[{"TitleName":"Tank Attack","Publisher":"CDS Microsystems","Author":"Ake Anderson, Henrik Anderson, Rory C. Green, Stuart P. Middleton, David John Rowe","YearOfRelease":"1988","ZxDbId":"0005132","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 64, May 1989","Price":"£1.25","ReleaseDate":"1989-04-27","Editor":"Stuart Wynne","TotalPages":92,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Stuart Wynne\r\nAssistant Editor: Phil King\r\nStaff Writers: Mark Caswell, Lloyd Mangram, Nick Roberts\r\nContributors: Ian Cull, Mike 'Skippy' Dunn, Paul Evans, Robin Hogg, Ian Lacey\r\nEditorial Assistants: Caroline Blake, Vivienne Vickress\r\nEditorial Consultant: Dominic Handy\r\n\r\nPRODUCTION\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nSenior Designer/Illustrator: Wayne Allen\r\nDesigners: Melvin Fisher, Yvonne Priest\r\nPhotography: Cameron Pound, Michael Parkinson\r\nProduction Manager: Jonathan Rignall\r\nReprographics Supervisor: Matthew Uffindell\r\nProduction: Robert Hamilton, Robert Millichamp, Tim Morris, Jenny Reddard\r\n\r\nEditorial Director: Oliver Frey\r\nPublisher: Geoff Grimes\r\nAdvertisement Director: Roger Bennett\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Neil Dyson\r\nSales Executives: Sarah Chapman, Lee Watkins\r\nAssistant: Jackie Morris [redacted]\r\nGroup Productions Executive: Richard Eddy\r\n\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\nSubscriptions: Denise Roberts\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nTypeset by The Tortoise Shell Press, Ludlow. Colour origination by Scan Studios [redacted]. Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset, [redacted] - member of the BPCC Group. Distribution by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nCOMPETITION RULES\r\nThe Editor's decision is final in all matters relating to adjudication and while we offer prizes in good faith, believing them to be available, if something untoward happens (like a game that has been offered as a prize being scrapped) we reserve the right to substitute prizes of comparable value. We'll do our very best to despatch prizes as soon as possible after the published closing date. Winners names will appear in a later issue of CRASH. No correspondence can be entered into regarding the competitions (unless we've written to you stating that you have won a prize and it doesn't turn up, in which case drop the Sticky Solutions Department a line at the [redacted] address). No person who has any relationship, no matter how remote, to anyone who works for either Newsfield or any of the companies offering prizes, may enter one of our competitions. No material may be reproduced whole or in part without the written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return anything sent into CRASH including written and photographic material, software and hardware - unless it is accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. Unsolicited written or photo material is welcome, and if used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates.\r\n\r\n©CRASH Ltd, 1989\r\n\r\nISSN 0954-8661\r\n\r\nCover Design & Illustration by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"FRONTLINE\r\n\r\nTANK ATTACK\r\n\r\nProducer: CDS Software\r\nAuthor: Stuart Middleton, game design by Ake and Henrik Anderson and CDS Software\r\nPrice: £12.99 cassette, £14.99 +3 disk\r\n\r\nMechanised tank combat is the subject on today's agenda with the follow-on to Brian Clough's Football Fortunes and it s questionable as to which is the more violent. As with Football Fortunes the computer program serves merely as referee and judge to what is basically a board game.\r\n\r\nThe game pack contains a 40cm x 40cm board 121 x 23 hexagons large if you count the edge hexagons), small but detailed plastic playing pieces (48 in all), a comprehensive manual and, of course, the computer tape.\r\n\r\nThe game is based around four warring countries - Armanis, Kazaldis. Sarapan and Calderon. Two to tour players can take part, controlling either one or two countries each. If four players are involved alliances can be set up. The objective of the game is to reach and occupy the enemy's HQ.\r\n\r\nAll this is clearly set out in the manual, which is quite comprehensive in explaining the game. But what it also helps make clear is that Tank Attack is for sure no Desert Rats, and the game's relative simplicity may not be to everyone's liking.\r\n\r\nThe basic gameplay revolves around the movement and combat of tanks and armoured cars across satisfyingly mixed terrain. Most of the terrain doesn't help progress and bad weather can slow down a country's attack completely. Combat is line-of-sight based, with tanks firing upon one another once within four hexes range. When engaged in combat main battle tanks pack the most punch but are relatively slow moving and can suffer at the hands of fast moving light tanks and armoured cars- Damaged vehicles can be repaired at depots, and even totally destroyed can be brought back from the dead - at a severe cost in time. Meanwhile the enemy draws ever nearer to your increasingly vulnerable HQ!