I'd be curious how you feel there's a "random" element to the battles, Mark. It's hit or be hit, and starting power is determined by two basic factors - the color of the square the battle takes place on and the general shade of the board (i.e., dark/dark gives the dark piece a significant advantage). Also, I don't find the battle sequences to be particularly difficult. The computer AI is particularly susceptible to diagonal attacks. Naturally the "pawn" pieces and the other pieces that require melee combat are very difficult to utilize effectively, but that's fitting to their ranking, and you can make up for some of that by utilizing the terrain (by both hiding behind and striking from objects). Also, it's very easy to gain an advantage over the AI, i.e., making up for personal deficiencies in the action sequences through effective usage of the spells. I also like that there are different ways to win, for instance either killing all the pieces or simply controlling all of the power squares.
Like the NES version of Raid on Bungeling Bay, perhaps I was just spoiled by the C-64 version and my ability to use a joystick or the more straightforward presenation, but the playability for me just didn't seem the same. Perhaps all the visual trappings of the NES version (right down to the differing resolution) threw me off, as it changed the battle techniques quite a bit. For my money, the NES is another in a long line of wannabes, though it's certainly more successful than most. It's either the Atari 8-bit/XEGS or C-64 versions or nothing in my book. I must admit, though, I've never tried some of the other versions, like for the Amiga, so I can't give a definitive answer. All I've played are the Apple II, Atari 8-bit, C-64 and NES versions of the game, as well as Archon Ultra for the PC (ugh). I have, but have yet to try Archon: Evolution, which was the promising remake making use of the original code (or at least elements of it), but that was never 100% complete to my knowledge. Regardless, there are tons of Archon-like games, but none ever made much of an impact. I notice that some even call Mortal Kombat: Deception's Chess Kombat game an Archon-like game, but from what I recall in playing it, it was kind of a visual disaster (I'll have to drag out my copy again one day).
I think I could possibly live with 3D combat, but I'd find it unlikely I'd like a 3D board of any type.
I'd be curious how you feel there's a "random" element to the battles, Mark. It's hit or be hit, and starting power is determined by two basic factors - the color of the square the battle takes place on and the general shade of the board (i.e., dark/dark gives the dark piece a significant advantage). Also, I don't find the battle sequences to be particularly difficult. The computer AI is particularly susceptible to diagonal attacks. Naturally the "pawn" pieces and the other pieces that require melee combat are very difficult to utilize effectively, but that's fitting to their ranking, and you can make up for some of that by utilizing the terrain (by both hiding behind and striking from objects). Also, it's very easy to gain an advantage over the AI, i.e., making up for personal deficiencies in the action sequences through effective usage of the spells. I also like that there are different ways to win, for instance either killing all the pieces or simply controlling all of the power squares.
Like the NES version of Raid on Bungeling Bay, perhaps I was just spoiled by the C-64 version and my ability to use a joystick or the more straightforward presenation, but the playability for me just didn't seem the same. Perhaps all the visual trappings of the NES version (right down to the differing resolution) threw me off, as it changed the battle techniques quite a bit. For my money, the NES is another in a long line of wannabes, though it's certainly more successful than most. It's either the Atari 8-bit/XEGS or C-64 versions or nothing in my book. I must admit, though, I've never tried some of the other versions, like for the Amiga, so I can't give a definitive answer. All I've played are the Apple II, Atari 8-bit, C-64 and NES versions of the game, as well as Archon Ultra for the PC (ugh). I have, but have yet to try Archon: Evolution, which was the promising remake making use of the original code (or at least elements of it), but that was never 100% complete to my knowledge. Regardless, there are tons of Archon-like games, but none ever made much of an impact. I notice that some even call Mortal Kombat: Deception's Chess Kombat game an Archon-like game, but from what I recall in playing it, it was kind of a visual disaster (I'll have to drag out my copy again one day).
I think I could possibly live with 3D combat, but I'd find it unlikely I'd like a 3D board of any type.
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director | Armchair Arcade, Inc.
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Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.