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Zkribbler
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Los Angeles, CA, USA
Feb 1999
time: 21:13
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Once upon a time, there was the never-popular "Merchant Prince."  But the wise makers changed its name to "Machiavelli, the Prince" and it was named stategy game of the year, and it became Zkribbler's favorite game of all time. 
Then came the dark days of Windows 95, and all the great MOS-DOS games were put on the shelf to gather dust. However, the wise makers have finally gotten off their royal duffs and have re-released "Machiavelli, the Prince" in a version that can be played on Windows 95/98/Me.
The idiots in marketing have decided to resurrect the never-popular name of "Merchant Prince," and they have put a demo game that is really boring because it omits the best parts of the game and have made it nearly impossible to win.
Nonetheless, I played the demo last night, just to make sure the game was the same. The only thing the game appears to have added is a tech tree. I couldn't find the icon to push to build mansions, to buy art, and to throw parties, but I know it's there somewhere because one of my computer opponents built himself a mansion. (Yeah, I shudda gone to the Den of Eniquity and hired an arsonist to burn it down.)
So I'm off this morning to buy myself a copy!!
Soon, I'll be exploring the world, bringing back religious artifacts and precious commodities, bribing senators, buying off cardinals, spreading slanders, embezzling money from the treasury of Venice, and perhaps even assassinating the Pope. 
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Zkribbler
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Los Angeles, CA, USA
Feb 1999
time: 21:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Russell on 05-20-2001 09:27 PM
couldn't believe the outdated graphics, and couldn't figure out how to play it
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You're right on both accounts. The graphics have improved little since the original--in some ways I like the old graphis better. And without rules, it's a really tough game to figure out.
The other bad thing about the demo is that it ends after only 15 years. That only gives you enough time to do some trading and a little exploring, two of the more mundane aspects of the game.
When the game starts getting exciting is when you get enough money to start bribing senators and buying cardinals. Getting elected Doge of Venice and/or Pope (via your puppets) is a real kick in the head. As Doge, you can appoint yourself Council Head and start hanging opposing senators for treason. As Pope, you can call a crusade and go kick the snot out of some city that won't trade with you. Then there's the assassinations, the slanders and some occastional arson.
Currently, I'm 50 turns into a 60-turn game. I have Michelanglo designing some artwork for my villa.  I'm Doge, and I control the entire Council of 10 in the Senate having used bribery, claims of treason and assassination to eliminate all rivals. I control more cardinals than any other player, but I have nowhere near a majority. I'm hoping my popularity will bring in enough votes to get me elected when the current Pope dies.
[This message has been edited by Zkribbler (edited May 21, 2001).]
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Zkribbler
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Los Angeles, CA, USA
Feb 1999
time: 21:13
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Ah, my first game is over. 
After 50 turns, one of my rivals got elected pope.  Luckily, he was a greedy son-of-a-gun. In each of his first two years, he sold six new cardinalships. So guess who bought them?  Meanwhile, I was busy researching poison.
Suddenly, the pope is assassinated.  Nobody knows who did it.  <- me However, when it comes to electing a replacement pope, guess who now controls the majority of cardinals and thus gets elected. 
So at the end of this 60-turn game, my faction controls the Pope, most of the College of Cardinals, the Doge, the complete Counsel of 10, and the admiral.  Plus, my popularity rating is a solid 95%. I score a 127%.
Last edited by Zkribbler on 26-05-2001 at 09:02
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Phssthpok
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England
Dec 1999
time: 05:13
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Apart from a new research option, yes it's basicly just a Windows version with new graphics. The research is just a mail order sort of thing, ie you pays your money and gets the tech next turn. It's got some cool ideas (cheaper bribes, increased defence etc) but otherwise it's just a pain - you only start with small galley + donkey caravan and have to pay for the other ships. (still get a small cog to start with tho, wierd...) IMO the music + sound in the original is much better.
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20-05-2001 22:38
, and liking generally to try before I buy, I picked up the original game from the Underdogs site. It's DOS only, but complains that...
. Thanks Dan for fixing it
!
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