Games section

11. Reviews

Safecracker (by Wolfgang W. Wolber)

name of the game: Safecracker
manufacturer    : clickBOOM
requirements    : Mac OS 7.1
available at    : ? I ordered directly from clickBOOM: I had to fetch it
		  from the local Customs (but didn't have to pay ;-)

basis of testing: (X) full version          ( ) demo     ( ) other:

tested on       : ( ) 020/__   ( ) 030/__   ( ) 040/__   (X) 060/50
graphics board  : (X) yes      ( ) no       which one: Picasso IV

emulator        : (X) Fusion   ( ) ShaShi   ( ) with Emplant ( ) real Mac
Mac system      : ( ) 6.       ( ) 7_._     (X) 8.1
Mac ROM         : ( ) 128k     ( ) 256k     ( ) 512k     (X) 1MB

Preface :

Safecracker is afaik the only game which clickBOOM published for Mac and PC but not for the Amiga. The game's principle might roughly be described as a mixture of "Myst" and "The Clou" (does still anybody know that game?).

game description:

You play the role of a safe cracker who has the instruction to crack the securest safe in the whole world. As in Myst you move in rendered locations but because of QuicktimeVR (that's why there's no Amiga version) you may move and look around.

In each room there are one or more safes and their lock has to be cracked. There are keylocks, electric switches, picture puzzles and many more. Inside the safes you can find notes concerning the next step, e.g. hints on how other safes can be opened or torn pieces of paper which tell you how to open the last safe when they're put together.

game's speed:

On my system the game runs fluidly.

note: according to clickBOOM the game doesn't run on QT3.0 but only on 2.5. On my system it works with QT3.0 without problems. I even played it with QT4.0. - Well, the Amiga is the better MAC ;-)

results:

Safecracker is a puzzle game with excellent graphics and sound and it can make you addicted to it.

Damage Inc. (by Wolfgang W. Wolber)

name of the game: Damage Inc.
manufacturer    : MacSoft
requirements    : 68040, 8 MB,
available at    : Arktis (single), Playmax (bundle) (demo version at
		  download.com - warning: 18 MB !)

basis of testing: (X) full version          (X) demo     ( ) other:

tested on       : ( ) 020/__   ( ) 030/__   ( ) 040/__   (X) 060/50
graphics board  : (X) yes      ( ) no       which one: Picasso IV

emulator        : (X) Fusion   ( ) ShaShi   ( ) with Emplant  ( ) real Mac
Mac system      : ( ) 6        ( ) 7._      (X) 8.1
Mac ROM         : ( ) 128k     ( ) 256k     ( ) 512k     (X) 1MB

preface:

game's description:

As in every game of that genre you walk through textured mazes and tries to defend against enemies. The special thing about the game is that you're leading a group of soldiers and you can give orders similar to Wing Commander or Cannonfodder. You may select guards, let them explore the surroundings or let them blow your way free.

By this feature the game gains a light touch of a strategy game because the right usage of the group may be important for finishing a level.

game's speed:

If you play around with the graphics prefs a little bit you can play fluidly and well (at least as fast as Killing Grounds).

results:

For fans of first person shooters who completed Doom, Quake and whatever they're all called it's definitely worth buying - because of the strategical touch it's also worth a look for people who normally don't like that kind of games.