CSvax:Pucc-H:acu (04/22/83)
Telengard can best be described as a fantasy role playing computer simulation (put that in your pipe and smoke it!). You are offered sets of randomly generated stats that you may accept or pass. You then enter a 50 level "dungeon" populated by all manner of nasty and nice creatures who may try to kill you or give you magically enchanted treasures. The character is a combination spell-caster/fighter who gains experience points by killing uglies and finding gold (sound familiar?). There are quite a few magic items that a player can aquire to help doing in his opponents, in addition to special dungeon features that include fountains, treasure chests, safes (we call them bank machines), grey misty cubes, and the ilk. It can be just as addictive as rogue. Telengard puts a limit on the amount of time allotted to make up one's mind (leading to incredible pressure), but there is a "training" mode that allows new players to take as long as they like to make decisions (although characters running in this mode may not be saved). Telengard was written by Dan Lawrence (Orion Software) and is distributed by Avalon Hill. It is currently available on disk for the Apple ][ series, TRS-80 Models 1 and 3, Atari 400/800. Also, on cassette for the Commodore 64 (includes sprites and sound!), Atari 400/800 (48k required), TRS-80 Models 1 and 3 (32k required), and PET/CBM 2000/4000/8000 series (32k required). Dan has spent many years (going on six now) perfecting this program, and despite rumors to the contrary IT IS *NOT* IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. (Nor is it outrageously expensive!) Shoe (...!pur-ee!pucc-h.acu)