Computer Graphics Memory Disk Space
Minimum 386 VGA 512K 2MB Ram 5 MB
Max/Rec. 486 --- 4MB Ram ---
Control: Mouse
Sound: Soundblaster or Compatible
Notes: Using Smartdrv allowed the game to run smoother and quicker.
Reviewed version 1.0 on: 486/66, SoundBlaster 16, Maui, 8MB Ram.
Reviewer recommends: 386/33, SoundBlaster/Comp, 4MB Ram, Smartdrv.
ULTIMATE DOMAIN is a turn-based simulation that takes place in the medieval land of Genesia. The object of this game is to recover 7 of 9 jewels from the land by both expanding your kingdom onto new land and depriving your enemies of their jewels. Meanwhile you must expand your territories, make technological progresses, and build up your armies in an effort to become master of the domain.
From the start I was not impressed due to the lack of choices given by the developer of this product. Hoping to utilize the new technology of the SB16 and the Maui wavecard, I was slightly upset that the only choice available is the SoundBlaster option, no Midi support. Blowing this off, I continued to explore the game. After playing the game for a turn-based play of two years, I then understood why no other sound card was supported. The sound support is mediocre at best. I was also unaware that there is no modem support for Ultimate Domain at this time. It seems that the unlucky buyers who purchased this game when it hit the shelves with the assumption of modem support will have to wait and shell out more bucks to upgrade the game to get new features including modem support. Bummer!
Game Play: The game play was fair at best. The first problem I encountered was my mouse acting erratically, although it was bearable. The next problem I experienced Is one that still has me boggled. When switching from the job assignment scene to the main scene my monitor blinks off then on again as if I had momentarily shut if off. I then tried the game on another system and the same problem occurred. When confronting Software Toolworks technical department about this problem they had never heard of such a problem and could not provide a solution. I also should mention that I am using a Trident SVGA card and the other system was using an Orchid card, which ruled out my video card. Other than these two problems the game ran smoothly.
Now for the Goodies: If you are a big fan of SimCity type games, then you will definitely like this game. You start off the game with one piece of land and a few settlers which you assign different jobs, from a simple settler to a masterful inventor. You must first build your settlement in order to attract new settlers to further increase your domain and strengthen your armies. Once a settlement is established, you must pre- pare for your technological future by building workshops to assist your domain in inventing medicines, weapons, transportation and so on. You are pitted against two rival domains that are required to complete the same tasks as you are. Software Toolworks/Microids does a really good job on simulating such an atmosphere. In general this is not a bad game, but if you like fast-paced, action-packed simulations, you may want to pass this one by.
This review is Copyright (C) 1994 by Christopher Salvadras for Game Bytes Magazine. All rights reserved.