs memory. Tough to configure.
This game spans 4 CD's, and is a pure joy to play. In it's day, I think it was one of the most expensive games to ever be produced in it's day. Heck, it even stars Mark Hamil (Luke Skywalker) from the original Star Wars series. It's a space adventure, with an unfolding story line to boot. It's a great game from start to finish, and I recommend it to everyone.
Graphics: 98%
Sound: 98%
Gameplay: 93%
Originality: 95%
Replay Value: 87%
Overall: 94% (GVA II)XARGON (Epic Megagames)
Needs: N/A, but trust me your computer can handle this
This game is old. I'm talking ancient old!!! Still, I decided to review it because I consider it a classic. It is one of the first side scrolling adventure games, and still can be fun today. Graphics aren't too good today, and there isn't much play variety, but it's still fun. I say give it a try. It's easilly found in many places on the net.
Graphics: 85% (Only rates a 20% by todays standards)
Sound: 80% (Same here)
Gameplay: 78%
Originality: 80%
Replay Value: 70%
Overall: 79% (GVA II)
