'Archon Conquest' Might Just Be the Archon for You
posted October 18th, 2009 3:35 PM EDT by Blake Patterson in $0.99, 3.5 stars, Action, Reviews, Strategy, iPhone games, iPod touch games
Last weekend we took a look at a preview release of React Games' Archon Conquest and, as fans of the 25 year old EA original, we liked what we saw. The game has since gone live in the App Store [link] and we've spent a bit more time with this variation on the studio's remake of the chess-like action strategy game.
Back in June, React brought a revamped take on EA's 1983 classic Archon [App Store] to the iPhone. Archon is an action / strategy game set on a 9×9 chess-like board arrayed with a variety of Light and Dark game pieces, each with its own set of battle attributes. When two pieces come face-to-face on the same board square, action turns to the battle arena where the enemies do battle, arcade style. The winner takes the square.
Archon Conquest stays close to the original formula, but in place of the chess board setting is a variety of different environments in which to play — four maps or campaigns with 60 different quests or puzzles to complete in all. As mentioned in our preview, Archon Conquest looks visually closer to EA's 1984 sequel, Archon II: Adpet, but the similarity ends there. It's still a matter of controlling power squares or wiping out the enemy wholesale, but in new, obstacle-laden environments.
Archon Conquest allows the player to earn medals on each quest, depending on overall success and tracks skill through (Plus+) online leaderboards. Power characters can cast spells, including new spells as compared to the original, and characters can level up and collect various power-ups in the combat arena.
The differing available characters through the game's various quests, along with the need to negotiate the new board environments, mixes the game up tangibly from the more ordered gameplay of the original. It feels very much like the new take on Archon that it is, and as a big fan of the original, I find it pleasantly refreshing. There's definitely more long-term playability here than in the classic title. In fact, the full play time is estimated at 16 hours to complete all four maps.
[ Full HD version | Low Bandwidth version ]
Those familiar and fond of the original should find the variety that Archon Conquest brings a welcome twist on a solid formula. And, thanks to the variation that the game brings (not to mention a lower cost of entry), those who've never commanded the Light or the Dark before might just find React's latest to be more appealing than classic Archon.
Wherever you fall, if a well-balanced fusion of action and strategy sounds appealing, you'd do well to give Archon Conquest a try.
App Store Link: Archon Conquest, $0.99
TouchArcade Rating:
I bought Archon from the new video game company "Electronic Arts" for my Commodore 64 when it came out i 1986. I played countless games. I have Archon for my iTouch since the day it came out. I sniped daily for the iphone Archon app. I had no problems with it ever, unlike some ppl did I hear. As far as this "Conquest": this game is nothing, and shoulda been an upgrade for the original app imo. It looks like Archon 2, but only as far as the map. Nothing else.
i bought it, just to support the dev, so that they can implement Version 2.0 in their first Release, bringing Multi player into Archon
that is what i am waiting for
For only .99, I bought this. I still wish this was an in app purchase to unlock in the regular Archon version, as now it takes up valuable real estate on my springboard with 2 versions of this game.
+1 thats bogus
I bought it too, but did not like the fast paced arcade gameplay at all. I do like the graphics and the concept, just wish it would have more strategy then old school arcade.
Apple definitely needs to do something about that springboard! Folders, at least?
But as an Archon fan I'm even more excited to see this than I would be to see Adept (which I loved)!
Who would have thought, 5 years ago, that…
1. The Archon series would be back with whole new games.
2. They'd cost 99 cents.
3. They'd come out not for computers or consoles, but for a telephone.
4. A telephone made by Apple ???
5. And actually be a lot of fun!
This is madness.
I love this. Extremely commendable job keeping it true to the original. Thank you React Games! Keep those updates coming.
I was really looking forward to this, and am disappointed that it's not been released the Singapore country store.
God that music is super-F&*$ing annoying.. .they could have done something a bit better than that rif over and over again.
Yep, that music is a deal-breaker.
Man oh Man, I remember Archon from the C64 days. And it is still a lot of fun to play. Just last week I had my C64 running and I was playing Archon with my son. Archon II was also a lot of fun, however playing Archon II against the computer sucked because usually within 20 moves it would cast Apocalypse, which would end the game. So against a person is much preferable. I bought the original from these guys for my Itouch and now this and it's only .99 cents. What a deal!
OK, seriously: From the video, the incredibly-annoying music (which restarts upon EVERY menu selection you make) would be a deal-breaker for me.
In addition, I see that it has "Plus+" integration – which, if it's anything like the horrible approach taken by other games, means you'll be FORCED to login to the service just to play the game. This hard-edged approach means that I (and some others) will not be installing the game at all.
I wish companies would learn that making a social gaming network optional is great; but making it mandatory, is a sure way to alienate any and all potential customers.
Plus+ was integrated as an optional feature if you wanted to have your scores uploaded to the Leaderboards. You can, however, play the game without ever logging into Plus+ and have a great ol' time…it's not mandatory.
Did anyone see that you can pre-order the PC version on the reactgames web site!!!! Is that awsome or what, it is also supposed to support 4 players, I can't wait…
Cool! Hopefully for Mac too. I assume so: their January press release about the main Archon game says that PC and Mac versions are in the works.
Now that React has finished this title, hope they DO release 2.0 of Archon with multiplayer
Commodore C64 RULEZ
FLIMBO QUEST FOR IPHONE PLEASEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxaPiJbR5Rg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtdUBPYVKmk&feature=related
:d:d:d