Sorcerers & Soldiers

[Bill Lange]

I just finished reading "Sorcerers & Soldiers - Computer Wargames, Fantasies and Adventures" by Brian Murphy published by Creative Computing Press in 1984. ISBN 0-916688-79-8. I had not heard of this title before. I picked it up on Amazon Marketplace recently for a few dollars. This 226 page paperback book covers, as its title states, computer war games, fantasy role playing games and adventure games. I would say that it's introduction, 17 chapters and three appendices break down to about 75% war games, 20% role playing games and 5% adventures.

 

The author favors the Apple II as a computer war gaming platform based on (in his opinion) the plethora of fine quality war games available on that system. Though by 1984, I believe that most of the games he discussed were available on multiple platforms.

 

In the fantasy gaming section, he spends most of his time discussing Wizardry and Ultima 1-3. There is also a chapter on Chris Crawford's Excalibur.

 

This was quick read. It covered some games that I had heard of and some games that I had not heard of. I really enjoyed the sections on war gaming even though, back in the day, I played more role playing games and text adventures.

 

BL

[Bill Loguidice]

It's not surprising it would mostly focus on the Apple II, since that was the premiere home of such games through most of the 80s until PC DOS systems started to become the favored target.

 

I have that book as well, but haven't had a chance to read it much. I always thought the cover design was surprisingly ahead of its time, like it belonged in the 90s or something.