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BALANCE OF POWER 1990 BALANCE OF POWER, 1990 Edition, is an update of the original BALANCE OF POWER computer strategy game published by Mindscape and designed by Chris Crawford. The IBM-PC version is the basis of this review; Atari ST version notes follow. The program requires Microsoft Windows (2.0 and above), 640K memory, and a hard disk. If you don't have Microsoft Windows, you can order a special run-time version from Mindscape for $15.00 that allows you to run the program. I played the game on a Blackship (IBM compatible) 386 machine with EGA. The (91-page) manual recommends at least a 286 machine. When you boot the program, a standard Windows interface appears: Pull-down menus appear across the top of the screen, as well as a map of the world (at least 80 of the countries are shown). I recommend using a mouse, since the program is designed specifically for one; keyboard control can be enabled, but I found it to be clumsy and time-consuming. The only other graphics consist of a group of four advisors who pop up whenever you must make a decision about your opponent's actions. The rules are well-devised. The manual opens with an invitation to experiment with different menus and to examine the types of information available. Next, the manual walks you through a brief example or two of the flow of play. Then, the Basic Game is explained. You're advised to master this level before moving on. The Intermediate, Expert, and Multi-polar levels are detailed in discrete chunks. A Reference Guide to Commands and Appendices (which describe game design tradeoffs) are also included. In this version -- unlike previous ones -- the disks are _not_ copy-protected. Instead, after the first turn, you're asked if your papers are in order; you must look for a phrase in the manual and type it in to continue the game. At the beginner's level, the game flows very well. The number of decisions is limited, so decision-making is streamlined. As the levels rise, the game slows down. You're given an immense amount of information at the higher levels; thus, you have much more to consider with each decision. The increasing complexity is somewhat mitigated by practice, as you soon learn which information is relevant to each type of decision. The rules are written to enhance the learning curve. If you master each level, you'll find the next one to be similar, with only a few new pieces of information to absorb. I found no inconsistencies or mysteries in the rules, which are very complete. It only takes about five minutes to get into the game; it took me about two hours to really master the rules. Written in a narrative style, with good illustrations, the rules aren't intimidating. An average playing time, barring nuclear war, is about ninety minutes; an extremely long playing time might be four hours. This is basically a solitaire game, although it is designed to handle two-player mode, as well. BALANCE OF POWER 1990 is a simulation first, and a game second. As a game, it is more of a cerebral than a physical exercise. The information base is immense: You can learn an incredible amount about living conditions in various countries, as well as other data more germane to the game, such as amounts of military and economic aid, numbers of soldiers stationed around the globe, and areas with degrees of unrest -- from terrorism to civil war. I found the reference data to be one of the more rewarding aspects of the program, and recommend BALANCE OF POWER 1990 to people who are interested in simulations, history, political science, and current events. As a simulation, the basic game is too simplistic; however, the basic game is intended as a learning process, not a complete game. Players can select an appropriately challenging level. The beginner level is straightforward (though not necessarily easy), and the multi-polar version is intricate. I found the advanced game to be a good simulation of the state of the current world; the multi-polar version is an excellent representation of our world. If you're looking for an excellent simulation, with plenty of mental work required, BALANCE OF POWER 1990 should be high on your list -- even if you have to pay the extra $15.00 for the run-time Windows package. ATARI ST VERSION NOTES The Atari ST version of BALANCE OF POWER 1990 looks and operates more or less the same as the IBM version described above, and will run on any ST with 512K and a double-sided disk drive. Since BOP uses the ST's built-in GEM interface -- which is closer in look and feel to the Macintosh version -- you won't need special hardware setups or extra-cost run-time packages. The 720K program disk is not copy-protected, although Mindscape still has a problem with the exact meaning of no copy protection. The game disk can be copied to a floppy or to a hard drive, but booting from a hard drive caused a system crash more often than not. The BOP game screen is in four-color, medium resolution mode, which makes for a less colorful (though more detailed) graphics display. As usual with GEM, screen redraws are less than instantaneous; there will be waits during disk access and while the computer responds to your policies. You'll be thinking about the game, however, so no time is wasted. Despite the tradeoffs that are necessary between reality and simulation -- Mr. Crawford describes some of them in the well-written and indispensable 91-page (Mac) manual -- BOP is probably as close as we'll get to global politics, at least until the Pentagon decides we're all to be trusted. BALANCE OF POWER 1990 is an exceptional piece of work. BALANCE OF POWER 1990 is published and distributed by Mindscape, Inc.