Age Of Empires 2 Gold Edition (Mac)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (01 November, 2001)
list price: $34.99 -- our price: $34.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Age of Empires 2 Gold Edition unites the exciting game play ofboth Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings and Age of Empires2: The Conquerors Expansion plus additional content for onecompelling gaming experience. Experience real-time evolution as youbuild your civilization into a flourishing empire, from the Dark Ageto the Imperial Age. Decide whether to conquer the world throughmilitary might, commerce and diplomacy, or intrigue andregicide. There are many paths to power but only one will reignsupreme.Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings spans 1,000 years,from the fall of Rome through the Middle Ages. Players control thedestiny of one of 13 civilizations. The game keeps the epic scope ofAge of Empires' gameplay while evolving the combat and economicfeatures. Developed by Ensemble Studios, Age of Empires 2features the expertise of Bruce Shelley, co designer of Age ofEmpires and the hit strategy game Civilization.Age ofEmpires 2: The Conquerors Expansion adds five new civilizations,four new campaigns, 11 new units, 26 new technologies, real worldmaps, and much more. Experience the adventure of the SpanishConquistadors as they enter the exotic lands of the Aztecs, or relivethe destructive force of Attila's pillaging Huns. This add-on packfocuses on the armies and military thinking of a handful of history'sgreatest tacticians, including Attila the Hun, El Cid, andMontezuma. The new civilizations each have unique attributes,buildings, and technologies, such as Chinese Rocketry and PersianMahouts. You'll put hussar cavalry, kamikaze siege units, andhalberdier infantry into battle in four all-new campaigns.Play up toeight other conquerors via modem, Internet, or LAN. ... Read more

Features

Reviews (41)

Great game, spoiled by networking issues
Having played every one of the AoE games from the very beginning, I was delighted to find a Mac port of AoE II Gold. The gameplay is great, and is seriously addictive. The only downside (which has resulted in this game receiving only four stars) is that network play between Macs and PCs is not possible, and gameplay between two or more Macs is problematic. This is highly unusual for a Mac game, but of course, the problem can be seen written all over a big banner in the main screen "Microsoft."

This is the only issue i have with this game, in all other respects it is one of the best strategy games ever made.

A MUST OWN GAME!
if you dont have this game already,you should.This game will truly give you endless hours and hours of fun.I've had this game since it came out,and i still play it all the time.It brings some history to kids minds about the middle ages and their warfare, but also gives you tons of action and strategy....a truly great game.

Age of Empires 2
This game is awesome! The first time I played it, I loved . I just bought it off Amazon. It combines history and action. But this game is not a history lesson. If you don't want to buy it because you think that is a history lesson, it is not. ... Read more

Asin: B00005RD6X
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Macintosh (Machintosh)    3. Mac    4. Apple    5. Strategy (Strategic)   

Baldur's Gate 2: Shadow Of Amn (Mac)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (25 October, 2001)
list price: $34.99
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Editorial Review

It's not easy being a child of a god. Your character quickly comes tothis conclusion after being imprisoned and tortured by a wizard with anunhealthy interest in your parentage. So begins Baldur's Gate II: Shadows ofAmn, an ambitious role-playing game based on the Advanced Dungeons &Dragons game.

Shadows of Amn is not really a sequel to Baldur's Gate. Instead,Baldur's Gate was merely a prelude to Shadows of Amn. Shadows ofAmn develops the plot lines, characters, and events introduced in the firstgame into a mature, genuinely interesting fantasy tale. Players who thought theoriginal game shallow will be pleasantly surprised by Shadows of Amn'sbold story arcs. Major events are afoot, and the characters' choices have a realimpact on the Forgotten Realms.

In the same way, Baldur's Gate served as a proving ground for the refinedgame mechanics evident in Shadows of Amn. The game's artificialintelligence has been vastly improved, and players have many more choices forNPC AI scripts and party communication. Keeping with Shadows of Amn's moremature theme, the party interaction even includes possible love interests foryour character.

Those who played through the original Baldur's Gate can import theircharacter into Shadows of Amn, or can choose to create a new character.Character kits such as the Mageslayer and Swashbuckler add variety, and the gameeven includes the Monk, Sorcerer, Barbarian, and Half-Orc options from the newDungeons & Dragons 3rdEdition rules. Whether you import an old character or create a new one,you'll begin the game as a fairly advanced character--unlike most RPGs, youwon't have to spend hours slaying puny critters and instead are plunged into ahigh-stakes plot against powerful foes.

A strong plot backed by strong technology makes Shadows of Amn stand outas one of the best RPGs we've ever played. Fans of AD&D will love the classicAD&D feel, and fans of the popular Forgotten Realms setting will delight in thepeople, places, and politics found in Shadows of Amn. --MichaelFehlauer

Pros:

• High-level power gaming
• Quality voice work
• Improves the already great Baldur's Gate interface
• Character kits and D&D 3rd Edition races and classes add variety
• Advances the plot begun in Baldur's Gate

Cons:

• Based on obsolete AD&D 2nd Edition rules
• Character animations are stiff
• Player's character starts out less powerful than other party members

... Read more

Reviews (18)

Oh my God, the king of all games!
This is my undisputed favorite game ever. A little frustrating at the beginning. However, once you get out of the initial dungeon, the fun begins. You play in a vast city where you are able to do what you want when you want. There is absolutely no order that you must quest in. You go from district to district picking up different quests and growing levels as you gain new powers. What you do effects your future in the game and each class has his or her own spicific questline. For example, if you are a rogue, you can join the ranks of the crime organization known as the shadow thieves and eventually become the leader of the chapter. If you area wizard or sorcerer, you can take work in the wizard's guild and go on to own your own lab. If you are a cleric, you can join your church and become a minister. The list goes on and on. Although the game does eventually end, you can start the game over again with your same character at the same level so you can progress to yout max power. Greatest game ever.