\r\n\r\nThe specific amount of damage you take is decided by the computer program which calculates the results of combat based on the strengths of the tanks involved. The computer also takes the role of a War News paper, providing vital information on the ongoing battle and how it is affecting the movement and performance of each country's forces. Despite some neat animated sequences the command system is particularly slick in execution and speed once the basics are mastered. However, while the program does indeed play an integral part in the game, seasoned computer wargamers may find the computer's presence as referee, coupled with the somewhat limited scope of the game, perhaps too restrictive.\r\n\r\nOne aspect of Tank Attack I particularly liked was the presence of notches on the rear of the pieces indicating a piece's strength. Only the commander can see it and this brings into play the ever subtle 'Fog of War' factor - you may have a thoroughly useless spearhead force but your enemy doesn't know it and he'll have to worry about it until combat reveals all. Another good touch is the teamwork factor when four players are taking part, this is often lacking from computer wargames and is very welcome here.\r\n\r\nTo its credit Tank Attack brings together the two often very different worlds of board wargames and computer wargames in one successful halfway house. It must be remembered though, that Tank Attack is primarily a board game and should be played like one (ie with 4 like-minded people!). A relatively simple a game it may be, but TankAttack is still worth consideration - provided of course you've got at least one other person around to play it! Thankfully such a fresh idea as this hasn't been abandoned by CDS - a follow-on is planned, titled Marine Attack, and revolves around, yes you guessed it, all things marine. I can't wait to see the plastic aircraft carrier!","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"68","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Presentation","Score":"83%","Text":"Smart playing pieces, a functional board and a simple but effective manual."},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"82%","Text":"The program itself is well presented with some highly detailed graphics, good animation in places and well thought out command screens."},{"Header":"Rules","Score":"70%","Text":"The rules serve their purpose in so much as they inform the player of how to play the game but provide little other information."},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"79%","Text":"As playable as a beginner's board game with the addition of a competent moderator computer program. The 2-4 player option keeps the game playable at all levels, and offers considerable variety of play to boot."},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"80%","Text":"An interesting, clever approach to the wargame concept with some well thought out game ideas, a lot of fun to play. The somewhat limited game scope may prove a drawback with experienced wargamers, though."}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Sinclair Issue 41, May 1989","Price":"£1.6","ReleaseDate":"1989-04-17","Editor":"Teresa Maughan","TotalPages":92,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Teresa 'You're Fired' Maughan\r\nArt Editor: Catherine 'Head in Bucket' Higgs\r\nDeputy Editor: Matt 'Hi It's Mattie' Bielby\r\nProduction Editor: Jackie 'I Want It Yesterday' Ryan\r\nStaff Writer: Duncan 'What Time Do You Call This' MacDonald\r\nDesigner: Thor 'No Worries' Goodall\r\nEditorial Assistant: David 'Yo' Wilson\r\nTechnical Consultant: David McCandless\r\nContributors: Marcus Berkmann, Richard Blaine, Ciaran Brennan, Jonathan Davies, Mike Gerrard, Sean Kelly, Catherine 'Nosebag' Peters, Peter Shaw, Rachael Smith, Phil South, Ben Stone\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Alison Morton\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Stephen Bloy\r\nAdvertisement Director: Alistair Ramsay\r\nProduction Manager: Judith Middleton\r\nAdvertisement Production: Katherine Balchin\r\nMarketing Manager: Bryan Denyer\r\nPublisher: Terry Grimwood\r\nFinance Director: Colin Crawford\r\nManaging Director: Stephen England\r\nChairman: Felix Dennis\r\n\r\nPublished by Dennis Publishing Ltd, [redacted] Company registered in England.\r\nTypesetters: Carlinpoint [redacted]\r\nReproduction: Graphic Ideas, London\r\nPrinters: Chase Web Offset [redacted]\r\nDistribution: Seymour Press [redacted]\r\n\r\nAll material in Your Sinclair ©1989 Felden Productions, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publishers. Your Sinclair is a monthly publication."