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> I'm looking for reviews and/or endorsements for computer games, specifically
> those available on the Macintosh.  After owning a Mac for about a year now,
> I've decided to blow some leftover Christmas money and buy a game, but there
> are so many on the market that I really can't tell them apart.  I'd
> appreciate any suggestions.

> Bill Bulko					Department of Computer Sciences
> The University of Texas         {ihnp4,harvard,gatech,ctvax,seismo}!sally!bulko
> _______________________________________________________________________________

	Well since this seems to be the popular time of year to post summaries
of Mac programs.  Bill has given me an excuse to post my list of the top
game software for the Mac.  
WARNING my taste runs strongly toward the strategy/wargame types.    

Stratgey Games (not in order) 

1.  Balance of Power  
I think the most inovative game of the year for the Mac.  
You are the President of the U.S or the head of the Soviet Union.
The game shows a map of the world after clicking on the countries you select
The US's policy toward that country.  Do you support the government
by providing Military advisors, Military Aid, Economic Aid, or by signing
a treaty?
Or do you support the insurgence by Invading, providing Military aid, 
destabilizing the govermnent, or by applying diplomatic pressure?

Every action that you or the USSR takes can be challenged by the other
super-power.  Challenges start a dangerous game of brinksmanship.  You
and the other side escalate the challenge from a diplomatic crisis to
the sabre-rattling DEFCON 4,3 or 2.  DEFCON 1 is nuclear war and causes 
the game to end with both sides being BIG losers. 

If you backdown from a crisis you loses prestige points as the other countries
start to wonder about your commitments and national resolve.  
The object game is to end you 8 year term office without blowing up the
world while accumalating more prestige points than the other side.

The diplomatic messages and Soviet actions read just like the headlines of
today's newspapers.  This game is extremely educational, very challenging,
and more than a little scary.  If you interested in world politics 
Balance of Power is a must. 


2.  Ancient Art of War.
An excellent adaptation of the IBM PC/ Apple II version.  
Using superior strategy and tactics you attempt to defeat famous military
leaders like Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Caeser, Geronimo etc.  With
10 scenarios and 9 leaders plus the ability to make your own scenarios
this game has a long life.  Excellent animations of the guys fighting.
Good use of the Mac interface and good sound.

My major objection to the game is that the objective is always to capture
the other sides flag while defending yours which is sort of unrealistic.

3. Fokker Triplane.
A good flight simulator.  You use the mouse to control a joystick.  As a
pilot I find the manipulation of the joystick to be the most natural
flight simulation yet.  The graphics are good but not outstanding.
While I liked this game a lot and had fun shooting down the balloons 
I found trying to dogfight the Sopwith Camel impossible.  

In general this is on pare with the Flight Simulator for the PC, and less
fun than F-15 Strike Eagle or Jet as a shoot-um up game.

4. Gato
A simulation of World War II submarine combat.  This game is quite a bit of
fun .  The graphics are very good and it uses the Mac interface very
effectively , but they totally blew it by not including sound effects a 
really pity.  

A nice option is the ability to customize your sub and of course numerous
difficulty levels.   Other than the lack of sound my other complaint
with the game is that it is unrealistic.  The subs turn and dive much too 
slowly .  It is much to easy to sink ships by dropping mines and to sink
a destroyer by torpedoing it as it attempts to ram you.  

Another sub game Silent Service, available for the Apple and IBM PC,
 is much better, and I believe that it will be put on the Mac soon.

5. Make Millions.  
A very good business game.  You attempt to own the music business on 
Hawaii.  You do this by playing the stock market, than getting control
of one of the five Aloha companies which help make guitars.  The object
is gain control of all five companies.  Most of the game is spent
training managers and answering the fun.  I think Make Millions is a very
unusual business game and makes up for being a little to long by being
humerous.

6.  Ultima III.   Already reviewed
I think this is an excellent game.  My understanding from friends who have
both is that Wizardary is better.

7. Enchanted Spectre.  I am not big on adventure games.  This one had good
graphics and great great sound.  I haven't solved and probably wont but
it looks better than most.

8. Dungeon of Doom.  

Strategy games not recommended.  
Millionare-  medicore stock market simulation
Transyalvania  - Yet another graphic adventure game
Infocom  - these may be excellent but they hardly changed them for the
Mac.  
Strategic Conquest.  Good concept, lousy graphics.

Next I'll post my list of good arcade games.  



-- 
Clif Purkiser, Intel, Santa Clara, Ca.
HIGH PERFORMANCE MICROPROCESSORS
{pur-ee,hplabs,amd,scgvaxd,dual,idi,omsvax}!intelca!clif
	
{standard disclaimer about how these views are mine and may not reflect
the views of Intel, my boss , or USNET goes here. }