INDEX
Select the first letter of the word from the list above to jump to appropriate section of the glossary. If the term you are looking for starts with a digit or symbol, choose the '#' link.
ACQUIRE, COMPUTER
(I)
Avalon Hill; Stephen Goss; 1992; UNRATED
Int/Econ
1-2
A computer version of the boardgame.
AFTERLIFE
(I) LucasArts;
Michael Stemmie; 1996; **
Int/Tac-Op
1
SIM CITY goes to Hell -- both gamewise and literally. LucasArts had huge hopes for this game, but the gaming public treated it as definitely coming from the nether regions. Graphically adequate with an interface designed by Satan himself, the game virtually required the strategy guide (sold separately) -- and even then, this just was not fun.
AIDE DE CAMP
(I) HPS; Scott
Hamilton; 1993; ****
Int/Land-Nav-Air/Tac-Op-Str
1-2; M
Not a game as much as a gamer's aid, this utility program assisted in converting any board wargame to computer output, albeit without the AI. Once files are created, games can be played by E-mail. Several board wargaming companies offer scenario disks, but due to copyright restrictions, user libraries have been frowned upon. On-line services often allow user exchanges. The program was useful, but somewhat user-unfriendly. The Win95 sequel promises much more user friendliness and accessibility.
AIDE DE CAMP II
(I-95) HPS;
Scott Hamilton; 1997; ****
Int/Land-Nav-Air/Tac-Op-Str
1-2; M
The successor program -- with better graphics, better interface and ease of use. Similar to its predecessor, but for a Windows 95 environment. Overall, a major success, but its major weakness is that although anyone can create a functional conversion, an artistic rendition requires innate talent. With most major board game companies now releasing the ADC version as an additional value, the benefit of this program just keeps growing.
AIR COMMAND 3.0
(I-95 CD) Shrapnel/Joe's Games; Joe Jaworski; 2001; **+
Int/Air/Tac-Op
1
A game of air traffic control, this was much more of a game than a simulation -- a cross between KENNEDY APPROACH (1983) and TRACON (1988), with more aspects of the former. While this is currently the best air traffic control simulation available, it is a travesty that it cannot compete in any fashion with TRACON's mechanics and realism. Among its deficiencies: cloud formations cannot be temporarily erased from the screen; directions are limited to 45-degree increments; aircraft speeds are limited to fast/medium/slow; pilot voices are amateurish.
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
SIMULATOR
(M) HJC Software; xxx; 1982;
UNRATED
Int/Air/Op
1
No information available.
ALLIANCE AND DEFIANCE
(I-95)
2am.com; xxx; 1998; UNRATED
Int/Op-Str
1-5; M
An on-line game of RISK-like military strategy and diplomacy.
ARMY MEN
(I-95 CD)
3DO; Keith Bullen; 1998; ***+
Int/Land/Tac
1-4; M
Based on the plastic army men that most boys grew up with from the 1950s to the 1980s, this was purely a game. Any resemblance to reality was purely coincidental. Basic military tactics applied, although the "Sergeant Rock" syndrome loomed large. An entertaining diversion, it could grow repetitious.
ARMY MEN 2
(I-95 CD)
3DO; Keith Bullen; 1999; UNRATED
Int/Land/Tac
1-4; M
The sequel to ARMY MEN.
ARMY MEN: TOYS IN SPACE
(I-95
CD) 3DO; Keith Bullen; 1999; UNRATED
Int/Land/Tac
1-4; M
The next iteration of the franchise; surprisingly, for a one-joke concept, this seems to have acquired a life of its own, but it was no TOY STORY 2.
ARMY MEN: AIR TACTICS
(I-95
CD) 3DO; xxx; 2000; UNRATED
Int/Land-Air/Tac
1-4; M
Air cav operations with electronic "plastic soldiers". If a wargame is a representation of reality, then is this a representation of a representation of reality? The one-joke concept grows staler in the retelling ...
ARMY MEN: WORLD WAR
(I-95
CD) 3DO; xxx; 2000; UNRATED
Int/Land-Air/Tac
1-4; M
Minor modifications, minor joke concept -- the franchise has now grown ad nauseam.
A.T.C.
