Author: admin
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Puzzle Beauty
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Dynasty International GAME PUBLISHER:Dynasty International Copyright 1993, Dynasty International Puzzle Beauty is a so-so Tetris variant developed by Dynasty International, famous (in Asia) Taiwan company whose Flame Dragon series consistently rank among some of the best-selling games in Asia. One of their first commercial…
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HyperBlade
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Wizbang! Software Productions GAME PUBLISHER:Activision Copyright 1996, Wizbang! Software Productions HyperBlade is a superb futuristic sport game that is the closest thing to a 3D version of Bitmap Brothers’ classic Speedball game (that is, until the next generation Speedball game comes along, whenever that…
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Glider for Windows
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:John Calhoun GAME DEVELOPER:Casady & Greene GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1994, John Calhoun Glider for Windows is an excellent PC port of a hit Machintosh title of the same name that started life as a small black & white shareware game in the late 1980s and went…
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Clyde’s Revenge
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Mike Voss & Jim Voss GAME DEVELOPER:Moonlite Software GAME PUBLISHER:Apogee Copyright 1995, Moonlite Software Clyde’s Revenge is a pretty bad sidescrolling platformer that ruins the creative no-enemies premise with dull gameplay and interminably boring levels. Basically your goal is to collect every stone on the level…
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Longbow 2
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Andy Hollis GAME DEVELOPER:Jane’s Combat Simulations GAME PUBLISHER:Electronic Arts Copyright 1997, Jane’s Combat Simulations Longbow 2 is a new and improved sequel to EA’s bestselling AH-64D Longbow, one of Jane’s best releases. The game’s graphics engine is now 3D accelerated, and an amazing dynamic campaign engine…
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Batman Forever: The Arcade Game
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Iguana Entertainment GAME PUBLISHER:Acclaim Entertainment Copyright 1997, Warner Brothers Among game developers, Acclaim has one of the most mixed records of all, curiously displaying a very large gap in quality between their classics such as Mortal Kombat games and the better-forgotten games based on…
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Body Slam All-Star Wrestling
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Kev Shaw GAME DEVELOPER:Junkyard GAME PUBLISHER:Junkyard Copyright 1995, Junkyard Body Slam All-Star Wrestling is yet another quality title from UK developer Junkyard (formerly Zeppelin Games), who is best know for their Match Day Manager football simulation. Like most games from Zeppelin, BSASW was very little known…
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Virtual Chess for Windows
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Titus GAME PUBLISHER:Titus Copyright 1996, Titus One of the most underrated chess games ever made, Titus’ Virtual Chess for Windows is a fun chess game that offers multiple skill levels, although the game’s strenght lies in excellent tutorial options that novices will find very…
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Deadline [1995]
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Millennium GAME PUBLISHER:Vic Tokai Copyright 1995, Millennium Deadline is a very obscure tactical strategy game in the same vein as X-COM, except with a much more confusing interface. The game puts you in the role of a team leader of a Anti-Terrorist Division (ATD),…
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Slouching Towards Bedlam
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Star Foster & Daniel Ravipinto GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Star Foster & Daniel Ravipinto Well-deserved first place winner of the ninth Annual Interactive Fiction Competition, Slouching Towards Bedlam is a modern-day classic from Daniel Ravipinto and Star Foster. Mike Russo’s review as posted on…
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Gourmet
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Aaron Reed GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Aaron Reed Every annual IF competition has at least one game that fits the following description: a game with wonderful writing, immersive atmosphere, and fun puzzles – all overshadowed by flawed coding and some annoying bugs. Fine Tuned…
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Risorgimento Represso
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Michael Coyne GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Michael Coyne Rigorimento Represso is an excellent fantasy IF that won the well-deserved second place in the ninth Annual Interactive Fiction Competition. While the game is too long for a 2-hour time limit meant for competition games, the…
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Scavenger
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Quintin Stone GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Quintin Stone Scavenger is a fun IF set in the post-apocalypse world – something that is very rare among text adventures. What I like the most about the game are its neat setting and puzzles that allow multiple…
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Erudition Chamber, The
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Daniel Freas GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Daniel Freas The Erudition Chamber is a neat game that focuses specifically on IF puzzles and the different ways in which players approach the solutions – sort of a “meta-puzzle” game. The game gives you four different puzzles,…
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Recruit, The
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Mike Sousa & Jon Ingold GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Mike Sousa, Jon Ingold, J.D. Berry and Robb Sherwin The Recruit is a fun, unassuming IF that is a collaboration between Mike Sousa, J.D. Berry, Jon Ingold, and Robb Sherwin – all accomplished IF authors.…
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Shadows on the Mirror
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Chrysoula Tzavelas GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Chrysoula Tzavelas Shadows on the Mirror is a fun one-room conversation game in the same vein as Emily Short’s Galatea, although with more emphasis on plot. What I like most about this game is the fact that you…
