Instructions for
Archon
Ariolasoft, 1985
Written by Chris Owen, HTML'd by Arnt Gulbrandsen.
Controls
Keyboard, Kempston, Sinclair
Aim of the game
ARCHON is an abstract strategy game superficially similar to
chess; the aim is simply to win.
Game play
As with chess you have two opposing forces facing each
other, but unlike chess the forces are not matched. Each of the two
armies have different pieces, each having individual strengths and
weaknesses. Before the game begins you must decide which side to
contol - you can play against the computer or another human player.
Although each side has different pieces, in overall terms the armies
are about equal. Some pieces are able to move ahead only two or
three squares while others may be able to pass over other pieces or
even, with the aid of a spell, teleport to any location on the board.
To move, you simply place the cursor square over a piece, press
fire, then move the square to the position you desire. If the move
is over a distance greater than is allowed, or is illegal for some
reason, perhaps because it is blocked by other pieces or has been
imprisoned by the enemy, then the computer will tell you. When
playing against the computer it moves its pieces in exactly the
same way, so it's very easy to follow its moves.
The object of the game is to take and hold the five power points,
but to do that you must destroy the enemy forces and that takes a
lot of good planning. Apart from having to know the strengths and
weaknesses of each of the pieces and remembering how best to use
them, it's good to take advantage of situations unique to this game.
For example, perhaps you have just lost a major piece and in doing
so have severely wounded an opposing piece, are you in a position
to send in a minor piece and finish the job before the enemy has
time to heal his wounds? When you are ready to attack all that is
required is to move the piece over to the occupied square, and the
computer will ask if you want to challenge the occupant. If you
answer yes, the main display will change to the battle screen.
This has a life strength indicator for each of the pieces in
combat - the first-time player will notice that the life bar of
his enemy's piece is three times greater than that of his own.
At the start of a battle the two pieces are positioned on opposite
sides. At various and constantly changing locations around the
screen blocks are located, which can be used as defensive barriers.
The two icons must fight to the death, with the winner gaining
control of the disputed square.
Depending on the nature of the piece, the mode of attack will
vary - some are able to fire bolts to cause damage at a distance
while others must fight at close quarters. This is where the
strategy element comes in - try not to attack a much stronger
opponent. While some pieces are able to move at great speed, they
are only weak fighters, while some move very slowly but a direct
hit from one could be fatal. Others may have both strength and
speed but require long intervals between firing. The minor icons
are not very strong, but they are more numerous and with luck and
good play you may inflict a lethal blow.
To make the strategy element even more complex, there are also
"luminosity cycles" and "power points". If you decide to attack a
piece on a power point, that piece will be much stronger than
normal as well as being protected from magical attacks. The
luminosity cycle dictates that while pieces on squares of their
own colour are stronger (dark on black, for example), some of
the squares will change in colour. The effects of the magic used
by the magician pieces vary too; they can only be used once and
their use weakens the piece. The revive spell allows you to
resurrect a useful piece that has been killed, while the summon
spell allows you to call a piece that did not previously exist.
Other spells include teleport, heal, exchange and imprison. Since
the use of a spell at the appropriate game can change the whole
course of a battle, you must make sure that your magician is
protected whilst trying to find ways to destroy your enemy's
magician.
Comments
"An involved game, very good"
Rating
83% (CRASH #18, July 1985)
Now
An interesting strategy game; it's a pity about the poor
graphics though.
Keys
Up - Q
Down - A
Left - Z
Right - X
Fire - C
Nettverksgruppa, 10/9-94, sinclair@nvg.ntnu.no