The struggle between light and darkness is certainly a cliché, but represented brilliantly in this two-dimensional board strategy game.
The basic board layout will remind you of chess, with each side controlling two rows of pieces diametrically opposed on a checkerboard pattern playing field. What will seem odd is that each side controls different (but similar) pieces, depending of whether they have chosen to fight for good or evil. For example, light will control knights, archers and valkyries, whereas dark will command goblins, manticores and banshees to similar effect.
The struggle between light and darkness is certainly a cliché, but represented brilliantly in this two-dimensional board strategy game.
The basic board layout will remind you of chess, with each side controlling two rows of pieces diametrically opposed on a checkerboard pattern playing field. What will seem odd is that each side controls different (but similar) pieces, depending of whether they have chosen to fight for good or evil. For example, light will control knights, archers and valkyries, whereas dark will command goblins, manticores and banshees to similar effect.
Play is turn-based, with each player moving one unit at a time, with the intention of either destroying all the opponent's forces, or placing units on all of the boards "power points", located in the cardinal
directions. When one unit is moved on top of another, a battle will commence and the view will change to an arena wherein the two creatures do combat.
With a few exceptions, the creatures in Archon have projectile attacks, and combat involves running around a two-dimensional board with dynamic barricades, shooting at your opponent. Movement speed, projectile speed, recharge time and health differ based on the combatants, but the two sides are very evenly matched, and even lesser creatures can win a battle (or at least damage their opponent) with some fancy footwork. The other factor in the battles is the color of the space that the battle takes place on - some of the tiles will change from light to dark, and depending on when you do combat there, you will gain an advantage or a handicap based on the side you are playing.
Lastly, each side has a Wizard or Sorcerer who can cast a selection of spells once each per game. These involve imprisoning opposing units, resurrecting your own, and transporting key units around the board.
Archon is hands-down one of the best strategy games available for any system, and even now, the game-play is simplistic and balanced enough that it is still enjoyable. Two-player bouts are incredibly intense, and usually end in laughs.
Archon was followed-up by a disappointing sequel that used an isometric overhead view for the combat scenes. While a commendable attempt, the game really showed the limitations of the graphics of the time, and many of the units (read:phoenix) ended up being out-of balance.
I recommend Archon to anyone who loves strategy and action games. If you still have an old NES kicking around, do your best to find this game too - two-player is awesome.