(M/I) Mallard; xxx;
1993; ****
Int/Air/Op
A revised TRACON.
BATTLESHIP
(C/ST/A/I) Epyx;
xxx; 1988; UNRATED
Beg/Nav/Tac
1-2
A conversion of the classic boardgame by Milton Bradley.
BATTLESHIP
(I) Hasbro/NMS Software;
Clive Robert and Steve Bruce; 1996; **+
Beg/Nav/Tac
1-2
The newest conversion, its greatest asset is the graphics and sound capabilities. However, ships can only be placed horizontally and vertically (never diagonally), and the "pretty ship explosions" quickly grow old. The game includes several other variations, including what may be some decent naval rules; however, the documentation is so sparse as to be less than useful.
BATTLE BUGS
(I)
Sierra; Dennis Caswell and Craig Nelson; 1994;
**+
Int/Tac
1-2; no modem
Insect wars in a tongue-in-cheek fashion.
BIG ONE, THE
(I)
Swfte; Mike Moskowaitz; 1994; *
Int/Op
1
Detailed mapping and geological data regarding California earthquakes could not save this "disaster". With the groundwork laid, player input of emergency services was unrealistic, arcade-like and ultimately without merit.
CAMPAIGN PROMISES
(I) Front
Runner Software; Edward and Dina Hayduk; 1988; UNRATED
Beg/Pol
1-6
A MONOPOLY-like game of Presidential politics.
CANNON FODDER
(I)
Virgin/Sensible Software; xxx; 1994;
UNRATED
Int/Tac
1
A simplistic wargame of lemming-like creatures; mostly action, little strategy.
CAPITOL HILL
(M/I) Software
Toolworks; xxx; 1994; UNRATED
Int/Op-Str
xxx
As a freshman Congressman, the player seeks to become Speaker of the House (pre-adultery era).
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
(I CD)
Ocean; Ron Oulton and Dave Harrison; 1995;
UNRATED
Int/Op
xxx
A detailed role-playing game covering revolution in South America.
CHERNOBYL
(C) Cosmi; Paul
Norman; 1987; UNRATED
Int/Op
xxx
A nuclear plant simulation.
CONQUEST
(I) None; Donald Benge; 1994-?; NOT
YET RELEASED
Int/Tac
1-4; M
A proposed computer version of the chess-like game of strategy.
CONSTRUCTOR
(I-95 CD)
Acclaim; Joe Bonar; 1997; UNRATED
Int/Op
1
A SIM CITY look-alike.
CONTROL TOWER
(I) B.J.
Toolkit; xxx; 1988; UNRATED
Int/Air/Tac-Op
1
An air traffic controller simulation; no other information available.
DESIGN YOUR OWN
RAILROAD
(M/I) Abracadata; Jim Dill; 1991;
UNRATED
Adv/Tac
1
A game of tabletop railroad design.
DINOSAURS, SID MEIER'S
(I-95 CD) Firaxis; Sid Meier; 2001/CANCELLED
Int/Tac-Op
1-multi; M
Alley Oop ooped.
DIPLOMACY, COMPUTER
(I) Avalon
Hill; Ron Sutherland; 1984; ****
Int/Dip/St
1-6
A faithful rendition of the classic boardgame, its graphics and computer intelligence were probably never state-of-the-art, the AI was learning disabled and multi-player options were clumsy. Yet its faithfulness to its predecessor made this a keeper for its time.
DIPLOMACY
(I-95 CD) Hasbro/Avalon
Hill; xxx;
1999; UNRATED
Int/Dip/St
1-6; M
The latest rendition of the classic boardgame.
DOMINUS
(I) U.S. Gold/Visual
Concepts; xxx; 1995; UNRATED
Int/Tac-Op
1
A real-time role-playing game of combat and resource management.
ECO EAST AFRICA
(I)
Iridis; xxx; 1994; UNRATED
xxx
1
No information available.
El-FISH
(I) Maxis; Vladimir Pokhilko
and Alexey Patinov; 1993; **+
Int/Tac
1
An electronic fish tank, this utilized much memory and computer capacity for little return. Yes, one could breed his own fish, but overall, this was the "sea monkey" of computerdom.
