From: rjung@aludra.usc.edu (Robert A. Jung)
Newsgroups: alt.games.video.classic
Subject: Lynx review! JOUST
Date: 28 Dec 92 19:00:25 GMT
Organization: Southern California Lynx Enthusiasts
NNTP-Posting-Host: aludra.usc.edu

(Thinking in retrospect, I probably should have posted this here sooner, since
JOUST is one of the de facto classic video games, and true junkies will want
to know where they can get their mitts on home/portable versions of the
same...)

==============================================================================
JOUST
1-2 players, horizontal game
Shadowsoft, for the Atari Lynx
$39.95
Stereo? No


OVERVIEW:
    It's arguable who made the best video games in the early days of arcade
gaming, but one firm commanded awe from all players: Williams. Their early
games had simple rules, lots of strategy, and a take-no-prisoners challenge
that only the best could master. JOUST for the Lynx is a version of the
Williams classic title. The player rides a flying ostrich, engaging in combat
against enemy riders. Two riders joust by colliding, and the winner is the one
whose lance is higher. The arena is a cavern of platforms, which can be walked
on or flown around.

    A few extra wrinkles make the game more interesting. Defeated enemies turn
into eggs, which hatch into more aggressive fliers if they're not retrieved in
time. Later levels introduce the lava troll who snatches riders overhead, a
nearly-indestructible pterodactyl, and vanishing platforms. Two players can
play together with the ComLynx cable, working cooperatively or competitively.
Some stages have special bonuses, such as extra points for not losing a life,
or for unseating your partner first. You start with five riders, with extras
at regular intervals, and once they're gone, the game ends.


GAMEPLAY:
    This title is from Shadowsoft, the same folks who gave us their incredible
Lynx version of ROBOTRON: 2084 a year ago. I don't need to say much -- if you
liked JOUST in the arcade, you'll love the Lynx version! It's a perfect,
flawless translation that loses absolutely none of the original's depth and
excitement. What starts off as a simple exercise in dismounting opponents soon
becomes organized chaos. Your character is soon assaulted by riders on all
sides, with more aggressive enemies hatched and on the way, and a pterodactyl
ready to assault you for taking too long.

    This conversion also has a few extra features. There are ten difficulty
levels, where more aggressive enemies appear sooner and hatch quicker at the
harder settings. With two players, you can also play in "gladiator mode",
where you configure the arena, then try to destroy your opponent completely.
Throw in a high score table to track the top five players, and you've got a
"must buy" Lynx game for action/arcade fans.


GRAPHICS/SOUND:
    The sights and sounds of JOUST are just as faithful to the source. The
Lynx screen resolution causes a slight loss of detail, but nothing to get
upset over. The sprites are small but easily recognizable, with animation,
color, and visuals copied exactly in every detail. Similarly, almost all of
the sounds have been digitized or duplicated exactly. I only noticed one sound
effect from the original that has not been copied, but other than that, it's
all here.


SUMMARY:
    JOUST is another unbelievably excellent product from Shadowsoft. Players
who never played the arcade title will be captivated by its simple rules, deep
strategy, and fast action, while the legions of arcade JOUST fans will be in
video-gaming heaven!


                GAMEPLAY:        10
                GRAPHICS:        9.5
                SOUND:           9.5
                OVERALL:         10

  Rating values  10 - 8   Great! This game can't get much better.
                  7 - 5   Good. Average game, could be improved.
                  4 - 2   Poor. For devotees only.
                      1   Ick. Shoot it.

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  Okay, my Christmas is made...

                                                --R.J.
                                                B-)

//////////////////////////////////////|\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
   Send whatevers to rjung@usc.edu    |      If it has pixels, I'm for it.
--------------------------------------+------------------------------Lynx up!
"You weren't chosen because you are the best pilot in the Air Force. You were
    chosen because you are the class clown and frankly, you're expendable."
Newsgroups: alt.games.video.classic