117 lines
6.1 KiB
Plaintext
117 lines
6.1 KiB
Plaintext
|
||
|
||
ROMMEL: BATTLES FOR NORTH AFRICA
|
||
|
||
ROMMEL: BATTLES FOR NORTH AFRICA, published by Strategic Studies Group of
|
||
Australia and distributed by Electronic Arts, is a tactical desert-warfare
|
||
simulation from Roger Keating and Ian Trout. Mark Holman, Phil Niven, and David
|
||
Freer worked on the scenarios. This review is based on the Commodore 64/128
|
||
version; Apple // version notes follow.
|
||
|
||
Other than a bogus glitch in the tutorial of an otherwise excellent instruction
|
||
manual, ROMMEL is yet another in a continuing series of "easy to learn, tough to
|
||
master" wargame simulations from SSG and the Keating/Trout design team. The game
|
||
features eight scenarios (including a hypothetical Invasion of Malta); SSG's
|
||
slick, easy-to-use, menu-driven game control (based on the play system that
|
||
first appeared in BATTLEFRONT); Warplan, for scenario design; and Warpaint, for
|
||
design and color control of the icon and terrain symbols.
|
||
|
||
The C64 screen display consists of a scrolling map constructed of hexagons; the
|
||
ground scale is approximately 1 kilometer per hex. Icons represent the various
|
||
terrain features, such as ocean, foothills, cities, towns and villages, salt
|
||
marshes, and cultivated areas; icons also denote the various battalions and
|
||
items, including three types of infantry, artillery and assault weapons, mines,
|
||
parachutes, armor, and cavalry. The screen maps of the eight scenarios can be
|
||
viewed off-screen on a large, glossy, four-color map, which is included in the
|
||
game package.
|
||
|
||
Like all SSG simulations, ROMMEL uses the gameplay system that first appeared
|
||
in BATTLEFRONT; like all SSG simulations after BATTLEFRONT, this gameplay system
|
||
-- although essentially identical to its predecessors -- has been modified to
|
||
reflect scenario differences more accurately. Regardless of these modifications,
|
||
play remains the same: All activities in ROMMEL are accomplished through a
|
||
series of interconnected menus. You can escape from each menu by pressing a
|
||
function key; orders can be aborted and redone (RUN 5, which starts the
|
||
simulation, is the sole exception).
|
||
|
||
The ROMMEL system allows complete control of all aspects of play: Forces can be
|
||
studied and orders given; the whole map can be scrutinized for terrain features,
|
||
communications, objectives, and units of both sides. The C64's arrow keys cycle
|
||
through a menu's choices, highlighting each in turn; selections are made with
|
||
the RETURN key. As noted earlier, a function key lets you exit from the current
|
||
menu and return to the previous menu -- a process which can be continued back to
|
||
the Game Master menu.
|
||
|
||
Once you've studied all the reports and given all the orders, RUN 5 sets the
|
||
simulation into motion. A battle turn is fought, movements are performed by the
|
||
computer, the results (in terms of victory points) are tallied and shown, and a
|
||
new turn begins.
|
||
|
||
Major or minor handicaps are available to either Axis or Allied forces, which
|
||
is a way of altering the historical aspect of a given scenario. Should you
|
||
desire to observe and study rather than play, the computer can be set to run
|
||
both sides.
|
||
|
||
Warplan is a series of Scenario Design menus with which you can alter an
|
||
existing scenario, either on your own or through the use of information provided
|
||
in SSG's wargaming magazine, RUN 5. An entirely new scenario can be designed
|
||
from the ground up, i.e., right from the size and terrain of the hexagonal map.
|
||
|
||
Intimately tied to Warplan is Warpaint, a graphics/color editor for altering
|
||
the icons used in ROMMEL. The icons from one scenario can be transferred and
|
||
stored in another scenario; they can be altered and saved, or cleared and
|
||
forgotten.
|
||
|
||
The Save-Game menu is used to format save-game and save-scenario disks. It also
|
||
lets you save and reload games in progress, save altered/new scenarios, and save
|
||
new or altered icons created with Warpaint.
|
||
|
||
The ROMMEL game package consists of the game disk, a pair of menu cards, a
|
||
scenario map, and save-game labels. The instruction manual is utterly clear and
|
||
complete, with this exception: The first turn of the Tebourga Gap scenario, as
|
||
it's presented in the tutorial, is out of whack. The manual states that the
|
||
scenario begins on turn 2 of 11 turns; the screen shows that it's turn 3 of 11.
|
||
Subsequent manual information is in no way consistent with what's happening on
|
||
the screen.
|
||
|
||
Whether or not you're familiar with SSG simulations, this won't be a major
|
||
problem. The tutorial itself, as it takes you through the turn, is accurate,
|
||
even if the results of the turn aren't.
|
||
|
||
RUN 5, SSG's quarterly magazine for wargamers, is loaded with information, as
|
||
well as new scenarios. Using the magazine in conjunction with Warplan and
|
||
Warpaint leads to a better understanding of SSG game design.
|
||
|
||
ROMMEL: BATTLES FOR NORTH AFRICA is a fine game, and a worthy addition to SSG's
|
||
ever-increasing lineup of excellent products. The menu-driven play system is as
|
||
easy to learn as ever, and everything works perfectly. Warplan is complicated in
|
||
the handling of scenario information, but it is also as simple to use as the
|
||
gameplay system. Warpaint is just plain fun.
|
||
|
||
Another good one from the boys down under.
|
||
|
||
APPLE // VERSION NOTES
|
||
|
||
The Apple // version of ROMMEL is all but identical to its C64 counterpart.
|
||
|
||
Having reviewed nearly all SSG war simulations, I didn't think it was possible
|
||
for me to encounter a problem. Needless to report, perfection remains elusive,
|
||
even in the computer world.
|
||
|
||
The Apple // version of an SSG simulation allows the user to make one backup
|
||
copy of the master game disk. Once this has been done, the option is no longer
|
||
accessible, which I'd say is reasonably fair. Unfortunately, the Backup Master
|
||
routine of ROMMEL turned out to be a dismal failure.
|
||
|
||
Furthermore, the scenarios can be backed up any number of times: again, a
|
||
dismal performance. After three tries I gave up. SSG reliability makes me think
|
||
I came across a disk with a bum routine.
|
||
|
||
Since backup copies are alien to me, not having any for the Apple isn't so
|
||
horrible.
|
||
|
||
In any case, ROMMEL for the Apple // plays just fine.
|
||
ROMMEL: BATTLES IN NORTH AFRICA is published by Strategic Studies Group and
|
||
|
||
*****DOWNLOADED FROM P-80 SYSTEMS (304) 744-2253
|
||
|