| Cipher Arcanum Computing, 1990 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cipher is a cryptogram game. A quotation is encrypted by switching all instances of each letter to another letter. These look hard, but I have learned to really enjoy them. The most frequent letter in any phrase is often the letter E, and single letter words must be A or I. Two letter words often end with T, and by looking for three letter words that start with the same letter that could be "the", and four letter words that begin and end with the same letter that could be "that", you slowly fill the other words with letters until you can guess what the words might be. Cipher fills in every instance of a letter when you guess what it is, can show you every other instance of that letter in the phrase, and can offer hints like giving a list of letter frequency, remove your incorrect guesses, or tell you the correct answer for whatever letter you want to know. Scoring is based on things like completion time and incorrect guesses. The registered version comes with 200 quotes. Complete version history:
Arcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $15 on floppy disk only.
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| Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II Arcanum Computing, 1995 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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An enhanced version of Arcanum's original Mah Jongg game. The default tile set has a medieval theme, although traditional tiles are also included. This version includes animation and sound effects when tile pairs are removed, and you can select backgrounds, board layouts and tile sets. The bells and whistles can be turned off if you prefer a more meditative experience. The game also tells you when you run out of moves by default and includes a timer. The registered version includes additional tile sets and layouts.
Arcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $16 on floppy disk only.
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| EGA Trek Arcanum Computing, 1988 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (full version) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A PC adaptation of one of the first computer games ever written. I first played a game like this on a Kaypro 4 running CP/M. The concept is simple, but enjoyable. You command a starship in a galaxy divided into 8×8 quadrants which are divided into 8×8 sectors. Use warp drive to move between quadrants and impulse engines to move within them. EGA Trek takes advantage of EGA graphics to display most of the important statistics and maps without having to request them a command at a time. The enemies are called Mongols and you command the U.S.S. Lexington, a Union starship. Attack with lasers and torpedoes, defend with shields, map the galaxy with scanners, and repair and reload at starbases. An unusual feature is that there are also planets, some of which have energium which you can use to power the ship in an emergency, as long as shuttle craft or transporters are working. 5 difficulty levels ensure a good challenge for newcomers and veterans. Complete version history:
Arcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $15 on floppy disk only.
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| Mah Jongg Arcanum Computing, 1987 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A decent version of the ancient oriental classic. The EGA graphics and gameplay aren't quite as nice as Mah Jongg -V-G-A-. The option to have the game report when you're out of moves isn't on by default, but it should be. Nothing is more frustrating than looking for a move that isn't there. The timer is also off by default. Keeping track of the passage of time is important during addictive games. Make sure you go into the settings before beginning play. The full version allows game settings to be saved permanently, and includes additional tile sets and layouts. Complete version history:
Arcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $15 on floppy disk only.
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| Second Guess Arcanum Computing, 1994 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (full version) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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An enhanced version of Tile Match, a memory concentration game. Adds animation and sound effects when pairs of tiles are removed. All of the other options for number of tiles, pairs, players, and computer difficulty level remain.
Arcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $16 on floppy disk only.
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| Shooting Gallery Arcanum Computing, 1990 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A surprisingly well-rounded shooting simulation. Features traditional carnival "duck shoot" games, skeet shooting, target practice, and a western-style shootout mode. The graphics are quite nice, and there are SoundBlaster sound effects. The registered version includes a much larger sound effects library.
Arcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $16 on floppy disk only.
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| SuperFly Arcanum Computing, 1990 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 4 | DOS Shareware (full version) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Flies have invaded your house, and you must fight them off with only a fly swatter. Move the swatter around the screen with your mouse or joystick to hit the flies, which leave corpses which are impassable. If you get surrounded so that you can't move, you lose a swatter. The SuperFly appears when you have killed enough flies. Kill the SuperFly to advance to the next round.
Arcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $15 on floppy disk only.
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| Tile Match Arcanum Computing, 1992 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The traditional memory game with many customizable options. Tiles can be arranged in three sizes, with one or two pairs of each tile, played by one to four humans or against a computer of three different difficulty levels. Tiles can be imported from Mah Jongg games. The registered version includes more tile sets and more background pictures.
Arcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $15 on floppy disk only.
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