Developer: Ozark Softscape

Command H.Q. (1990)

by Nish
written by Nish 7 minutes read

Summary

Command H.Q.: A Strategic Masterpiece of Global Conquest

Released in 1990 by game designer Dan Bunten, Command H.Q. is a turn-based strategy game that puts you in command of a superpower during World Wars I, II, III, IV, and V. Your goal is to outguess and overcome your opponents in a race for global domination.

Command H.Q. is known for its innovative gameplay, which combines elements of strategy, diplomacy, and resource management. The game’s map is a representation of the world, divided into territories that you can conquer and control. Each territory produces resources, which you can use to build units, research new technologies, and develop your economy.

Units in Command H.Q. include infantry, armor, artillery, and aircraft. Each unit has its own strengths and weaknesses, and you must carefully consider your unit composition when planning your attacks. You can also form alliances with other superpowers, or declare war on them, in order to achieve your goals.

One of the most unique features of Command H.Q. is its fog of war system. This system obscures the map, revealing only the territories that you have explored. This adds an element of uncertainty to the game, as you never know what your opponents are up to until you encounter them on the battlefield.

Command H.Q. was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, its historical accuracy, and its challenging AI. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, and it remains popular with strategy gamers today.

Gameplay

Command H.Q. is a turn-based strategy game. Each turn, you can perform a variety of actions, including:

  • Moving your units
  • Attacking enemy units
  • Building new units
  • Researching new technologies
  • Developing your economy
  • Forming alliances with other superpowers
  • Declaring war on other superpowers

Your goal in Command H.Q. is to conquer the world. You can do this by conquering all of the territories on the map, or by achieving a certain number of victory points. Victory points are awarded for conquering territories, destroying enemy units, and completing missions.

Units

There are a variety of different units in Command H.Q., each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Units include:

  • Infantry: Infantry are the most basic unit in the game. They are cheap to produce and can be used to defend your territories or attack enemy units.
  • Armor: Armor units are more powerful than infantry, but they are also more expensive to produce. Armor units are effective against other armor units and infantry.
  • Artillery: Artillery units can attack enemy units from a distance. They are effective against infantry and armor units, but they are vulnerable to air attacks.
  • Aircraft: Aircraft units can fly over enemy territories and attack enemy units. They are effective against all types of units, but they are also expensive to produce.

Technology

There are a variety of different technologies that you can research in Command H.Q. Technologies can improve your units’ combat abilities, your economy, or your diplomacy. Some of the most important technologies include:

  • Tactics: Tactics technologies improve your units’ combat abilities.
  • Logistics: Logistics technologies improve your economy.
  • Diplomacy: Diplomacy technologies improve your relationships with other superpowers.

Diplomacy

Diplomacy is an important part of Command H.Q. You can form alliances with other superpowers, or declare war on them. Alliances can help you to defeat your common enemies, while wars can give you access to new resources and territories.

Fog of War

One of the most unique features of Command H.Q. is its fog of war system. This system obscures the map, revealing only the territories that you have explored. This adds an element of uncertainty to the game, as you never know what your opponents are up to until you encounter them on the battlefield.

Legacy

Command H.Q. was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, its historical accuracy, and its challenging AI. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, and it remains popular with strategy gamers today.

Command H.Q. has been cited as an influence on a number of other strategy games, including Civilization and Total War. The game’s innovative gameplay and fog of war system have helped to set the standard for the strategy genre.

Conclusion

Command H.Q. is a classic strategy game that offers a challenging and rewarding experience. The game’s innovative gameplay, historical accuracy, and challenging AI have made it a favorite of strategy gamers for over 30 years. If you are a fan of strategy games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Command H.Q.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

The Seven Cities of Gold (1984)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 5 minutes read

Summary

The Seven Cities of Gold: A Quest for Adventure and Riches

In the annals of video gaming, few titles evoke a sense of adventure and exploration quite like The Seven Cities of Gold. Released in 1984 by Electronic Arts, this classic strategy game transports players to a time of daring seafaring expeditions and the allure of untold riches.

The Tale of the Seven Bishops

The game’s story is steeped in historical legend. It begins with a whispered tale in a waterfront tavern, where an old salt spins the yarn of the Seven Bishops. These Christian men, blown far off course, established seven opulent kingdoms in an uncharted realm. The legend of their splendor has tantalized explorers for centuries.

