Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    where did you find it and what is the price???
    
    I've seen the ads, really glad to hear it lives up to it.
    
    Can you describe something about the gameplay, goals, etc.?
    
    -dave

    I got it at General Computer in Framingham for $45.00.  It comes
    on two disks, and seems heavily protected.  I got daring, though
    and installed "SETLACE" in the startup-sequence.  This is generally
    a very foolish thing to do on protected disks.
    
    Anyway, the game is about Midevel England after the asassination
    of King John.  The country is in anarchy, and the Saxons and the
    Normans are battling for control.  A map of England shows the locations
    and strengths of the various warring lords.  The idea is to gain
    power and build an army, then stab your friends in the back and
    take the throne.  Kinda like the business world, eh?
    
    The actual battles between armies are not graphically shown, but
    the body count is tabulated by the computer.  The map is constanly
    updated to show the various territories under occupation.
    
    There are some really good animated scenes, though.  My favorite
    is the raid on an enemy castle, which involves some swordplay between
    little animated men.  The background scenery is absolutely stunning.
    
    There is also a PG-rated scene where you can rescue a damsel and
    whisk her back to your castle for romance.  (I am in love with
    Rosalind).
    
    All in all, this game has the best combination of graphics, animation
    and sound that I've seen yet.  I plan on using this as my new demo
    for potential suckers.  The gameplay and strategy is good, but is
    certainly no threat to chess or Go.  It can take anywhere from 30
    minutes to several hours to finish a game.  I have won once so far.
    
    Every concientious Amiga owner should rush out and buy this game
    right now, to show that there is a market for quality graphics and
    animation that just can't be done on any other computer.  
    
    I can't wait to compare this game on an ST version, (if they are
    doing one).  Then I'll really feel smug. ;^)
    

    Re: .2...
    
    One thing I forgot to point out is that this game really demonstrates
    the advantages of the Amiga design...the game has A LOT of things
    going on...animation, disk access, and all the while, there is a
    background score playing.  What is amazing, is that with all the
    activity, the musical score never misses a beat!!   Nor does the
    animation ever stumble or seem choppy.  It is always silky smooth.
    It is as though
    you just put on a record and forgot about it.  I really am curious
    to see how this game fares on other machines.  No put downs intended,
    but I want to see the added features of my Amiga used as they were
    intended.  After all, we did pay extra for them, didn't we?  ;^)
                                                                      

    
    Can anyone review any other Cinimaware titles besides Defender?
    

Re: .4

The Memory Location has (had?) several copies of SDI and Sinbad for sale.

I saw SDI running.  The graphics were nice, but nowhere near the quality
of Defender of the Crown.  This can probably be attributed to SDI being
a title available for both the Amiga and ST.  SDI was more like a action
arcade game (read it as "shoot-em-up") than Defender.  SDI did look fun,
if you are the type that likes venting your aggressions.

Didn't see Sinbad running.

    
    I haven't figured out how to win the joust in Defender of the Crown.
    I know how to aim the joust and all, but try as I might , I can't
    unseat the opposition regardless of what character I am using or
    who my opponent is. Is there a trick???
    
    
    

	I found that when I tried to point the pole at the opponent
	at the beginning of the run, I would rarely win.

	If instead I kept the pole high and centered until near the
	contact point, and then quickly moved it down and to the left,
	I was able to hold it steady in that position for long enough
	to knock my opponent off his horse if I was a better jouster.

	If my character was an equally skillful jouster, then I could
	frequently win.

	My question is how do you win the whole game.  I always seem
	to end up with almost all the territory and one opponent who
	gains rediculous number of soldiers with each round.  He ends
	up with several times the troops and I can not win. Ever.

	So, whats the secret?

    
    I don't know the answer to that one either as I haven't won yet.
    I was hoping that learning how to win the joust would give me that
    extra advantage that I need.
    
    Am I missing something? The norman's army always seem to bigger
    than mine, no matter how much money I invest.
    

    Re .7 & .8
    
    Yeah.  What they said.  I've had them up against the wall only to
    find that they'd been doing a lot of soldier breeding in their one
    remaining castle.  
    
    If the game weren't so pretty, I don't think it would've made it
    at all.
    
    Gary

    Here are a few tips for winning that I have found to be useful along
    the way (they seem to work for me!)
    
    I am a movie fan and HATE being told the end of a movie before I
    see it, so because this is CINEMAWARE don't read this note if you
    prefer to find out for yourself!!! (small joke)
    
    
    
    
    It becomes almost too easy after a while.
    The idea of Jousting is to keep the lance low and aimed at the lower
    half of the opponents shield. As he draws near he starts to move
    to the left of the screen pretty quickly, so concentrate and keep
    moveing the mouse to the left towards the end of the run.
    
