Page 56 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #6

W W hexagonal battlefields. The
ar games...
others can be considered
most war
games are
more of a simulation, but
for those
tive war, they were in-
gamers who are open to with its relation to a respec-
strategy, and have the By Fred Pierson cluded. Then there are a
time to dedicate to play. couple that are not really
Back when I first got war games, but are ‘just
involved with the 64, I never got into war games. I was always into the ar- defeat the enemy.’ Regarding this, I bring up The Train. I included this because
cade/action/adventure. The same went for my buddies. However, as the the object of the game is to bring the stolen Nazi train to the Normandy border. I
years went on, I did pick up copies of a few for my collection. I never really basically related this to WWII, and for those of you who have seen the movie on
played them, though, as I did not find them too satisfying. Then there were which this game is based, you know this game deserves to be in this class. Also,
those I read about that I knew I would enjoy, yet I never got a chance to ob- this happens to be within my top 10 C-64 games of all time.
tain copies. SSI was the leader in producing war games for the 64, followed Let me also comment on War Games Construction Set. As far as the battle
by Australia’s SSG. Overall, many of their titles can be considered within the layout is concerned, from what I always had in mind, and what I have read, this
top five percent of all available games for the 64, as the programming and was never as good as SSG’s titles. One review said the commands are per-
thought put into each game is magnificent. There were other companies that formed rather slowly. I cannot testify to that, so I do not know if it is true. Should
produced top-notch titles, even if only one. DataSoft, EA, Microprose, and it be, this is where the comparison to SSG’s games comes about, as they go
Origin, to name but a few (the latter two producing two of my favorite 64 war through practically flawless. The reason I always wanted this and figured this
games). Let me mention that I do not have many of these games. I can say would be a good game to play, is its diversity of battles. You can go all the way
that I had knowledge of every one of these games, being a 64 collector, and back to ancient times, medieval times, (one I definitely would like to check out,
with that, wanting to get all there is, including all war games. The descrip- as I am into that), and warp, so to speak, out to the future, to fight sci-fi style.
tions of each game are a result of doing much research through the several With its variation of themes, it is worth the time. I believe this list to be as com-
64 zines, primarily Compute’s! Gazette and INFO. No personal reviews are prehensive as can be pertaining to war games. I am sure there will be some that
provided for the games, again, since I do not have a majority of these games may say I left off some. If so, I would appreciate your input. Perhaps, you and I
as of yet, and could not form an opinion. You will notice, though, that I have may view the game differently. Now, if there is a game that should’ve been listed
selected a few games I believe are noteworthy, and are definitely worth and wasn’t, it obviously was an oversight, or I did not come across any info.
checking out. I formed these opinions from first, wanting to get these games Again, I welcome any input. All correspondence may be directed to me via
when they were initially released, and from that, because of what I read back email at gamelord@nep.net.
at that time. I also had the chance to actually see some of these titles on the If you are looking to play a wargame on the 64, here is a list of games that are
shelves and take the time to review the game box and the screenshots. available. I do suggest checking out my own personal choices, as I believe you
While going through the zines, reading the respective reviews, I realized just will see just how incredible these games are, and how amazing the 64 is. For-
how much I am missing and why I always wanted the games since their re- ward and attack!
lease.
Many of the games are quite different in nature, and of course, in game- (Note: Due to reconsideration, I have decided not to include the Paradroid re-
play. The games by SSI and SSG are those that are fought on open and view in this issue. Be on the lookout for it in an upcoming issue).

The Grand List of War Games for the C-64!
Annals of Rome PSS 1988 Blue Power, Grey Smoke Garde 1987 Decision of the Desert Microprose 1985
273 B.C.—Lead the Roman Citizen Legionnaire Fight in the Civil War through three scenarios: Gettysburg, Anti- Battles of North Africa 1940-42 from O’Conner’s 1940
against surrounding enemies. etam, and Chickamauga. raid of Italy to the final assault on El Alamein in 1942.