},"MainText":"CDS Software\r\n£12.99\r\nReviewer: Richard Blaine\r\n\r\nI had high hopes for Tank Attack after reading the press release that came with it. Nice solid box. 40 cm square board (yes, that's right, board) divided up into hexagons just like a real wargame, glossy rule-book- all right, so the 'Made in Taiwan plastic playing pieces were a bit of a let down, but you can't have everything...\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, after loading up and sitting down to play through the game, I realised that what I had in front of me was a major disappointment. So much so that not only would I not buy it, I wouldn't even bother playing it if I hadn't been given it.\r\n\r\nFor one thing, you can't play against the computer the game can only be played by two, three or four players. You never actually input any moves or positions into the computer, because it doesn't have a map in its memory and all movement is conducted on the map, in full view of all players. This is ridiculous. The whole point of marrying a computer game with a board game is to get the best of both worlds. The computer should be used to simulate the 'fog of war.' You should only get to see enemy units when your troops on the 'ground' actually see them. The computer should also be handling logistics, morale, weather, propaganda, intelligence operations - and handling them properly, not just acting as a glorified dice-rolling machine, as here.\r\n\r\nIn fact, in Tank Attack the computer is used throughout as nothing more than an electronic rules book and a random number generator.\r\n\r\nThe object of the game is to get one of your units into the enemy's headquarters hex, then destroy it. But the icon for 'attempt to destroy enemy HQ' is on the screen at all times: so you can just select it, press fire, and that's it, the game is over. Great. Big deal.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"A bit of a disappointment for hardened war gamers, but some of you might like it.","Page":"52,53","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Richard Blaine","Score":"15","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Life Expectancy","Score":"10%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"10%","Text":""},{"Header":"Instant Appeal","Score":"11%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictiveness","Score":"10%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"15%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 86, May 1989","Price":"£1.6","ReleaseDate":"1989-04-18","Editor":"Jim Douglas","TotalPages":100,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Meet the SUings\r\n\r\nGRAHAM \"nasty weazley type\" SUing (Editor)\r\nThe story so far: After being dropped by Alison SUing for a younger lurver Graham decides to wreak his revenge by being generally dastardly to his whole family. He sets traps for them but unfortunately they ALL backfire and he is drowned in the indoor pool, sizzled in the back yard barbeque, shot on his way to the office and strangled by chicken wire in the hay loft. 'Amazingly' he survives the lot and boy is he angry? Who will he direct his beastly horribleness at next?????\r\n\r\nALISON \"pouting foxtress\" SUing (Production Editor)\r\nThe story so far: Alison has at least escaped the evil clutches of Graham. The divorce is settled and she has half his fortune and so with wild abandon she gets stuck into every male in the house, cousins, uncles, great grandfathers, no man is safe from this wanton hussy. But Alison has a sordid secret past of illegitimate children, bike sheds and baths full of spaghetti bolognaise. Will she be found out?????\r\n\r\nJIM \"hopeless boozer\" SUing (Deputy Editor)\r\nThe story so far: Jim wakes up in a puddle of gin on the carpet of a motel room somewhere in Detroit. He cannot remember how he got there and decides that 13 bottles of vodka should bring back his memory. He wanders back to the SUing ranch to find the place deserted. Has his 'loving' family moved away without telling him, or are they just down the local liquor store stocking up ready for Jim's return?????\r\n\r\nTIM \"flashback\" SUing (Art Editor)\r\nThe story so far: Tim is pictured here in black and white as he appeared when the series started many moons ago. He is Graham's step brother from his mother's fourth marriage and disappeared in a dream-sequence in the indoor hot tub last Christmas. Has he really gone for good or is he maybe - hiding in the septic tank waiting to make his comeback?????