★ AMSTRAD CPC ★ GAMESLIST ★ ESPIONAGE (c) GRANDSLAM ★ |
ACE |
Tinker, tailor, soldier, GRANDSLAM FURTIVE dealings are afoot in the murky world of international spying. Which is, of course, perfectly true, but the spying theme has nothing to do with this game. If anything, the scenario serves to complicate matters unnecessarily so let's forget the cloak and dagger stuff and get down to the board game. It's basically a cross between chess and draughts, with a more intricate playing area and a different game objective. Up to four players can take part, any or all of which can be controlled by the computer. Each player controls three types of pieces - or agents: six couriers that move diagonally like bishops in chess, four secret agents that move like queens and two surveillance agents that move like rooks. At the start, in the detente phase, players distribute their 12 agents across the board. There is no preset arrangement for pieces, so setting up the board at the start is an important element of gameplay. The overall aim is to end up with the most money - cash is earned by retrieving microfilms from the middle of the board and getting them back to your base, and also by capturing agents. Agents can be captured and removed from play in much the same way as pieces are taken in draughts. A few games will be needed to appreciate the tactics required, but play is very involving and enjoyable once you've learnt the rules. The computer opponents aren't that skillful, but they provide reasonably testing opposition. Bob Wade, ACE
|
|