|
Rich Diamond
 If Indiana Jones had a twin his name would surely be Rich Diamond. Rolling boulders, flying arrows, giant spiders ... they're all here and are just some of the pitfalls that await you in this entertaining, strategy/puzzle game. I haven't thus far encountered any snakes, but I haven't yet made it through to the end of the 80 levels that comprise this challenge.
On this journey your objective is to collect up the diamonds that are scattered around each maze-like level. You have to find every one because the exit to the next level won't open until you do. Some of the diamonds are deviously hidden in tunnels whilst others are in full view, sparkling, tantalising, yet surrounded by traps waiting just for you. Along with the rolling rocks and arrows there are pits, bombs, lakes, canals, and lava and ice flows. The wooden boxes might help you make a bridge across water but they won't be of much use in bubbling lava, and the dangerous collection of cunning beasts are ever prowling, waiting for you to lure them to their doom ... or yours.
Alas, Rich Diamond is another fun, addictive game just made for puzzle enthusiasts like me :). I don't know how I'm meant to get this review written when "just one more level" beckons. Despite all the 'action' you have plenty of time to contemplate each move so your survival is dependent on crafty thinking rather than on reflexes. The levels start off very easy but they do get more complex and you will have many scrapes with death before you're through. This is why the quick save feature is invaluable. A click of the mouse button or a quick key stroke will restore your game to a location before you went off the rails.
The game can be either keyboard or mouse controlled and there are a number of 'themes' to cycle through so you can arrange a change of scenery as the fancy takes you. Rich's escapades are accompanied by some fun sound effects including hollow screams if you step out of line and sizzling and splashing when you push objects into canals or lava streams. Below each screen you are forewarned how many diamonds need to be collected and on completion of each level you are awarded with either a red, green or blue diamond depending on your score. Points are earned for collecting diamonds, trampling grass and killing beasties, but they are also forfeited for every step you take. A red diamond means try the level again, you've disgraced yourself; green means you've done well and blue is the best as you have exceeded expectations ... congratulations!
If you are very clever and have lots of blue diamond awards then you might want to put your name up in lights in the high scores section of the Rich Diamond web site. The developers, Core Concepts, are supporting the game with further add-ons plus a selection of hints for each level. Rich Diamond also comes with a level editor so you can make your own puzzles and challenge others to play. Once again, check out the web site for Level of the Week and for links to fan sites where you can find a feast of home-grown challenges. And, of course, download the demo and try it out.
Copyright © Rosemary Young 2000.
All rights reserved.
System requirements:
486/100 MHz processor (P90 recommended) Windows 95/98 or NT4.0, 16MB RAM, 15MB hard disk space, 2xCD ROM, SVGA graphics card that supports at least 640x480 in 256 color mode, 100% SoundBlaster compatible 16 bit sound card, Microsoft compatible mouse.
|
