BETRAYAL IN ANTARA

                    Review by Joan Dunn

I was attracted to this game as it was similar to Betrayal In
Krondor, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Antara has a similar
interface and combat system. So if you liked Krondor you will be
happy with Antara.

It is an easier game, you will never have to fight more than 4
enemies at a time. In Krondor they came in quite large numbers and
just when you were winning they called out reserves.

The graphics are very good. This game too is divided into nine
chapters and at the beginning of each you are told what you need
to do in the following chapter. This gives you a sense of purpose.
Personally I hate wandering about thinking - What do I do next and
where do I go? There is also help from members of your party. If
you come to 3 roads and start down one, one of your characters
will say - I don't think we should go this way.

There are a number of towns and cities where you can buy and sell,
talk to occupants in the houses and get some useful information,
rest in the inn and buy food there.

There is a world map and an overhead map. The first gives your
position in the world and shows all the cities, rivers and
mountains. The overhead map shows the area surrounding the party.
You can move more quickly but will miss chests etc by the wayside.
There are different coloured seals available which you can move to
mark something important. A third map shows you the way you are
moving through the eyes of members of your party so you can see
everything ahead and to the side of you.

Some members of your party are changed as you enter a new chapter.
I found this rather disconcerting, as you are used to the
character you are playing and when they go they take all their
goodies with them.  I built up quite a good inventory for my party
and also plenty of food and gold. Most of the things I collected
were never used!

One criticism I have is the amount of time you have to spend going
from place to place.  You visit one town and ask about someone and
are told to go and talk to somebody else at another town. Having
travelled there you find the person you want has gone somewhere
else and so it goes on from place to place, rather a waste of
time.

There are three kinds of chest, one opened with a key, a second
with a lever after you solve a riddle or answer a riddle or a
question which you key in with letters in the answer window.  The
third type are bead chests. they are described in the rule book
but I couldn't sort them out. Sue came to my rescue and has put a
piece about solving them in SynTax.
@~My hint file was in Issue 69. There's more in this one ... Sue

The story is rather complicated with various groups of people
mentioned, shepherds, shadows, wraiths, pirates etc. I was not
always sure which were the good guys or the bad guys.

As you were only fighting 2 or 3 enemies at a time, I found a good
thrust and slash more effective than spells.

There are several cave systems which seem to go on for ever.
After going through I discovered a Spelunker spell which shows you
the side turnings and is very useful.

There is a long epilogue which tidies all the loose ends.

This is a game I can recommend especially for the less experienced
player.

But now on to pastures new, Might and Magic 6 here I come.






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