C&VG
1st January 1986Waterloo
Waterloo is a one player wargame, smartly packaged in a video wallet and includes a well-presented booklet, which contains all the necessary information to play the game together with some tactical hints and historical information.
While not as detailed as Crusade In Europe, the booklet is easy to use and does include a printed map.
Set in one of the most interesting of all wargame periods, the game is for one player only, giving you command of the French army and will appeal mainly to those seeking a challenge and to experienced wargamers rather than arcade game players.
Unlike Lothlorien's last war game, The Bulge, the graphics are not to arcade standard but have been based upon wargaming symbols.
While cannons and horses would have looked nice on the screen, there were definite advantages to receiving clear information about units without having to use the cursor to distinguish one unit from another.
Control is by keyboard inputs giving a wide range of command options and there is always a screen prompt to remind you of your current options. Movement is quick and simple.
With every computer wargame, the essential elements stand or fall by the "skill" of your computer opponent and the variability of the game.
There are three levels of play and the computerised British fight a demanding game at level three, I was unable to score a significant victory.
The game also allows for the computer to make control of some of the French army corps or to split up the corps into individual units each under its own set of orders. Both of these options in different combinations give great scope for interesting replays of the game, and add greatly to the overall playability.
The map itself is clear and concise, being somewhat larger than the full screen, but sound is rudimentary.
Overall, I felt that Waterloo is a welcome addition to the current crop of computer war games which seem to be a fast growing part of the market.
While the game is sufficiently demanding for the experienced wargamer, the facility to give partial control of your army to the computer could make this a good buy also for the novice to "cut his teeth on". Definitely a game I shall continue to play.
Scores
Spectrum 48K VersionGraphics | 60% |
Sound | 30% |
Value For Money | 80% |
Playability | 90% |
Overall | 65% |