    It helps a lot if you choose the character with Jousting as STRONG.
    
    I've found that the way to win is to avoid as many conflicts as
    possible, that way you too can build an army of several hundred
    at home. Move into unoccupied territory or onto land already siezed
    by other lords rather than fighting too much. Each turn allows you
    to make money, so biuld your home army as much as you can; returning
    only to restock occaissionaly. Keep tabs on where the other armies
    are (they are in or close to their last occupied land) and avoid
    litle conflicts too often - they deplete your side and gain you
    little if you win. Even taking another lord's land and moving on
    somewhere else, only to lose it again soon after, gains you valuable
    rent for that month with which to build your army!
    
    I've found that RAIDING is not really worth the effort. It's fun,
    sure, and the graphics are great but the money received after you
    win doesn't justify the time taken to get it. But, again, if you
    want to get your money this way - choose a character with SWORDPLAY
    as STRONG.
    
    The point is, I guess, that there are several `tactics' you can
    use to win: Joust and win your land; Raid and steal it; Battle and
    earn it,etc. Choose a character with strong skills in the tactic
    you decide on. Keep on the move all the time and build your army
    whenever you can. That way when the BIG crunch comes - you can cream
    'em.
    
    Hope this helps a bit.
    
    Regards from Down Under, Rob.
                        

    Another tactic is to go straight to the enemy's caste and conquer
    it! Rememebr to break down the wall, first.
    Always keep your army in one bunch. If you fight 50 against 30 you're
    going to loose very few soldier.
    Helping ladies is fun ( hehh, hehh ... ) and perfect Chavalry style,
    but doesn't help to become KING !

    
    	To add to the hint list.  The easiest way to win is to win FAST.
    Use your first $$$ to get a catapult. Then ask for Robins help and
    take a castle. Do this three times FAST.
    
    	As for rescuing maidens, it does help. If you save 3 maidens
    your leadership goes up and this causes your men to fight better.
    
    	Also winning at jousting can cause knights and armys to join
    your army.
    
    
    		Steve Peters
    P.S. Yes, I have won also.
    

    I have followed the hints mentioned and have been able to win the
    game and at jousting. However, no matter how much I try, even with
    the character with STRONG swordplay, I can never get beyond the
    second castle door. 
    
    I'd love to save a lady :-), or raid a castle !.
    
    Any hints on swordplay ??
    
    Miguel A. Alvarez

    G'day Miguel (from Sunny Sydney),
    
    Here's some hints that work for me:
    
  o It seems to be importaant to "thrust-and-parry" with your opponent.
    That is, while swordfighting move your man towards and away from
    the opponent using the mouse. The better your footwork the quicker
    you seem to win the duel.
    
  o Also, when you are inside (duelling for the second door) don't back
    the other guy into the doorway - it seems to make him particularly
    stubborn. Keep him at the top of the landing during the duel.
    
    I don't always win, but these things seem to improve my odds - and
    who can leave a beautiful woman in distress?
    
    Happy conquering,
    Rob.
    
    P.S. I heard from the local salesman that having a princess at your
    side improves your army's fighting morale. It's hard to confirm,though.  

    I win most of the time at swordplay.
    
    Here's what I do. Move the arrow all the way to the right first. Always
    double click when attacking. Single click to block. Try to time the
    double click for when the opponent has is sword in the air. His attacks
    are rather periodic. And with the proper rhythm you always win if you
    are a strong swordsman and will win most of the times if you are
    average.
    
    ... Rich 

    Is it possible to have Defender run out of RAM with a Starboard-2?
    
      mitch

    I would like to confirm that it is possible to win Defender of the
    Crown. I won this weekend. Don't read this if you don't want to
    know how I won.
    
    I didn't have to win a joust, go raiding, rescue a damsel or anything
    else spectacular.
    It seems that early in the game the other knights are spending all
    of their money and men on their campaign armies so that they can
    conquer territory. During this early time it is possible to take
    their home fortresses from them fairly easily. If you can get enough
    money together to buy a catapult and a reasonable amount of men
    you can take their home fortresses and thereby all of the land that
    they own in a short amount of time. I won in 10 to 15 minutes. There
    are some pretty nice graphics and music at the end as a treat for
    winning.
    
    Chris

    Greetings,
    I even know a way to win each play,where you can have time to go
    to tournament, rescue a lady etc...
    I am not posting the solution here because the answer can be
    frustrating to some of you and because in fact, it is a bug in this
    programm.So send me MAIL (vaxmail) if your are really interested
    to win each play (or almost each play) and I will answer to them.
    Otherwise it can become very boring to you to win so much often
    and the game is loosing its interest.
    			Phil