58 lines
2.9 KiB
Plaintext
58 lines
2.9 KiB
Plaintext
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LOW BLOW
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A lot of boxing simulations have attempted to achieve various levels of
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authenticity. LOW BLOW reaches out in another direction altogether: We now have
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a boxing game in which (how shall I put this?) you and your opponent can kick
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each other where it _really_ hurts. (This review is based on the IBM-PC version
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of the game.)
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There's a lot of action and detail here. If you're playing against the
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computer, it will automatically select your opponent for you. Study his past
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performance (wins, losses, "Boxing IQ," and the number of times he has relied on
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a "dirty hit"), and train for a bit with your sparring partner. Your manager has
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already scouted out your opponent, and he'll have tips on which combinations of
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punches will be most effective.
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Now, it's time to fight. The EASN announcer, Coward Headswell (who looks and
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talks suspiciously like Howard Cosell), hypes the coming action. The bell
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sounds, and the action is fast and furious. Two status bars for each boxer keep
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you informed of punching power and stamina. Your arsenal includes jabs, crosses,
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uppercuts, and the Low Blow. The trick is to deliver the deadly groin kick
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without the judges spotting it. They never seem to spot it when you're on the
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receiving end, but they're pretty good at picking it up when you've socked it to
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your opponent. His mouth protector goes flying and he stands there whimpering,
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knees shaking, and holding himself. If you get caught, it's three warnings and
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then automatic disqualification.
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At the end of the fight, you'll not only get the judges' decision and
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Headswell's wrap-up, but you can read the headlines of the sports section. Then
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it's on to your next opponent, who is either stronger or weaker, depending on
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whether you won or lost your previous battle.
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You can also play against a friend. (How much of a friend he'll be after you
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deliver a few swift kicks to his nether region, you'll quickly find out.)
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The IBM version of LOW BLOW comes on three 5-1/4" diskettes (with two 3-1/2"
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diskettes available separately) that can be copied onto your hard drive. From
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there, Electronic Arts relies on manual copy protection. The game can be played
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either from the keyboard or with a joystick; I found using the joystick much
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easier.
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Graphics support is provided for CGA, EGA, and Tandy modes. The shots on the
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back of the box faithfully represent EGA graphics, which are colorful and
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detailed. Animation is a bit on the jerky side, but smooth enough so that it's
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not distracting.
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While it's not noted on the box, audio support is here for the Roland MT32 and
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AdLib sound boards.
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LOW BLOW is a lot of fun. Even if you're not much of a boxing fan, as long as
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you have a serious sadistic streak, you'll have a ball delivering those kicks
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between the legs.
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LOW BLOW is published and distributed by Electronic Arts.
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*****DOWNLOADED FROM P-80 SYSTEMS (304) 744-2253
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