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From: brian@sky.COM (Brian Pelletier)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.games
Subject: Dragon Wars
Message-ID: <753@sky.COM>
Date: 21 Nov 90 18:47:12 GMT
Organization: SKY Computers, Chelmsford MA
Lines: 30

Is anyone playing this game yet?  It showed up on my local dealer's shelf 
last week, and since Ultima V was still not available, I picked it up.  
My general impression?  I like it!  It's a lot like the Bard's Tale series
(especially the graphics), and in fact can import your Bard's Tale's 
characters.  It is not copy protected, hard disk installable, it seems to
multitask properly, and it exits cleanly when you quit the game.  The 
documentation is excellent, consisting of a large 'Dragon Wars' manual, and
a smaller Amiga specific reference booklet.  There is one documentation 
error in the booklet (actually the program seems incorrect here) where the
'Change Order' command is really P, not O. 

The game plays like your standard adventure - you start with a group of 
characters with no clothes, money, weapons, etc., and you have to explore 
an interesting world and rid the place of the evil Namtar, who has despoiled
the formerly beautiful land.  There are some interesting twists in DW - 
for example, increasing your AC by buying expensive armor often decreases
your attacking ability (AV).  Most games track these two independently.  
Also, when you gain experience levels, you are allowed to pick and
choose where you want your extra skill points to go.  It adds a nice touch
to the game, and also makes for some interesting strategic choices. 

Another nice touch is the auto mapping feature.  You won't need your graph
paper to complete Dragon Wars.  I've played the game for several days, and
was wondering if anyone out there had found a way to defeat the Water 
Slime (or whatever they're called) in the Mystic Forset.  These guys are 
tough!  

Brian Pelletier, Hardware guy | Disclaimer: These are MY opinions, not SKY's.
Sky Computer  Chelmsford, MA  | Amiga!  UUCP: pelletier@grove.uucp (home) 
UUCP: brian@sky.com (work)    | Plink: TACK