An Expedition of Your Own

Inspired by this captivating tale, players take on the role of an expedition leader, granted the resources by the Court to mount a voyage to the Orient. While the ministers are primarily interested in maritime dominance and trade, the player’s true motive is to uncover the fabled Seven Cities of Gold.

Gameplay: Strategy and Exploration

The Seven Cities of Gold is a turn-based strategy game that blends exploration, resource management, and combat. Players command a fleet of ships, navigating the vast seas in search of the elusive cities. Along the way, they encounter storms, pirates, and other hazards that test their seafaring skills.

Each city, once discovered, presents a unique challenge. Players must establish a colony, gather resources, and defend against attacks from natives and rival explorers. The game’s strategic depth lies in balancing resource allocation, ship upgrades, and diplomatic negotiations.

A Quest for Knowledge and Wealth

Beyond the strategic gameplay, The Seven Cities of Gold also emphasizes exploration and discovery. Players can venture into the uncharted wilderness surrounding each city, encountering hidden treasures, ancient ruins, and indigenous tribes. These encounters not only yield valuable resources but also enrich the game’s narrative and sense of adventure.

The ultimate goal of the game is to establish a thriving colony in each of the Seven Cities of Gold. Doing so requires careful planning, resource management, and a touch of luck. The rewards are immense: not only the legendary riches of the cities but also the satisfaction of completing an epic quest.

Historical Context and Accuracy

The Seven Cities of Gold is not merely a fantasy adventure; it is also grounded in historical events. The game’s setting is the 16th century, a time of great maritime exploration and the search for new trade routes to the East. The game accurately depicts the ships, weapons, and navigational techniques of the era.

While the legend of the Seven Cities of Gold remains unproven, the game’s historical context adds a layer of authenticity and immersion. Players can feel a connection to the real-world explorers who embarked on similar quests centuries ago.

Legacy and Impact

The Seven Cities of Gold has left an enduring legacy in the gaming world. Its innovative blend of strategy, exploration, and historical accuracy has influenced countless games that followed. The game’s emphasis on resource management and colony building laid the foundation for later strategy classics like Civilization and The Settlers.

Conclusion

The Seven Cities of Gold is a timeless adventure game that continues to captivate players with its thrilling gameplay, rich narrative, and historical context. Whether you’re a seasoned strategy gamer or a newcomer to the genre, this classic title offers an unforgettable journey of exploration, discovery, and the pursuit of legendary riches. So set sail, brave adventurer, and embark on the quest for the Seven Cities of Gold!

Review Score

8.5/10

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

The Seven Cities of Gold: Commemorative Edition (1993)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

The Seven Cities of Gold: Commemorative Edition (1993)

The Seven Cities of Gold: Commemorative Edition is a PC remake of the classic 1984 game of the same name. The original game was designed by Dan and Bill Bunten, and it was one of the first strategy games to achieve mainstream success. The Commemorative Edition was released in 1993, and it features updated graphics and sound, as well as some new gameplay features.

The game is set in the 16th century, and the player takes on the role of a Spanish conquistador who is searching for the legendary Seven Cities of Gold. The player must explore a vast and dangerous world, while managing their resources and troops. The game is a challenging and rewarding strategy game that will keep you entertained for hours.

Gameplay

The Seven Cities of Gold is a turn-based strategy game. The player controls a group of conquistadors, and they must explore a world map in search of the Seven Cities of Gold. The player can move their conquistadors around the map, and they can interact with the environment and with other characters.

The player must manage their resources carefully in order to survive. Conquistadors need food and water to stay alive, and they need weapons and armor to protect themselves from enemies. The player can gather resources from the environment, or they can trade with other characters.

The player must also be careful to avoid enemies. The world is inhabited by a variety of dangerous creatures, including bandits, animals, and natives. The player must use their wits and their resources to defeat their enemies.

Exploration

The world of The Seven Cities of Gold is vast and dangerous. The player can explore a variety of different environments, including forests, mountains, and deserts. The player can also visit towns and cities, where they can trade and gather information.

