Psygnosis 1994
Genre: Action, RPG
Rating: 3/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

An evil wizard has sealed away the gods of the kingdom. Why? Who cares, you are here to kill him as otherwise a horrible thing will happen or something. And by the way don't forget to kill anything that moves.

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).

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.

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...

Lucas Arts 1996
Genre: Adventure, Action
Rating: 3/6
Language: English, Deutsch
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

The daily life of Dr. Henry Jones Jr. Somewhere in Central America, he's carrying out his archeological duties. It all starts with his colleague Marcus Brody giving him his latest assignment. It usually concerns finding an artifact before a competing archeologist does, freeing someone from the clutches of the nazis or something similar. The best thing about it: every time you start the game, you get a different adventure to play. Or at least that's what the advertisement says.

Archer McLean 1988
Genre: Sport, Action
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

How can one improve International Karate? Hard question. Most changes and additions would just screw the concept up. Everybody knows examples of great first parts of a series which got spoiled completely in the sequel.

Pop Software 1994
Genre: Action
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Shareware
System: PC

U.S. Gold 1990
Genre: Sport, Action
Rating: 2/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Just like movie tie-ins, 'official' games of major sport events are crap in most cases. After paying for the expensive licence, little money seems to be left to make a decent game. Or, maybe the companies think it won't be important anyway, because fans will buy the game just because of the name.

Ocean 1990
Genre: Action
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

You walk from left to right and kill a few enemies. Sounds like Super Mario World? Maybe, but it's not! And it's not even something similar! It's Ivanhoe!

The 'story' is quite simple: King Richard has been captured by the French and you have to rescue him. Alone. You start your quest in England. There you have to get to the port. Unfortunately, a forest full of villains lies in the way. So you have no other choice but to fight your way through. You draw your sword and show them what you're made of! These weak peasants are no match for you! Some hits with your blade and they fall to the ground dead. Also those cowards hiding in the trees won't escape you!

Millenium 1991
Genre: Action
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

James Pond is as fast as Sonic and as smart as Mario. But he's even more! He's a secret agent on a mission. The evil Dr Maybe captured all the penguins of the antarctic and all the christmas toys! James 'Robocod' Pond has to rescue the penguins and defeat Dr Maybe.