Expectations: low, because the title makes obvious references to some of the uncoolest movies ever made; these wannabe funny 'gangster comedies' which just try too hard to be oh-so-cool – achieving exactly the opposite of the desired effect. In this one, you take over the role of a desperate small-time criminal planning to rob, of all places, an all night Taco place. Which, of course, turns out to be full of lazy policemen. But he stumbles into a much bigger adventure instead which might pay off nevertheless – financially and otherwise.
I just happened to run into an old review of mine:
[quote]Taipan - the legend is brought to the Windows operating system. This is a fanmade remake of the original game for the Apple II - and it features great gameplay in the environment of a true classic. The story is quickly told - you start off in the Hong Kong of the 1860s. You are the captain of a small ship and of course strive hard to become rich - a respected Taipan. You either begin with a little money you have lent from the local money lender who will charge you 10% a month, but would not normally lend someone without money anything (he will always lend you up to two times the amount you already have) or you start with 5 cannons on your ship but without any money (which also means no chance to lend anything). The last option might be the better one as in case you encounter some pirates you are not only able to defend yourself, but if you defeat them you will also get some thousand bucks.
Tales of the Unknown: The Bard's Tale, as this game was originally called, is one of the most important games in the history of computer gaming. In addition to bringing role-playing to the masses with its flashy graphics, simplified character development and relatively good story, never before and never again did a game development team include so many great talents. In fact, this game has launched the careers of several biggest names in the gaming industry, including Lawrence Holland, Joe Ybarra and Brian Fargo.
A very simple game for quick fun. Its attractiveness is caused by its original theme: As a waiter you have to serve the rushing-in customers.
But they are very impatient. Aparantely they are alcoholics. Their appearance points to that: unkempt beards and hair hidden under (probably) greasy hats. But also their behaviour lets you become suspicious about their addiction. They can't even wait for their beer (the game does not know other drinks) for some seconds. No, they need it immediately! And if you do not serve them at once, they will pull you over the bar.
Task Force 1942 is a great naval combat simulation that is staged (as the name suggests) in WW II in the Pacific. It concentrates on the battle for Guadalcanal and features all the ships that took part in this campaign. Great graphics, controls and the ability to build own scenarios make this game a true classic.
The question whether an old house should be demolished should be answered by an expert. Not anybody from the board for monument conservation, though, but Ted Paladin, private investigator. Why him? Because of his 'text adventure skills', as the introduction tells us. What kind of game awaits the player should now be obvious: Meta humour embedded into old-school exploration and puzzles. So this will not exactly be a candidate to win the IF Comp, but it might very well place high on my personal list.
And "Ron Sommer" said: "Let's pretend to to cool. It'll look as if we actually care for our customers and as if we were a young and modern company." And his disciples went into the wide world to spread his word. One came back with something he called a 'computer game'. And "Ron Sommer" saw it was good. Or at least he thought it was good...
"Ah yes, my young fellows, I still remember when I first climbed down the stairs into this vile dungeon. All I had was the sword of my father and no clue how to use it. And then they came! Zombies, Skeletons, Orcs! I fought them all - barely made it out alive with the few coins I was able to find in the corners of the tunnels. Bandaging my wounds I made it to this very tavern and spent the night. But when the morning sun rose I knew I had to go back in there. I could not leave that dungeon unconquered. And so I travelled deeper. My skills got better, I got faster - soon I was starting to fight of demons and dragons - and the deeper I ventured into the caverns the deadlier they got!
I used to think I lived in a fairly enlightened country. Until a recent visit from the Pope: Everybody went crazy, you couldn't watch the news anymore or read a paper – and all because of an old guy in a silly robe. As quickly as the madness came over people, it also faded again. Lurking under the hood until the next occasion. Nevertheless, compared to most other countries in the world, I guess I can still count myself lucky; at least religion plays absolutely no role in daily life here. It's not a subject of public debate, nobody cares what you do or don't believe in and it almost never appears as an argument or even topic in any media publications.
By the power of Grayskull.... All the children in the 80s knew this catchphrase. They watched the adventures of He-Man and his friends (and foes) on TV, bought the action figures, read the comics. And of course there were several computer games for the most common systems of the time.