EPIDEMIC
(Ap/At) Strategic
Simulations, Inc.; Steven Faber; 1983; ***
Int/Op
1
As the United Nations World Health Officer, the player had to respond quickly and effectively in order to stem global pandemics. While somewhat abstruse, the concept was interesting in this graphically minimalist game.
FANTASY GENERAL
(I-95)
Strategic Simulations, Inc.; Dan Cermak; 1996;
**
Int/Tac-Op
1
PANZER GENERAL in a fantasy milieu.
FIEFQUEST
(I) Dreamer's
Guild; Robert Wiggins; 1995; UNRATED
Int/Op
1-multi; M
An on-line strategy-fantasy game.
FORTRESS
(Ap/At) Strategic
Simulations, Inc.; Jason Templeman; 1983; ***
Int/Tac
1-2
An abstract chess-like game which involved building fortresses in order to block out one's opponent. Mentally challenging, albeit not overly stimulating.
FUTURE WARS: TRAVELS IN
TIME
(Am) Interplay; xxx; 1990;
UNRATED
Int/Tac-Str
1
A graphic adventure in which one must travel back to the Middle Ages and the future in order to save humanity.
GANGSTERS
(I-95 CD) Eidos; Peter
Moreland and Rob Davies; 1998; ***
Adv/Tac-Op
1-4; M
A detailed extravaganza of organized crime. Great concept, but marred by execution. With a SIM CITY-like approach to controlling mob turf, the game seemed to bog down into an accountant's nightmare. Vito Corleone noted that a "man with a briefcase can steal more than 100 men with guns"; this seemed to be the problem here. Transferring among multiple menus (including gangsters, accountants, and attorneys) made this more work than it needed to be.
GRAND THEFT AUTO
(I) Take
2/G.O.D.; Sam Houser; 1998; UNRATED
Int/Tac
1-4; M
Semi-arcade game of car theft and criminal enterprise.
GRAND THEFT
AUTO: MISSION PACK #1 (LONDON 1969)
(I) Take 2/G.O.D.; Sam
Houser; 1998; UNRATED
Int/Tac
1-4; M
An expansion set for GRANDTHEFT AUTO.
GRAND THEFT AUTO: DIRECTOR'S
CUT
(I) Take 2/G.O.D.; Sam Houser; 1999;
UNRATED
Int/Tac
1-4; M
GRAND THEFT AUTO and MISSION PACK #1 combined.
GRAND THEFT AUTO 2
(I) Take
2/G.O.D.; Sam Houser; 1999; UNRATED
Int/Tac
1-4; M
The sequel to GRAND THEFT AUTO.
HELICOPS
(I-95 CD) 7th
Level; Karim Meteff; 1997; UNRATED
Int/Tac
1
A police helicopter simulation.
INVICTUS: IN THE SHADOW OF
OLYMPUS
(I-95 CD) Interplay; xxx; 2000; UNRATED
Int/Land
1-8; M
A real-time strategy game involving the user assisting the Greek gods in their battles against one another. Remember what happened to Troy when Paris chose sides.
KEEPING UP WITH JONES
(I)
Sierra; Warren Schwader; 1990; ****
Beg/Econ/Tac
1-4
A MONOPOLY-like family game of business, happiness and success; recommended for a general audience.
KENNEDY APPROACH
(A/C) MicroProse; Andy Hollis; 1983; ****+
Beg/Air/Op
1
One of the first air traffic control simulations, it was more of a game than a simulation, but still a vastly entertaining experience. The graphics were primitive and had only a general relationship to real airports, but the game was so good that one did not really care. For a more realistic treatment, cf. TOWER.
KINGPIN: LIFE OF CRIME
(I-95
CD) Interplay; Drew Marham; 1999; UNRATED
Int/Econ-Action/Tac-Op
1-16;
M
No one has yet managed to develop a game on organized crime which works. So far, everyone has succeeded in committing a crime in design, but no organization in development, cf. MOB RULE.
LION
(I CD) Sanctuary Woods; Ivan
Manleya; 1995; **+
Int/Tac
1
A sequel to WOLF, this ecological program showed little improvement in interface or gameplay. Sleep, hunt and eat while avoiding natural predators and man.
