Tank
Attack is a combination of board and computer games,
recreating mechanized combat between four neighbouring
countries (the total land being a cross-section of most
climates, bar Arctic). The countries are Armania, Sarapan,
Kazaldis and Calderon and all have, for sake of equality,
a similar land mass and force strength. This common
link between each country gives each player an equal
chance but leaves little scope for different terrain
or the trying out of new tactics.
Most
noticeable when you open the box is the neatly folded
up board (40cm x 40cm) followed by the 48 plastic pieces
making up the 32 tanks and 16 armoured cars. This is
primarily a board game, but like Football Fortunes
(also by CDS) it uses the computer as a moderator to
handle non player factors.
The
progam is the pinnacle of user-friendliness, joystick
driven with easy to understand icons used to specify
movement rates and distance of fire. Along the bottom
of the display are the two main activity icons (Move
Unit, Fire On Enemy Unit) and a third icon (Fire On
Enemy HQ) which effectively ends the game if only two
players are participating. The computer decides the
movement rate for units and the result of combat given
the distance between the two conflict participants.
The
War News newspaper gives a summary of the events so
far and weather predictions for the next turn -- of
course bad weather and terrain affect force movement.
Political news is also detailed but plays no integral
part in the game.
Tank
Attack caters for up to four simultaneous players,
each controlling a selected country -- alliances can
be formed between pairs of countries. In the case of
a three-country battle, two players ally against the
third country, which has two tank divisions to make
for balanced play. Alliances prove stronger for both
countries as rebuilding facilities can be shared and
forces used for joint purposes.
Tanks
provide heavy armour but are slow-moving. Armoured cars
have less armour and weaker firepower, but are considerably
faster. Damaged units can be taken to the repair depot
but are effectively out of the game for a limited time.
Destroyed units can be rebuilt (a long task) or removed
from play entirely depending on the player's choice.
The
objective for all forces is to destroy the enemy HQ,
although the more advanced rules require occupation
of the HQ for a day. Alliances formed at the beginning
dictate the objectives. If a tank manages to penetrate
the enemy's defences, the Fire On Enemy HQ icon can
be selected to end the game (in two-player mode) or
halve the enemy's strength with one swift blow. Very
few factors are taken into consideration other than
terrain and weather conditions -- line of sight and
range-against-effectiveness rules do apply and multiple
fire is impossible.
On
the board each player places their fortes facing the
enemy which is not only the logical move but shields
the strength of the force from the opponent (each playing
piece having a strength rating between 1 and 3 stamped
on the back). This secrecy keeps both players guessing.
Only when the two forces meet are the strengths revealed,
and it's at this point that the computer referee comes
into action.
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