From: das9674@usl.edu (Stephenson Daniel A)
Subject: Re: Critical mass getting bigger?
Organization: University of Southwestern Louisiana
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 16:27:02 GMT

In article <10667547.170.716019535@eng2.eng.monash.edu.au> 10667547@eng2.eng.monash.edu.au (JIMMY FANG) writes:
>In article <1992Sep9.023758.18908@usl.edu> das9674@usl.edu (Stephenson Daniel A) writes:
>
>>From: das9674@usl.edu (Stephenson Daniel A)
>>Subject: Re: Critical mass getting bigger?
>>Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 02:37:58 GMT
>
>[description of game (Ultima Underworld) deleted]
>
>>
>>Remember how TOTALLY FREAKING AWESOME Dungeon Master was when it first came
>>out?  Well....I've finished Dungeon Master...and Ultima Underworld puts DM
>>to shame! Comparing Underworld to DM is like comparing DM to...overhead-shot
>>RPGs.  Really - I loved DM but Ultima Underworld is SO good.
>
>That good huh?  I'm really curious now.  Problem with those kind of games, 
>you can't really borrow your friend's computer for a few months so you 
>can finish the game.  Actually, some of the new overhead-shot RPG's are 
>getting pretty good.  Have you seen Shadowlands on the Amiga (and others I 
>think)?  It's very pretty and the game play is meant to match the graphics 
>quality!

I mostly meant the 'generational' progress of RPGs.  There is no 
doubt that many many people love the overhead-view Ultima (not
Underworld) series.  I think I have heard of 'Shadowlands'...isn't
also available for one of the consoles?

Microprose, a rather favorite game maker of mine, is coming out/will
come out with their OWN RPG.  It will be an 'angled-overhead' view,
sorta like Zaxxon was.  The review I saw in a magazine was favorable,
and Microprose has done so much RIGHT in their games before (read: 
Railroad Tycoon, Civilization, Silent Service).  

Speaking of Microprose, I'm interested in their new B-17 and Strike
Eagle III games coming out soon.

>>And I might make a very positive note for Eye of the Beholder.  Is it
>>available for the Amiga yet?
>
>It's been out for ages...  I've had it for about eight months now.  Not too 
>bad, but I liked Dungeon Master and Chaos Strikes better.  Having to type in 
>a code twice wasn't too intrusive, much better than disk-based protection, 
>like Dungeon Master.
>

I think that DM and EoB both have their plusses and minuses.  
For example, in DM the monsters CHASE YOU.  In EoB sometimes (not always!)
they stop after a while.  DM seemed to have more/more interesting puzzles.
I think you would agree that the the graphics of EoB surpass DM...ought to
since DM is _so_ old.  The lower levels look really keen.

Concerning magic, while the EoB magic is that same damn magic system from
D&D, you DO get used to it after a while and appreaciate it more than
in DM sicne there are so many MORE _useful_ spells.  And scroll.  In
DM just about all one EVER used was Fireballs, Poison clouds for slow/
cornered monsters, and the anti-elemental spell.  That  was about it.
Oh, and healing potions. :-)


>>you *might* sell it enough to get a mega-486.  Considered it?
>Jim Fang - Bachelor of Economics (3) / B.E (3) .-_|\        Snail Mail
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-- 
Dan Stephenson                                           das9674@usl.edu
" BERLIN WALL FALLS.  3 BORDER GUARDS LOSE JOBS.  CLINTON BLAMES BUSH! "
        -George Bush, '92 Republican nomination acceptance speech