Games
42
RPGS
55
Arcade Games
34
Puzzle Games
18
Platform Games
10
Strategy Games
Sections
QB
News
Site
Archives
Game
Guides
Our
Projects
Entertainment
Awards
Page
QB
Links Page
Interact
Discussion
Board
The
QB Chatroom
Mailing
List
Submissions
Link
to Us
Job
Openings
Email
VPlanet!
Affiliates
The
QB Times
Future
Software
Abyssware
Studios
Clockwerk
Productions
Darkside
Productions
Game
Developer's Refuge
GBGames
QBasic
Master
Creating
NeoBasic
Pete's
QBasic Site
Pickers
Games Website
Programming
Oasis
Programming
ShareHouse
QB:
Cult Magazine
QB
on Acid
QB:
The Magazine (Archives)
QBasic/QuickBasic
News
QuickBasic
RPGs
Secret
Weapon Software
Sneukeule's
QBRPG Page
StattoNet
Disclaimer
The
software reviewed and/or downloadable in this site, along with any related
images presented or concepts related to the software, belongs to its respective
people, companies, and development teams. All downloadable titles in this
site are "freeware", and the source of each software is clearly stated.
The opinions presented regarding such software does not reflect the views
of its creators; the intention of this site is to inform and pay tribute
to the many programmers who have chosen QuickBasic 4.5.
Any
additional images and/or news gathered to this site from another source
belongs to its respective owners, and is intended to advertise the source
and promote its theme.
If
you have any problems concerning the contents of this site, please contact
our staff at
vancevelez@yahoo.com. |
Master Mind
(Per Ericcson)
vvvvvvv
"A Color-coded Classic for the Translating Mind"
It's been a favorite
because of it's addictability and it's portability, but now the Master
Mind decoding puzzle game has made it to QuickBasic, courtesy of Per Ericcson!
Try to decode one
of 1,296 possible codes, with only ten tries at hand! Luckily with each
guess you make, black and white pegs will clue you in on how close you
are to the answer. But even then, it will take a while to gain the expertise
to be a true Master Mind!
Graphics (n.)
The use of animation and visual effects to stimulate the senses |
v
(Poor) |
Even though Master Mind does get a poor
graphics rating, I honestly don't see how the graphics could be any better
than what it is. The very nature of Master Mind and the way it is played
makes it best when the graphics of the game don't slow down the gameplay,
so you can concentrate fully on the game. Per Ericcson's version of the
game does just that; the graphics are flickerless and very smooth to the
eyes, so nothing gets in the way of the gameplay. But at the same time,
since there aren't a lot of graphics to judge in the first place, that's
probably the reason why this game got a poor graphics score. It would be
difficult to balance between the two elements. |
Sound/Music (n.)
The smooth blend of atmospheric sounds and original harmonies |
N/A |
Peg as many times as you like, but don't
expect to hear any sound effects or music as you think your way through
each new code. This version of Master Mind comes with no sound. |
Gameplay (n.)The precision of control
and involvement of character within its universe |
v
(Poor) |
Master Mind is a puzzle decoding game.
The idea is to guess a combination of four colors in ten tries or less.
To help you out, whenever you make a wrong guess, a series of black and
white pegs indicate how many colors you did enter correctly, and if they
are at the right location. To add a confusion factor to the game, a single
color can repeat more than once in a code.
Because Master Mind is not an original
game idea, the game itself could get an average or good gameplay score
at best, depending on the control scheme and game features. But Per Ericcson's
version of Master Mind is pretty straightforward, the only special feature
being the fact that there's a "cheat" button so you can see the answer
before you enter a code.
Controls also take a few moments to get
used to, as your hands have to be oriented on the number keys on the top
of the keyboard while occasionally switching to the enter key to tell the
computer that your code has been inputed. Thankfully though, the controls
are handily printed to the right of the screen at all times for reference. |
Story (n.)
The creativity and presentation of the game's critical plot |
(Very
Poor) |
Understandably, Master Mind does not have
any story elements, and therefore did not get any story points. Again,
adding too much to any one element other than gameplay would disrupt gameplay
in a game like Master Mind, so it's tough to find a balance between the
two. |
Replay Value (n.)
The timelessness of the gamer's delight, such that the experience
can be repeated again and again |
v
(Poor) |
Playing Master Mind can be a lot of fun,
but once you've mastered how to play the game, there's not a lot of reason
to try to beat the game, let alone warrant another try. If you use your
deductive skills carefully, you should be able to answer any code they
give you in ten tries or less. If you really want to see if you're a pro,
try finding the code consistently in five or less tries per game (which
requires a little luck as well as deductive skills). And no pressing the
"cheat" button while trying this tactic! Let's shoot for an honest game
of Master Mind. |
Challenge (v.)
To strike the mental nerve in such a way as to stimulate human thought
and reflexes |
v
(Poor) |
The most challenging codes are probably
the ones where less colors are used multiple times, because it's pretty
hard to dissect just how many times the same color was used without having
to invest a few extra turns. Other than that, the bulk of the challenge
is probably learning how to play the game. If you've never played Master
Mind before, the rules at the right of the screen should help get you into
the game rather quickly, as well as welcome you to the game's controls. |
Fun Factor (n.)
The overall entertainment value as maintained throughout the adventure |
vvv
(Good) |
Per Ericcson has pretty much made Master
Mind from the face up. Don't expect any zany gimmicks because this game
is probably as close to the real Master Mind as you're going to get it.
Still, it would be nice to somehow get your friends involved as you play
a game. One of the neatest things about Master Mind is making your own
code and seeing if you could outsmart a weary buddy. This version of Master
Mind doesn't quite have that feature since the computer always chooses
the codes for you.
Still, despite the simplistic technical
elements, the fun factor in this QB Master Mind game grows strong. If you
like a puzzle game that has a little more casual than fast-paced, then
QB Master Mind would be a good place to start.
Master Mind reviewed by Vance Velez |
Players |
1 player |
Genre: Puzzle Game |
Rating |
|
To solve: 10-15 min Final Rating: 7/35 |
To download this game, click here.
Installation Tips
wTo
run this game, you must have any version of Microsoft QuickBasic.
wOnce
Master Mind is unzipped, run "MASTERM.BAS" from QuickBasic. |
Back to Puzzle
Games Page |