Chaos Overlords (PC)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 4.5 stars Outstanding
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 9.2 (4.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Tal Blevins
• Reviewed on: 08/15/1996
• Updated on: 05/01/2000
• Released on: 04/30/1996
• Originally published on GameSpot: Chaos Overlords (PC) Review

WARNING: Prepare to sacrifice many of the unimportant things in your life (such as eating, sleeping, working, talking to others, etc.) if you get your hands on Chaos Overlords. This is the most addictive game I have played in years.

The concept is simple enough. The game itself is a turn-based strategic gang battle (see Urban Turfwar) played on an 8x8 grid. You are a Chaos Overlord (read: Futuristic Kingpin) whose sole purpose in life is to control as many city blocks as possible, therefore assuring a healthy nest egg for your retirement. You accomplish this goal by hiring gangs (read: Guys With Bats) and influencing local merchants in secured blocks to pay for insurance. Your gangs can also perform other tasks such as chaosing (read: Looting) an area to fatten your wallet and rumbling with rival gangs (read: Opening Up a Can of Whoop-Ass). In addition, some of your more intelligent gangs can research new equipment. This is very important because, as everyone knows, he who owns the most toys (especially the Plasma Generator) wins. You can even equip your gangs with such items as cool hats and boom-boxes to make them better diplomats and looters, respectively.

By including six goal-oriented scenarios and four timed scenarios, Stick Man Games has developed a product that overcomes the monotony found in so many other strategic wargames. Goal-based scenarios range from Eliminate, in which you must seek out and destroy a rival Chaos Overlord's Right Hand, to the ever-satisfying Kill 'Em All. General philosophies such as Greed (the acquisition of cash), Power (the acquisition of property), Acceptance (heightening popularity), and Dominance (a combination of all of the above) determine your overall score in the time-based scenarios.

Chaos Overlords includes four levels of Artificial Intelligence: Goon, Criminal, Crime Lord, and Homicidal Maniac (read: Game Over). After you learn the game, you should be able to rise to Goon level easily, but even the Criminal level is challenging. And go ahead and forget about winning on Homicidal Maniac.

Continue reading

Compare prices for Chaos Overlords

This product is currently not in stock at any of our online merchants.

Email me when this product is available

Recent user reviews

• Average user rating: 0 stars Not yet available
  Back to product review
• My rating: 0 stars Write review

• Showing 1 of 1 user review

• 3.5 stars

  "old school awsome"

  on December 8, 2004

• See 1 user review Write review