Electronic Arts/ Ariolasoft
48k cassette £11.95
48k disk £14.95
1/2 players
Joystick(s)
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ARCHON has been available for quite
some time on import, at import prices, but is now being marketed
in the UK by Ariolasoft on both cassette {previously unavailable)
and disk so it is worthwhile taking another look at it.
ARCHON is a unique sort of game.
Whilst the basic theme has been borrowed from mythical folklore,
the game itself offers a whole new concept in computer programs
combining the strategy of conventional board games such as chess
with the high speed action associated with arcade style games.
There are two sides - the Light
and the Dark - each containing 18 pieces or 'icons'. These take
the form of legendary creatures such as dragons, unicorns, basilisks,
manticores, trolls, banshees and shapeshifters. The sides are balanced
in strength but are not identical. Each icon has its own distinct
weaponry and attacking strength and therefore some icons are superior
to others. The most powerful icons are the Wizard, who leads the
white side and the evil Sorceress who commands the forces of the
Dark side.
The board layout is very similar
to that of a chessboard with certain interesting differences. Whilst
some of the board squares retain their normal black or white colouring
for the duration of the game, other 'luminance' squares alternate
back and forth between varying shades of black, grey and white.
As icons have a power advantage on squares of their own colour,
the luminance cycle must be closely monitored so that you can attack
your opponent when the square is in your favour.
There are 5 red 'power points'
situated at strategic places on the luminance squares. These heal
injured icons and also protect them from the effects of magic spells.
To win the game, a player must destroy all of his opponent's icons
or occupy all 5 power points with his own icons. In practice, the
latter option is the more difficult of the two.
All movement is joystick controlled.
The icons are moved with the aid of a 'target frame' and their movement
from square to square is along the same lines as chess but also
depends on whether the icon involved is a 'Ground' mover or 'Fly'
mover. Fly movers can jump over occupied squares whilst Ground movers
cannot.
Sounds fairly routine, maybe even
a little boring so why has Archon received so much praise? Well,
ARCHON didn't gain its reputation by being a mere chess clone. The
fun begins when you invade a square occupied by an opposing icon.
You don't automatically claim that square as you do in chess, you
must fight for it first!
When two icons come face to face
on any square on the strategy board, that square immediately pans
out to fill the entire screen and forms the Combat Arena. It is
now a fight to the death with the victor gaining the right to occupy
that square on the board. Various moving obstacles add interest
to the arena battles but they are also pretty useful for dodging
behind in order to escape your opponent's missiles. The Wizard and
the Sorceress can call up a number of different spells in order
to enhance the enjoyment and playability of the game. The individual
spells can only be cast once, so it is best to use them wisely.
The graphics in ARCHON are truly
outstanding, particularly in the combat arena where the icons fairly
'come alive'. A word must also be said here about the packaging
which is of a very high standard and includes a well written and
thoroughly absorbing instruction booklet, complete with many game
diagrams and drawings.
ARCHON can be played either against
the computer or a human opponent. The computer plays a reasonable
game but tends to be somewhat predictable and, after a short while,
becomes rather easy to beat. An 'adept' version is now available
in the States where the computer plays a much slicker game, however
the game only really comes alive when you play against a friend.
Two player ARCHON is the meanest head-to-head confrontation this
side of Middle Earth. If you haven't already bought it, then do
so now. You won't regret it.
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