Very addictive
I originally bought this game for my PC.Then, when I converted, I looked at all the games on the Mac.Dungeon Siege didn't have the same type of game play, and Icewindale was just too outdated.However, I loved Baldur's Gate so much...that I bought it again, only the Mac version.The graphics are not the latest and greatest compared to what is out now, but they are very attractive.The big thing for me is the gameplay.The newer games are designed around the user playing only one character.In BG2, I had more fun creating different parties and combinations on my own.The only complaint I had, really, was that this has an experience point cap, so you can't get all the highest level spells and abilities. But, if you buy the BG2, Throne of Baal, it removes that cap and adds even more spells.I recommend this to anyone who loves the original feel of the D&D game.

This game is amazing
This rpg is based on Dungeons and Dragons. Though D&D requires alot of books and time. This game, which is based on d&d, has it all. The gameplay is indefinite, your options are unlimited, it is complicated, but you get used to it. The gameplay is overall amazing. ... Read more

Asin: B00005AG2L
Subjects:  1. Dungeons and Dragons (D&D)    2. Fantasy (FRPG)    3. Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D)    4. Computer Games    5. Macintosh (Machintosh)    6. Mac    7. Apple    8. Adventure    9. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, crpg, crpgs, rpg, rpgs)   

Tomb Raider: The Trilogy (Mac)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (27 July, 2001)

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Reviews (4)

Three Great Games from my Favorite Series
From the ruins of Rome to the futuristic setting of Atlantis, Tomb Raider takes the gamer through a variety of wonderful worlds. I believe that the games of the Tomb Raider series are among the best games ever made, and I know that they will all certainly become clasics. This combination pack is ideal for anybody interested in becoming a Tomb Raider.

The scenery in the Tomb Raider series is better than that of most games, although it is mostly cubed and flat. The game play and plot are wonderful, and the graphics and sounds are great. Laura's moves and weapons are limited in the original, but by the third version they are wonderfully expanded.

I would recommend this game package to any fan of the Tomb Raider series and to the average gamer. The gamer will find something they like in one of the three versions. The original game stays in the tombs and has the best plot. Tomb Raider II offers wonderful AI and is perhaps the best for a gamer seeking combat, while Tomb Raider III combines the better aspects of the previous two. I highly recommend purchasing this package to try out the series. If you like it, I highly recommend the next two games in the series.

Most excellent!
I love this trilogy set. It's a great adventure. I can play for hours. It's also fun seeing Lara become more digitally sophisticated from one game to the next as the developers and technology improved. TR 1 is set mostly in tombs and caves, whereas the others are mostly not in tombs. If you like Indiana Jones, get this set!

best for any system
bought this for II gold and III gold (the lost artefact), both previously unavailable for mac and already well reviewed at amazon. as a player and owner of all tombraiders, i was surprised to find that the trilogy has better color, definition, and contrast than the previously available mac versions, especially in the movies and cut scenes. this is surprising because the mac versions were already a lot better than the windows ones i have played (which were rather poor, with low contrast and a dark screen). these factors, as well as the eleven extra levels, make the trilogy the tombraider of choice, especially for first timers. ... Read more

Asin: B00005LOZV
Sales Rank: 10469
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Macintosh (Machintosh)    3. Mac    4. Apple    5. Action    6. Collections (Collection)    7. Adventure    8. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, crpg, crpgs, rpg, rpgs)   

Diablo 2 (Mac)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (25 July, 2000)
-- our price: $29.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Everything that made the original Diablo great--nonstop action, wicked monsters, dark Gothic atmosphere, and fantastic magic items--has returned. But new enhancements such as the class skill system and cheater-proof multiplayer competition make Diablo 2 even better than the original.

The millions of gamers who fought their way through the horror of Tristram's catacombs in the original Diablo realized that all was not well after their hero destroyed the demon's physical body. Diablo 2 opens with a vivid animated vision of that mad, doomed hero, who unwittingly spreads chaos as he moves toward a fate of Diablo's choosing. With the original character classes gone, players choose from a new cadre of champions: the Barbarian (can wield two two-handed swords at once, one in each hand), the Necromancer (raises the dead to fight his battles), the Amazon (master of bow and spear), Paladin (holy crusader), and Sorceress (wielder of elemental magic). These warriors follow a diabolical plot through four acts, and each act is roughly as big as the original Diablo.

Diablo 2 looks and behaves very much like Diablo. Players are assigned quests by nonplayer characters and adventure through dark catacombs and crypts. Hordes of vile monsters assail the hero, who survives by force of arms, powerful spells, and through the use of varied and exotic magic items. Randomly generated dungeons guarantee fresh adventure each time a new game is started. But unlike the original game, characters must fight their way through the above-ground wilderness before entering a dungeon. Fortunately, some of the frustrations of adventuring have been lessened in Diablo 2, thanks to the new ability to run and the clever implementation of "waypoints" that let your character quickly travel to and from the safety of town.

Along with the new character classes comes a new character skill system. As in the original game, players improve their character's ability scores as they kill monsters and gain experience. But unlike the original game, players get to add specific skills, spells, and powers each time they advance. For example, after gaining a level you could choose between taking a skill that improves your attack speed or a skill that allows you to scatter your foes with a mighty shout. With this customized advancement system it is unlikely that two high-level characters, even characters of the same class, will be alike. Instead of progressing along a set path, you can choose skills and powers that complement your own particular playing style. Interestingly, this new customizable class system closely parallels the changes made in the new edition of Dungeons & Dragons.

