 ARCHON 
 Ariolasoft 1985

 CONTROLS : Keyboard, Kempston, Sinclair
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 AIM : ARCHON is an abstract strategy game superficially similar to
 chess; the aim is simply to win.
 
 GAMEPLAY : As with chess you have two opposing forces facing each
 other, but unlike chess the forces are not matched. Each of the two
 armies have different pieces, each having individual strengths and
 weaknesses. Before the game begins you must decide which side to
 contol - you can play against the computer or another human player.
 Although each side has different pieces, in overall terms the armies
 are about equal. Some pieces are able to move ahead only two or
 three squares while others may be able to pass over other pieces or
 even, with the aid of a spell, teleport to any location on the board.

  To move, you simply place the cursor square over a piece, press
 fire, then move the square to the position you desire. If the move
 is over a distance greater than is allowed, or is illegal for some
 reason, perhaps because it is blocked by other pieces or has been
 imprisoned by the enemy, then the computer will tell you. When
 playing against the computer it moves its pieces in exactly the
 same way, so it's very easy to follow its moves.

  The object of the game is to take and hold the five power points,
 but to do that you must destroy the enemy forces and that takes a
 lot of good planning. Apart from having to know the strengths and
 weaknesses of each of the pieces and remembering how best to use
 them, it's good to take advantage of situations unique to this game.
 For example, perhaps you have just lost a major piece and in doing
 so have severely wounded an opposing piece, are you in a position
 to send in a minor piece and finish the job before the enemy has
 time to heal his wounds? When you are ready to attack all that is
 required is to move the piece over to the occupied square, and the
 computer will ask if you want to challenge the occupant. If you
 answer yes, the main display will change to the battle screen.

  This has a life strength indicator for each of the pieces in
 combat - the first-time player will notice that the life bar of
 his enemy's piece is three times greater than that of his own.
 At the start of a battle the two pieces are positioned on opposite
 sides. At various and constantly changing locations around the
 screen blocks are located, which can be used as defensive barriers.
 The two icons must fight to the death, with the winner gaining 
 control of the disputed square.

  Depending on the nature of the piece, the mode of attack will
 vary - some are able to fire bolts to cause damage at a distance
 while others must fight at close quarters. This is where the
 strategy element comes in - try not to attack a much stronger
 opponent. While some pieces are able to move at great speed, they
 are only weak fighters, while some move very slowly but a direct
 hit from one could be fatal. Others may have both strength and
 speed but require long intervals between firing. The minor icons
 are not very strong, but they are more numerous and with luck and
 good play you may inflict a lethal blow.

  To make the strategy element even more complex, there are also
 "luminosity cycles" and "power points". If you decide to attack a
 piece on a power point, that piece will be much stronger than
 normal as well as being protected from magical attacks. The 
 luminosity cycle dictates that while pieces on squares of their 
 own colour are stronger (dark on black, for example), some of
 the squares will change in colour. The effects of the magic used
 by the magician pieces vary too; they can only be used once and
 their use weakens the piece. The revive spell allows you to
 resurrect a useful piece that has been killed, while the summon
 spell allows you to call a piece that did not previously exist.
 Other spells include teleport, heal, exchange and imprison. Since
 the use of a spell at the appropriate game can change the whole
 course of a battle, you must make sure that your magician is
 protected whilst trying to find ways to destroy your enemy's
 magician.

 COMMENTS : "An involved game, very good"
 RATING : 83% (CRASH #18, July 1985)

 NOW : An interesting strategy game; it's a pity about the poor
 graphics though.
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 KEYS : Up	- Q
	Down	- A
	Left	- Z
	Right	- X
	Fire	- C