Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Best of Sierra Nr. 10 delivers a compelling one–two punch in terms of gameplay variety. Silent Thunder: A-10 Tank Killer II places you in the cockpit of the fearsome A-10 “Warthog,” tasking you with close air support missions against armored brigades. The controls strike an effective balance between authentic flight-sim complexity and approachable arcade fun, letting newcomers ramp up their skills while veteran pilots can dial in advanced targeting and weapons management. Each sortie feels unique, from low-level strafing runs to high-altitude missile engagements.

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On the other side of the disc, Robert E. Lee: Civil War General invites you to chart the fate of the Confederacy through a series of operational-level battles. The turn-based map interface makes planning troop movements painless, and the AI, though occasionally forgiving, often throws unexpected challenges in the form of flanking maneuvers or supply shortages. Infantry, cavalry, and artillery units each bring distinct strengths and vulnerabilities to the table, and positioning is everything—as any Civil War buff will appreciate.

Beyond the two headline titles, this issue piles on six pages of in-depth Tips & Tricks for Civil War General. Newcomers will find step-by-step scenario breakdowns, while seasoned commanders can uncover advanced tactics like forming defensive salients or launching diversionary attacks. Additionally, the magazine articles preview upcoming Sierra releases—Half-Life’s gravity-gun physics, King’s Quest: Mask of Eternity’s hybrid action-RPG puzzles, and Lords of Magic’s turn-based spellcraft—giving you plenty to look forward to long after you’ve finished Lee and the Warthog campaigns.

Graphics

For a late-’90s compilation disc, Best of Sierra Nr. 10 offers impressive graphical fidelity. Silent Thunder’s polygonal terrain and cockpit instruments boast crisp textures, and explosions light up the sky with satisfying pyrotechnics. Although pixel counts can feel dated compared to contemporary flight sims, the high contrast color scheme and detailed HUD elements make targets easy to distinguish on both VGA and SVGA settings.

Robert E. Lee: Civil War General employs an isometric battle map that’s surprisingly elegant. Unit sprites are large enough to recognize regiment type at a glance, and terrain features—forests, hills, rivers—are rendered with subtle shading and clear boundaries. During zoomed-out views, the map retains readability without bogging down older Pentium machines, a nod to Sierra’s optimization prowess in this era.

The magazine inserts themselves are printed on glossy stock, with full-color spreads showcasing concept art and in-game screenshots. Each featured article, from PGA Championship Golf’s course flyovers to Pro Pilot ’99’s avionics panels, includes annotated images that highlight key UI elements and graphical improvements. For collectors, these magazine pages double as a visual time capsule of late-1998 design sensibilities.

Story

Silent Thunder doesn’t rely on an overblown narrative; instead, it weaves mission briefings and communication chatter into the action. You’re briefed by base command, thrown into hostile airspace, and then debriefed upon successful completion. This streamlined approach keeps the adrenaline high without bogging down the pace with cutscenes or lengthy dialogue. The occasional radio call from a wingman adds personality, hinting at camaraderie and battlefield tension.

Robert E. Lee: Civil War General embraces historical context more directly. Each scenario opens with a succinct historical summary, setting the stage for battles like Seven Pines or Fredericksburg. After action reports detail unit losses and territorial gains, reinforcing the sense of progression through the 1862–1864 campaigns. While not a deep narrative adventure, the game’s emphasis on authenticity gives you a genuine feel for Civil War strategy and logistics challenges.

The magazine’s feature articles further enrich the narrative tapestry. King’s Quest: Mask of Eternity teases an epic quest to restore a shattered kingdom, while Lords of Magic: Legends of Urak’s previews hint at warring factions and spellcasting rivalries. Even the sports and racing titles—PGA Championship Golf, 3-D Ultra NASCAR Pinball, Viper Racing—get mini-stories of rivalries and championship stakes in their write-ups, making the issue more than just a pair of playable titles.

Overall Experience

Best of Sierra Nr. 10 strikes a satisfying balance between playtime and editorial content. You get two full retail titles on disc plus six magazine pages devoted to strategy, a collection of previews, and professional screenshots. For the price point typical of a mid-range compilation disc in early 1999, this represents significant value, especially if you have a soft spot for military sims or historical strategy.

The package aesthetic harks back to a pre-DVD era, with a jewel-case layout and a printed manual insert that includes quick-start guides for both games. Installation wizards run smoothly on Windows 95/98, and the disc’s autorun menu offers one-click access to game executables, magazine PDF viewer, and a bonus link page with URLs to Sierra’s online community.

Whether you’re a flight-sim devotee, Civil War strategist, or simply a Sierra fan eager to preview upcoming hits like Half-Life, this issue delivers. The mix of hands-on gameplay, expert tips, and forward-looking articles ensures you’ll be occupied for hours—both in the skies over Eastern Europe or the battlefields of Virginia, and in anticipation of the next wave of Sierra adventures. Best of Sierra Nr. 10 remains a well-rounded, nostalgia-rich package for collectors and newcomers alike.

Retro Replay Score

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