Other enhancements include a method for creating and customizing magic items, 3-D accelerated spell effects, anticheat multiplayer code, and a place to safely store excess money and equipment. But even without these tweaks, even without the sophisticated story line and all the cool new features, Diablo 2 is just a great game. The sound, music, and graphics combine to create a tantalizingly eerie setting. Players will willingly let their game-playing hours slip well past reasonable bedtimes, suffering bleary-eyed classes and meetings in exchange for "just one more" magic item, dungeon level, or character skill.

Diablo is back. Say hello to the game that will once again dominate gamers' computers, and say good-bye to your free time. --Michael Fehlauer.

Pros:

• Diabolical, engrossing story line told through brilliant cutscenes
• All five of the new classes are distinct and fun
• Fantastic music and sound effects
• Random dungeons allow unlimited replayability
• Millions of magic items, including rare items and sets of unique magical equipment

Cons:

• Addictive gameplay may cause loss of sleep, significant other, job
• Virtually no improvement in graphics

... Read more

Reviews (41)

A real unbiased review
I am a Blizzard fan, I have bought many of the previous games that the company released like Starcraft and Warcraft 2, both of which are not only some of the best games I have ever played, but in the case of Starcraft, the single best game I have ever played and a game which I probably have played more than any other game.So I had high expectations of Diablo 2.

Diablo 2 feature pretty impressive sound, good multiplayer, and is a mildly fun game.The only real problem though, ends up being the downfall of the whole game.Diablo 2 doesn't have a real good story and is almost totally linear, not involving many tasks that are not part of the storyline.Now a lot of times this is not a problem.However, in Diablo 2, it's linear nature is a huge problem because of the pedantic gameplay.The gamplay is fun for a couple hours, but by the time you reach act 3, you will be totally sick of just hacking through millions of monsters at every turn, and i'm not kidding, there are monsters everywhere in this game.Now the game being linear, there is nothing to take away from the boredom and frustration of fighting millions of monsters.

After I beat this game I decided to check out the game on the internet, as this is usually where blizzard games shine.Unfortunately, in Diablo 2, there is no real difference between the internet gameplay and the single player gameplay.On the internet, you and other players are stuck in games of about 8 people, where the mission is to journey through the 4 stages of the first person game.That was a major shock to me, as I thought that if blizzard had made the multiplayer game include new maps and more pvp combat with allies against allies and goals to accomplish it would make up for the bad single player experience.Unfortunately blizzard did not do this, and I gave up playing the game totally because after playing the levels on the internet with a new character i had to level up from the beggining, I realized that it was more of a chore than fun.

In the end I can say only a couple good things about this game: one the cinema scenes are spectacular, and two the multiplayer network is so solid from years of hosting diablo and starcraft that even though i did not like playing the game, i would play every once in awhile by getting sucked in through talking with people in the battlenet chat boards.

If this isn't your opinion, fine, but I have been fair in this review to the best of my abilities.

Diablo 2 is better then many reviewers think.
I'm sorry, but I can't stand seeing all these, "Corrupted Reviewers", make this game sound like it's not worth buying.

My friend thought Diablo 2 was stupid, then he played it. He was hooked.

"Why does this 9'2 550 pound guy pop like a water ballon filled with red paint?" Because he's a Super Unique monster, and he's not 9'2, 550 pounds. How many RPGs are there that are like real life? Is it bad for an RPG to not be like real life?

You "reviewers", as you like to call yourselves, don't know Pong from Quake 3. I am not saying I am the best reviewer, I'm saying I am putting up the truth:

If Diablo 2 is so bad, why have so many people bought it? After years of it being out, why do I go on the internet, and see like 500 games hosted, if this game is so bad? Why has Diablo 2 sold over a million copys, if it is so bad?

As I saw in the review most of this review is built off of, everything is corrupted, and thats a "bad" thing. Do you pay attention to the story? "Yeah yeah, the forces of evil are comming to the earth... Why is everything corrupted? There's only Diablo, the Lord of Terror, and his brothers walking the earth - why is everything corrupted???"

"Why do a swarm of bugs have a certain name, and why do they drop items?" What are RPGs? Do you want to attack a swarm of (blank), and after killing it not get anything? "and how do you kill them with a sword?" You want un-killable corrupted bugs attacking you that you can't attack back? I think you would hate this game alot more if it was like that. What else would you do? Spray them with bug spray? I'm sorry, that's too much real life in games.

If you want the game to be so real, too bad. A Real Life game wouldn't be as great as you think. Do you want to do all the hard work you have to do every day in a game? Games have work to be done, but having to do what you do in real life is going too far. That is why The Sims you don't tell your Sims what to do while they are at work - who to take the papers to, what to write down - the game only get's so real - they are making The Sims 2, but they aren't improving it so much that it will be too real.

Diablo came to Mac
A kick ... game with the battle.net option and get better going for a walk around the park killing deamons and undead creatures. Happy hunting! ... Read more

Asin: B00004W1B2
Subjects:  1. Fantasy (FRPG)    2. Diablo2    3. Two (II)    4. Computer Games    5. Macintosh (Machintosh)    6. Mac    7. Apple    8. Adventure    9. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, crpg, crpgs, rpg, rpgs)    10. Havas   

Baldur's Gate (Mac)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (28 July, 2000)
-- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Baldur's Gate is a near-perfect adaptation of the classic tabletop, role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. Six separate races and eight core character classes, from which the player can create a completely original character, are available. The game world is well painted, and players are free to explore this wonderfully textured game environment in any way they see fit, all against the backdrop of a thoughtfully conceived and versatile plot.

