Dungeon Master 2

            A mini review/moan from Brian Burke

Probably much to the delight of James Judge I have to say that I
haven't enjoyed playing this game very much. It's miles away from
the atmosphere that the original Dungeon Master created. Apart
from the fact it should have been called Garden & Tower Master I
hate, I mean I really, really detest, the way those pesky Minions
increase their intrusiveness and aggressiveness as the game goes
on.

As I write I've just reached the final `Cloud' level and barely
have time to see where I'm going, create a defence and accelerate
spell before I get wiped out. I've actually laid eyes on the end
game baddie, slung a few Fireballs at him .... and fled.
Tantalisingly you get a glimpse of the end game Cave entrance where
presumably a pleasing win screen is awaiting - a sight that I
don't think I'll ever see unless Alex does one of his endgame
saves for the SynTax library?

The bad news is that the only place you get any peace is way, way
back in the start area. You've then got to go through all the pain
of climbing up loads of ladders, avoiding the dreaded Minions
along the way, and then negotiate the absolutely worst bit in the
Cloud area.

The big baddie is cut off from the Tower exit by a cloud `island'.
The island is protected by two rapidly appearing/ disappearing
pathways. You have to cast an Accelerate spell to cross over which
means you need to look at your Magic Map to see when the path
appears and time your run. As you do this the Minions are letting
rip. This means that you had best have pre-cast a Flame Shield
spell and hope it lasts out till you can cross over. Only then can
you desperately try to cast Fireball spells whilst dancing round
the big baddie and trying not to fall off the cloud in the
process. If you do fall off then you- have - to - do - it - all -
over - again.


It's all too much for me I'm afraid, I'm off to play a peaceful
Adventure game, to let my strung out nerves and twitching facial
muscles recover. From what I've heard about Stonekeep, this is the
game that DM2 should have been. I hope to find out first hand
shortly but the Betty Ford clinic and Shannara beckon first.

Move on, FTL - the bubble's just burst, guys.












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