Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games

Moby ID: 2457
DOS Specs
Note: We may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made via eBay or Amazon links (prices updated 3/27 12:41 PM )

Description official descriptions

Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games is the standalone expansion pack for Jagged Alliance. It features a new campaign, new mission types, 10 new mercenaries, new weapons, new terrain types, multiplayer mode (over an IPX network), as well as scenario and campaign editors.

Players begin by hiring up to six mercenaries from a roster of many and equip them with necessary weapons and items. They are then assigned to a mission with particular and unique objectives. The missions are ordered but not geographically linked as in the original Jagged Alliance or its sequel, Jagged Alliance 2.

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (DOS version)

92 People (82 developers, 10 thanks) · View all

Producer
Game Design
Campaigns
Characters & Dialogue
Programming
Serial Communications
Additional Programming
Graphics
Additional Graphics
Music
[ full credits ]

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 81% (based on 14 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.9 out of 5 (based on 31 ratings with 2 reviews)

A small step backwards from the original, but still a fun game.

The Good
It had almost everything that made the original game so much fun.

The Bad
Unlike the original game, the missions in Deadly Games weren't linked geographically. So you didn't have the "island" view where you could decide which sector of the island your mercs would tackle next. You simply went from one mission to the next, and had no choice of which mission you'd like to take.

The other step backwards was the fact that the misisons had turn limits on them. You had to achieve the objective in the prescribed number of turns, which severely curtailed your tactical options. If you are (like me) the kind of player who will leisurely and carefully scout out a sector before initiating combat, the artificial restriction of turn limits will really crimp your style. You won't have the luxury of scouting out the sector thoroughly and cautiously. You'll have to hurry along in order to meet the objective by the deadline.

The Bottom Line
If you liked the original Jagged Alliance game, you'll probably like Deadly Games.

DOS · by Afterburner (486) · 2001

I prefer it to the original!

The Good
I liked the turn-limit concept: it forces you to take chances, rather than sit back in each sector. They added quite a few new characters and equipment to Deadly Games. Scope and Buzz made sensational debuts in this game-- they are worth their salaries and are fun to have on your team. The financial strategy has been simplified, but it's equally important to the game-- you still need to manage your funds frugally in order to buy the right equipment or to hire the right teams.

The Bad
I don't like the graphics. They are very low-resolution, but at least they don't affect the gameplay. Some of the characters are simply annoying (Biff, Hurl, Lance, Screw...). There are negative stereotypes presented by this game and series: many of the older mercenaries are forgetful (Pops, Bernie, Moses...), the Japanese character carries a camera, the Irish arms dealer talks about alcohol often-- it adds nothing to the game.

The Bottom Line
In spite of my criticisms, this is a highly playable, challenging, frustrating (in good and bad ways), and FUN game. I'd recommend it to those who prefer a linear storyline or to people who want to play a game in definite blocks of time or to those who played Jagged Alliance, but don't want to deal with the economic management of tapping trees and hiring guards.

DOS · by M B (15) · 2002

Trivia

Awards

  • PC Player (Germany)
    • Issue 01/1997 – Best Multiplayer Game in 1996
  • Power Play
    • Issue 02/1997 – Best Multiplayer Game in 1996 (together with Quake)

Analytics

MobyPro Early Access

Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings!

Related Games

Jagged Alliance
Released 1995 on DOS, 2008 on Windows, 2009 on Nintendo DS...
Jagged Alliance Compilation
Released 2011 on Windows
Jagged Alliance 2
Released 1999 on Windows, Linux, 2013 on Macintosh
Jagged Alliance: Crossfire
Released 2012 on Windows
Jagged Alliance: Online
Released 2013 on Windows
Jagged Alliance 3
Released 2023 on Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One...
Jagged Alliance: Flashback
Released 2014 on Linux, Windows, Macintosh
Jagged Alliance: Rage!
Released 2018 on Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Jagged Alliance World
Released 2005 on Windows

Related Sites +

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 2457
  • [ Please login / register to view all identifiers ]

Contribute

Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.

Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Brian Robinson.

Windows added by Picard. Macintosh, Linux added by Plok.

Additional contributors: Patrick Bregger.

Game added October 1, 2000. Last modified January 29, 2024.