The player will need to use their exploration skills to find the Seven Cities of Gold. The cities are hidden throughout the world, and they are not easy to find. The player will need to use their map and their compass to navigate the world, and they will need to be careful to avoid getting lost.

Combat

The player will often need to fight enemies in order to survive. Combat is turn-based, and the player can choose to attack, defend, or use a special ability. The player must use their wits and their resources to defeat their enemies.

The player can use a variety of weapons and armor to fight their enemies. Each weapon and armor has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the player must choose the right equipment for the job. The player can also use special abilities to help them in combat.

Resources

The player must manage their resources carefully in order to survive. Conquistadors need food and water to stay alive, and they need weapons and armor to protect themselves from enemies. The player can gather resources from the environment, or they can trade with other characters.

The player can find food and water in a variety of places. They can hunt animals, gather fruit, or trade with other characters. The player can also find weapons and armor in a variety of places. They can loot defeated enemies, or they can trade with other characters.

Reception

The Seven Cities of Gold: Commemorative Edition was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its updated graphics and sound, as well as its new gameplay features. The game was also praised for its historical accuracy and its educational value.

The Seven Cities of Gold: Commemorative Edition is a classic strategy game that is still enjoyed by many people today. The game is a challenging and rewarding experience that will keep you entertained for hours.

Legacy

The Seven Cities of Gold: Commemorative Edition has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. The game is credited with popularizing the strategy genre, and it has inspired many other games. The game is also considered to be one of the first games to accurately portray the Age of Exploration.

The Seven Cities of Gold: Commemorative Edition is a classic game that is still enjoyed by many people today. The game is a challenging and rewarding experience that will keep you entertained for hours. If you are a fan of strategy games, or if you are interested in the Age of Exploration, then you should definitely check out The Seven Cities of Gold: Commemorative Edition.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Heart of Africa (1985)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 4 minutes read

Summary

Heart of Africa: A Text-Based Adventure Through the Dark Continent

Released in 1985, Heart of Africa is a text-based adventure game that takes players on a perilous journey through the African jungle in search of the lost tomb of Pharaoh Ahnk Ahnk. Developed by Magnetic Scrolls, the game is known for its detailed world, challenging puzzles, and immersive storytelling.

Gameplay

Heart of Africa is played from a first-person perspective, with the player character controlled using simple text commands. The game world is described in detail, with players able to explore a variety of locations, including dense jungles, treacherous mountains, and ancient ruins.

The game’s puzzles are varied and challenging, requiring players to use their wits and ingenuity to solve them. Players must decipher clues, navigate treacherous terrain, and interact with a cast of colorful characters.

Setting

Heart of Africa is set in a fictionalized version of Africa, with the game world inspired by real-world locations and cultures. The game’s setting is rich and detailed, with players able to explore a variety of different environments, from lush jungles to arid deserts.

The game’s characters are also well-developed and memorable, with each character having their own unique motivations and personalities. Players will encounter a variety of characters, from friendly natives to hostile bandits, and each interaction will have a different impact on the player’s journey.

Story

The story of Heart of Africa begins with the player character being hired to find the lost tomb of Pharaoh Ahnk Ahnk. The tomb is said to contain vast riches, and the player character stands to inherit a fortune if they can find it.

The player character’s journey takes them through a variety of different locations, from the bustling port city of Zanzibar to the treacherous jungles of the interior. Along the way, they will encounter a variety of challenges, including treacherous terrain, dangerous animals, and hostile natives.

Reception

Heart of Africa was critically acclaimed upon release, with reviewers praising the game’s detailed world, challenging puzzles, and immersive storytelling. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies worldwide.

Heart of Africa is considered to be one of the classic text-based adventure games, and it remains popular with fans of the genre today. The game’s detailed world, challenging puzzles, and immersive storytelling make it a must-play for any fan of adventure games.

Legacy

Heart of Africa has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. The game’s detailed world and challenging puzzles helped to set a new standard for text-based adventure games. The game’s success also helped to pave the way for other adventure games set in Africa, such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Far Cry 2.

Heart of Africa is a classic text-based adventure game that remains popular with fans of the genre today. The game’s detailed world, challenging puzzles, and immersive storytelling make it a must-play for any fan of adventure games.

Review Score

7.5/10

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More