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- REVIEW
- ARMORED FIST from NOVALOGIC
- FORMAT: PC-PC/CD
- DATE: OCTOBER
- PRICE: US $54.95
-
- After many delays, "Novalogic" finally released their first tank simulation
- with their proprietary Voxel Space(tm) technology previously used in
- "Comanche"(tm). Most of the other tank simulations do not feature a
- realistic terrain representation and therefore, "Armored Fist" establishes a
- new landmark in this genre by its graphics.
-
- The game starts with an opening sequence that features outstanding animations
- all created by the famous 3D Studio (tm). Several options are offered to
- the player in the first menu. After selecting a player, you will have to
- choose between the campaign and the battle modes. The campaign is a series
- of battles where the overall outcome depends on the success of each of your
- missions. If you are a novice, the battle's choice will provide you with
- less difficulty before you attempt to complete a campaign.
-
- Training missions are also available in the campaigns to walk the player
- from easy missions to more challenging encounters with the enemy. Another
- difference between the campaigns and the battles is the number of tanks you
- will command in your task force. Up to four platoons of four tanks can be
- controlled by you in the campaign mode, while there are only stand-alone
- tank missions available in the battle mode.
-
- You will also have to choose sides between the western and eastern sides.
- Depending on your choice, you will control M1A2 and Braham M3 tanks or T-80
- and BMP2 tanks on the other side. Tank's controls will change depending on
- which kind of tank you have chosen.
-
- In the game, two different views are available: the internal view and the
- external view. The only difference between them is that the external view
- provides a larger display of the battlefield with less control instruments
- in the viewer.
-
- The Command and Control Vehicle (CCV) is a strategic map of the area with
- many menus, controls and displays. Two different modes are available, the
- CCV and the Edit mode.
-
- The CCV lets you change the mission parameters for your side, while the Edit
- mode will allow you to customize them for both sides. In the CCV, you will
- be able to change the way-points for your platoons, accelerate time, zoom in
- or out of the strategic map, switch from one platoon to another, etc...
- The display will show you enemy units, targets, mine fields and your own
- units.
-
- The Edit mode can be considered as a mission builder where you will create
- your own battles. Many options allow you to change the type of terrain, set
- the way-points for enemies, select the mission's goals, place artillery and
- air bases, mines fields, vehicles and even trees.
-
- "Armored Fist" offers many other features such as the smoke obscuration which
- can be caused either by smoke grenades or engine smoke. Both will create
- a dark cloud that might hide your vehicle during the night, but that makes
- it more visible during the day. There is also a night vision that can be
- magnified up to ten times, and the weapons featured will depend on the type
- of tank.
-
- When you fail to complete a battle, superb animations will be displayed
- (with the CD-ROM version) and like me, you will be astonished by their
- realism.
-
- ──────────┐
- Conclusion│
- ──────────┘
-
- "Armored Fist", like "Comanche"(tm) in the past, will remain for a long
- time to come, a reference in the armored warfare simulations.
- ─────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: │
- ─────────────────────┘
- 386 DX-33 MHz or better,
- Min 4 MB memory,
- MS-DOS 3.3 or later,
- Hard drive required,
- Single speed CD-ROM drive (150 Kb/s) or faster,
- VGA 256 color graphic card and monitor,
- Microsoft Mouse or 100% compatible,
- Thrustmaster Flight Control, Thrustmaster Weapons Control System, CH
- FlightStick, CH FlightStick Pro and standard joysticks supported,
- Sound Blaster, AdLib and Roland sound cards supported.
- ───────────────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────
- ┌────────┐ ┌─────┐ │Novalogic Ltd.,
- │GRAPHICS├─────────────────┤ 91% │ │United House, North Road,
- │SOUND ├─────────────────┤ 90% │ │London N7 9DP, England.
- │MUSIC ├─────────────────┤ 90% │ │Tel: +44-(0)71-607-9707
- │GAMEPLAY├─────────────────┤ 90% │ │
- │INTEREST├─────────────────┤ 92% │ │Novalogic Inc.,
- └────────┘ └─────┘ │26010 Mureau Road, Suite 200,
- ┌────────┐ ┌─────┐ │Calabasas, CA 91302.
- │OVERALL ├─────────────────┤ 91% │ │Tel: 818-880-1997
- └────────┘ └─────┘ │
- │
- ───────────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────
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