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lockOn
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Jph Wacheski GAME DEVELOPER:Iteration Games GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Jph Wacheski lockOn is a fun arcade-style “retro” shoot ’em up that is remiscent of Asteroids, Robotron 2084, and Tempest in equal measure. The idea is simple: survive long enough to get the high score by avoiding…
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Risk [1991]
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Andrew Krois GAME DEVELOPER:Azeroth GAME PUBLISHER:Virgin Interactive Copyright 1991, Azeroth This is the Windows 3.1 version of Risk, first published by Virgin for PC in 1989 for DOS. Developed by Azeroth, this version is very faithful to the board game, except it has a disappointingly dumb…
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SimCity Classic
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Will Wright GAME DEVELOPER:Azeroth GAME PUBLISHER:Maxis Copyright 1994, Maxis One of the rarest versions of Maxis’ genre-defining SimCity series, Simcity Classic is a good Windows 3.1 version of the original game, ported by Azeroth. The review on MobyGames says it all “The Good:The original SimCity is…
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U.S. Navy Fighters
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Brent Iverson GAME DEVELOPER:Electronic Arts GAME PUBLISHER:Electronic Arts Copyright 1994, Brent Iverson One of the first entries in Electronic Arts’ successful flight sim series and the first flight sim to be released on CD-ROM, U.S. Navy Fighters is a fun flight sim that may disappoint die-hard…
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ATF: Advanced Tactical Fighters
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Paul Grace GAME DEVELOPER:Jane’s Combat Simulations GAME PUBLISHER:Electronic Arts Copyright 1996, Jane’s Combat Simulations A very good “bang for the buck” flight sim, ATF: Advanced Tactical Fighters is an excellent sequel to U.S. Navy Fighters as well as the first game released under EA’s “Jane’s Combat…
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Tank Commander
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Domark GAME PUBLISHER:Domark Copyright 1995, Domark Tank Commander is a fun and highly underrated tank combat game from Domark. The review at Tanksim.com says it all: “Tank Commander was released in 1995 as a multi-play capable tanksim. The graphics are pre-Pentium and just adequate.…
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Absolute Zero
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Domark GAME PUBLISHER:Domark Copyright 1996, Domark Absolute Zero is yet another missed opportunity for Domark: a game that offers an innovative premise that is so refreshing that it makes poor gameplay all the more regrettable. GameSpot’s review says it all: “The starfighter genre has…
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Combat Air Patrol
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Psygnosis GAME PUBLISHER:Psygnosis Copyright 1996, Psygnosis Combat Air Patrol is a very disappointing flight sim from Psygnosis – perhaps a good proof that the company should stick to what they do best: addictive action games. The review at Games Domain elaborate on why the…
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Final Impact
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Oliver Pflug GAME DEVELOPER:Brainbug GAME PUBLISHER:Brainbug Copyright 1998, Brainbug Final Impact is a fun and highly underrated parallax-scrolling vertical shooter in the same style as Raptor and Tyrian. Although it is not a “classic” like those two games, Final Impact deserves a lot more attention for…
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Gearhead Garage
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Mekada GAME PUBLISHER:Mekada Copyright 1998, Mekada One of the most obscure car-related games ever made, Gearhead Garage is an interesting ‘game’ that is actually less interesting than it sounds. Like the semi-popular toy line it was based on, the goal in Gearhead Garage is…
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Harpoon Classic 2002 Gold Edition
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Don Gilman GAME DEVELOPER:Advanced Gaming Systems GAME PUBLISHER:Advanced Gaming Systems Copyright 2003, Advanced Gaming Systems Harpoon Classic 2002 Gold Edition is definitely the best – and most underrated – versions of Harpoon Classic series, which is hands down the most realistic naval simulation ever made for…
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Volvo S40 Racing
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Digital Illusions GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1998, Digital Illusions/Volvo More of a “mini-game” than a real game, Volvo S40 Racing is a promotional title developed by Digital Illusions using the Motorhead. The game was commissioned by Swedish carmaker Volvo to promote their racing team. The…
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L.E.D. Wars
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Larian Studios GAME PUBLISHER:IONOS Copyright 1997, Larian Studios L.E.D. Wars is an above-average real-time strategy game that in the end plays like a low-cost alternative to Westwood’s famous Command & Conquer series. The plot: in the 21st century cyberpunk world, people can’t survive without…
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Jazz Jackrabbit 2: Holiday Hare
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Cliff Bleszinski GAME DEVELOPER:Epic Megagames GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1998, Epic Megagames Epic Megagames developed “Holiday Hare” versions of their popular platformers Jazz Jackrabbit and Jazz Jackrabbit 2 as freeware releases to celebrate the holidays. Each game is populated by X-mas themed levels and festive sounds, and…
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Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare 1995
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Cliff Bleszinski GAME DEVELOPER:Epic Megagames GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1995, Epic Megagames Epic Megagames developed “Holiday Hare” versions of their popular platformers Jazz Jackrabbit and Jazz Jackrabbit 2 as freeware releases to celebrate the holidays. Each game is populated by X-mas themed levels and festive sounds, and…
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Bound Plus
