Archon: The Light and the Dark

Another strategic element is a dynamic game board with spaces that slowly alternate between light and dark shades, giving the respective side an advantage for short periods of time. Archon is won by wiping out the other army or by occupying five strategic "power point" squares. The game is designed for two players, but the computer is a worthy opponent, boasting some remarkable AI for 1983. Just when you think you have the upper hand, he'll cast a strategic spell and knock you back on your heels. Archon is a genuine classic - one of the greatest video games ever conceived.

The characters move much like chess pieces, but when two land on the same spot, a battle is initiated! The two warriors are then transported to a wide-open battlefield for a fight to the death! The warriors move at different speeds, and each has its own weapon, ranging from swords and clubs to arrows and fireballs. The "king" on each side also has a set of spells, including teleport, time shift, summon elemental, and resurrect. Yes, Archon is as fun as it sounds. The characters are small but cleverly animated, and well-orchestrated music scores contributes to the fun.

Archon also has a multiplayer option, which works well. However, playing Archon with a human opponent is not too different from playing with a computer, because the AI is extremely good. Having ten years of playing chess and reading about Napoleon behind me, the computer managed to battle very well against all my strategies, and even defeated me a few times (of course it didn't happen too often...). Anyway, as a conclusion, Archon is, by far, a great, great strategy game and one of those games you need to play. Very entertaining.

Play the computer a few times to get the hang of the controls and then find someone that you can play with. Trust me, you will have a good time.

The game gets full marks for originality and influence. However its high learning curve with the poor sound and graphics of the IBM version force a significant drop in its score. If I were reviewing the C64 or Atari 800 versions I could give it a 4. However I have to give this version of Archon a 3 overall.

A strategy game and an arcade game in one package can't be bad (who says? Ed). The computer plays a decent game, and I haven't yet come close to beating it. Still, it's got me hooked, so I'll crack on.

There is a world of difference between the intellectual precision of chess and the imaginative power of good fantasy games. All the more peculiar, then, that veteran fantasy game designers Paul Reiche and Jon Freeman should have combined the two to produce Archon. The game is played out on a chequered board with 81 squares. The opposing armies remind one instantly of chess, with pawn-like knights and goblins, and stronger, more mobile pieces on the back row.