lyons@ssdvx2.mdcbbs.com (12/19/90)
Has anyone played (or seen) the two new Microprose games on the Amiga?
After wasting $50 on Apache, I swore never to buy any of their games again.
This game was one of the worst amiga games ever made!
But their aren't alot of tank games out there and I heard they made some
improvements. Can anyone recommend F-19 or M-1? How about a review.
-Glenna481@mindlink.UUCP (J.D. Frazer) (12/19/90)
Sadly, both F19 and M1 Tank Platoon are direct ports, possessing mediocre palettes and so-so graphics. For example, the targetting computer in the gunner's position in M1 is hopeless in "night mode". It's difficult to ascertain what is a target and what isn't. The 3D stuff in both games are okay, and the sounds effects are passable (although there are some sounds that remind one of the farting noise that IBMs make), but the real pull for both is the game play. M1 Tank Platoon is HD installable, and does have a nice, well laid out manual; the information given within is pretty extensive and is worth half the price of the game. I keep going back to the game regardless of the graphics quality, just because it's _fun_ to play. I like the sound of the 120mm guns firing too. :) F19 I've played extensively on the IBM, and tried it out on the Amiga. It too is a good game/simulator, although I hesitate to apply the latter title to the package. Being able to take out half a dozen Foxhounds and nine Fulcrums in one sitting with guns alone seems a bit much. :) Excellent game nonetheless. Again, mediocre in the graphics department, very good in the play department. I guess you have to decide whether you'll support MicroProse for its game play, or boycott the company's products for the practice of porting directly. Few companies spend the time deserved to convert a game to take advantage of the Amiga's graphics and sound capabilities. I had been waiting for M1 for so long that I bought it without even trying it. I wasn't disappointed, really. Another game to look into by MicroPlay (a subsidiary of MicroProse?) is Midwinter. Excellent game that plays well and has better than average graphics in some areas. It's a monster of a game to finish though, so you have to be pretty dedicated to get into this game. If you want more information on a particular aspect of either of the games, email me and I'll write you a more detailed review. Hope some of this helps. -- <-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><+><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-> < J.D. Frazer | "How can the same sh*t happen to the > < a481@mindlink.UUCP | same guy TWICE?!" - Officer John McLain > < Vancouver, B.C. | in a bad situation; DIE HARD II > < CANADA | > <-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><+><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><->
rxtgep@minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au (Glen Pill) (12/20/90)
From article <1990Dec19.083324.1@ssdvx2.mdcbbs.com>, by lyons@ssdvx2.mdcbbs.com: > > Has anyone played (or seen) the two new Microprose games on the Amiga? > After wasting $50 on Apache, I swore never to buy any of their games again. > This game was one of the worst amiga games ever made! > > But their aren't alot of tank games out there and I heard they made some > improvements. Can anyone recommend F-19 or M-1? How about a review. > Don't bother, Microprose has only added prettier graphics to their newer games. If you want to see what their newest additions look like on the amiga just look at the PC version. The sound is also much the same as the PC version too. -- Glen Pill ACSNet: rxtgep@minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au RMIT Computer Centre Snail : 124 LaTrobe St, Melb. Oz. 3000. Phone : +61 3 660 2538
critical.mass@pro-graphics.cts.com (Peter Altamore) (12/27/90)
I'll give this one a shot. After spending countless hours raping and
pillaging in Pirates, I looked forward to the next Microprose game who's
subject matter appealed to me. M1 Tank Platoon looked great on the shelf..
Shiny box, great screen shots, a few !'s and the ever enticing list of
features. It was also quite heavy with documentation, which is a nice
thing to have. Anyway, the weight bode well, the manual is excellent and
could probably sell for $14.99 all by itself (M1 cost me around $35.00).
You'll be using the keyboard mostly since this is where all of the tank and
game controls are, and there's lots! The are MANY input options. The
joystick, keyboard and mouse are all fully utilized providing plenty of
flexability. Two keyboard templates (A1000 and 500/2000) as well as plenty
of menus (not pull downs) make this sim's many options much easier to use
than.. say, Falcon.
The story is different on the output side of things however. This game is
a marginally ugly (looking and sounding) IBM port. The graphics have very
limited palettes (I can only imagine this game in hbrite.. -sob-) and make
wide use of ordered dithering to make greys and shadows (which looks cheesy
on a lores screen). It's certainly not horrible (Sierra) though and does not
really impede game play, except when you use your IR night vision.. blah!
I have a little theory here, maybe this is a realism 'feature' since
everything is blurry and mono in real night vision. This is really minor
though since you can order your gunner to fire at will, and if he has
sufficient attributes he will score more hits than you. Attributes you
say? Yes, each man in each 4 man crew for your 4 tank platoon have single
proficiency attributes that you can bolster by completing missions and
awarding promotions and commendations. Sound support is minimal and weak,
turn your speakers DOWN for this one folks.
One final comment involves the frame rate of the 3D graphics. It's gotta
be less than 1fps, but what the hell... tanks are much slower than F18s
anyway (heh). If you like tactical simulations you're gonna like this
game. I play mine quite a lot. Just don't expect an Amiga game (smooth
scrolling, acceptable frame rates on 3D, lots of quality sound fx, or
multitasking). M1 has only manual lookup copy protection and is HD/RAM
installable. This is a good combat simulator!
By the way.. here's one vote for the $50 Sega Genesis Arcade Power Stick as
the best non-handheld (ala Wico Ergostick, Epyx 500XJ) joystick for the
Amiga. This thing is great!
--
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