The Inside Scoop on Gaming

The PC magazines didn't exactly embrace this one. I bought it anyway. And I do not regret, because this is in my opinion the best computer roleplaying game ever to be installed on my sweetheart Jennifer (my computer, that is). The arguments the magazines used in their total ignorance of the game's brilliance were pretty lame - most reacted on the graphics not being good enough. Oh, how it hurts! When did the graphics become the most important part of a game? Note that the graphics ARE good, especially compared to such overrated games as "The Elder Scrolls II : Daggerfall" with all it's bugs. The box the game comes in recommends 32 MB RAM for good graphics. I play the game with 16 MB, and STILL I love it. So, what makes "The Mandate Of Heaven" so good?

In "The Mandate Of Heaven", you create a party of four characters, in the classic CRPG tradition. When finished, you begin your adventuring career in the city of New Sorpigal, which you can find on the included map of Enroth, the land in which you adventure. You'll quickly discover the game's few negative strokes; when you enter a tavern, shop or any other building (except dungeons), you're presented with a picture, and a few choices to select. You might find that boring. But what is more boring; for each building you get a different picture, or when you enter a tavern it is almost identical to all the other 3,200 taverns you have visited (like in "Daggerfall"). After visiting New Sorpigal's taven, you have probably met the adventure's first important NPC - who, if you chose so, might have given you a quest. The adventure begins! The quest might lead you to any number of places in and around New Sorpigal, and you'll discover that there is more to the city than just the buildings.

Using the on-screen map, you'll find out that you can travel to surrounding islands, into hilly regions with goblins, magicians and a sword in stone, or you might consider leaving New Sorpigal by walking, renting horses, or sail with ships lying in the city harbor. By this time, you will have completely forgotten the tavern interiors - instead being overwhelmed with the game's wide range of options avaible. Perhaps you find yourself sailing the seas towards Castle Ironfist, where even darker and deadlier adventures can be found, or perhaps you're on your way to Mist, where the vile cannibals exist (I'm a poet, and I ...).

In addition, the game has a very, very RPG-feel to it. Using random encounters, you never know what happens next, and the game flows because of the strict use of the rules. I remember being a little dissapointed when I began the game - it all seemed so difficult. For every goblin I slew in one of New Sorpigal's dungeons, I had to retreat to recover my characters.

Which, I realize, made the game so appealing - I watched my characters grow from the experience, and now, at 15th level, it is so funny to meet goblins I laugh out loud. There is so much to this game that it is difficult to touch upon every aspect. I would like to recommend it to anyone with a PC! And don't give up should you get tired of the "into-the-dungeon-slay-a-goblin-out-of the-dungeon" routine. Soon, your characters are more powerfull (depending on your deployment of skill points etc.), and the goblins will still be there. Or, if you feel daring enough, find greater enemies. They are many, and the treasure is good. If you'd like to find out more about this fantastic RPG, check out www.3do.com for more info.

Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Might & Magic 6 - The Mandate Of Heaven
Author: Various Category: Computer roleplaying game Company/Publisher: The 3DO Company / New World Computing Page count: n/a Playtest Review by Remy Verhoeve on 10/07/98. Genre tags: Fantasy	The PC magazines didn't exactly embrace this one. I bought it anyway. And I do not regret, because this is in my opinion the best computer roleplaying game ever to be installed on my sweetheart Jennifer (my computer, that is). The arguments the magazines used in their total ignorance of the game's brilliance were pretty lame - most reacted on the graphics not being good enough. Oh, how it hurts! When did the graphics become the most important part of a game? Note that the graphics ARE good, especially compared to such overrated games as "The Elder Scrolls II : Daggerfall" with all it's bugs. The box the game comes in recommends 32 MB RAM for good graphics. I play the game with 16 MB, and STILL I love it. So, what makes "The Mandate Of Heaven" so good? In "The Mandate Of Heaven", you create a party of four characters, in the classic CRPG tradition. When finished, you begin your adventuring career in the city of New Sorpigal, which you can find on the included map of Enroth, the land in which you adventure. You'll quickly discover the game's few negative strokes; when you enter a tavern, shop or any other building (except dungeons), you're presented with a picture, and a few choices to select. You might find that boring. But what is more boring; for each building you get a different picture, or when you enter a tavern it is almost identical to all the other 3,200 taverns you have visited (like in "Daggerfall"). After visiting New Sorpigal's taven, you have probably met the adventure's first important NPC - who, if you chose so, might have given you a quest. The adventure begins! The quest might lead you to any number of places in and around New Sorpigal, and you'll discover that there is more to the city than just the buildings. Using the on-screen map, you'll find out that you can travel to surrounding islands, into hilly regions with goblins, magicians and a sword in stone, or you might consider leaving New Sorpigal by walking, renting horses, or sail with ships lying in the city harbor. By this time, you will have completely forgotten the tavern interiors - instead being overwhelmed with the game's wide range of options avaible. Perhaps you find yourself sailing the seas towards Castle Ironfist, where even darker and deadlier adventures can be found, or perhaps you're on your way to Mist, where the vile cannibals exist (I'm a poet, and I ...). In addition, the game has a very, very RPG-feel to it. Using random encounters, you never know what happens next, and the game flows because of the strict use of the rules. I remember being a little dissapointed when I began the game - it all seemed so difficult. For every goblin I slew in one of New Sorpigal's dungeons, I had to retreat to recover my characters. Which, I realize, made the game so appealing - I watched my characters grow from the experience, and now, at 15th level, it is so funny to meet goblins I laugh out loud. There is so much to this game that it is difficult to touch upon every aspect. I would like to recommend it to anyone with a PC! And don't give up should you get tired of the "into-the-dungeon-slay-a-goblin-out-of the-dungeon" routine. Soon, your characters are more powerfull (depending on your deployment of skill points etc.), and the goblins will still be there. Or, if you feel daring enough, find greater enemies. They are many, and the treasure is good. If you'd like to find out more about this fantastic RPG, check out www.3do.com for more info. Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Might & Magic 6 - The Mandate Of Heaven