You begin the game as a young orphan living with your stepfather within the safe confines of a scholarly community. It is a happy and idyllic life until your stepfather is killed and it becomes clear that you are intended to be next. You, as the young protagonist, then set out to discover just what kind of a mess you're in. During the adventure, you recruit a number of personable allies, battle foes, delve into dungeons, trek across wilderness, solve puzzles, and complete a plethora of epic quests that are seamlessly sown into the fabric of the overall plot. The story line unfolds in response to your choices to reveal your character's true identity as well as the nature and motive of your enemies.

If the Lord himself were to ask me what games he should have in his home game collection, the first two words out of my mouth would be Baldur's Gate. This 1998 Role-Playing Game of the Year is a masterpiece and the standard by which all such games will be judged for the foreseeable future. Groundbreaking 32-bit graphics, 3-D sound, multiplayer options, and a friendly real-time game engine are blended with a depth of plot in a way that redefines the genre. --Joshua B. Coombs

Pros:

• Versatile and responsive plot
• Entertaining character interaction
• Huge game world
• Friendly game engine

Cons:

• Nonplayer characters exhibit little free will

... Read more

Features

Reviews (27)

No installer included
This is a complete rip-off! If you buy this game you will not be able to install it unless you buy "Tales of the Sword Coast." But they don't tell you this on the box or on this web-site. Don't buy this game!

Classicgame
This classic game, was first in the series and one of the most enjoyable.

Good game play.

Good strategy

The draw back is the cap on experience.

I have replayed it a couple of timesand enjoyed it each time.

Can't get the right software...
I haven't had the chance to play this game yet. It shipped originally with the software for the expasion pack: tales of the sword coast. Tales is a supplement to Baldur's Gate, located on cd 6 (along with the installer for Baldur's Gate). This game is shipping with only the first five cds so I can't even install it. I have returned it twice and have finally asked for a refund. ... Read more

Asin: B00002CFA0
Subjects:  1. Fantasy (FRPG)    2. Adventure    3. Apple    4. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, crpg, crpgs, rpg, rpgs)    5. Mac    6. Macintosh (Machintosh)    7. Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D)    8. Computer Games   

Diablo
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Diablo is a fantasy role-playing game that captures the spirit of original face-to-face games like Dungeons and Dragons. With a straightforward story line based on fulfilling quests assigned by nonplayer characters, you equip yourself, venture into a dungeon, and slaughter legions of hideous foes. Along the way, you unearth magical treasure, discover mighty spells, and earn experience that can be used to increase your combat abilities.

Almost all of your time with Diablo is spent underground, exploring and conquering ever-deeper levels of the gloomy dungeon. Combat is fast, brutal, and constant. Whether your weapon of choice is a sword, axe, bow, or spell, all forms of combat employ a simple two-click system, which is elegant without being simplistic.

Replayability and customizability are Diablo's strong points; the incredible number of options and possibilities--and the fun that can be had experimenting with different strategies--keeps players coming back for more. All the dungeon levels are generated anew each time you draw up a new character, and are packed with an entirely different set of textures, features, items, traps, creatures, and quests. While one game may stock the fifth subterranean level with an army of skeleton warriors, the next game may pack that level with hordes of winged gargoyles. Multiplayer options exist for two to four players, so you don't have to take on the world by yourself unless you prefer solo play.

Released in 1997, this game is far simpler than newer titles that have expanded on its original concepts; there are only three character classes and a limited number of ways to truly distinguish your character from others. But sometimes there is no beating a classic. Three years old and with a sequel due in mid-2000, the original Diablo has aged remarkably well. Many of its features will seem familiar to seasoned fantasy gamers, just because so many of them have been incorporated into later RPGs.

Players who yearn for uncluttered adventuring and those with older computers will definitely want to check this one out. --Alyx Dellamonica

Pros:

• Endless replayability
• Fun, classic dungeon hack-and-slash game play
• Cool magic items
• Cooperative or competitive multiplay

Cons:

• Magic items tend to define character
• Multiplay is lousy with cheaters

... Read more

Features

Reviews (126)

An action classic
This game was and still is a fun adventure.While the game mechanics are fairly repetitive, click to hack and slash, it does offer random maps, a large assortment of items, and strategy in the form of monster resistances/immunities.

By today's standards this sounds weak, yet in reality it has the simple style that makes it easy to learn and hard to put down.Quickly, you get sucked into doing just one more level since you flew through the last one so quickly, only to spend an hour or more carefully picking your way through, so as not to be overwhelmed.

Easily accessible and playable again and again by yourself or with a group of friends, keeps Diablo a worthwhile value.

I'm a non-gamer and I LOVE IT!!
I had a co-worker back in 97 that had this game.I almost had to threaten his life to get him to do any work for playing this game.Now almost 8 years later, I finally picked it up just to see what the big deal was.

This game is like software crack.I haven't had it two weeks yet and I've spent some crazy hours playing this game.I started with a rogue and got up to the 10th level of the dungeon with her before I hit a dead-end.Go down the steps to the next level and DIE!She was surrounded immediately and suffered a severe beat-down EVERY time.

I then started a second game with a warrior.I got him all the way to Archbishop Lazarus where I had a similar situation.Death at every turn and no way out to fix it.Then I found the beauty of Diablo.Just click New Game.You flush the old game but NOT the character.Yes, you're starting back at the first level of the dungeon but you've still got your 23rd level warrior who now laughs at the pithy little creatures of those lower levels.

The Butcher, who made both my rogue and warrior suffer mightily on the first trip down, died after only three hits from my warrior and 10 arrows from my rogue downed him without her suffering even a broken nail.

