Subject: Under the Lynx Microscope #8

Newsgroups: rec.games.video.atari,alt.games.lynx

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           <<<< Under the Lynx Microscope >>>>



                Edition #8, Date 07/31/98



          By: Carl Forhan (forhan@millcomm.com)



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// FEATURED GAMES:  Shanghai                          //

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ULM is a periodic feature that will be posted to alt.games.lynx and

rec.games.video.atari.  The purpose is to generate some interest and

discussion around the Atari Lynx portable video game system, especially

for game titles that have been "under-exposed" on the internet.  



Contact forhan@millcomm.com for information on contributing to ULM.



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| Shanghai                   |

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It's no wonder that Shanghai is consistently ranked among the best games

available for the Lynx.  Activision (under the name Mediagenic) took a

completely simplistic and timeless game of removing matching pairs of

tiles, and delivered a first-rate adaptation for Lynx fans.



[NOTE: Atari actually programmed this title in-house, under license from

Mediagenic.  Sorry for the oversight. - Carl]



One common problem with handheld systems is, naturally, the small size of

the screen.  For Shanghai, it's vital that the tiles be clearly

identifiable for the sake of finding matching pairs.  Not only are the

colors and numbers easily recognized on those tiny tiles, there's a

"zoomed in" view of the current tile in the corner of the screen.  The

player object (an arrow) is likewise easy to distinguish and move about

the screen.



Sounds and music are a true pleasure in this game.  Very few other Lynx

games boast the ability for the player to select one of four tunes (or

silence) during the game!  Each tune features several voices, reflects

a unique style, and is long enough to not wear on the player's nerves

after the first 30 seconds.



You say you want options?  Shanghai supports seven different tile

configurations, in-game help and even built-in instructions on how to

play.  Even the tile graphics are selectable.



And a truly special treat is the comlynxed play modes.  Now, Shanghai is a

wonderful game that will keep you busy for many hours of play even by

yourself.  But the two-player modes (Alternating Competitive, Simultaneous

Competitive, or Cooperative) really shine in this game.  



In the Alternating Competitive mode, each player only has 10 seconds to

find a match.  After that, control switches to the other player.  This

makes the game really nerve-wracking but exciting!  Whoever removes the

most pairs by the end of the game wins. 



Likewise, in the Simultaneous Competitive mode, you want to make as many

matches as possible, but this time you don't have to take turns.  You can

even steal an opponent's tile by selecting a matching tile!  The

Cooperative mode is also present for players who want just a laid back

multiplayer game.



Strategy Tips: 



1) Don't take the easy, outer perimeter matches first.  Try to find

   matches that will reveal underlying tiles or else you'll find yourself

   stranded later in the game. 

2) Some of the configurations are easier, because the tiles are spread out

   across the playfield more than they are stacked up.  The Spider is a

   good puzzle for newcomers to the game.

3) If you think you have nothing left to learn on Shanghai since you have

   no one to comlynx with, how fast can you beat the Dragon? :-)



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|  Carl Forhan    <><   | For Atari, Breeders, HeroQuest, and more:

|  forhan@millcomm.com  | http://www.millcomm.com/~forhan/games.html

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