perry@leopard.UUCP (Perry S. Kivolowitz) (03/07/86)
Archon: No significant improvement over versions for other machines. New come-on sequences don't count. New sounds? So what. 3D look? What 3D look? Bottom Line: If you like Archon, and you want it for the Amiga then buy it. Overall the game itself is enjoyable. Just don't expect anything that pushes the Amiga anywhere near it limits. I would purchase this game (and did). SkyFox: Total trash. EA representatives call it fast playing. More accurate would be: Gee? If we make no changes to the code look how much faster things run on a 68K than on 6502. Did you see that? No? I guess that's because it was on the screen for only two video frames. The game is a silly shootem'up that is entirely unplay- able on the Amiga. Bottom Line: I purchased this game but wish I hadn't. I am told the author was 16 when he be- gan developing SkyFox. I beleive it. It looks like a 16 year old did it. One-On-One: The tri-state EA rep kept saying: Isn't this great? You can hear the crowd sounds *all* the time instead of some of the time like on a 64! So *bloody* what? The game is not a single iota more playable or enjoyable then when it was on a 64. Crowd sounds? Play the game for any extended period and you'll wish the crowd sounds *would* stop. Wow! Look at the shatter backboard! You too can fantasize that you broke the plexiglass! Then a little sweeper comes out and exactly the same every time sweeps up the glass. Once. Just the first time. The backboard shattering is neat. Just once. After that it is a pain in the ass delay of game. Bottom Line: The game is entertaining and I would (and did buy it) But don't expect too much and do expect to be subjected to A LOT OF TEDIUM. This program is the best example of EA putting in Gee Whiz gimicks which do nothing to make the game better. Three year olds may get a kick out of shattering backboards every time it happens. All others will get bored with such gimmicks and wish they weren't taking time out from the game. ArticFox: First EA game designed for the Amiga. Bottom Line: A completely playable and enjoyable game. A definate must-buy. Other comments: It is pretty clear that the developers of ArticFox suffer from 64itis. ArticFox is good. Very good. But not great. One of these days somebody coming from the VAX(ie bigger computer)-computer science(ie mature inspired and honed skills rather than ``Gee I can move my sprites from here to there on my 64 and I'm only 12 years old'') side will come out with a game that will redefine what it is to play a ``game'' on a (personal) computer. It hasn;t happened yet....but it will.
trudel@caip.RUTGERS.EDU (Jonathan D. Trudel) (03/11/86)
> > ArticFox: First EA game designed for the Amiga. > > Bottom Line: A completely playable and enjoyable > game. > > A definate must-buy. For those of you who've seen it, it seems to be a copy of the game 'Stellar 7' with filled in surfaces, unlike the vector-style graphics of 'Stellar 7'. I like it, nevertheless. -- Jonathan D. Trudel arpa: trudel@blue.rutgers.edu uucp:{seismo,allegra,ihnp4}!topaz!blue!trudel Personally, I like my flying brains dark and evil.
perry@atux01.UUCP (P. Kivolowitz) (03/13/86)
I'd like to make a few more comments about ArticFox. This note is a slight spoiler (which means, to those new to the net, that this note may contain information about the game which if known, may make the game easier to win eg: might spoil some of the fun in playing). So, if you want to play and experience everything yourself - stop reading here. I want to state again that ArticFox is the *only* game available for the amiga which is completely playable and enjoyable other than HACK. Playability (something which for example Skyfox exhibits NONE of) is of paramount import- ance. Enjoyability is a close second. All other EA contributions are neither very playable or very enjoyable while articfox is both. Spoilers Start Here. I didn't realize this at first but Enemy forces begin at the same locations everytime. This is definately better than having them start out someplace selected at random. For example: 51'17''x82'55''is the location of some enemy emplacements you'll definately want to knock out early on. Questions: In beginner mode - how many of each enemy unit type are there? In tourny mode? Is the number constant: ie are new enemies created as time goes on? How many air conversion towers are there? What is the exact l;ocation of the other enemy units? Lets start a list. How can I get a more detailed map of the entire region to plan strategies and plot enemy locations?