Fragile operating system (Fragile Alliance (PC))

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Product:	Fragile Alliance (PC)
Date:	06/09/00 (207 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good game, good game

Disadvantages: Old and incompatible

When I first bought this game I had a 486 and it wouldn't work, apparently I was one spec down and it wasn't going to proceed with the installation. Ahhhhhhhhh! I sent it back to the shop and bought GTA, that worked.

When I finally upgraded my computer, which I admit was a bit late, I grabbed a discount copy of Fragile Alliance. It obviously installed straight away, except when I went into Windows 95 it was practically impossible to load up. First there was a problem with the CD drive in DOS, then the sound card, plus the program froze up on me every two minutes. Every time a video clip would activate the game would lock up for a minute afterwards. Saving was difficult. Basically my system was TOO advanced for the game as opposed to being too crap for my 486.

When I got Windows 98 the game actually worked better, the problem with starting up had gone, but the game itself is very patchy with graphics blurring or freezing.

The actual game play is quite good, the basic premise is to expand your control in by mining the surrounding area, whilst fighting off alien foes and commercial rivals.

This game had options that are now familiar set-ups in modern strategy games, like choosing the size of the playing map, the abundance of minerals and other variables. Something done before any other space-based game. A little dated and hard to get hold of, when Alpha Centauri is now at £9.99 it is difficult to find this game as attractive as I once did.

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