Isle Wars

[spedius01]

Ave

Does anyone know of, or remember, William Soleau's Isle Wars?

It was a DOS shareware turn-based game that came out in the early 1990s.

If you've ever played RISK, Isle Wars is a similar game.

You can find it here http://www.soleau.com/index.html

Download, install and play the game and report back to us your thoughts.

Warning!!!

This is an extremely addictive game.

Have fun.

Vale

[Redpossum]

To play it, you're going to need a DOS emulator.

DOSBox is an excellent one, which has versions for Linux, MAC, PC, and even a few weird OS's.

Furthermore, DOSBox also emulates the old sound cards, including Gravis, Adlib, 3 different Soundblasters, and more!

And it's freeware.

The link above will take you to the DOSBox site on SourceForge.net, which is a open source software development site worth poking around at.

[tora_tora_tora]

I downloaded and played. Funny is I never downloaded DOS emulater. SO somekind of magic do the trick.

Well, at easy I have fair chance to win, though at normal still difficult and sometimes lose.

[spedius01]

To play it, you're going to need a DOS emulator.
DOSBox is an excellent one, which has versions for Linux, MAC, PC, and even a few weird OS's.
Furthermore, DOSBox also emulates the old sound cards, including Gravis, Adlib, 3 different Soundblasters, and more!
And it's freeware.
The link above will take you to the DOSBox site on SourceForge.net, which is a open source software development site worth poking around at.

Ave possum,

Thank you for your interest and for including the link.

However, I'm fortunately able to run the game, in DOS, without any additional software.

When the .exe file is clicked on the game appears in a DOS screen.

Have you tried Isle Wars yet?

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[spedius01]

I downloaded and played. Funny is I never downloaded DOS emulater. SO somekind of magic do the trick.
Well, at easy I have fair chance to win, though at normal still difficult and sometimes lose.

Ave tora_tora_tora,

How many times have you played Isle Wars?

My advice, for what it's worth, is to play the game on EASY with TEN armies at least ten winning times. That gives you time to work out the variations in your and the computer's play.

Here are some further details for those who have yet to experience the fun to be had from this captivating little game.

"The object of Isle Wars is to conquer all nine islands with your armies. You play the Blue army and the computer plays the other three adversaries, the Red, Green and Brown.

Isle Wars is totally Mouse controlled, so you will never need to touch the keyboard. Isle Wars is quite simple to learn and offers different levels of play. The game rules are very similar to the classic game of 'Risk', however, there are many other elements that you will have to contend with in order to conquer all nine islands."

Enjoy.

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[Redpossum]

No, Speedy, I haven't tried it yet.

But old DOS games are all different. Some run just fine without an emulator. I still play Genghis Khan 2 from time to time, an old game from Koei's Historical Simulation series, and it runs fine under Win 98.

[spedius01]

No, Speedy, I haven't tried it yet.
But old DOS games are all different. Some run just fine without an emulator. I still play Genghis Khan 2 from time to time, an old game from Koei's Historical Simulation series, and it runs fine under Win 98.

Ave possum,

As shareware is initially free, relying on your conscience to decide whether on not you will register, Isle Wars will only cost you some time to give it a try out.

Aso, in line with the fine strategies advocated by you for Legion Arena, here are a few tips I've gleaned from many hours playing Isle Wars.

Index - Word - Meaning

1. Blockers - Blockers have a dual purpose. (A) Prevent attacks (B) Launchpad for counter attacks

2. Cards - Keep your eye on the enemy's cards, they determine what additional armies the enemy will receive each turn, if you can stop them getting any more their options for attack/defence are limited.

3. Production Centres - If possible always capture these as quickly as you can, always have at least 2 armies on them, even if safe from attack. 2 doubles faster than 1.

4. Sacrifice - If you have a situation with two Blue grids faced by one enemy grid, ie. 2x10 versus 10, move 9 from 1 grid to another, then it's 19 to 10. If you are lucky he might attack your remaining 1 and weaken himself. You can then attack him and have more chance of success.

5. Spoilers - Spoilers are isolated grids occupied by Blue in enemy territory. If they are strong enough they can prevent the enemy's total control of an island.

I'll look forward with interest to reading your thoughts once you've played Isle Wars a few times.

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[spedius01]

Ave,

Should you wish sight of a couple of screenshots look here http://www.worldoffreegames.com/factsheet.php?id=779

Enjoy.

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[spedius01]

Ave,

Here are a couple of reviews of Isle Wars.

"Isle Wars is a cool game like the classic risk game, however, here you have many other elements to contend with such as floods, productions centers and other things always keep the game interesting. You won't even need directions because the game is so simple to play, and the mouse interface makes it very easy to quickly play a game in about 10 to 15 minutes. A very successful example of taking a classic and making it better. (7/25/2002)"

"Fun little game, just like risk but I thought it would be nice to have a level playing field option for normal difficulty. (It's a bit hard especially with the high degree of randomness). (8/24/2002)"

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[spedius01]

Ave,

Please let me put your minds at rest, I have absolutely no vested interest in Isle Wars.

IMHO we live in an age where most computer games are mind-numbingly complicated and you need a Master's degree in advanced logic or mathematics to be able to play them. OTOH Isle Wars is a quick, simple and enjoyable alternative so as to give your tired brain a temporary change of pace.

Isle Wars is neither being proposed as a replacement for, nor as a permanent alternative to, the splendid games which are currently available from Slitherine.

I will look forward, with interest, to your comments.

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[tora_tora_tora]

In fact, I did not register yet, so option_setting is limited.

And at Easy setting, I can win fairly easily, though at Normal setting, only one or two per five to six tries.
One of the reasons Normal is so difficult is once eney controlls three islands, there is not much hope except trading in cards and invade him.
Though, invading always invite counterattack, and due to units supplies per turn, I lose.
And I cannot understand other players' logic. Might there be somekind of character with those CPUs?

[spedius01]

In fact, I did not register yet, so option_setting is limited. And at Easy setting, I can win fairly easily, though at Normal setting, only one or two per five to six tries. One of the reasons Normal is so difficult is once eney controlls three islands, there is not much hope except trading in cards and invade him. Though, invading always invite counterattack, and due to units supplies per turn, I lose. And I cannot understand other players' logic. Might there be somekind of character with those CPUs?

Ave tora_tora_tora,

I assume you've downloaded and installed the Windows evaluation version where some of the options are 'switched off'? These can be re-activated once Isle Wars has been registered.

Might I suggest that you download, install and play the DOS version, if you can? None of the options are disabled so you may experiment with them all.

In my limited experience, Isle Wars reaches a 'tipping point' where, unless you (or the enemy) do something really dumb, you should either go on to win or maybe even to loose.

Keep playing with the game settings on EASY and the armies at TEN until you've mastered the many tricky elements. Once you're satisfied with that phase only then should you move your settings up, down or however you choose.

Let me know how you get on.

Vale

M. Spedius Corbulo

[tora_tora_tora]

I'm still playing Windows version, at EASY level, I guess I can win around 80%.
attacking is realitvely easy, defending and let CPU play in your scheme is hard.

I guess this is the basic for turn-based strategic games.


P.S.
not so high as 80%, around 50% precisely.