A Quick Look At ... Info taken from official Web sites by Sue Rage of Mages - Monolith Productions / Buka Entertainment and Nival Entertainment - www.lith.com What does the world of Rage of Mages hold in store for you? From the beginning you will be plunged into a world of danger, excitement and dark adventure. Our prologue will teach you the chilling, unforgettable history of this world. A terrible, tragic, seemingly endless war has exhausted the once-noble Kania Empire. Over the centuries, many a high-spirited Hero has set out on the quest for the magical weapon that will break the devastating cycle of war. But the mysterious island of Uimoir, which harbors the only hope for victory and redemption, has become a Hero's graveyard. Six hundred years have passed, and adventurer after adventurer simply disappears into the island's cold heart of darkness. But a new generation is willing to take up the desperate challenge again, buoyed with courage and a deep belief in the quest. Moved by their commitment in the face of terrible odds, the court magician decides to equip these new adventurers with a priceless and powerful amulet. But now a new misfortune is about to enter the world along with your expedition. Will you succeed? Will you fall prey to a horrible fate? Can you prevent the end of the world, or will you vanish like your forefathers into the dark corners of the mysterious, unforgiving island of Uimoir? Over 300 types of weapons, armor, spells, and potions: Rage of Mages offers you a slew of weapons and armor to choose from in equipping your character. Of course you'll need plenty of gold to get the best stuff. Augment your powers with spell tomes and bring along plenty of potions to stave off your impending doom when mortally wounded. Hordes of enemies and creatures: There's no shortage of foul fiends and feisty foes to face off against on each of your missions. Rage pits you against 50 kinds of deadly enemies and creatures. Remember, that's 50 different kinds, at any one time you could be facing a whole pack of any one type of monster, soldier, or other creature intent on cutting short your existence. Greater than 25 branching missions: The discrete missions in Rage of Mages help to weave you into the story line and slowly bring you up to speed on what will ultimately be required of you. Choose your missions carefully to build your character's strength and gain enough gold to equip them right. Gorgeous artwork, True-3D terrain, and real-time lighting effects: This is a stunningly beautiful game. Walk your character up a True-3D hill and watch them labor, on their way back down watch as they speed up with enthusiasm for the fight ahead (okay so its just gravity). Track the shadows cast by the trees as the sun rises and sets. Head for the town for a real treat as you marvel at the pre-rendered screens. Animated characters dynamically display their acquired weapons and armor: Equip that cool new helm and watch as your character changes right before your eyes. Get decked out in the best that the town store has to offer and you'll be rewarded as your character becomes such an incredibly imposing figure that the enemies run away in fear (dramatic license taken ... please don't expect any fear from these deadly beasts and barbarians). 5 spheres of magic offer many unique spells and special effects: Spell effects are nice, spell effects are cool, spell effects can save your behind in a pinch. Choose Air, Wind, Earth, Fire, or Spirit as your specialty. This will help determine what kinds of spells you cast well and which ones you might not want to depend on when your life is on the line. Excellent AI responds to the experience and capabilities of your character: Those you will face in battle want you dead in a bad way. You'll need foresight, good strategic planning, and an attitude to beat down these baddies. They will come after you with all they've got and kick your butt if you're not careful. Multiplayer support for up to 16 people: Get ready to rumble! Multiplayer Rage will give you and your friends the chance to try to wipe clean a map full of monsters or attempt to kill each other. Build your character up as you fight your way through the multiplayer levels and remember to equip wisely. You're going to need it. System Requirements Pentium 133 2MB Video Ram 16MB RAM SB Compatible Sound Card ------------------------------------------------------------------ Final Fantasy - Eidos Interactive / Squaresoft - www.eidosinteractive.com This is where the story of Final Fantasy VII begins. It seems that an evil power company called Shinra, Inc. has found a way to mine the planet's life energy, draining it from the planet and using it to control the universe. Fortunately, a resistance organization know as AVALANCHE, has vowed to put an end to Shinra's destructive practices. The story focuses on Cloud, an ex-soldier of Shinra, who teams up with AVALANCHE, and along the way, encounters some very mysterious and powerful allies who help him fight against the deadly creatures Shinra has created to protect its empire. You, as the game player, will decide their fate. Featuring seamless 3D gameplay and animation, Final Fantasy VII contains hundreds of pre-rendered, computer-generated backgrounds and features real-time battles, vast map screens, and a complex and engrossing storyline. Published on three CDs, Final Fantasy VII is one of the largest and most richly detailed gaming experiences ever created. - o -