LORDS OF CONQUEST
(A/Ap/C/ST/I)
Electronic Arts; Ted Schmeckpepper; 1986;
****+
Beg/Land-Nav/Op
1-4
A classic wargame, this abstract simulation was easy to learn and play. Highly recommended, although its age and later conversions to 16-bit systems were mediocre at best. Actually, the computer version(s) were more successful than the paper one; a remake of this should be a designer's priority ...
MAJESTY
(I-95 CD) Hasbro/MicroProse; xxx; 2000; UNRATED
Int/Land-Econ
1-8; M
A real-time strategy game of fantasy kingdom-building.
MOB RULE
(I-95 CD) Simon &
Schuster/Studio 3; xxx; 1999; UNRATED
Int/Tac-Op
1-4; M
No one has yet managed to develop a game on organized crime which works. So far, everyone has succeeded in committing a crime in design, but no organization in development, cf. KINGPIN: LIFE OF CRIME.
MUZZLE VELOCITY
(I-95 CD)
Digi4Fun Corp; Marc Bjorg; 1997; UNRATED
Int/Tac
1
A real-time "shooter".
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
(I)
Campaigns & Elections; Murray Fishel; 1987;
UNRATED
Int/Pol
2
A Senatorial campaign.
ONSLAUGHT
(M) Frontal
Assaultware; xxx; 1994; UNRATED
Int/Land/Op
1-2; M
An EMPIRE-type clone.
POPULOUS
(Am/I) Electronic
Arts/Bullfrog; Peter Molyneux; 1990;
***+
Int/Land/Op-St
1-2
A quasi-arcade game, but one with sustained play value. The major problem was that one could not find "new worlds to conquer" without being successful at prior levels, thereby raising the frustration level to unacceptable heights.
POPULOUS II
(Am/I) Electronic
Arts/Bullfrog; Peter Molyneux; 1992; ***+
Int/Land/Op-Str
1-2;
M
An updated release, more attuned to Mount Olympus. One must transform himself into a deity (query -- "deus in machina"?). Similar play value, but with added graphics and options.
POPULOUS: PROMISED
LANDS
(Am/I) Electronic Arts/Bullfrog; Peter Molyneux;
1992; UNRATED
Int/Land/Op-Str
1-2; M
An expansion disk for POPULOUS II.
POPULOUS: THE
BEGINNING
(I-95 CD) Electronic Arts/Bullfrog;
Richard Leinfellner; 1998; UNRATED
Int/Land/Op-Str
xxx
The latest POPULOUS iteration.
POPULOUS WORLD EDITOR
(Am)
Electronic Arts/Bullfrog; Peter Molyneux; 1992;
UNRATED
Int/Land/Op-Str
1-2; M
An expansion disk for POPULOUS II.
PRESIDENT ELECT
(Ap/A/C)
Strategic Simulations, Inc.; Nelson Hernandez; 1981;
***+
Int/Str
1-2
An interesting simulation of Presidential politics. The player had to choose a candidate, determine positions and issues, and then run a national campaign. The options included Presidential campaigns from 1960 to 1980. While the program was not colorful or graphically enhanced, it was interesting for political junkies.
PRESIDENT ELECT: 1988
EDITION
(Ap/Am/ST/I/A/C) Strategic Simulations,
Inc.; Nelson Hernandez; 1987; ***+
Int/Str
0-3
An upgrade to PRESIDENT ELECT, which added the campaigns of 1984 and 1988.
RAILROAD WORKS
(Ap/C/I) CBS
Software; xxx;1985; UNRATED
Int/Op
1
A game of creating model train layouts.
REELECT JFK
(I CD)
Compton's; Frank Jansen; 1995; UNRATED
Int/Tac
1
No information available.
RISK
(I) Panther Programs; Russell Fleming; 1986; UNRATED
Beg/Land/Str
1
An early DOS-version of the classic boardgame.
RISK
(I) Virgin; Steve Clark;
1990; ***+
Beg/Land/Str
1-6
The classic board wargame, done for both Windows and DOS. Actually, the DOS version offers better options, although it suffered from having to "reboot" when finished. The computer opponents were not overly competent, but the user could handicap himself. Be that as it may, it was fast, quick and fun -- and one of the games that I played to excess.
