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POWER GAMES RULE IN ANCIENT GREECE

THE TYRANT of Athens and Peloponnesian War are two games which take the player into ancient history. Both provide simulations of the Greek way of life.

Tyrant of Athens gives the player the chance to rule the capital of Greece for as many years as the populace allows. Every year the computer asks the player how many troops and ships, allies and food units are required for the year. The money for those items is deducted from the state treasury. Some money should be retained in the royal coffers to pay any invading army you do not want to fight.

There may be many battles during a year and disasters such as lack of money and starvation may occur. The ruler is allowed only three disasters before being deposed. Victory can be achieved within 10 years if you have achieved two-and-a-half times as many victories as defeats and are in a fairly strong position.

Peloponnesian War is similar but is a game of military strategy. The player takes the side of the Athenians, who must beat the Spartan forces. The number of generals and other officers are chosen, the number of warships and the number of ordinary infantry.

Other states may become involved in the war at various times and they would provide extra ships and men. At the beginning of the game none of those states is an ally of either side. The game may develop into a fight to gain the most allies.

The battles may take several years to fight but in the end one decisive battle with Sparta must be fought beFore 429 BC. If they feel sufficiently confident, the Spartans may enter the final phase after 425 BC but if neither side has committed itself before 404 BC, the final battle phase will be entered automatically.

Both games are available for the 16K ZX-81 and Spectrum from MC Associates, 4 Granby Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 6LS. Tyrant of Athens costs £6.50 and Peloponnesian War £5.95.