Mr Creosote
Reviews
Computer Diplomacy (DOS)
Diplomacy without diplomacy
The Good
I like the tabletop it is based on. There are no randomly determined battles - everything will happen as planned, if it is planned correctly. The computer takes the roles of missing human players.
The Bad
The AI is lousy. The computer controlled countries often just "forget" to move some of their units. So it is easy for human players to beat them. The worst thing is that there is no diplomacy with AI-countries. There is just an adjustable period of time in which human players can interact. Therefore the gameplay is a bit anarchic in contrast to the game's original idea.
The Bottom Line
As one of the seven major European powers you have to conquer Europe with the help of your allies. It is necessary to work together in order to win the game but you cannot really trust everyone. There could be traitors. The computer version is more for practice. It does not fulfill the expectations.
By Mr Creosote on December 30th, 1999
Death Gate (DOS)
One of the best games ever
The Good
The story with its many twist is great even for someone who does not like fantasy in general (like me). The puzzles are hard but logical. It is very important that every place you come to only consists of a few pictures. That means that you do not have to walk through useless locations like it is in so many adventures. Every screen is full of puzzles and every single one is fun! The engine used in this game is one of the best (maybe the best) ever designed. If you click on something on the picture, possible verbs are displayed so that you do not have to try an unlimited number of words but you also have very specific choice of what to do. Graphics and sound are very good, too.
The Bad
There isn't anything negative.
The Bottom Line
Death Gate is made in classical IF-style. There is a lot of reading but on the other hand it is mouse controlled and has beautiful graphics. This game proves that adventure games are the best of all if they are designed well.
By Mr Creosote on December 26th, 1999
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure (DOS)
By Mr Creosote on December 26th, 1999
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri (Windows)
Not very innovative-but still worth playing
The Good
It is a game in Civilization-style. The diplomacy is better than in most other games, especially the council is a great idea. The automatic governeurs help a lot in the later game.
The Bad
Well... everything I expected it to have. The changes since Civilization are not big enough. Most of the "new" features are already known from other games (e.g. the unit designer from Master of Orion). Why aren't there treaties between more than two factions? Many alliances do not work because they are in contrast to another treaty. There could have been done more with the council. The AI's behaviour towards the player because of different or similar ideologies are only hinted at.
The Bottom Line
It seems like Sid Meier's and Brian Reynolds' creative days are over. Their last innovative game was Civilization. Since then they only repeat themselves. Alpha Centauri is the latest evidence for that. Sure, it is a great game, playing it is fun, but I am not as enthusiastic about it as I was about Pirates or Civilization.
By Mr Creosote on December 25th, 1999
Alone in the Dark (DOS)
Quite good, but far too short
The Good
The athmosphere is great! The different perspectives (almost cinemalike) and the sound support the gloomy feeling of the game. There is often more than one solution to a situation. The graphics are good, even better than in the next episodes.
The Bad
The controls sometimes do not work (e.g. running is difficult). In some cases the perspectives are not very good which is a disadvantage in fighting. There are a few unfair scenes. The puzzles are not that genious.
IT IS MUCH TOO SHORT.
The Bottom Line
Action-Adventure that concentrates more on action. You see yourself from different perspectives in the game, depending on where you are. Pretends to be based on a novel but most players won't notice.
By Mr Creosote on December 25th, 1999