Amstrad Action


Eye
By Endurance Games
Amstrad CPC464

 
Published in Amstrad Action #34

Eye

Now we can all give the once over to the computer version of the popular boardgame. The game is for two to four players, any of which can be computer controlled. Each player has some counters that you place on the board. The board is made up of 32 coloured squares formed from two spirals within a circle. There are eight different colours and each has four squares in view at any one time.

Depending on how many players there are, you start with six, four or three counters of your chosen colour. Each player takes it in tum to place counters on the board. When all are in play it goes into the second stage of the game. Here the number of moves that you get is dependent on how many squares of the same colour you occupy. This can range from one to four. If you occupy four of the same colour you gain control of that colour which means that you can throw anyone else's counters off if they go on that colour.

The concept is simple, all you have to do is get a number of coloured counters on squares of the same colour. Actually achieving this end is not so easy because not only are there other players out there trying to win, but the spirals on the board can be rotated. There are four winning patterns: a long spiral, short spiral, straight line and a circle.

The only sound that you get is a beep and there are no tunes. The graphics are bright and colourful, although the counters are a bit small.

First impressions are often misleading and this is a classic example. The first few games that you play, you won't know what on earth is going on - but after that you'll get to grips with it. It's the sort of game that you play again and again and still learn something new each time. If you want a game to warp your mind then have a look at this.

Second Opinion

I'm not a fan of board games converted onto computers because they hardly ever make use of the computer's talents. This is no exception, even though it is a pretty good game. The only advantage is being able to play on your own against the computer.

First Day Target Score

Defeat the computer in the two player game.

Green Screen View

Distinguishing the colours is tricky in green.

Verdict

Graphics 56%
P. Colourful board.
N. Bad news for green screen owners!

Sonics 26%
N. Absolutely hopeless

Grab Factor 60%
P. Lots of tactics and depth to get involved with.
N. Very confusing to begin with.

Staying Power 68%
P. Demanding computer opponent at first...
N. ...but after a while you'll only find it a challenge against other players.

Overall 63%
It's unusual for a board game to convert well to a computer, but this is a pleasant exception.

GBH

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