Babala, Freeware marathon strategy game; 200 campaigns

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Babala 0.3.0b has just recently been released. From their site:

 

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Babala is a fun and fanciful game suitable for all ages. It's freeware but not open source. There are versions for both Linux and Windows. You'll find this unique game at Babala.org, where there are some screenshots, a user forum and more information. With this latest beta release 0.3, the game has grown to a staggering 200 levels.

 

Babala is simplicity gone ballistic. It's played on a basic grid and its defining features are mercifully few in number; a child could pick up on it readily. It has variety but isn't cluttered with myriad rules or countless varying characters; nor difficult controls nor complex readouts. But don't be fooled, because this game gets tough as nails to beat as the levels progress. It's all in the campaign designs. A meaningful scoring system is incorporated and Web high score posting is planned for version 1.0 (probably out before Christmas).

 

So what is Babala? it's a fantasy war strategy game, turn-based but not lacking in animations. At the start of the contest, the enemy legions "balabaks" are arrayed on the field amongst barrier items and other goodies -- most often in striking artful patterns. In battling these uglies, you have but limited moves and shots (or laying of mines) that you can make during your each round, 6 or 7 tops; you choose as you play, from a set of 5 maximal trade-offs. It's fiendishly clever yet.. so simple.

 

Following your strokes, the enemy is allowed a measured advance toward you. If any balabak reaches you, you're mugged, you lose. The enemy can't shoot. Your task of course is to survive, and dispose of all balabaks. There may be certain deadly rigged perils, critically situated, or remote ammunition stores that have to be acquired.

 

Babala has already earned an enthusiastic two-thumbs-up "Top Dog" review from HOTU (Home Of The Underdogs), so give it a try and find out for yourself what makes this game so special.

 

 

Screenshots:

 

 

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There's now version 0.4.0 of Babala, released August 2006. It implements the promised Web high scores posting feature. Visit www.babala.org