In late 1992, two trading simulations were competing for the (German / European) market: Der Patrizier (also know as The Patrician abroad) and 1869. The latter came a little later (wow...) and it was generally considered the loser in this direct duel by the press. Only by a small margin, though - a very good second place.
'Aces of the Deep' is IMHO the best part of the 'Aces'-series and by far the best WW2 submarine simulation. No other game could catch the intense battle of the German subs in the Atlantic in such realistic way like 'AoD'. Actual submarine and weapon developments, changes in convoy tactics, improving air cover of the Atlantic, historical events - everything you can expect is implemented in this game.
Everyone who tries this game will notice the similarity to Silent Service. Graphics, sound and even controls are almost the same. And also the topic differs only slightly: Instead of a sub, you're in charge of a british destroyer in WW2.
[Tapuak] Anno 1602 is a classic city building sim. You're founding a settlement in a world of islands, and develop it by providing space to live and necessary goods to the citizens. In mission mode, you have to fulfill single tasks, but in free play, it's your final goal to beat your opponents from the surrounding cities to achieve sovereign rule over the islands. At the beginning, you choose a appropriate island to found your first settlement. Right from the start, you have to deliver basic goods to your people.
I'm not really sure how I got to own this game... my guess is it came from one of these sales where the stores would just throw whatever they have left of unsellable stuff on a huge table and be happy about anyone ridding them of anything. So the price would have been low, and the expectations about the same. At least I have no recollection of being seriously disappointed.
Taking one of the most thrilling concepts of an old genre and combine it with the modern attributes of current computers. That is how Cruise for a Corpse can be described best. The conclusion at the beginning of a review? Well, I thought I could do it a bit differently than normal sometimes ![]()
Unlike the highly realistic 'Aces of the Deep' 'Das Boot' takes more emphasis on action elements then on tactical planning. This becomes obvious in several aspects which are discussed later. Graphics are quite ok for 1990 whereas the sound is minimalistic.
The late Middle Ages: The Baltic Sea are is ruled by the Hanseatic League, an alliance of flourishing cities ruled by a class of wealthy merchants. As an aspiring merchant in any of those cities, each player tries to build up a trading empire by sending out ships, buying and selling goods and establishing offices in as any cities as possible.
Impressions never had the best reputation with the mainstream gamers. They mainly produced quite inaccessible (granted) strategy titles. Caesar and Cohort are maybe their widest known classic titles. The vast majority of their games completely disappeared though.