Well, gang, that’s about it for me. I’m leaving behind the monthly deadlines of this column, to favor some long-neglected activities. If anybody would like to take the reins of the Light Blue column, now’s the time to step forward. Perhaps it’s one of the most fun "jobs" in this users group. Good luck trying to convince your dubious spouse that all your game-playing is actually "volunteer work" for the grand old SPCUG. And, happy gaming to all of you.
Grecian Formula
Review by Chris Seip
Impressions Games continues to successfully mine the not-so-secret formula for follow-up games: They keep things familiar but fresh at the same time. After their Caesar games gave us some experience with ancient Rome, and Pharaoh explored ancient Egypt, they've now applied their talents to bringing Greece to your desktop. The game mechanics of Zeus will feel instantly familiar to anyone who's played their other city-building games. But some of the concepts, all of the very detailed graphics, and the overall balance of concerns bring a fresh twist to the Impressions line-up.
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| Getting a city running, in Zeus: Master of Olympus. |
| Click the thumbnail for full image. (128K) |
With Zeus, the need to provide food and city services to your citizens is still present, as is the need to establish trade and the concerns of warfare. But, there's an emphasis on your people's need to experience intellectual stimulation, beauty, and games. The historical side of the game is enlivened by the presence and participation of Greek gods, heroes, and monsters from mythology. This marks the farthest that Impressions has wandered from a straight historical perspective, and it does add to the fun.
Though their city-building games have been almost uniformly impressive, Impressions has worked at making each one top the last. Zeus features a slightly friendlier, sidebar-oriented interface. Its graphics are brightened and lively, almost cartoonish (which works for this title). There's more humor this time around. The music is perfectly suitable. These elements blend to a marvelous effect in Zeus, providing the kind of entertainment that will satisfy players of many ages.
If you're an owner of Zeus, check the Web site for a free enhancement pack available for downloading now, and you can also look forward to an official expansion ("Poseidon") that's planned for release this summer. Great fun, wide appeal, a little bit of sneaky education, and even some post-release support from the developers. I'm impressed. Grade: A.
Zeus won't unleash hideous monsters on your computer if it meets these minimum requirements: Pentium 166 MHz, 32 MB RAM, Windows 95/98/ME/2000, 410 MB minimum install size, 100 MB swap file on your Windows drive, quad-speed (4X) CD-ROM drive, video card with at least 2 MB & capable of 800x600 resolution at 16-bit (high color) color depth, and DirectX 7.0 (included).
Zeus: Master of Olympus
[street: $33]
Impressions Games/Sierra Studios
ESRB rating: Everyone ("E"), citing "violence"
Lighter Blue: Mini-Reviews
A Brief Look at MechWarrior 4
The line of MechWarrior computer games has provided a few truly memorable installments, and now it has wound up in Microsoft's lap. Their addition to the series is MechWarrior 4: Vengeance, and let's hope the game's name has nothing to do with their business strategy. All kidding aside, Mech 4 provides some decent gaming, though MechWarrior purists may be unsatisfied.
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| The beauty of MechWarrior 4’s graphics. |
| Click the thumbnail for full image. (56K) |
The video acting in Mech 4 isn't quite as bad as you may have heard, but when it's so burdened with cheesy dialogue, it really doesn't come off well. You may be expecting better AI, especially of your computerized teammates. Those MechWarrior devotees may be bothered by this game's focus on simplicity and action; even the story seems a bit stripped down. But Mech 4 delivers when it comes to combat. With riveting graphics and shake-ya-up action, especially on a high-end system, it's a good one to play loud. Feel the heat! Grade: B+.
MechWarrior 4: Vengeance
[street: $47]
Microsoft
ESRB rating: Teen ("T"), ages 13+, citing "animated violence"