RISK
(I-95 CD)
Hasbro; Kevin Buckner and Steve Beverly; 1996; ****
Beg/Land/Str
1-6; M
A Win-95 product, this offered more "bells-and-whistles" than could be imagined. Scenarios included Napoleonic and Bismarck; as an opponent was eliminated, a "cut scene" depicted his execution by guillotine (in a tasteful manner). Slower to play than the older version(s), it required the CD to be placed in the drive; also, a patch should be downloaded from the company's WebSite to prevent fatal lock-ups in later game stages. Actually, the rating is a personal one; let's call it a guilty pleasure and leave it at that.
RISK II
(I-95 CD)
Hasbro; Kevin Buckner and Steve Beverly; 2000; ***
Beg/Land/Str
1-6; M
With virtually no publicity, this redesign of the old favorite was nothing novel -- except for the fact that it required the new generation of graphics cards. Gameplay was adequate, although the real-time strategy approach was not overly interesting. The earlier 1996 version (RISK) with its leadership and different maps offered much more for less.
ROLLER COASTER TYCOON
(I-95
CD) Hasbro/MicroProse; Chris Sawyer; 1999; ***+
Int/Op
1
Similar in concept to THEME PARK, but with better graphics and interface. However, this is SO SIMILAR in concept and execution that it appears to be a case of copyright theft; a perusal of design credits did not reveal any names in common, thereby leading one to the reasonable supposition that it was not a sequel, but rather a "borrowing". Of course, this has nothing to do with the ultimate consumer's perspective other than to note that computer piracy does not seem to be at the retail level alone.
ROLLER
COASTER TYCOON: CORKSCREW FOLLIES (EXPANSION SET #1)
(I-95 CD)
Hasbro/MicroProse; Chris Sawyer; 1999; ***
Int/Op
1
An expansion set to ROLLER COASTER TYCOON.
ROLLER
COASTER TYCOON: LOOPY LANDSCAPES (EXPANSION SET #2)
(I-95 CD)
Hasbro/MicroProse; Chris Sawyer; 2000; ***
Int/Op
1
An expansion set to ROLLER COASTER TYCOON.
ROME -- PATHWAY TO
POWER
(I) Maxis; xxx; 1993;
UNRATED
Int/Tac
1
A role playing game of securing the Imperial Purple in Rome (92 AD).
SIM ANT
(I) Maxis; Will
Wright; 1992; **+
Int
1
For those who ordered ant colonies through the mail; for the rest of us, this ant perspective was boring, albeit somewhat educational.
SIM CITY
(C/ST/Am/M/I)
Broderbund/Maxis; Will Wright; 1989;
*****
Int/Econ/Op-Str
1
A "software toy" that founded a corporation, this simulation of urban planning and renewal proved one of the major hits of all time. Think about it -- does a game of urban planning sound interesting and/or fascinating? Of course, it was, proving my personal thesis that a mediocre concept with a superb interface will always beat a superb concept with a mediocre interface. Fun, education and valid lessons all wrapped up in a single entertainment package, this program probably did more to educate the general public about urban planning than Robert Moses did in an entire career.
SIM CITY CD
(I)
Interplay; xxx; 1994; UNRATED
Int/Econ/Op-Str
1
SIM CITY with actors in cut scenes added for flavor.
SIM CITY GRAPHICS SET
#1: ANCIENT CITIES
(I) Maxis; Will Wright; 1990;
****
Int/Econ/Op-Str
1
An expansion disk to SIM CITY, which allowed the user to design and edit milieus such as ancient Asia, medieval and Wild West.
SIM CITY GRAPHICS SET
#2: FUTURE CITIES
(I) Maxis; Will Wright; 1990;
****
Int/Econ/Op-Str
1
An expansion disk to SIM CITY, which allowed the user to design and edit milieus such as future U.S., Europe and moon colonies.
SIM CITY TERRAIN
EDITOR
(M/I) Maxis; Will Wright; 1989;
****
Int/Econ/Op-Str
1
An expansion disk to SIM CITY, which allowed the user to design and edit the terrain/environment.
