LYNX: Lynx Casino
From: Robert Jung (ap803@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 06/27/92-11:09:11 AM Z
From: ap803@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Robert Jung)
Subject: LYNX: Lynx Casino
Date: Sat Jun 27 11:09:11 1992
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LYNX CASINO
1-2 players, horizontal game
Atari Corp., for the Atari Lynx
$39.95
Stereo? No
OVERVIEW:
Video gambling games are hard to promote. On the one hand, an accurate
simulation lets players experience high-rolling thrills without using real
money. On the other hand, if there are no real winnings, why bother? Other
questions about how much strategy can be developed or transferred for games
like Roulette or Craps are left to professional gamblers.
LYNX CASINO doesn't resolve this paradox, but it does offer a risk-free
alternative to Atlantic City or Reno. This title is a collection of five
familliar casino games: Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Slot Machines, and Video
Draw Poker. You start off with $1000, though the cashier can give you two
loans of $500 each; when your money's all gone, the game ends. You can also
ComLynx with a friend for a mini-electronic junket.
GAMEPLAY:
The best thing about LYNX CASINO is that it faithfully captures the
experience of casino gambling. Not only are authentic rules, odds, and payoffs
used, but each game allows of the same options that its real-life counterpart
offers. For instance, Craps supports everything from the usual Pass/No Pass to
Hard Way and Horn Bets, while Roulette uses a Double Zero wheel and allows
numerous number combinations, and Blackjack is played with six decks. The only
major discrepency is that you're always the dice shooter on Craps.
The user interface changes with each game, but is generally consistent.
Statistics are kept for each game session, allowing pros to analyze their
playing skills. As a result, LYNX CASINO can be played on two levels: casual
players can have fun just placing bets, while self-proclaimed experts can
exercise existing gambling strategies or trying to develop new ones. While
this card may not make you rich, it can be treated almost as a simulation, and
the only regret I have is that more games weren't included.
GRAPHICS/SOUND:
Graphics in LYNX CASINO are decent overall, with a touch of cartoon
whimsy. You guide your on-screen personna among the games and roaming
bystanders, while still images show scenes of other gamblers and the staff.
Most of your time is spent at the tables and machines, which are well drawn
with good use of color and detail. Sound effects are not so interesting; a
variety of background tunes play during the game, though they can be turned
off if desired. Other than that, game sounds are few, brief, and fairly
simple.
SUMMARY:
There's not much that needs to be said: LYNX CASINO is a well-done,
no-nonsense video version of the Vegas experience. If you want to refine your
Craps strategem or just want to blow some imaginary money, this game will
easily fit the bill.
GAMEPLAY: 8
GRAPHICS: 7
SOUND: 5
OVERALL: 7
Rating values 10 - 8 Great! This game can't get much better.
7 - 5 Good. Average game, could be improved.
4 - 2 Poor. For devotees only.
1 Ick. Shoot it.
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First BATMAN RETURNS, then a lot of television advertising, and now three
games in one week. Is this the start of something big?
--R.J.
B-)
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Send whatevers to rjung@usc.edu | If it has pixels, I'm for it.
--------------------------------------+------------------------------Lynx up!
"You weren't chosen because you are the best pilot in the Air Force. You were
chosen because you are the class clown and frankly, you're expendable."
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