Amiga Power


Populous II

Categories: Review: Software
Author: Paul Mellerick
Publisher: Hit Squad Platinum
Machine: Amiga 500/600/1200

 
Published in Amiga Power #42

Populous II

Well, it's, er, Populous really. With a few extra bits on. Actually, that's a bit unfair, because really it's Populous with loads of extra bits. Now, I don't really like 'god games'. I think they're over-complicated, too slow and incredibly tedious. Trouble is, I'm practically alone in thinking this (some strange people actually believe the game is addictive) and although I do agree you can spent something like four hours playing the game without realising how long you've actually been staring into your monitor, I think that's more to do with the intricate level of detail and trying to suss out what each icon does rather than the enthralling gameplay.

But wait! Maybe you don't know what a god game is. I've give you a brief run down. You're this bloke, actually one of the sons of Zeus, and as such you need to prove yourself worthy enought to sit atop Mount Olympus. You do this by defeating the 32 divine opponents who rule 1,000 worlds. Simple, eh? To defeat the forces of evil on each world you must overrun it with your own people, build up cities, increase the population and stop them from doing the same.

Then, and only then, can you move onto the next world. Of course, it's a lot more complex than that, but I'm sure you know where I'm coming from. Exciting stuff though, isn't it?

Still, just because it bores me silly to have to play something like this, doesn't mean I don't appreciate what it's trying to do. There's every possible element covered, and with an intuitive mouse interface, some action once you get into the game (prepare to lose at least three weeks of your life!) and those 1,000 worlds to conquer you can't accuse the game of not coming up with the goods. And at a budget price, it's even more enticing. Probably.

The Bottom Line

It's the best god game ever (if you like that sort of thing). It was worth paying for it on full-price release. And not it's on budget. And if that's not a recommendation, I don't know what is.

Paul Mellerick

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