A few years back (2002) I was going through some old Savage Sword Marvel Magazines, when I saw their old full page advertisement on the back for “Hyborian War”. Always wondering about the game, and wishing I had given it a chance in the 80’s or 90’s, I looked online to see what was going on. Discovering that it was still going strong, I signed up to play, and have played in several games since. Since this is a review, let me give you my personal opinion first: If you love REH’s Conan, and you love strategic level war games played out over a few years, this game is the best thing you will ever see. Since it is played via mail, you get a “turn report” every 16-20 days (a complete game goes 35-40 turns to completion), while this is completely opposite the current trend of online real time gaming it does two things 1) it becomes more like running a an ancient kingdom: you send out courier orders, and a few weeks later you get the results 2) getting your turn is the most exciting thing in your mailbox and it builds the anticipation for every move that is coming.
There are several fan based web sites where players go to “talk shop” on game play as well as role playing in character to the other players in their given game. I would encourage you to check out there web sites and give this classic retro game a chance, it is really fun and I would recommend it to any war gaming REH fan out there. I’m including some of the links to the company that runs it as well as the fan web sites. In addition, I’m sending a nice graphic of the game map for everyone to download and take a look at. Call RSI (480) 967-7979 to get yourself set up with a kingdom and placed in a coming game when you get a minute. I look forward to seeing some of you in future games!
Review of “Hyborian War” by Reality Simulations Inc.>
As Written by: Jason Lenox
"Know, O Prince, that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and
the gleaming cities, and the rise of the Sons of Aryas, there was
an Age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world
like blue mantles beneath the stars - Nemedia, Ophir, Brythunia,Hyperborea,
Zamora with its dark-haired women and towers of spider-haunted mystery,
Zingara with its chivalry, Koth that bordered the pastoral lands of Shem,
Stygia with its shadow-guarded tombs, Hyrkania whose riders wore steel and silk and gold.
But the proudest kingdom of the world was Aquilonia, reigning supreme in the dreaming west.
Hither came Conan the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand,
a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth,
to tread the jeweled thrones of the earth under his sandled feet."
- The Nemedian Chronicles
Jason Lenox
Hyborian War Links RSI’s web sitewww.reality.com>
The Road of Kings Fan site www.warbarron.com>
Hyborian Organized Game Site>
Art of Hyborian War>
Harry Tennison’s Hyborian Downloads>
