a E i - Commodore Is Awesome

distinguished, something that cannot always be said fot
other chess programs. Moving is simplicity itself. Select a
piece with the cursor and it changes colour so that you can
see instantly that you have selected the one that you wanted.
Similarly when you select the desi nation square. There is no
need to bother with algebraic notation or P-K4 or whatever.
If the computer won't accept your input, it is because you are
trying to make an illegal move.
Pressing the space bar brings up a list of options as well as
details of the moves made so far. You can take moves back
(shame on you!), change the computer's skill level, swap
sides or even ask for a hint. Positions can be set up for
problem solving and there is a demo mode if you get fcd up
of being beaten.
The crunch question when it comes to considering any
chess program is how good is it and similarly, it is almost
impossible to answer. For any beginner or someone who is
out to improve their game. any program should suffice. The
optimum is to set the skill level just a little bit better than you
are. For the more serious player, Cyrus II will still provide a
strong challenge although you would ideally need to try a
few games to assess its ability against yours.
But for the majority of players, Cyrus makes an ideal
opponent and should be high on your list of programs to
consider.
Touchline
Title: Cyrus Chess 11. Company: Niigata, 1 Orange Street.
Sheffield. At C 6 4 , Price: £10.99
Originality: 5/10 Graphics: 8/10. Playability: 8/10. 8/10.
Value: 8/10.
FIST II
REVIEWS
A
fhas
finally hit the shelves. The original, you may remember,
twas
the first of a plethora or martial arts game. Way of
ethe
Exploding Fist was a straightforward karate
r simulation, you trying to knock bits out of your opponent
abefore
he did likewise to you. In this sequel, Melbourne
House has kept the same combat ideas but transferred
lthe
action to an arcade adventures.
l
t
h
YOUR COMMODORE january 1987
e
48
The scenario is that the Warriors of the Exploding Fist
have been betrayed over the centuries and the land is now
under the rule of the evil Warlord. Nobody has seen his
fortress but plenty of rumours exist, featuring volcanoes and
underwater labyrinths. The fighting secrets of the Masters
are supposed to be hidden somewhere in the land in the form
of scrolls and there are shrines and temples to be found
where an aspiring master can meditate and seek guidance.
Such a person is you. Although initially weak and
inexperienced, the elders hope that you possess the necessary
talent to overcome your common adversary.
The scrolls that you must find contain knowledge in the
form of trigrams. The secret is to match that trigram with the
appropriate temple and thus learn its secrets. For example.
Ch'ien is associated with strength and Tui connected with
imparting a sense of well being when surrounded by
malignance. Temples are also important as they restore your
energy and heal you should you be poisoned.
There are a variety of foes for you to fight ranging from
simple but aggressive peasants to mighty Shoguns and
deadly assassins. There are also creatures of the wild to be
faced, snakes and panthers etc. The action takes place in a
variety of locations — outside, in buildings and caves and
even in water. This last location is tricky as not all your
moves are effective here. Movement is only from side to side
but there are pits to fall into and ladders to climb. The only
annoying part of the game is as you move round, waiting for
the next screen to catch you up you move off one edge and
then action is suspended as the next one scrolls past you.
The idea of a quest rather than just straight combat
works very well indeed as there is the added impetus to have
just one more go and find out what is behind the next corner.
Be warned though, your task will not be an easy one and you
will have to do really well before the warlord even takes
notice of you. Fortunately, you have the option to practise •
all your moves beforehand. Side two of the tape contains a
training mode. A nice touch from a game destined to head
the charts.
Touchline
G.K.H.
Title: Fist IL Company: Melbourne House, 60 High Street,
Hampton Wick, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 4D.13.
Tel: 01 943 3911. Machine: C64. Price: £8.95.
Originality: 7/10. Graphics: 8/10. Playability: 7/10. Value:
8/10.