Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    I dont think there is, Ive seen a couple of notes with game
    descriptions in them but no conference. As I am about to purchase
    an amiga, perhaps we could rate some of the most recent games in
    this note. Im sure it would be a help to some people.
    
    In Anticipation
    
    Gary.

    I guess that is a good idea.Let me start with the best AMIGA
    shoot'em-up game yet:BATTLE SQUADRON
    
    This game is better than most shoot'em up arcade games.The graphics are
    unbelievable and the action is breathless.It overrates by far XENON II,
    BLOOD MONEY and all look-alikes.
    
    GLOBAL DESCRIPTION
    
    There are 4 different levels,each one beeing very long indeed.You start
    at the surface of the planet.At this point,you can still take your time
    to aim and shoot to achieve a high score.
    On the surface,there are 3 different entrance gates through wich you go
    to the inner levels.These levels are like hell with lots of ennemies 
    taking a (very) long time to die.At the end of each inner level,there
    is a HUGE and VERY NASTY ship which fills the screen with fast-flying
    bombs and seems to be immortal.
    
    
    WEAPONS SYSTEM
    
    You have 5 different kinds of weapons,each one having 5
    power-levels.You change weapons and increase power by flying over a
    pill which is released when you kill a special ennemy ship.This pill
    cycles through 5 colours corresponding to the 5 different weapons.Each
    time you get a pill,you increase the power of your weapon (but if you
    die,the power decreases by 2 steps).
    You also can use a "super-bomb" which destroys everything on the
    screen.You get a "super-bomb" each time you blast a whole wave of
    ennemies.("super bombs won't destroy the huge ships at the end of the
    inner levels.They will only hurt them a bit harder)
    
    
    GAME CONTROL
    
    By pressing the space bar on the title screen you access a control menu
    allowing you to set such things as the weapon you start with,the speed
    of the ennemies' shooting or the number of your ships.
    
    
    BASIC STRATEGY
    
    I think the only way to survive in this game is to stay at the surface
    of the planet long enough to be at the maximum fire-power,so that you
    have a little chance to get out of the inner levels alive.
    
    
    CONCLUSION
    
    Run to your favorite games store and buy this game.You have to see it
    to believe it.
    
    Once again, "only AMIGA..."
    
    

    Hi,
       As i said I dont yet own an Amiga, but I am due to buy one
    (Tommorow), would have been sooner but they had sold out.
    The pach im buying is the A500 with the following games.
    
    Back to the future II
    Shadow of the beast II
    Night Breed
    Deluxe paint II (Art package i take it)
    Days of thunder 
    
    Anyone used any of the above, are they any good.
    
    P.s the package costs �359
    
    and for �400 they throw on another 4 games (not sure which)
    and a joystick.
    
    I do intend to use the machine for more 'serious' work but the 
    graphics on the games I have seen threw me from the ST.
    
    Any comments, reviews will be appreciated.
    
    (cant wait for Wednesday)
    Gary.

    Gary,
    
    	Good package, is that a local offer or via the post ?
    
    	I have Shadow of the Beast II, the opening graphics are utterly
    amazing. The game itself is tough, I'm not keen on it, but then
    again its not the sort of game Im into ( at the momement ).
    
    Presuming your in Ayr, Scotland here's who I buy my software from :

    John Menzies : biggest on the shelf choice - no real Amiga skills
                   in shop
    
    COMPUCAL     : Not a great deal of choice however they will order
		   anything for you, next day delivery for most titles.

    Bit by Byte  : Again a limited choice but the staff are v. helpfull
    		   in all areas in my experience. They will warn you
    		   against bad games, help ( free advice ) you if you have 
    		   technical H/W problems etc.
    
    Virgin Records, Glasgow : Biggest choice of on shelf games Ive found
    		    to date in Scotland.

    Home Computer Club : Joined this 3 months ago, seems good value,
			 major drawback being the 6 week turnariund time 
    			 on orders.
    
    I have 40+ Major recent titles ( I only own an Amiga for games and
    have NO intentio to EVER do anything SERIOUS on it ) for my machine
    so if you need any impartial ( ie not a magazine ) advice on some
    of the games just ask.
    
    Regards,
        Chris x4197

    It is a local offer (compucal) and it seemed a good �40 less than
    anywhere else I went, they had run out and there was already six
    people waiting for the new arrivals (after only one or two days
    of being out of stock).
    
    P.s you assumed right I am in Ayr (working & staying)
    
    Gary.

    re .4
    
    regarding the club your in forr buying software.
    
    Could you please give me the address to write to to join.
    
    Gary.

re .2

IMHO

Problem now is if I do a dir/title=battle squadron" I won't find
anything. I think it best to create new notes for individual games/packages etc.

Greg

    If you want a games related conference, why don't you try TOPDOC::GAMES
    
    Although not AMIGA or COMPUTER only, there is a wealth of information
    in there for most adventures, and some VERY good reviews of other 
    types of games (including shoot-em-ups, driving games etc...)
    
    This will save the cluttering up of BOMBE::AMIGA (which is already
    large enough by far IMHO...)
    
    				Lewis.

    The Home Computer Club have a leaflet in just about every Computer
    magazine on the shelf. Just make sure you get an Amiga one. There
    is little point in me giving you their address as you would miss
    out on their introductory offer. Which you shouldn't. For example,
    I choose the following from their leaflet :
    
    	Dungeon Master, 4 Hewson 'shoot em up' games, A excellent
    spreadsheet package ( 80 quid rrp ) and a virus killer for
    the bargain price of ......27 quid. Saving well over 100 pounds,
    all I have to do is buy six games a year for one year to keep my
    side of the deal. And most titles they offer bi-monthly are at most
    2/3rd's of the price.
    
    	If you can't get a copy of the membership leaflet then I'll
    have a looksee to see if I can find a spare.
    
    Regards,
        Chris.

    Purely on a personal level, I would recommend avoidance of the Home
    Computer Club like six plagues. A couple of my friends and I joined,
    but soon found that (although the introductory offer was quite good)
    the month-by-month selection was far from it. Also, they sent their
    selection to you every month whether you had requested it or expressly
    said that you didn't (you're supposed to have a choice). They then
    continued to bill you for things you didn't want and had already sent
    back. We were never as glad to get out of anything.
    
    On a happier note, I have always had good (and cheap) mail-order service
    from Byteback in Newark, although I understand that Special Reserve may
    now be cheaper. Both addresses etc. in magazines like Amiga Format.
    
    Good Luck
    Rog (Bristol)
    

    	There is a notes file which covers computer games.  PICA::GAMES
    
    	Tom

    re .2
    
    There is a cheat mode for Battle Squadron (isnt there always!),
    just type CASTOR on the main menu.  Hey presto - indestructible!
    
    BTW There's a new Shoot em' up type game coming out called 'Saint
    Dragon' it looks brilliant, good reviews in various mags.  Apparantly
    it uses DLS (Dynamic Loading System), instead of loading whole levels
    at a time it loads while you play, thus being able to cram in more
    sound FX and graphics.   Should be out in a week or so - can't wait!!
    
    
    ..Craig

I would just like to say that I have been a member of special reserve for ages 
and ages now.They provide a cheap and reliable service(It only takes about a 
week for your game to come)It costs 6 pound to join but you get a bi-monthly 
magazine with reviews and info on your fave machine.

              Paul Tinworth.
       You cant contact me as I am only here for work experience.