Previous Next

One of the most controversial computer games ever written has at long last been released for the Spectrum. Theatre Europe is a wargame set in the near future and features a conflict between the Eastern Bloc countries and the Nato Alliance. What caused the stir was the fact that players have the ability to launch a nuclear attack if they so desire. CND were alarmed and the issue was debated in the press and on the radio. What no-one seemed to notice was that the game was in fact an anti-war game and that using these weapons was a losing tactic leading to defeat not just for your forces but for civilisation in general. With all the publicity, the actual game itself tended to get forgotten.

There are three skill levels to select from and you can also decide whether to play the part of the Warsaw Pact or the Nato Alliance. The map shows Europe and Western Russia and displays the initial disposition of the forces, as well as major features such as cities and mountain ranges. The game starts with the Warsaw Pact moving first and a turn consists of one side moving, attacking, rebuilding and the air phase followed by a similar seuence by the Nato forces.

Movement and combat are very straightforward and there are optional arcade sequences if you want to participate in them. Rebuilding allows you to top up both army and air strengths. The amount of reinforcements that you receive depends on which day of the battle it is. The air phase allows you to make reconnaissance flights, seek air superiority or launch raids on the enemy supply lines. There is then the opportunity to make a special attack. This might be a chemical attack, a limited or a full nuclear strike. Before you can launch a nuclear attac, you need to input the proper authorisation code and there is a phone number for you to call in order to receive the code as well as get a message about the probable effects.

Politics aside, Theatre Europe is a superbly chilling game and extremely well presented. Let's just hope the subject matter never becomes a reality.