Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!att!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucsd!nosc!crash!pro-graphics.cts.com!critical.mass
From: critical.mass@pro-graphics.cts.com (Peter Altamore)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.games
Subject: Re: Microprose question
Message-ID: <6541@crash.cts.com>
Date: 27 Dec 90 00:56:17 GMT
Sender: root@crash.cts.com
Lines: 44

I'll give this one a shot.  After spending countless hours raping and
pillaging in Pirates, I looked forward to the next Microprose game who's
subject matter appealed to me.  M1 Tank Platoon looked great on the shelf..
Shiny box, great screen shots, a few !'s and the ever enticing list of
features.  It was also quite heavy with documentation, which is a nice
thing to have.  Anyway, the weight bode well, the manual is excellent and
could probably sell for $14.99 all by itself (M1 cost me around $35.00).
You'll be using the keyboard mostly since this is where all of the tank and
game controls are, and there's lots!  The are MANY input options.  The
joystick, keyboard and mouse are all fully utilized providing plenty of
flexability.  Two keyboard templates (A1000 and 500/2000) as well as plenty
of menus (not pull downs) make this sim's many options much easier to use
than.. say, Falcon.  
 
The story is different on the output side of things however.  This game is
a marginally ugly (looking and sounding) IBM port.  The graphics have very
limited palettes (I can only imagine this game in hbrite.. -sob-) and make
wide use of ordered dithering to make greys and shadows (which looks cheesy
on a lores screen).  It's certainly not horrible (Sierra) though and does not
really impede game play, except when you use your IR night vision.. blah!
I have a little theory here, maybe this is a realism 'feature' since
everything is blurry and mono in real night vision.  This is really minor
though since you can order your gunner to fire at will, and if he has
sufficient attributes he will score more hits than you.  Attributes you
say?  Yes, each man in each 4 man crew for your 4 tank platoon have single
proficiency attributes that you can bolster by completing missions and
awarding promotions and commendations.  Sound support is minimal and weak,
turn your speakers DOWN for this one folks.
 
One final comment involves the frame rate of the 3D graphics.  It's gotta
be less than 1fps, but what the hell... tanks are much slower than F18s
anyway (heh).  If you like tactical simulations you're gonna like this
game.  I play mine quite a lot.  Just don't expect an Amiga game (smooth
scrolling, acceptable frame rates on 3D, lots of quality sound fx, or
multitasking).  M1 has only manual lookup copy protection and is HD/RAM
installable.  This is a good combat simulator!
 
By the way.. here's one vote for the $50 Sega Genesis Arcade Power Stick as
the best non-handheld (ala Wico Ergostick, Epyx 500XJ) joystick for the
Amiga.  This thing is great!
--
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