Diablo II and the Lord of Destruction expansion set are waiting in the wings, but this game still has a few miles left in it before I move on.I still have to bring a wizard up - which stands to be much more challenging.I am looking forward to it.

This game is incredible - I probably won't be able to handle the sequal.

My drug of choice for about six months
When I discovered this game, I lost six months of my life. I went to work, came home, and played this game. Loser? I guess. In my defense, I did maintain contact with the outside world during this period of darkness (I always played the game with the lights out), although perhaps to them I seemed somewhat pale and inarticulate. (I'm kidding.)

For me, this game was hard to master at first. I'd never played a PC game of any kind, for the simple reason that I was afraid I'd become addicted. And, of course, it happened. I struggled with every character through the first few levels of the church, and it must have been two or three weeks of serious playing - well past 3am even on a work night - before I finally made my way down to Diablo's lair.

Maybe it was the lateness of the hour, the darkness of the room, or perhaps more likely both, but when Diablo finally came out he literally scared the tar out of me. What an incredibly well rendered "monster". The rendering of Diablo in Diablo II did not evoke similar fear, even if it was somewhat more impressive.

One of the things I liked about this game was that I never played with any cheats, unlike Diablo II (maphack, etc.). So the game was always dark, and it was always scary. In some ways, it was better than its successor - but not in enough ways. Diablo II (expansion) is the superior of the two, but this isn't a game to overlook. ... Read more

Asin: B00001IVBL
Subjects:  1. Fantasy (FRPG)    2. Dialbo    3. Computer Games    4. Adventure    5. Macintosh (Machintosh)    6. Mac    7. Apple    8. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, crpg, crpgs, rpg, rpgs)    9. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, rpgs, rpg, crpg, crpgs)    10. Havas   

Baldur's Gate Expansion: Tales of the Sword Coast (Mac)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (27 June, 2001)
-- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (18)

Oh my God, the king of all games!
This is my undisputed favorite game ever. A little frustrating at the beginning. However, once you get out of the initial dungeon, the fun begins. You play in a vast city where you are able to do what you want when you want. There is absolutely no order that you must quest in. You go from district to district picking up different quests and growing levels as you gain new powers. What you do effects your future in the game and each class has his or her own spicific questline. For example, if you are a rogue, you can join the ranks of the crime organization known as the shadow thieves and eventually become the leader of the chapter. If you area wizard or sorcerer, you can take work in the wizard's guild and go on to own your own lab. If you are a cleric, you can join your church and become a minister. The list goes on and on. Although the game does eventually end, you can start the game over again with your same character at the same level so you can progress to yout max power. Greatest game ever.

Very addictive
I originally bought this game for my PC.Then, when I converted, I looked at all the games on the Mac.Dungeon Siege didn't have the same type of game play, and Icewindale was just too outdated.However, I loved Baldur's Gate so much...that I bought it again, only the Mac version.The graphics are not the latest and greatest compared to what is out now, but they are very attractive.The big thing for me is the gameplay.The newer games are designed around the user playing only one character.In BG2, I had more fun creating different parties and combinations on my own.The only complaint I had, really, was that this has an experience point cap, so you can't get all the highest level spells and abilities. But, if you buy the BG2, Throne of Baal, it removes that cap and adds even more spells.I recommend this to anyone who loves the original feel of the D&D game.

This game is amazing
This rpg is based on Dungeons and Dragons. Though D&D requires alot of books and time. This game, which is based on d&d, has it all. The gameplay is indefinite, your options are unlimited, it is complicated, but you get used to it. The gameplay is overall amazing. ... Read more

Asin: B00005BIR3
Sales Rank: 6168
Subjects:  1. Fantasy (FRPG)    2. Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (AD&D)    3. Computer Games    4. Macintosh (Machintosh)    5. Mac    6. Apple    7. Adventure    8. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, crpg, crpgs, rpg, rpgs)   

Myst (Mac)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Myst for Mac will both haunt and tantalize you. (How many other things do that?) The game's 3-D photo-realistic graphics, compelling story line, and mind-bending puzzles combine to offer a game that lets players go anywhere, at any time. Better yet, players never die. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

One of the best games ever
This game may have been first released in 1993, but it's quite good for such an early game. Unlike in realMYST, you don't see many straight lines, and the shadows make it seem like it's actually real compared to recent 3D games. For those who've played realMYST but not this, extra features include:
*Robyn Miller's music in it's original version (also for those who have the soundtrack)
*Frequent tints of gray, which makes it seem way more real
*Rand Miller playing Atrus the original way (notice that he doesn't rush through his lines and makes the way he puts the emotion seem like it's actually happening)
The CD also features the Making to Myst.
In conclusion, this game is highly recommended for those who don't like violence and prefer to explore, and it also has features that make it better than the other versions.

Needs alot of work
I thought this game was the real pits. No instructions and graphs are bad. Don't waste your money on it.

A Classic
Myst is such an adventure without any violence or bad language.

Here's the storyline: "You have stumbld upon a book that you have no idea where it came from or who wrote it. The book is Myst.After you finish reading it, you fall into the island described in the book..."

Navigation is point-and-click style. Click on something to turn it on, pick it up, or something else.

Instead of levels, there are ages. To get to an age, you need to find a book. Each age is a certain part of the island that you need to complete by solving puzzles. You know an age is completed when you find the Myst book. There is nothing but clues that you need to pick up in ages.

The scenery is SO beautiful! The graphics are so realistic, you will feel like you are on Myst Island yourself.

The thing that I really like about Myst is you get into a game that you can play at your own pace. Your world disappears.

