Games published by Cinemaware Corporation
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We provide a complete list of games published by this publisher.
Lords of the Rising Sun
Lords of the Rising Sun is a strategic war game that was released in 1989 for the Amiga computer. Developed by Cinemaware, this game takes players back in time to feudal Japan, where they are tasked with becoming the ultimate ruler of the land. With its unique blend of strategy, diplomacy, and action, Lords of the Rising Sun quickly gained a loyal following and is still considered a classic in the gaming community.
The game starts with players choosing one of four clans to lead - Yamato, Fujiwara, Taira, and Minamoto. Each clan comes with its own strengths and weaknesses, adding an additional layer of strategy to the gameplay. From there, players must manage their resources, build their armies, and engage in battles to conquer neighboring territories. Along the way, they must also navigate through alliances and betrayal, making every decision crucial to their ultimate success.
One of the standout features of Lords of the Rising Sun is its stunning graphics. The game utilized hand-drawn animations and artwork, creating a visually rich and immersive world. The attention to detail in everything from the landscapes to the battles is truly impressive, making the game a feast for the eyes. Even the soundtrack, featuring authentic Japanese music, adds to the overall atmosphere of the game.
In addition to its captivating visuals, Lords of the Rising Sun also offers a challenging and complex gameplay experience. Players must carefully manage their resources, as well as make strategic decisions on both the battlefield and the diplomatic front. The AI of the opposing clans is also impressive, making each battle and negotiation a true test of skill. With multiple difficulty settings, the game offers a challenge for both novice and experienced players.
However, what truly sets Lords of the Rising Sun apart from other war games of its time is its unique blend of gameplay elements. It is not purely a strategy game, as players must also engage in action-packed battles and political negotiations. This diversity in gameplay makes the game more engaging and unpredictable, as players must constantly adapt to new challenges and situations.
Despite its initial success, Lords of the Rising Sun did not receive as much recognition as other popular games of its time. This could be due to its relatively steep learning curve and complex gameplay. However, for those who stuck with the game, it became a cult classic, and still has a dedicated fan base to this day.
One notable aspect of Lords of the Rising Sun is its impact on future strategy games. Many elements of this game, such as the use of multiple clans and the combination of strategy, diplomacy, and action, have been emulated in other games over the years. It is clear that Lords of the Rising Sun was ahead of its time and helped shape the future of the war game genre.
Rocket Ranger
In the 1940s, the Nazis build a base on the Moon and plan to use a mysterious substance called Lunarium to reduce people's intelligence. However, in the 21st century, time travel has been mastered, as well as jetpacks, catastrophic weaponry and advanced code-breaking equipment. These items are sent back in time for you to change the outcome of the war by using this technology to find their five rocket factories and destroy the moon base.
The game follows the Cinemaware template, with a series of action sequences linked by cinematic animation sequences to set the mood of the game. There is also a strategic element, as the player moves his spies around to get information and avoid detection, and decides how much Lunarium to use at each stage of the game. Action sequences include hand-to-hand combat with a Nazi guard, and flying through the air shooting at hordes of enemy planes or the Zeppelin itself.
An 'Expanded Collector's Edition' of the game was released in 2018. This is a limited edition of 500 units containing the game in multiple languages and for multiple platforms, and contains as bonus posters, stickers, postcards and the soundtrack on vinyl.
The Kristal
The Kristal of Konos is a magical artifact described as the key to world peace. However, an evil being known as Malvalla has taken it, releasing Chaos into the universe. A space pirate named Dancis Frake ventures in his double-barreled space galleon to the planet Meltoca, where he hopes to find clues to the whereabouts of The Kristal.
Based on the play The Kristal by Konos (1976), The Kristal is primarily an adventure game with shooting and space combat segments. The adventure parts consist of exploring populated planets, gathering clues, and talking to characters to get information. When traveling between planets, the player-controlled ship can be attacked by enemies, which must be eliminated in shooting sequences. Dancis has special strength and psychic ratings that can increase or decrease depending on his actions. He can participate in sword fights to improve these parameters. Skringles', a form of intergalactic currency, can be found, earned and spent in the game.
The Three Stooges
The Three Stooges is a classic DOS game that was released in 1987. Based on the iconic slapstick comedy trio, this game offered hours of entertainment to players of all ages. Developed by Incredible Technologies and published by Cinemaware, The Three Stooges was a unique and innovative game that combined elements of adventure, action, and mini-games.
One of the key highlights of this game was its immersive storyline. Players took on the role of Moe, Larry, and Curly – the three main characters of The Three Stooges – and had to navigate through various levels to save an orphanage from being shut down. The game was designed in a way that closely resembled a Three Stooges movie, with the characters getting into all sorts of hilarious and chaotic situations.
The graphics of The Three Stooges were nothing short of impressive for its time. The game featured detailed and well-animated sprites, realistic backgrounds, and vibrant colors that truly brought the game to life. Along with the visuals, the sound effects and music added to the overall atmosphere of the game, making it an engaging and enjoyable experience for players.
One of the most unique aspects of The Three Stooges was its mini-games. In between levels, players were presented with various mini-games that required quick reflexes and precise timing. From throwing pies at pesky rats to fixing leaky pipes, these mini-games added a fun and challenging element to the overall gameplay, keeping players on their toes.
The Three Stooges was also known for its replay value. With a variety of different endings and outcomes depending on the player's actions, the game offered a high level of replayability. Players could also choose to play as a single Stooge or all three at once, which added to the game's versatility.
TV Sports Baseball
Cinemaware's third installment in the TV Sports series is, oddly enough, not up to par with TV Sports Football and TV Sports Basketball. For example, there is not the animated opening sequence that has always characterized Cinemaware. The game can be played as player or manager, and even against other humans. As in previous TV Sports games, all players can be edited to suit your style of play. You can choose between different stadiums and teams. Player control is fairly straightforward, but can be tricky at times, especially when it comes to baserunning. You can only control the player who is closest to the ball. Pitching, on the other hand, is simple and fun. You have a selection of different pitches you can throw and where to throw them over the plate. The only problem is that, if you want to, you can always throw a strike. . . it's not very realistic. To add insult to injury, playing an entire season can take forever due to the number of games in a season, none of which can be simulated automatically without manual control.
Overall, TV Sports Baseball is a disappointing entry in the TV Sports series, and Cinemaware jocks and fans would be better off playing Micro League Baseball instead.