\r\n\r\nAdventure: The Sorceress\r\nZapchat: Jon Riglar\r\nTechnical: Andrew Hewson, Rupert Goodwins\r\nContributors: Tony 'chubbs' Dillon, Chris 'alien gonk' Jenkins\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Katherine Lee\r\nAdvertisement Executive: Martha Moloughney\r\nAd Production: Emma Ward\r\nPublisher's Assistant: Debbie Pearson\r\nPublisher: Terry 'Mr Laid-back' Pratt\r\nMarketing: Clive 'shy and reserved' Pembridge\r\n\r\nPhone: [redacted]\r\nFax: [redacted]\r\nEditorial and Advertisement Offices: [redacted]\r\n\r\nThis Month's Cover: Brian Talbot\r\n\r\nPrinted by Nene River Press, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by EMAP Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1989 Sinclair User ISSN No 0262-5458\r\n\r\nSubscription Enquiries: [redacted]\r\n24 Hour Order Line: [redacted]\r\nBack Issues: Back Issues Department (SU), [redacted]"},"MainText":"Label: CDS\r\nAuthor: A&H Andersson\r\nPrice: £12.99\r\nMemory: 48K/128K\r\nJoystick: various\r\n\r\nCor lumme lawks! Here's another one of those 'board games with a bit of computer interaction' that CDS keep bringing out. I remember the last one well. Brian Clough's Karate School it was, and I remember not thinking much of it when I saw it. Mind you, not long after that, a friend of mine got hold of a copy, and we didn't stop playing it for weeks. This time I've taken the time out to play it with a friend, and you know what, it ain't bad at all.\r\n\r\nYou, and one to three other people, are commanders of a country's armoured forces. The aforementioned countries, who by some ingenious stroke of luck all beckon on each other's borders, just happen to be at war, so like good soldiers, you have to beat the crap out of the enemy.\r\n\r\nEach player starts the game with an equal amount of units. Eight tanks of varying strengths and four armoured cars ditto. These they place within their own provinces around the 40 cm by 40 cm board that comes with the game. Then the game begins...\r\n\r\nIt is played like a standard wargame, but the pieces and board add a 'real' feel and make it easier to understand battle situations. Each player in turn checks the computer to see how many action points they have for the round, and allots them accordingly. One action point will move one vehicle two squares across flat ground. On hilly ground, they can only move one, and mountains and rivers are out of bounds.\r\n\r\nIf any kind of conflict occurs, e.g. one of the current player's units encounters an opposing unit, or a player's unit comes across an enemy factory or even the HQ, then the respective icon is selected on the main game screen. The players then get to feed in all the relevant info on the encounter (type of vehicle(s), distance etc) and then get to view the action on screen in glorious technicolour. The computer then prints up the result and reports any action that needs to be followed, i.e. the removal of destroyed pieces.\r\n\r\nTank Attack is presented very professionally. The packaging and pieces are high quality, though due to their small size I can see little tanks getting lost very easily - camouflage colours can work on rugs too!\r\n\r\nOn-screen presentation is attractive. Between turns a newspaper front page is displayed telling you in dramatic headlines 'how goes the battle'. Colour is used very well, especially on the action sequences, where there is a lot of colour, but surprisingly little clash.\r\n\r\nIt's well worth buying if (a) you've got a friend (that's Chris out - JD) (b) you like strategy.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"A good game, but must have two players.","Page":"61","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Tony Dillon","Score":"78","ScoreSuffix":"%"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"70%","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"N/A","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"86%","Text":""},{"Header":"Lastability","Score":"70%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"78%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"The Games Machine Issue 18, May 1989","Price":"£1.5","ReleaseDate":"1989-04-20","Editor":"Roger Kean","TotalPages":108,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"EDITORIAL AND HEAD OFFICE\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nEditor: Roger Kean\r\nFeatures Editor: Barnaby Page\r\nStaff Writers: Robin Hogg, Warren Lapworth, Robin Candy\r\nEditorial Assistants: Vivien Vickress, Caroline Blake\r\nPhotography: Cameron Pound, Michael Parkinson (Assistant)\r\nContributors: Mel Croucher, Don Hughes, Marshal M Rosenthal (USA), John Woods\r\n\r\nPRODUCTION DEPARTMENT\r\n[redacted]\r\nProduction Manager: Jonathan Rignall\r\nSenior Designer: Wayne Allen\r\nReprographics Supervisor: Matthew Uffindell\r\nDesign Assistants: Yvonne Priest, Melvin Fisher\r\nProduction Team: Robert Millichamp, Robert Hamilton, Tim Morris, Jenny Reddard\r\n\r\nADVERTISING AND ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENTS\r\nEditorial Director: Roger Kean\r\nPublisher: Geoff Grimes\r\nGroup Advertisement Director: Roger Bennett\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Neil Dyson\r\nAdvertisement Sales Executives: Sarah Chapman, Lee Watkins\r\nAssistant: Jackie Morris [redacted]\r\nGroup Promotions Executive: Richard Eddy\r\nMail Order: Carol Kinsey\r\nSubscriptions: [redacted]\r\n\r\nTypeset by the Tortoise Shell Press, Ludlow and on our Apple Macintosh II running Quark Xpress 2.0. Colour origination by Scan Studios [redacted]. Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset [redacted] - a member of the BPCC Group. Distribution effected by COMAG, [redacted].\r\n\r\nCOMPETITION RULES\r\nThe Editor's decision is final in all matters relating to adjudication and while we offer prizes in good faith, believing them to be available, if something untoward happens (like a game that has been offered as a prize being scrapped) we reserve the right to substitute prizes of comparable value. We'll do our very best to despatch prizes as soon as possible after the published closing date. Winners names will appear in a later issue of TGM. No correspondence can be entered into regarding the competitions (unless we've written to you stating that you have won a prize and it doesn't turn up, in which case drop Viv Vickress a line at the PO Box 10 address). No person who has any relationship, no matter how remote, to anyone who works for Newsfield or any of the companies offering prizes, may enter one of our competitions.\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced in part or in whole without the written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return anything sent into TGM - including written and photographic material, hardware or software - unless it's accompanied by a suitably stamped, addressed envelope. We regret that readers' postal enquiries cannot always be answered. Unsolicited written or photographic material is welcome, and if used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates. Colour photographic material should be 35mm transparencies wherever possible. The views expressed in TGM are not necessarily those of the publishers.\r\n\r\n©TGM Magazines Ltd, 1989\r\nA Newsfield Publication ISSN 0954-8092\r\n\r\nCover Design and Illustration by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Spectrum 48/128 Cassette: £12.99, Diskette: £14.99\r\n\r\nWHEN DIPLOMACY FAILS...\r\n\r\nCDS - now primarily retailers - go back to the earliest days of Spectrum gaming, and they aren't unfamiliar with the concept of combining computers and board games - Brian Clough previously signed up with them to make his Football Fortune - Tank Attack is one such.\r\n\r\nThe scenario involves four countries bordering one another. Armenia, Kazaldis, Sarapan and Calderon maintain an uneasy peace, but this is about to end abruptly. Mechanised forces are crossing the borders and the shooting is about to start.\r\n\r\nDepending on the number of players involved, two countries can form an alliance against the other two, or all four countries own division of tanks (light, medium and main battle tank) and armoured cars (light and medium).\r\n\r\nOffensive tactics aren't all, the headquarters of each country must be defended, since the objective is to reach the enemy's HQ and remove it from the war. Each country also has a repair depot to remove the dents from tanks damaged in battle together with a rebuilding yard for no-hope cases.\r\n\r\nThe computer plays the role of game moderator providing details of battles, weather conditions (which affect movement), troop morale and activities in the form of the newspaper War News. All variables which play a part in the game are determined by the computer, including the amount of movement possible per turn and the results of combat.\r\n\r\nTerrain plays its inevitable part, restricting tank movement in certain regions. and confrontation takes place using line-of-sight rules, the outcome depending on target range, strength and other variables.\r\n\r\nLike Football Fortune, Tank Attack is primarily a board game, the computer is only used as a moderator and the emphasis is thoroughly on boardplay. The 2-4 player rule backs up the hexagon-based board game, and so its appeal may not be immediate.\r\n\r\nThe mechanics of play are easy to grasp but there's no real reason why the game should be so simple, an attempt at appealing to both mainstream computer owners and board game enthusiasts perhaps?","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"The computer is used for nothing more than the simple purpose of refereeing the game, but presentation is first class and very user-friendly with animation sequences and detailed graphic accounts of conflicts as they occur. In this respect Tank Attack is a better game than most previous marriages of computer and board game, and offers a whole new set of ideas for strategy gamesplayers.","Page":"58,59","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"More board than computer game."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"75%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]