Myst cannot be matched by anything else but its sequels! ... Read more

Asin: B00001W0H2
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Macintosh (Machintosh)    3. Mac    4. Apple    5. Adventure    6. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, crpg, crpgs, rpg, rpgs)   

Rune (Mac)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (12 December, 2000)
list price: $39.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Combine the Unreal Tournament 3-D engine with hard-nosed Vikingmelee combat and what do you get? You get Rune, an epic third-personaction game from Human Head Studios. You take on the role of Ragnar, a youngwarrior spared from death by Odin but who must fight his own way up from theunderworld to defend his village and exact revenge upon the dark Vikings whokilled his father.

Set in grim, exceptionally well-designed environments ranging from ancientcrypts full of undead warriors to a towering mechanical Dwarven city,Rune mixes typical first-person shooter gameplay with the rigors ofclose-quarter melee combat. Instead of the shotguns and rocket launchersyou'vemastered in other games, you will find yourself armed only with an array ofswords, hammers, and axes in Rune. Combat with these weapons is verydifferent--and very challenging, particularly in the game's latter levels andagainst multiple opponents.

The graphics in Rune are excellent, with an exceptional attention todetail on just about every level. The lighting is very well done and so arethesound effects used throughout the game. The music is suitably heroic, thoughitplays too infrequently and loops too quickly. Overall, the game does amarvelousjob of setting the mood for head-smashing Viking combat. There are even somenifty gameplay twists that keep you in the proper frame of mind. When you'rewounded, for example, you can drink mead, scarf down a leg of mutton, or graband eat a lizard off any nearby wall to gain some health back. And when Ragnaris done drinking his mead, he smashes the cup on the floor. He deals withcrates, barrels, and many doors in his path the same way.

While the single-player game is outstanding--and features one of the flat-outcoolest game-won reward sequences ever--the multiplayer action is where youcanreally test your sword-fighting skills. Although the game includes 43single-player levels and only seven multiplayer maps, Rune has provento bequite popular online, with up to 16 players going at it in wild meleecombat.

The only disappointment in Rune may be the fact that it does not offerany computer-controlled bots for solo deathmatch play. Even without the bots,Rune is easily one of the year's top games in any genre and an intenseepic that no action fan should be without. --Michael Ryan

Pros:

• Intense melee action using the Unreal Tournament engine
• Epic story line set in the land of Vikings and Nordic mythology
• Excellent level design, with impressive attention to detail
• Great graphics, sound, and music

Cons:

• An occasional AI flaw will halt action on some levels
• No bots for multiplayer mode

... Read more

Features

Reviews (8)

Rune for mac
I own Rune and from my point of view this game offers exceptional performance in all aspects. It is infinitaly replayable and even more so in the multiplayer modes. If only there were computer controled bots to add to the multiplayer game! But all in all there are few flaws and the general idea is allways great. My review, 9.6/10 (I love this game in every aspect and it's my favourite game ever despite owning mgs2 ect)

Mystery more than strategy
If you got through the entire game of Myst without checking a cheat book or site, then you might like the challenge of Rune too.I found the game to be more of a frustrating mystery than a challenging adventure game.You don't actually get to incorporate any strategy skills until you go through a number of "how in the heck do I get out of here?" puzzles.It's definitely NOT what I expected.My husband and I both got so frustrated with it that we stopped playing.My advice for those who want a real adventure/strategy game?Better try Age of Empires or StarCraft instead.

Best game I have ever played!
Let me just say that I have been playing video games since the dawn of Pong. I have seen video games evolve over the last 30 years and have owned just about every console system that has been manufactured since the Atari 2600.I have been bored to tears with first-person shooters like Doom and Quake.Alas, Human Head delivers an epic hack & slash game that has provided me with hundreds of hours of pure entertainment. I started out playing the single-person mod, but as soon as I entered the online meshes I was instantly addicted.The game features fantastic modification abilities with 3rd party skins and maps that can be downloaded from many web sites.With 3rd party mods you can play as characters such as Ash from Army of Darkness complete with Chainsaw Arm mutator, or Conan the Barbarian.Download customizable dungeon maps or use any of the built-in game maps to host a mesh on your computer...(if you host it, they will come!). Play all-out deathmatches in the gladiatorial arena (still waiting for a Maximus skin and the announced Gladiator mod that should be available soon).Use cheat codes to play God Mode and strike down all those who oppose you or simply play good old-fashioned man-to-man armored combat.Every night when I get home from work, I pop in Rune and mesh online until the crack of dawn.I am totally addicted to Rune and just purchased a PS2 which will be christened by Rune: Viking Warlord later this month.Forget Tomb Raider... Lara Croft has just been hacked to pieces by Ragnar! ... Read more

Asin: B00004ZB7K
Subjects:  1. Mac    2. Macintosh (Machintosh)    3. Action    4. Apple    5. Computer Games    6. Adventure    7. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, crpg, crpgs, rpg, rpgs)   

Riddle Of The Sphinx (Mac)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (13 January, 2001)
-- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

A noted archaeologist believes he's stumbled upon the answer to the Sphinx's famous query. However, after deciphering the ancient scroll holding this arcane knowledge, he realizes he's been cursed with certain death. In a last, desperate attempt to pass on the secret, he sends for none other than... you! Find the missing scroll and piece together hidden clues to finally solve this celebrated mystery. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

This is NO Myst!!!
ILOVE adventure games of this genre, but I found this game lightweight when compared to the likes of Myst, Riven and Exile.The puzzles were easy.The only difficulty came in finding a few critical items that were WELL hidden.

(TINY HINT BELOW-- NO SPOILER)

Look in EVERY shadowy spot.