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:CraftM GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, CraftM Bound Plus is a fun freeware arcade-ish puzzler from Japan. Mistakenly labelled on many freeware sites as B-Zero for some reason – perhaps due to the file name – your goal in the game is to get to…
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A7xpg
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Kenta Cho GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Kenta Cho A7xpg and Parsec47 are two more superb “abstract shooters” from Kenta Cho, prolific Japanese freeware developer. If you have played rRootage or Noiz2sa (or hopefully both), you know what to expect here: two more insanely addictive…
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Parsec47
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Kenta Cho GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Kenta Cho A7xpg and Parsec47 are two more superb “abstract shooters” from Kenta Cho, prolific Japanese freeware developer. If you have played rRootage or Noiz2sa (or hopefully both), you know what to expect here: two more insanely addictive…
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Winglancer
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:ZAP GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, ZAP Yet another excellent shooter from Japan, Winglancer is a “retro-style” vertical shooter from ZAP, who updated his own game for the MSX computer to work on modern Windows PC. Nothing special here: kill everything in sight by shooting…
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Magic Carpet 2
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Peter Molyneux GAME DEVELOPER:Bullfrog GAME PUBLISHER:Electronic Arts Copyright 1995, Bullfrog Sequel to Bullfrog’s classic Magic Carpet, Magic Carpet 2 improves upon its already outstanding predecessor with new spells, better graphics, and more varied terrain. Unfortunately, the addition of huge monsters made gameplay quite repetitive in the…
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Star Trek TNG: Klingon Honor Guard
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Christopher Clark GAME DEVELOPER:MicroProse GAME PUBLISHER:MicroProse Copyright 1998, Paramount Klingon Honor Guard is a superb first-person shooter set in the Star Trek universe. Designed by MicroProse and released in 1998, KHG was definitely the first Star Trek computer game in a long while that broke the…
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Nascar Racing 2
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:David Flamburis GAME DEVELOPER:Papyrus Design Group GAME PUBLISHER:Sierra On-Line Copyright 1996, Papyrus Design Group NASCAR Racing 2 is the superb sequel to Papyrus’ award-winning NASCAR Racing. Sporting a new game engine, SVGA graphics, improved gameplay, and excellent multiplayer support, NR2 also adds many official cars, tracks,…
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Ghosts ‘n Goblins Exceed
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:CnC Darkside GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, CnC Darkside
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Football Masters 98
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:ESP Software GAME PUBLISHER:ESP Software Copyright 1998, ESP Software Football Masters 98 is a bad but very detailed soccer management simulation that is one of the disappointing ‘missed opportunities.’ Games Domain says it all very critically in their review: “Football Masters 98 is easily…
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CrossWorld 2
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:GameTek GAME PUBLISHER:GameTek Copyright 1995, GameTek CrossWorld 2 is a superior sequel to GameTek’s little-known CrossWorld, a great crossword puzzle program for DOS. This time, the game engine has been improved for Windows 95, with a clean user interface and two additional games. The…
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Pharaoh’s Ascent
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Ambertec GAME PUBLISHER:Ambertec Copyright 1997, Ambertec Pharaoh’s Ascent is one of the most challenging and most innovative arcade-style puzzle games ever made – too bad the game remains unknown to most gamers due to limited on-line-only distribution on a shareware basis. The plot: you…
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TOCA Touring Car Championship
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Codemasters GAME PUBLISHER:Codemasters Copyright 1997, Codemasters TOCA Touring Car Championship is a great racing game from Codemasters that remains relatively unknown to many racing fans. A passionate and wonderfully comprehensive review at MobyGames says it all: “TOCA Touring Car Championship is the official game…
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Rising Lands
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Microids GAME PUBLISHER:Microids Copyright 1998, Microids One of the most innovative real-time strategy games to have come along in a long time, Rising Lands is a good game that is hampered by a few idiosyncracies and an inconvenient user interface. The review at Games…
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Sideswipe: Project 053 II
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Natomic Studios GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Natomic Studios Sideswipe is another quality freeware offering from Natomic Studios. A fast-paced side-scroller, the game offers lots of frenetic action and enemies in crisp anime-style graphics. You play secret agent 053 who has just stolen a hoverbike…
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Jetz Fusion
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Shawn Noel GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Shawn Noel Jetz Fusion is the latest and best Jetz game in a long-run series of freeware action games from Shawn Noel, a talented designer known in the freeware cycle as “Shawn64.” The game is a beat ’em…
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Star Command Revolution
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Metropolis GAME PUBLISHER:GT Interactive Copyright 1997, Metropolis Star Command Revolution is a fun and highly underrated real-time strategy game with some interesting ideas, most notably the addition of shoot ’em up gameplay into the strategy mix. The thorough review at Games Domain does a…
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Mage Craft
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Robert Lupinek GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Robert Lupinek
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Madness Interactive
From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 2003, Flecko.net