COMPUTER GAMING WORLD is a 48 page glossy American magazine which has
just celebrated its first year but has only just become available over
here. It is distributed in the U.K. by Games Workshop.
Games Workshop are heavily into Dungeons and Dragons and Wargaming
and it might be expected therefore that Computing Gaming World will
reflect similar interests. it does. Its content consists almost entirely
of reviews - all written by readers - but these are not the normal half
page game descriptions you find in most magazines, but full length, in
depth, discussions of game design, strategy and tactics. Would you
believe a three and one third page review of Chris Crawford's new game,
Legionnaire? Most of the strategy type games currently available are
written for the Apple but Computer Gaming World has a surprising amount
of interest to the Atari owner. Reviews are broken down into three
categories. Mini reviews which merely give you a brief description of
what you can expect to see in the near future, Micro Reviews which are
more like the normal magazine reviews and Feature reviews which really
go to town like the review of Legionnaire. The current issue (Dec/Jan)
has 29 mini reviews of which 8 are Atari but then most of the Apple ones
will soon be available on Atari, four Micro Reviews of Atari games, the
review of Legionnaire and a full article on how you can change Eastern
Front if you don't like the way it plays! In addition to all that, the
next issues will feature a regular Atari column.
If your gaming interests lie in the strategy field or you prefer to
exercise your 'thinking' ability rather than your reflexes then Computer
Gaming World is well worth £1.95 every two months. Quite apart from
being an interesting read, you will get more out of your existing games
and will have a much better idea of what to buy as your next piece of
software. No other computer magazine that I can think of will give you
reviews of such depth. Games Workshop have branches in various parts of
the country but if you can't find a branch nearby give the Birmingham
shop a ring on 021-632 4804 for more information.
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