The end game is a letdown.It felt unfinished, somehow.

many entertaining hours
i seem to have a dissenting opinion, but i really liked this. the puzzles were engaging, but not too hard (i didnt need a walkthrough). the game progressed at a rate such that i didnt get bogged down. the scenery was pretty, with lots of places to explore. examples are the temples off the queens chambers and the lagoon with several ruins surrounding it. most of the puzzles can be solved by finding the answer after careful exploration (like the alligator room); no mental revelations are necessary. it is possible to die, so save often. after a while, the player will recognize the danger spots. there is a relatively difficult maze whose passageways dont make sense, but it is still negotiable.

problems include jamming, mainly around the tape recorder, and a very obstinate padlock. the jamming can be defeated by turning off the ATIs in the extensions manager, but this requires restarting your computer each time you play or go back to other applications. once these are off, though, the game runs very smoothly. some places can be a little boring, like the endless tunnel and the great sand transfer, but generally things move along smartly. also,the music was good. generally, i dont notice game music, but i did with this one.

there have been remarks about religious undertones of this game. i really think that this is reading too much into it; it is just a computer game. the satisfaction comes from finally getting that door to open and not from some religious epiphany. in all, i consider rots to be a worthy effort and an entertaining puzzle (adventure) game. its sequel is coming out for windows, and i hope its available for mac.

Riddle this!
For a game with so many programing flaws, it was fun and very challenging - too challenging at times. Too many program problems to contend with but passing the initial tape playing problems, the game was almost flawless. The puzzles are exact and demanded your attention to the max. No shortcuts here. The graphics are great but the play could have been better - too much like Myst and Riven in that respect. Just get beyond the technical problems with the patch at the Dreamcatcher web site and it should work fine. ... Read more

Asin: B00004U8KU
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Macintosh (Machintosh)    3. Mac    4. Apple    5. Adventure    6. Computer Role Playing Games (Game, crpg, crpgs, rpg, rpgs)   

Heroes of Might and Magic 3
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $39.95
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Editorial Review

Erathia is in turmoil following the murder of King Nicholas Gryphonheart. Would-be rulers have divided his once-peaceful kingdom, warring against each other for gold, supplies, and--above all--power. All this and more takes place within Heroes of Might and Magic 3, an easy-to-play game clearly designed for serious fantasy gamers.

With a huge roster of heroes, monsters, and artifacts, you control your personal corner of Erathia. The heroes go out to accumulate treasure and wipe out monsters on your behalf. In the meantime, you improve your land holdings, further strengthening your tactical position.

Quick thinking and shrewd tactical judgment are required to come out on top in this intrigue- and danger-filled world. Like many current strategy games, players do not have to settle for merely besting a computer. Network and online play are available for those wishing to test their mettle against a live opponent.

Heroes of Might and Magic 3 is accessible to less serious gamers (those who don't wish to determine whether an orc can beat a power lich), but it provides combat statistics and a wealth of information to hard-core number crunchers. This admirable flexibility makes it a game that will appeal to anyone interested in sword-and-sorcery gaming. --Alyx Dellamonica ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Heroes of Might & Magic
This is a great game! It does get you hooked, though, so be careful. You can always save the game, however, so if you limit yourself you can always come back later to finish a scenario. In this game, you are... well... you are you. You don't have one character that's you, you are as many characters as you recruit. These characters are called Heroes. There are different types of Heroes, all having different abilities and statistics. In the beginning, you can either start was is called a campaign, where it's usually 3-4 scenarios all towards the same goal - in some you carry on your heroes to the next one, in some the first 3 are all different, and in the end you pick the group you want to use. There are more than 15 different campaigns.
For a single scenario, it's just one scenario, you complete it, and you're done. When doing this, you can either start with completely random things, or you can chose what different castles you want, what resource you want to start with, and what single hero you will begin with. There are 9 different castles, and for each castle there are maybe 10 heroes. For resources, you get to choose between gold, an artifact, or a different resource (depending on the castle you've chosen). Then you begin the game. In each scenario and campaign you have a different goal - most of the time it's to defeat all your enemies castles and heroes, but there are some where you have to kill a monster, gather all resource supplies(?), get a certain amount of gold, collect an artifact, kill a certain hero, or defend one of your castles from being captured by the enemy. When you start, it all depends on the certain scenario on what you have. Some start with your only hero, and you have to get a castle before you can really start playing - and in this game, if you are without a castle for a week, then you lose. In other scenarios, you start with one or more castles, and sometimes more than your chosen hero. In your castle, you can buy something to improve it once a day. It has barracks for different creatures to recruit, resource silos that will earn you some resources each day, mage towers that enable your heroes to learn magic spells, castles to improve the defences of the castle, and the greatest thing is the Capital, which you don't get until you get a few other things first, but once you do, it increases the amount of creatures in your barracks each week, and it gives you the mighty sum of 4000 gold per day. In your castle you can also recruit heroes, a choice of two per week - unless you recruit one, then a different one fills its place. And don't get me wrong - it takes money to recruit your heroes and creatures. You can also find money around the map with your hero, but most of the time you'll find yourself short of cash - unless it's a really long game and you've bought everything in your castle, have the limit of eight heroes, and your money is just piling up.
But enough about the castle - it's very important, but what you're trying to do is achieve your goal, and unless it's to accumulate gold, you can't achieve it by doing nothing with you hero. In any case, you have to have your hero capture resource places (ore pits, crystal mines etc.) so you have the resources to buy the things in your castle. You hero has a certain amount he/she can move each day - this increase with certain statistics you can get, or certain artifacts. There are also spells, if your hero is advanced enough to learn them and you have the right mage tower (and level) that enable him/her to transport somewhere on the map. That map in the beginning, by the way, is black, and you can only see things once you've explored there. If you have an ally, then you get to see where they've explored as well. Your hero sometimes starts out with a good army, but normally you have to wait to fight anything until you get enough troops in your castle. You hero has 8 'slots', which you can fill with an unlimited amount of 8 different creatures. There are different levels of creatures as well, and some are better than others. Your hero fights creatures around the map to get places, to gain experience (enough allows him/her to go up a level), to gather resources and artifacts, or to win the game. When you attack 'a' creature, sometimes they will flee and you can chase them (not on the map, your hero stays in one place) or let them go, and sometimes they will join you, which is always nice. You can also kill enemy heroes, but take in mind that if their army is better, you can die. You can make your hero retreat, however, and recruit him/her in the tavern in your castle. You can sort of view an enemies army by putting your mouse over them and holding down a certain key - I think it's the control key, the tap key, or the option key. Some heroes are also better than others from experience. You can also gain experience by doing other things besides killing beasts.
So now you have this very long narrative, and I still haven't told you everything about this game. Don't worry, you can figure it out yourself (I'm so nice). This is a really great game, for children and adults alike. It does involve strategy, however, so maybe you should be at least 10 before playing. It's a great game, and I recommend it to anyone who likes computer games - this version is for Mac OS, but there are Windows versions. This pack comes with three heroes games, all having many different campaigns and scenarios - as you can pick levels to each single scenario, that is almost an unlimited amount. You can also create your own map, but I haven't really figured out how to do this the exact way I want to, so I can't help you there.
I hope this review has helped, even it was really long. I hope you enjoy the game!

