Lucasfilm Games 1990
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 5/6
Language: English, Deutsch
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

1990 was the year of Monkey Island. So great, so successful that it overshadowed everything else - including this earlier product of the same company. Not to say this is an 'underground' game or a 'rarity' - quite the opposite. It was a best-seller and even today, it is one of the most widely known Adventure games. Just not as much as Monkey Island. And not as one-sided positively as Monkey Island...

Impressions 1995
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

I have conquered medieval England countless times in countless variations (i.e. games) already. All the mixes have very similar flavours, the differences are marginal. In such a (once) overcrowded genre, these little things count though!

Cinemaware 1989
Genre: Strategy, Action
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

You like the concept, but medieval England is getting a bit tiring? Then head over to medieval Japan! This is how Lords of the Rising Sun is best described. Oh, you don't have a clue what I'm talking about? Then you probably haven't played Defender of the Crown by the same company! Stop reading here and sit in the corner!

Gremlin 1990
Genre: Sport, Action
Rating: 2/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

This is the first part of a series many people consider as a classic. As you can see from my rating, I don't agree with that. To describe Lotus, just one word is needed: boring!
Nevertheless, its historical value is out of question! It's the ancestor of all the 'modern' action racers, e.g. the Need for Speed- or Screamer-games. And what's even more important (and interesting!) is the fact, that Lotus is almost identical to those newer ones!

Microprose 1989
Genre: Simulation
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

In 'M1 Tank Platoon' you're leading a platoon of four mighty M1 Abrams main battle tanks through various missions. Your objectives range from defending important positions to meeting engagements or frontal assaults. You're up against Red Army troops who have invaded into Western Europe.

MicroProse 1995
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

You, being a rich venetian trader, do what you are better at, sending ships and caravans to commerce, buying at low prices for selling at higher ones wherever the best deals are and fight for the power against the other merchant families.

Creative Sparks 1985
Genre: Adventure, Action
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

I must admit I'm a sucker for classic horror movies and novels. I'm also one of these people who cheer for the bad guys and abhore the wimpy do-gooders. For all those with similarly sick minds, the 80s produced the computer game of our dreams: Mad Doctor.

Ikarion 1995
Genre: Action
Rating: 5/6
Language: Deutsch
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Mad TV's success virtually begged for a sequel. Rainbow Arts announced Mad Burger, a fast-food chain simulator. Ralph Stock, designer of the first part, had left the company, though, and he was working in Mad News which was published by Ikarion. Mad Burger never made it, but two years later, Mad TV 2 (the only 'official' sequel) appeared - and it sucked. This review is about Mad News, however. The game which should probably be called the only rightful successor of the original game.

Rainbow Arts 1991
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Language: Deutsch, English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

This is one of the few german games which got much international attention. And it really deserved it. Basically, it's a pretty tipically german genre: a business sim. But in contrast to lame tries like Winzer this one is really fun! The reasons for this are simple.

Igelsoft 1986
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Language: Deutsch
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

You may smile ironically about the graphics of C64 games. You may even consider them ugly. I won't protest much. In fact, I have to confess I don't value the 'multimedia' capabilities of this computer too highly myself. I can understand everyone who appreciates these extremely blocky looks, but I've been 'socialized' by other machines mainly. One thing is undeniable, though: The C64 had and still has the most creative 'user scene'! Even today, new programs are being written by the followers of this small computer, some even released commercially.