Arena of Octos
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| Arena of Octos | |
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| Developer(s) | Al Johnson |
| Designer(s) | Al Johnson |
| Release date(s) | 25 April 1981 |
| Genre(s) | Combat |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Platform(s) | Apple II |
| Input | Keyboard |
Arena of Octos is a single-player, turn-based combat game for the Apple II computer.
[edit] Premise
The player assumes the role of a human space pilot, captured by an aggressive race of green-skinned aliens known as Octons after straying into their space. To win freedom, the human must become a gladiator and engage in physical combat with numerous Octon warriors.
[edit] Game play
Combat takes place in an octagonal arena which the player views from above, with eight stones littering the ground and a fire pit at its center. The first round pits you against a single Octon warrior named Ziuf-Basi, whom you must defeat using a sword and shield. (The Octon is similarly equipped.) Subsequent rounds of combat may add additional opponents.
Combat is handled in turn fashion: you make a series of actions, then your opponents respond. Actions allowed are swinging your sword, raising your shield, or moving in one of eight directions (or standing up). You can also shove your opponent by moving into him, which may cause him to stumble over a rock or fall into the fire pit. In the first round, both you and the Octon can perform four actions in a turn, but this increases in subsequent rounds.
Damage is tracked using strength points. You begin with 16 points and each direct blow removes one point, as does stumbling. Falling into the fire pit removes one or more points.
The game's display has an eight-pointed direction selector to choose which way to move, and a stats area showing your condition and that of your opponents.
[edit] Miscellany
- Some instances of Arena of Octos credit Steve Kropinak as the creator and show a release date of 6/1/1981.
