Mr Creosote 1999
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 0/6
Language: Deutsch
Licence: Freeware
System: PC

A remake of the C64 classic Imperator.

Written as a school project together with another wannabe programmer in Turbo Pascal. It's not quite as complex as the original, but still quite nice in multiplayer mode. Unfortunately, the second (extended) version never made it past the planning stage.

Springboard 1988
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 6/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Regarding the topic, this is one of the most original games ever. It belongs to the once almost nonexistant and now completely deceased genre of politic simulations. While most representatives of this limit themselves to foreign affairs, Hidden Agenda concentrates mainly on domestic policy and its effect on international relationships.

Blue Byte 1992
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Language: Deutsch, English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

This was most likely supposed to be the start of a series of historical games based on the Battle Isle engine. At least the subheading "1914-1918" points to that. Because there were no sequels, History Line as a bridge between Battle Isle 1 and 2 was forgotten quickly. Wrongly as I think. After all it is still an independent (good) game because of its peculiarities.

Mattel / Epyx 1985
Genre: Simulation
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

Back in the 90s, 'action toys' were the market. The leading company was Mattel with their action figures ('Barbie for boys'). And there were these toy cars. Completely unlike the car models which existed before and served only 'museum values', these little metal (or plastic if it had to be cheap) vehicles were actually designed for children playing with them! I, for example, held 'ramming contests': causing two cars to crash frontally and the one which falls upside down loses.

Ice Software / Tengen / Domark 1990
Genre: Action
Rating: 3/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Atari ST

I never expected the job of a postman to be so exciting! A cool motor boat speeding down rivers and over the sea to deliver important packages (like for example the Britsh crown jewels) to their receipients. Avoiding terrorist ships, mines and floating logs, or blasting them if they are really in the way (I'm waiting for the day DHL starts doing that). All just to ensure speedy delivery (I'm waiting for the day DHL considers taking a go at that, too).

The Dreamers Guild / Cyberdreams 1995
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 5/6
Language: English, Deutsch
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

In a distant future, humanity has finally done it: it has finally destroyed itself. 'Only' indirectly, though, as it was the 'Allied Mastercomputer', the American defense system, which developed a consciousness, called itself 'AM' (as in 'I think therefore I AM') and wiped out the human race. Since computers (especially military ones) are sadists, it kept five humans alive to torture them for all eternity.

Ubi Soft 1989
Genre: Action
Rating: 3/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Ilyad is a game with a troubled past. It was scheduled for release in 1989, but for some reason, it never appeared in spite of being finished. A British magazine then dug it up and brought it to the public as a coverdisk in 1991. Another year later, it was finally released commercially at last (I doubt it was very successful; a certain other crewmember of this site owns what is probably one of the few boxed originals in existence). To get it over with right from the start: the three years show. The graphics virtually scream '80s', and they aren't even very spectacular for that time.

Thomas Wolf 1983
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Language: German
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

Along with Kaiser, this game defined the 'ruler-genre' for years to come! The premise is simple: make your country strong and stable inwards to conquer your neighbours.

Fitting the name, Imperator is set in ancient Rome. Your main job is to distribute the budget amongst several groups of interest. Every year, they demand a certain sum and it's up to you whether to comply fully, partly or not at all. That influences this group's stance towards you. If you give your wife (!) only half the amount she wanted, she'll be more likely to start a rebellion. On the other hand, if you provide the merchants with even more money than they said, they'll love you!

Epyx 1984
Genre: Action
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

"Another visitor... stay a while... stay forever!"

This is how Elvin Atombender welcomes you to his lair. Mr Atombender is the stereotype of a mad scientist. He's currently plotting to destroy the world (once again). You are a secret agent with the mission to stop him. You leave the elevator, enter a room and...

Trecision 1994
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 4/6
Language: Italiano, English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Tom Scool, a former private investigator who doesn't mind taking less honourable jobs if the money is right, has been hired by Sam Svarowsky, an un-gentlemanly collector, to retrieve a precious gem for him. This gem is in the possession of the actress Diana Stevens who is currently residing in a cut-off chalet in the mountains. All the important members of her next film project are there as well: the screenwriter, the director (who is also her husband), some members of the cast. In addition, the novelist Eric Wells has been invited - he wrote the thriller which the film should be based on. Svarovsky kidnaps him before he arrives, so that Tom can take his place at the chalet. He's supposed to get the safe combination and with that, the gem. It doesn't work out as planned. Shortly after Tom's arrival, Diana Stevens is murdered. Due to a storm having cut off the regular connection to the outer world, the police might be a bit slowed, but they'll surely arrive sooner or later. Not much time left for Tom to get the jewel and escape unrecognized...