24 lines
3.1 KiB
Plaintext
24 lines
3.1 KiB
Plaintext
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Mind Pursuit (Knowledge Game for one to four players or teams)
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Compatibility: 64K Apple II series
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Requirements: One disk drive; SpeeDemon optional
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When Trivial Pursuit hit the boardgame market like a bombshell, computer game designers were quick to see their own medium's potential. What, after all, could be more made-for-computer than a data base with a few bells and whistles? The resulting packages, while not altogether unsuccessful, have demonstrated that a worthwhile trivia game is not such a trivial design task. Practically everyone underestimates human memory; and publishers have been shocked by the rapidity with which several hundred juicy questions become 'old favorites'and, thus, obsolete. A good many otherwise decent knowledge games have proved to be remarkably short-lived entertainment values.
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Mind Pursuit is DataSoft's new entry in the trivia sweepstakes. Modestly labeled "the ultimate test of information and knowledge", the game features a large question base covering five areas: science and nature, history and geography, TV and films, sports and games, and culture. Questions occupy two diskette sides with at least one supplemental question diskette available from the publisher.
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Recognizing that flexibility and variety in format play a major role in otherwise dry question-answer contests, DataSoft offers occassional sound and picture clues plus several game arrangement options. You can play the mainly-text version to a preset point or time limit; or you may choose to race along a chutes and ladders-type gameboard-- all with or without a question timer.
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Since each question's category is randomly selected (you press a key to stop the roll of an on-screen die), Mind Pursuit mitigates the impact of chance by offering questions in three flavors. Fill-in-the-blankers score 100 points; multiple choice types are worth 50; and you make just 25 points on true/false questions. Except on the gameboard, wrong answers subtract; so the correct strategy might just balance an over-confident opponent's edge in knowledge. On the gameboard, question 'flavor' availability is limited by point value of accessible squares. Here strategy involves such choices as selecting a 50-pointer to traverse two 25-point squares or taking a shortcut consisting mainly of 100-point squares. Finally, a sixth "Grab Bag" 'category' awards an accurate response with a shot at another question on the same turn.
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As claimed, Mind Pursuit evidences significantly reduced occurance of question repeats vis-a-vis similar products. Game speed is adequate, though still perhaps half what it should be; and there is no provision for saving and displaying winning scores. Still, of the several trivia/knowledge buffs who tried the game all proclaimed it the best, most enjoyable computer contest of its kind. Smooth running, attractive, and challenging, Mind Pursuit is a solid investment in parlor gaming fun.
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Available from DataSoft: 19808 Nordhoff Place, Chatsworth, CA 91311. (818) 886-5922. $29.95 (Supplemental Diskette: $14.95)
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GRFX S.M. PLAY DIFF INTR GAME
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07 06 06 06 07 07
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