World Empire DOS Version for Old-School PC Game Fans

World Empire Dos isn’t as glitzy as the four newer versions (also available in free or share ware). The cheesy music and sound effects seem lame in comparison to newer, glitzier versions. But fans love the old-school geography, the sheer challenge of battling for world dominion, and the skewed sense of humor that governs the game.

With Chip Silicon amassing armies in all of Europe before the game even begins, it’s a challenge for novices and experts alike to defeat him. Especially if you’re stranded right next door in U.S.S.R. (yes, the game’s that old) or, heaven forbid, in some tiny remote nation like Cambodia.

With only fifty armies at your disposal (less for experts), you begin battling your way across the globe in an attempt to thwart evil General Silicon’s plans and become world leader yourself. Blowing your armies to the limit on one turn may leave you stranded, though — without enough armies to satisfy a defeated opposing nation, you may have a revolt on your hands. The tiny graphic of fire-waving, tongue-wagging revoltees has a comic effect that makes even serious players chuckle.

The old-school geography may seem confusing sometimes — why are there so few nations in South America? When was the last time anyone found themselves stranded in Eastern U.S.S.R.? Not to mention navigating the across-the-pond connections between nations. You must be in Iceland to leap across to Europe — from the U.S.S.R., however, you can attack the United States. Many a players has accidentally boxed themselves in — leaving all their armies in a nation with no attacking point — and been forced to waste a few turns tediously transferring their armies to a new nation.

If you succeed in conquering the world — and bringing down General Silicon — be careful what you wish for. Even as the triumphant music plays, your flag waves, and Chip is banished forevermore to a remote island with his followers, a hint of games yet to be resurfaces. A tiny nation and its followers have revolted …

The classic Dos version of World Empire is available at www.classicdosgames.com in shareware version.