SIM CITY 2000
(M/I/95-CD)
Maxis; Fred Haslam and Will Wright; 1993; *****
Int/Econ/Op-Str
1
Revised, updated, and now including such additions as sub-surface plumbing and more realistic economic modelling decisions.
SIM CITY 2000
SCENARIO SET #1 (GREAT DISASTERS)
(M/I/95-CD)
Maxis; xxx; 1994; ****
Int/Econ/Op-Str
1
An expansion disk for SIM CITY 2000.
SIM CITY 2000 URBAN RENEWAL
KIT
(M/I/95-CD) Maxis; Ed Goldman and Chris Weiss;
1994; ****
Int/Econ/Op-Str
1
An expansion disk for SIM CITY 2000.
SIM CITY 2000
CD-COLLECTION
(M/I/95-CD) Maxis; xxx; 1994; ****+
Int/Econ/Op-Str
1
A collection which included SIM CITY 2000, SIM CITY URBAN RENEWAL KIT, SIM CITY 2000 SCENARIO SET #1 and additional bonus cities and scenarios.
SIM CITY 3000
(I-95 CD)
Maxis; xxx; 1998; ****+
Int/Econ/Op-Str
1
The next generation of regional planning ...
SIM CITY 3000 UNLIMITED
(I-95 CD)
Maxis; Billy Hsu and Joseph Knight; 2000; ****+
Int/Econ/Op-Str
1
More detail and now an added emphasis on individual scenarios.
SIM COPTER
(I-95 CD)
Maxis; xxx; 1996; UNRATED
Int/Tac
1
Helicopter operations in an urban environment.
SIM EARTH
(I) Maxis;
Will Wright and Fred Haslam;1991; ***
Int/Str
1
An interesting, if somewhat slow, perspective of planetary evolution.
SIM FARM
(I) Maxis; Eric
Albers; 1993; UNRATED
Int/Op
1
Agricultural virtual reality; was there really a game in here?
SIM HEALTH
(M/I) Maxis;
Greg Wolfson and John Hiles; 1994; UNRATED
Int/Str
1
A twelve-year scenario to test out the validity of national health plans.
SIM ISLE: MISSIONS IN THE
RAIN FOREST
(I CD) Maxis; Matthew Stibbe; 1995;
UNRATED
Int
1
Ecologically correct missions in the rain forest; there was no campaign, and this was strictly for "tree-hugger" types.
SIM LIFE
(I) Maxis; Ken
Karakotsios; 1993; ***
Int/Op-Str
1
A simulation of virtual life (pre-genetic engineering).
SIMS
(I-95 CD) Electronic Arts/Maxis; Will Wright; 2000; ****+
Int/Tac-Op
1-multi; M
Mr. Wright continues to develop software hits where no one has gone before. While it is possible to guess the intentions of a large group of people through statistical analysis and operational research, the actions of the individual are much more difficult to predict. However, this product allows one to develop individuals through career tracks and social interactions. From birth to death, this is literally the computer game of LIFE. While very entertaining, it suffers from a user defect -- many of its troglodyte users will spend more time grooming and spending quality time with their electronic counterparts than they will with their own families.
SIMS: LIVIN' LARGE
(I-95 CD) Electronic Arts/Maxis; Will Wright; 2000; ****+
Int/Tac-Op
1-multi; M
An expansion set for the SIMS, this added new neighborhoods and career tracks (e.g., the hacker/slacker for a dose of "reality" gaming).
SIMS: VACATION
(I-95 CD) Electronic Arts/Maxis; Will Wright; 2002; UNRATED
Int/Tac-Op
1-multi; M
A SIMS add-on.
SIM THEME PARK
(I-95 CD)
Maxis; xxx; 2000; UNRATED
Int/Op
1
Amusement parks in SIM worlds.
SIM TOWER
(M/I) Maxis;
Yoot Saito; 1995; **+
Int/Op
1
A simulation of high-rise construction; flawed but occasionally interesting.
STRATEGO
(Am/M/I) Accolade; Ken McLeod;
1990; ****
Beg/Land/Tac
1-2
A well-done computer version of the classic boardgame, with additional options.
