Computer Play (February 1989)

Source: Computer Play, Issue Number 7, February 1989

Computer Play was briefly a competitor to Computer Gaming World. In 1989 there were a variety of computer formats covered, including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST and of course the DOS based PC. In also included some console coverage. Contents of the February 1989 issue include:

Reviews

F-14 Tomcat – Flight Simulators do not tend to hold up well over time. After all, the whole goal of a simulator is to be as real as possible. Having said that, this was one of the better ones for the Commodore 64.

The Civil War – A not very good attempt at translating the board game of the same name to the IBM PC.

Takeover – A stock market simulation game for the IBM PC.

Off Shore Warrior – A powerboat racing game for the Amiga and Atari ST.

Jack Nicklaus’ Golf – One of the better golf games of the era for the IBM PC and Commodore 64.

Operation Clean Streets – A beat-em-up arcade game for the IBM PC the places you in the roll of undercover cop cleaning up the streets.

Kosmic Krieg – Like Battleship but in space. For the Atari ST with other versions ‘coming soon’.

Caveman Ugh-lympics – A cave-man themed sporting events for the Commodore 64. Like the Epyx Games series but with more humor.

Space Cutter – A sci-fi themed arcade game for the IBM PC.

Metrocross – Race through an underground tunnel using skateboards to speed you along and avoiding obstacles including rats. For the Atari ST and Commodore 64.

Virus – A sci-fi themed arcade game in which you must use your hover plane to destroy the aliens.

Sword of Sodan – A fantasy themed arcade beat-em-up with excellent graphics for the Amiga.

Battle Front Systems – Corps level combat at the command level will give you a feel of the problems of chain of command.

Impossible Mission II – Sequel to the classic original. In anything, this one is even harder. For the Commodore 64, IBM PC, Atari ST, Apple II, and Amiga.

Bubble Ghost – An arcade game in which you take the roll of a ghost blowing a bubble around a castle avoiding obstacles. For the Apple IIGS, Amiga, Atari ST, and Commodore 64.

Breach – A tactical strategy adventure game reminiscent of Starship Troopers for the Amiga and Atari ST.

Balance of Power – An excellent strategy game for the Macintosh, IBM PC, and Amiga.

Rocket Ranger – An action game that plays like a 1950s movie for the IBM PC and Amiga. I only ever played the NES version and thought it was pretty terrible but it gets an excellent review here.

Phantasy Star – Excellent sci-fi themed RPG from Sega.

Departments

Editor’s Page – The new editor talks a bit about his personal history with gaming going back to the 1970s and the System 360.

Letters & Hints – Reader letters about video game coverage, Amiga game reviews, Amiga vs. Atari ST, computer buying advice, and more.

Company Addresses – Contact information for dozens of gaming companies.

Scorecard – A list of games and ratings for all games reviewed thus far by Computer Play. Dungeon Master has the highest rating and Ebonstar has the lowest. The guidelines for reviews are also given.

Coming Attractions – Coming next month, coverage of Strategic Sports Football, Karateka, Times of Lore, Space Station Oblivion, Zork Zero, Warlock, 688 Attack Sub, The Train, F-19 Stealth Fighter, Thud Ridge, Joker Poker, and more.

Columns

Industry News – New and upcoming games including F-19 Stealth Fighter, Aussie Games, Aussie Joker Poker, Hostage, Combat Course, Sgt. Slaughter’s Mat Wars, International Team Sports, Technocop, Skate Wars, Undersea Commando, Pete Rose Pennant Fever, Platoon, Super Hang On, Bad Dudes, Robocop, Guerilla War, Arkanoid Construction Set, John Elway’s Quarterback, War in Middle Earth, Artura, Slam Dunk, Bubble Bobble, Operation Wolf, Kix, Alcon, Rastan, Renegade, Sky Shark, Wizards and Warriors 2, and more.
Other Ports – A look at Road Racer and Romantic Encounters at the Dome for the Macintosh; Warlock, California Games, MiniPutt, Serve and Volley and Rampage for the Apple IIGS; and Times of Lore for the Apple II.

Channel Three – A look at some of the latest video games, including Phantasy Star, Thunder Blade, Rampage, Cyborg Hunter and Bomber Raid for the Sega Master System; Food Fighter for the Atari XEGS and Atari XL/XE computers; and One-on-One Basketball for the Atari XEGS.

Snapshots – Screenshots and brief summaries of a variety of recent games including The Train: Escape to Normandy (IBM, C64), Bionic Commando, Mars Saga (C64/128), Reach for the Stars (Amiga, Macintosh, C64/128, Apple II), Street Cat (Amiga), Serve & Volley (IBM, C64/128), Karateka (Atari ST, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, IBM, C64/128), Times of Lore (C64/128, Apple II), Deathloard (C64/128, Apple II), and Rack’Em (C64/128, IBM).