Infocom 1984
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Yet another case of murder in yet another feudal mansion. And yet another time, it's up to you to solve the case before time runs out. Only this time, there's a twist to the usual procedure: You're not the police detective called to the scene of crime, but the main suspect. It all began with an invitation from Veronica Ashcroft to her annual Halloween costume party. What a chance to write an article for your paper about this event of the high society!

SSI 1989
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Sword of Aragon is one of the most underrated games ever. This game has the full right to be listed among the top ten games of all times, yet I have never seen it listed at all. At a time when games offer flashy graphics and very simplistic and inadequate gameplay, Sword of Aragon shines as an immortal gem. This game does not require the same level of graphics and sound to be interesting: it combines complex economy, diplomacy and tactical combat in one neat package, reinforced by a very simple interface. It offers very complex and lengthy gameplay, yet the learning curve is very low. Overall, the game, is the pure essence of excellent design end execution.

Bullfrog 1993
Genre: Strategy, Action
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

The future. Several syndicates control different regions of the world, and there's a war between them. You must take the role of one of the organizations and perform a variety of tasks to "capture" the regions one by one until you control them all.

Interplay / Electronic Arts 1987
Genre: RPG
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Tales of the Unknown: The Bard's Tale, as this game was originally called, is one of the most important games in the history of computer gaming. In addition to bringing role-playing to the masses with its flashy graphics, simplified character development and relatively good story, never before and never again did a game development team include so many great talents. In fact, this game has launched the careers of several biggest names in the gaming industry, including Lawrence Holland, Joe Ybarra and Brian Fargo.

Bally Midway 1983
Genre: Action
Rating: 3/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

A very simple game for quick fun. Its attractiveness is caused by its original theme: As a waiter you have to serve the rushing-in customers.

But they are very impatient. Aparantely they are alcoholics. Their appearance points to that: unkempt beards and hair hidden under (probably) greasy hats. But also their behaviour lets you become suspicious about their addiction. They can't even wait for their beer (the game does not know other drinks) for some seconds. No, they need it immediately! And if you do not serve them at once, they will pull you over the bar.

Microprose 1992
Genre: Simulation
Rating: 5/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Task Force 1942 is a great naval combat simulation that is staged (as the name suggests) in WW II in the Pacific. It concentrates on the battle for Guadalcanal and features all the ships that took part in this campaign. Great graphics, controls and the ability to build own scenarios make this game a true classic.

Telekom / Art Department 1993
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 3/6
Language: Deutsch
Licence: Freeware
System: PC

And "Ron Sommer" said: "Let's pretend to to cool. It'll look as if we actually care for our customers and as if we were a young and modern company." And his disciples went into the wide world to spread his word. One came back with something he called a 'computer game'. And "Ron Sommer" saw it was good. Or at least he thought it was good...

Avalon Hill 1985
Genre: RPG
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

"Ah yes, my young fellows, I still remember when I first climbed down the stairs into this vile dungeon. All I had was the sword of my father and no clue how to use it. And then they came! Zombies, Skeletons, Orcs! I fought them all - barely made it out alive with the few coins I was able to find in the corners of the tunnels. Bandaging my wounds I made it to this very tavern and spent the night. But when the morning sun rose I knew I had to go back in there. I could not leave that dungeon unconquered. And so I travelled deeper. My skills got better, I got faster - soon I was starting to fight of demons and dragons - and the deeper I ventured into the caverns the deadlier they got!

Tiger Media 1992
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 4/6
Language: English
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

The Case of the Cautious Condor was one of the first CD-ROM only games and it was released as early as 1989 for the (then) groundbreaking japanese home computer FM-Towns which came with a CD drive by default - long before this got into mainstream on the PC four years later with killer applications like Rebel Assault.

Lucas Arts 1995
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 3/6
Language: English, Deutsch, Français, Italiano, Castellano
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

The Dig - an experiment in megalomania. An epic science fiction adventure based on an idea by Steven Spielberg, made by the guys who made Star Wars (well, not quite). Special effects by Industrial Light and Magic. The hardest puzzles in a Lucas Arts game since Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. Isn't marketing great? Here's an experiment: Let's judge the game exactly according to all the marketing slogans they came up with then.