STRATEGO
(I-95 CD)
Hasbro/Mind's Eye; Martin Batten and Matt Clark; 1998;
**
Beg/Tac
1-2; M
A newer computer version, but one which emphasized graphics over gameplay. Slow, ponderous, boring -- and the graphics overwhelm playability, since one is never really sure as to what certain ranks are; one of the more disappointing products of 1998.
STREETS OF SIM CITY
(I-95 CD)
Maxis; xxx; 1997; UNRATED
Int/Tac
1
No, not Karl Marlden and Michael Douglas, but rather the player as a denizen of a SIM CITY.
TANKTICS
(I-95 CD) Interplay/DMA Design; xxx; 1999; UNRATED
Int/Tac
1
A game of "cutesy" tank construction and combat (by the same developer who did LEMMINGS).
THEME PARK
(I) Electronic
Arts/Bullfrog; Peter Molyneaux; 1994; **+
Int/Op
1
A simulation of the operation of an amusement park, with the details in semi-comic form. It almost worked, with the emphasis on almost.
TOWER
(I CD) BAO; Robert B.
Wesson; 1995; ***
Int/Air/Tac-Op
1
Announced by Mallard Software, this simulation was published by BAO after Mallard's demise. An air traffic controller simulation at the next level down from TRACON, i.e., tower operations. The graphics were improved, but the lack of additional airports and geographic sectors made this an ultimately less-than-satisfying experience.
TRACON
(I) Wesson
International; Robert B. Wesson and Dale Young; 1988; ****+
Int/Air/Tac-Op
1
Possibly the best air traffic controller simulation ever done, the expansion sets covered most of the world (U.S., Europe, Australia, etc.). The graphics were functional and in fact reflected the air traffic controller's radar screen. The individual details were well executed, and cities had every major and minor airport in complete coverage. Voice implementation was also well done, although once the machines grew faster than the 386-generation, the program could not be slowed down for effective vocalizations.
TRAIN DISPATCHER
(C) Signal
Computer Consultants; xxx; 1984; UNRATED
Int/Land
1
Act as a train dispatcher over a 150 mile territory, with eight hour shifts and twelve trains.
TRAIN ENGINEER
(M/I)
Abracadata; xxx; 1994; UNRATED
Int/Land
1
Train layout, scenery and engineer perspectives.
ULTIMATE RIDE
(I-95 CD) Disney Interactive; xxx; 2001; UNRATED
Int/Tac
1
A roller coaster design-and-play simulation.
UNNATURAL SELECTION
(M/I)
Maxis; Jim Simmons, Peter Fokos and Nick Corea; 1993;
UNRATED
Adv/Tac-Op
1
Gene splicing for the combat pool, this gave new meaning to the term "Survival of the Fittest". A different concept, almost carried off with success.
(empty)
WHO SHOT JOHNNY ROCK?
(I)
American Laser Games; xxx; 1994; *+
Beg/Tac
1
An arcade-like shooter in the 1920s, heavy with movie scenes.
WILD WEST RAILROAD
ROBBERIES
(M/I) Abracadata; xxx; 1992;
UNRATED
Adv/Tac
1
An expansion disk for DESIGN YOUR OWN RAILROAD.
WOLF
(I) Sanctuary Woods; Ivan
Manley; 1994; ***
Int/Tac
1
A simulation of a wolf's life; obviously a labor of love, this appeared interesting, but the clumsy interface was deadly.
WORLD EMPIRE III
(I)
Viable Software Alternatives; xxx; 1995;
UNRATED
Int/Op
1
A RISK-like shareware game with a dollop of politics.
WORMS
(I-95 CD) MicroProse; Andy Davidson;
1996; UNRATED
Int/Tac-Op
1-5; M
Tongue-in-cheek combat game of wormish combat.
WORMS 2
(I-95 CD) MicroProse; Andy
Davidson; 1997; UNRATED
Int/Tac-Op
1-5; M
A sequel to WORMS.
WORMS ARMAGEDDON
(I-95 CD)
MicroProse; Andy Davidson; 1999; UNRATED
Int/Tac-Op
1-5; M
The final sequel to WORMS?
YOOT TOWER
(I-95 CD) Sega; Yoot Saito; 1999; UNRATED
Int/Op
1
The semi-sequel to SIM TOWER.
(empty)