Hannibal (computer game)
| Hannibal | |
|---|---|
| Studio | Starbyte |
| Publisher | Starbyte |
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
1993, 1994 (CD-ROM) |
| platform | PC ( MS-DOS ), Amiga |
| genre | Computer strategy game |
| Game mode | Single player |
| control | mouse |
| system advantages preconditions |
DOS: 286 with 16 MHz, 640 kB RAM, VGA Amiga: 1,024 kB RAM |
| medium | 4 DD disks (Amiga), 2 HD disks (DOS), 1 CD-ROM |
| language | German, u. a. Versions |
Hannibal is a strategy - computer game , which of Starbyte developed and 1993 for MS-DOS and Amiga was released. The game was programmed by Andreas Seebeck ( PC ) and Rene Straub (Amiga) based on a concept by Claude Cueni .
background
The game tries to recreate the Second Punic War . The player embodies the Carthaginian Empire and tries to conquer Rome . However, since the game is not structured in a straight line, the player is free to use Hannibal's strategy or a completely different one.
Game flow
The representation takes place on a map that roughly describes the maximum extent of the Roman Empire. This map shows more than 700 cities with which the player can interact. At the beginning it has three armies (stationed in Carthage , Carthago Nova and Numantia ). It is now possible for the player to expand their armies by conquering the Carthaginian Empire or by buying mercenaries and negotiating with neutral or hostile cities.
If the player and one of his armies meet a computer-controlled Roman army, the computer simulates a battle on land or water. It is true that the player can basically dictate the tactics of the fight (for example, the formation in a wedge formation or the attempt to surround it , as Hannibal succeeded in the Battle of Cannae ) and to order a possible retreat, but he can even intervene in the action Not. So the game focuses less on the battles than on maintaining the armies and strategically moving them. Logistics and diplomacy determine the game. For example, desertion , exhaustion and raids can cause losses as high as the battles themselves.
In addition, the game has an economic part, which deals with the taxation of the cities and a simple administration of the income (division into army, an interest-bearing savings account and individual donations to cities).
How to play
In addition to the game description, the instructions by KJ Kraft also contain historical background information on the Punic Wars and the ancient army as well as a short biography of Hannibal.
criticism
At the time of publication, Hannibal presented a very extensive strategy game in a historical setting, which was appropriately recognized in the specialist press: “Elefantös”, Starbyte has “something like a complete simulation of the Mediterranean area on disk in which more than 700 cities and small towns ensure historically unprecedented realism. ”( Amiga Joker , edition 7/1993).
In Power Play , issue 4/93, Hannibal's MS-DOS version was rated “good” with 61% (graphic: 58%).