Arctic Fox Electronic Arts 1986 Borodino: 1812 Napoleon in Russia KRENtek 1987 Decisive Battles of the American Civil War SSG
Reenact the battle that decided Napoleon’s invasion of Russia 1987 Volume One: Bull Run to Chancellorsville. Six
B-24 SSI 1987 and forced his retreat. Be Napoleon directing infantry, cavalry, crucial battles spanning the first half of the Civil War.
Fly a World War II B-24 Liberator to determine the and artillery while the computer plays as the Russians. Also Uses the Battlefront Game System. Includes
th
course of action for the 460 Bomber Group. Contains contains a two-player option. ‘Warplan’, a wargame construction set and ‘Warpaint’,
19 different missions. a graphics editor.
Breakthrough in the Ardennes SSI 1984 **GL’s choice for “The Pick to Play.”
Baltic 1985 SSI 1984 Battle of the Bulge simulation.
Command NATO forces in their attempt rescue troops Decisive Battles of the American Civil War SSG
trapped in West Berlin. Part of SSI’s When Super- Broadsides SSI 1985 1988 Volume II: Gaines Mill to Chattanooga. Five
power Collide series. Ship-to-ship combat during the Napoleonic era. battles from the middle years of the Civil War. Uses
the Battlefront Game System.
Battalion Commander SSI 1985 Carrier Force SSI 1985 *Named one of Compute!’s Gazette’s Best of ‘88.
Major naval battles between the US and Japan in the Pacific. **GL’s choice for “The Pick to Play.”
Battle of Antietam SSI 1985
September 17, 1862--The bloodiest battle of the Civil Carriers at War SSG 1985 Decisive Battles of the American Civil War SSG
War. Take part in five crucial battles of WWII, or create an original. 1989 Volume III: Battle of the Wilderness (Grant vs.
Lee) to the Battle of Nashville. Covering the latter
Battle of Britain Firebird 1986 Chickamauga GDW/EA 1986 battles of the War, this is the final release in the series.
July to October 1940: Take part in the defeat of the Uses the Battlefront Game System. Includes
Luftwaffe in their attempt to defeat the R.A.F. prior to Civil War Avalon Hill 1988 ‘Warplan’, a wargame construction set. Additional
Operation Sealion. scenarios were available from SSG through its support
Colonial Conquest SSI 1985 magazine ‘Run 5.’
Battle Cruiser SSI 1987 Conquer the world during the Age of Imperialism. **GL’s choice for “The Pick to Play.”

Battle for Midway Firebird/PSS 1986 Combat Leader SSI 1984 Desert Fox Electronic Arts 1986
June 4, 1942: Command the US Pacific Fleet six Tank-Battle with over 70 different tanks.
months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Destroyer Escort Medalist/Microprose 1989
Battle for Normandy SSI 1984 Computer Ambush SSI 1985 Aboard a naval destroyer, plan tactics and strategy in
Squad vs. squad in WWII France. the waters of the North Atlantic during WWII.
Battlefront SSG 1986
Take role as a corps commander in four different bat- Conflict in Vietnam Microprose 1985 Dreadnoughts SSI 1984
tles in Crete, Stalingrad, Saipan, and Bastogne during Take command of U.S. forces or the Viet Cong.
WWII. **GL’s choice for “The Pick to Play.” The Royal Navy versus the German Bismarck.
Crusade in Europe Microprose 1985 Eagles SSI 1984
Battlegroup SSI 1986 Take command in battles from D-Day to Battle of the Bulge. Stage duels and dogfights with 20 different WWI
Armored combat on the Western Front in WWII. planes.
Dan Bunten’s Sport of War Electronic Arts 1988
Bismark: The North Sea Chase IntelliCreations/ Designed to take advantage of modem play, players pit their Europe Ablaze SSG 1986
DataSoft 1987 Command the Royal Navy or the Ger- skills against other gamers, even those of other formats like Sequel to Carriers at War. Select battles from “Their
man battleship that sunk the H.M.S. Hood in 1941. Apple and PC. Finest Hour” pertaining to the Battle of Britain to
th
“Piercing the Reich” with the 8 Air Force hammering
Classic Gamer Magazine Spring 2001 56