InQuest 18 - 21 - X-Files: Mention
ELECTRONIC IQ news
VIDEO GAMES, CD-ROMS, JUNK LIKE THAT
RPGS, SIMS, 'N' 'BOTS
Close Combat (September, $60), from
Microsoft Games Group, is another Nor-
mandy invasion game from the develop-
ers of the phenomenal V for Victory series.
V for Victory's cardboard counter look and
pace turned off some gamers, but Close
Combat features real time action with sol-
diers who lack the "fight and die at the
command of our fearless master" men-
tality typical of most computer combat-
ants. Your troops' AI has been
adjusted with the help of a combat
psychologist, so they're much
more likely to run and hide when
the going gets tough.
Sir-tech Software expects to
release Nemesis ($60) in Septem-
ber. Dubbed a Wizardry adven-
ture but not actually part of the
series, this game contains a 4
mind-numbing four CDs' worth
of graphics to support the real-
time combat. Remember when the
amazing Arena used about a
dozen disks to support its graph-
ics? With 100 times the memory
devoted to its graphics, Neme-
sis should be well worth seeing.
VIDEO GAMES, CD-ROMS, JUNK LIKE THAT
RPGS, SIMS, 'N' 'BOTS
Close Combat (September, $60), from
Microsoft Games Group, is another Nor-
mandy invasion game from the develop-
ers of the phenomenal V for Victory series.
V for Victory's cardboard counter look and
pace turned off some gamers, but Close
Combat features real time action with sol-
diers who lack the "fight and die at the
command of our fearless master" men-
tality typical of most computer combat-
ants. Your troops' AI has been
adjusted with the help of a combat
psychologist, so they're much
more likely to run and hide when
the going gets tough.
Sir-tech Software expects to
release Nemesis ($60) in Septem-
ber. Dubbed a Wizardry adven-
ture but not actually part of the
series, this game contains a 4
mind-numbing four CDs' worth
of graphics to support the real-
time combat. Remember when the
amazing Arena used about a
dozen disks to support its graph-
ics? With 100 times the memory
devoted to its graphics, Neme-
sis should be well worth seeing.
1993's Lands of Lore was an
enjoyable RPG with a fun story-
line and the CD-ROM debut of
Patrick Stewart. Since any pop-
ular game requires a sequel,
Westwood announced one to be
released in 1994...and in 1995. Lands
of Lore II ($55) is now due in November
'96, and it should be worth the wait.
While lacking the "star power" of the
original, it does have a deep storyline,
great graphics and simple interface.
There are some real-time action
sequences, but with most companies
concentrating on online game develop-
ment, Lands of Lore II might well be the
best electronic roleplaying game in 1996.
In November Microsoft will release
The Condemned ($60), in which you
play a prisoner forced to fight in big ol'
robots for the entertainment of the
masses. This has been done before, but
the weapon selection is roughly quadru-
ple what's available in Activision's
enjoyable RPG with a fun story-
line and the CD-ROM debut of
Patrick Stewart. Since any pop-
ular game requires a sequel,
Westwood announced one to be
released in 1994...and in 1995. Lands
of Lore II ($55) is now due in November
'96, and it should be worth the wait.
While lacking the "star power" of the
original, it does have a deep storyline,
great graphics and simple interface.
There are some real-time action
sequences, but with most companies
concentrating on online game develop-
ment, Lands of Lore II might well be the
best electronic roleplaying game in 1996.
In November Microsoft will release
The Condemned ($60), in which you
play a prisoner forced to fight in big ol'
robots for the entertainment of the
masses. This has been done before, but
the weapon selection is roughly quadru-
ple what's available in Activision's
award-winning MechWarrior II (see
"1995 Origins Winners," page 18), so
even if you've already blown up your
fair share of oversize Tonka toys, you'll
find something new here.
If you like to mix in a few tanks and
helicopters with your robots, this Decem-
ber you should check out 7th Legion
($60) from Epic MegaGames. With the
crisp look of Command and Conquer, a
wide collection of combat units, and the
variety that comes with being able to
build your robot from the oversize feet
up, you'll have a lot of fun capturing all
the important planets in the universe.
Looking in vain for a race car card
game? MicroProse's Grand Prix II (August,
$60, PC) might console you. This rivals
the most complicated flight sim in terms
of realism. Anyone who's ever thought
about racing on actual tracks against
actual drivers must check this out.
- Rick Moscatello
PLUGGED
IN
"1995 Origins Winners," page 18), so
even if you've already blown up your
fair share of oversize Tonka toys, you'll
find something new here.
If you like to mix in a few tanks and
helicopters with your robots, this Decem-
ber you should check out 7th Legion
($60) from Epic MegaGames. With the
crisp look of Command and Conquer, a
wide collection of combat units, and the
variety that comes with being able to
build your robot from the oversize feet
up, you'll have a lot of fun capturing all
the important planets in the universe.
Looking in vain for a race car card
game? MicroProse's Grand Prix II (August,
$60, PC) might console you. This rivals
the most complicated flight sim in terms
of realism. Anyone who's ever thought
about racing on actual tracks against
actual drivers must check this out.
- Rick Moscatello
PLUGGED
IN
X-FILES
There may be no larger pop culture phenomenon
in the '90s than the "X-Files" television series, so
it seems logical that they'd create an X-Files CCG.
Guess what: They did. And guess what again:
It has a Web page.
A Web page offering one of the single best
guides to learning the game. It even features an
innovative graphic layout that shows where to
place your cards on the table. There are also sep-
arate guides for the basic and advanced games.
If you're a rabid fan of the television show,
visit the Official X-Files Home Page at
http://www.TheX-Files.com/.
ANIME MADNESS
Anime Madness hasn't even arrived on the block, but
that hasn't prevented it from getting a Web page.
A CCG featuring pictures from Bubblegum Crisis,
Riding Bean and Genesis Survivor Gaiarth can be
found at http://www.teleport.com/~jim4075/ani-
memad/main/.
There may be no larger pop culture phenomenon
in the '90s than the "X-Files" television series, so
it seems logical that they'd create an X-Files CCG.
Guess what: They did. And guess what again:
It has a Web page.
A Web page offering one of the single best
guides to learning the game. It even features an
innovative graphic layout that shows where to
place your cards on the table. There are also sep-
arate guides for the basic and advanced games.
If you're a rabid fan of the television show,
visit the Official X-Files Home Page at
http://www.TheX-Files.com/.
ANIME MADNESS
Anime Madness hasn't even arrived on the block, but
that hasn't prevented it from getting a Web page.
A CCG featuring pictures from Bubblegum Crisis,
Riding Bean and Genesis Survivor Gaiarth can be
found at http://www.teleport.com/~jim4075/ani-
memad/main/.
While most Web pages rely on graphics and
technical gimmicks, Anime Madness' provides
plenty of useful content in text format. The home
page includes links to a few anime companies on
the Web, including Viz, Central Park Media, Manga
Entertainment and AnimEigo.
PUTTING THE TOLKIEN
INTO MIDDLE-EARTH
Middle-earth players should visit InQuest Online
this month - it's the only place to get Gary Peter-
son's article "Playing by the Book," created specif-
ically for the hot Iron Crown CCG. Peterson details
exactly how 355 Middle-earth cards can recon-
struct a reading of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of
the Rings." To get the article, log on to America
Online and use the keyword "InQuest."
- Buddy Scalera (WizardTGTC@aol.com)
