Apr 2001 Volume 82 Number 4 "serving the protectors"
Computers
by Mike Horsfall

Squad Leader

Squad Leader is a recently released front-line military command game.

With WWII as its backdrop, it allows players to take command and use leadership and strategy skills to succeed in battle. It’s a turn-base strategy game that puts players directly into the firing line. As a squad leader, one is expected to make the right decisions.

Squad Leader comes with an easy-to-follow boot camp-style tutorial that prepares one for the battles ahead. Three historically based campaigns – the Normandy Invasion, the Battle of the Bulge and Arnhem are available to play. From these campaigns, single missions can also be played.

Once one’s allegiance and command structures are established, it is all about strategy, leadership and the combined efforts of all one’s men united in battle. Each soldier has action points. These are the points allocated for each individual manoeuvre. That means, if one wants a soldier to stand up from a kneeling position, the action point required maybe six out of a total of 28. This will leave that soldier with only 22 action points left for that turn.

The more action points soldiers have, the more manoeuvres they can carry out for that turn. Once all one’s soldiers have been given their individual instruction, the “turn” ends and the manoeuvres are processed. The AI of the computer then takes over for a turn as an opponent before coming back to the player. Keep tabs on the men in your squad as their performance may be affected by mail received from their loved ones at home, or the death of a “buddy” may threaten their morale. Squad Leader is an entertaining game with great sound effects and good visuals. It is for thinkers and strategy-hungry players. Although it can be played for quick results, the most enjoyable and entertaining way to play it takes up some time and quite a bit of thought.

The minimum system requirements are a Win 95, Pentium II 233, 32MB RAM, 4 X CD-ROM, 2 MB SVGA video card, Windows compatible sound card and 300 MB hard disk space.

Crimson Skies

It is 1937 and North America is a continent at war with itself. The period is tumultuous and ground-based transportation is in ruin. The federal government has crumbled and the nation’s military has either deserted or sworn allegiance to its native states.

The skies are riddled with pirates, privateers and militia, all hoping to capture valuable commodities and gain rewards for their nation.

As pirate and militia raids cut deeper into national economies, the various governments begin subsidizing air wings. Some begin to subsidize pirates, handing out letters of marque to direct pirate activities away from their own zeppelin fleets and toward those of the enemy.

This is the setting for the new release, . This flight simulator concentrates on the battle for air supremacy between pirates, privateers and the militia. The air lanes are a new frontier that requires skill and nerve that could be the difference between victory and defeat.

It is up to you to take control and lead a squadron of privateers on dangerous and thrilling missions. Snatch famed scientists or steal secret prototypes from the enemy. Rremember, it will not only be the airmen that you must combat, but also an array of females that can be smitten by you one minute and then turn on you the next.

To add to the excitement and ambience of , there are very good sound effects and music. To add further to the realism, players can chat with their squadron members and hear taunts by the enemy. The user manual is in the form of a 1930s aviation magazine, with the different chapters appearing as articles with advertisements and hints.

At an RRP of about $90, this game is interesting and very entertaining. With the use of exotic planes, it’s like Bluebeard meets the Red Baron. It is unlikely any purchaser will be disappointed.

To play Crimson Skies you will need a multimedia Windows PC with a Pentium 266, 64MB RAM and 675MB disk space.

mich@picknowl.com.au

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