great game
One of the best computer game I have ever played

the heroes review
I think it is really cool! ... Read more

Asin: B00004DS41
Subjects:  1. Apple    2. Computer Games    3. Mac    4. Macintosh (Machintosh)    5. Strategy (Strategic)   

Majesty (Mac)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (16 December, 2000)

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Both the fantasy and the real-time strategy genres are so worn out that it is nearly impossible to think of a way to freshen things up, but that's exactly what developer Cyberlore Studios did with Majesty. More of a simulation game than anything else, Majesty lets you tinker with your own kingdom. Its main elements are in building a city and populating it with heroes recruited to expand and protect your kingdom's borders.

You don't control characters and events in Majesty so much as you influence them. Players used to more conventional strategy games like Starcraft will be a little perplexed when they click on a hero, order him to move somewhere, and watch as their commands are ignored. Characters in Majesty have unique agendas and personalities and operate on their own in accordance with those characteristics. If you want the avaricious Greedheart Thistlebottom to slay that large green beast that's approaching the village, you'll have to put a price on the monster's head. When the job is finished you can watch the hero squander his reward on warm beer, cheap women, and newer weapons. The entire game plays out like a fantasy soap opera, with you as the director and your minions as the actors (with a lot of room for improvisation).

The game's graphics and sound effects aren't too spectacular, but frankly they don't need to be. Majesty's unique and addictive gameplay overcomes any multimedia gripes we can level at it. Our bet is that fans of games like SimCity--as well as open-minded strategy aficionados--will agree. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Unique gameplay style
• Watching recruits become heroes and cowards is a treat
• Many missions and scenarios for hours of play

Cons:

• Lack of direct control may not appeal to everyone

... Read more

Reviews (20)

fun for a little while.
This game was very novel, you don't have direct control over you units and you have to use other methods to motivate them (such as bribes). Eventually the novelty wears off and it gets a little boring to not be able to just take control in certain situations.

Basically, you should buy this game if you want to have fun with it for a week or so (it is cheaper then a dvd, so it pays in comparison). Don't expect very much long term intrest in it though.

cool game
This game is cool because it is more realistic then other
games.Like your hero's gain levels and when they kill monsters they get money and puchase items or weapons.

Some hero's are greedy or ,will do any thing for treasure.
Others are loyal.There are two kinds of hero's that steal
from your kingdom.

You have choices elves, dwarves or, gmomes I like the
dwarves.

buy it then go against me
this game is the best game ive played on pc you have to buy it so i can beat you down ... Read more

Asin: B000053UTO
Subjects:  1. Apple    2. Computer Games    3. Mac    4. Macintosh (Machintosh)    5. Strategy (Strategic)   

Shanghai: Dynasty
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Shanghai: Dynasty combines the addictive game play of ancient Chinese tile-matching games with the Internet to provide new challenges. This best-selling game generates both single and multiplayer puzzles, including mahjong. This puzzle-packed challenge sets off a new era in tile-matching excitement. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

just checking out the game
I was looking for shanghai dynasty II, but not advailable anymore, I have played dynasty II, is this maj jong game the same.do you play against computer with 3 other players?I like playing with the computer people.any help from anyone is appreciated. the five stars are for shanghai dynasty II.Also do you get a maj jong card with this game.

Madeline

So many variations to play!
First you have to like this sort of game and have the patience to play it.Then you have to like variety.You can not only chose the type of tiles (fantasy, cultures, children's) but also which layout you want to you.There are dozens and dozens of combinations to chose from.If you win, then you see a little animation that fits with the type of tiles you've played with. Its a relaxing game that you don't even need to be skilled at -- you can always use the "find match" button if you need help.

Where's my Shanghai Dynasty CD?
I am listed as having "purchased" this game when in fact I only ordered it! Where is it? Don't be charging me until it is shipped, please! ... Read more

Asin: B00001N2P5
Subjects:  1. Mac    2. Macintosh (Machintosh)    3. Puzzle (Puzzles)    4. Retro Arcade    5. Apple    6. Classics (Classic    7. Computer Games