Chaos
Description
Chaos is a fantasy strategy game written by Julian Gollop, who later became famous for X-Com. In it you are a wizard who battles it out against up to seven other wizards that can be both player and/or computer controlled. The last one alive wins. The game is turn based and each turn is divided in two parts. In the first you select and cast spells and movement is done in the second.
There are several different spells available. Some of them let you summon creatures to attack the opponent while others will improve your abilities or are offensive (like lightning) or defensive (summon castles). Summoning spells would include Centaurs and Horses, which can be mounted by the wizard and enable you to move across the playing board quickly. Spells can also be either Lawful, Neutral or Chaotic, so the chances of success increase if the wizard has the same alignment.
Groups +
Screenshots
Credits (ZX Spectrum version)
5 People
| Loading screen |
|
| Written by |
|
| Programmed by |
|
| Cover by | |
| Production Artwork by | |
| Co-ordination by |
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 73% (based on 3 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.7 out of 5 (based on 10 ratings with 1 reviews)
Chaos the game of strategy and invention
The Good
The concept of the game was turn-based strategy utilising an array of spells, its simplicity and game speed was excellent. The spells were very varied ranging from Gooey Blob which did not affect the caster but would cover the board absorbing all other creatures including opposing wizards (which would kill them - but not the creatures as they could be recovered if the Gooey Blob was attacked). Summoning spells included Eagles, Centaurs, Horses, Dragons (Gold & Red). Ranged weaponry to attack from distance. Overall the game had every aspect of defence and attack hence the terms of Chaotic, Lawful and Neutral. The variety of spells gave you excellent game play and you could extend the game by careful planning and protecting other users, it was not also a singular player game but you could involve friends to become wizards too. This made the game very enjoyable to all.
The Bad
A single scenario to eliminate your enemies.
The Bottom Line
Addictive especially if you have others playing. Julian Gollop created an exciting game utilising spells, chesslike gameplay and reasonable graphics for its time. A must for the game enthusiast.
The game itself was expanded on I believe by an Australian for the Amiga platform a bit later on with improved graphics and spells.
ZX Spectrum · by Steve McConnell (3) · 2006
Discussion
| Subject | By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Chaos should have a group related to | ZeTomes (36265) | Dec 11, 2015 |
Trivia
Awards
- Retro Gamer
- October 2004 (Issue #9) – #41 Best Game Of All Time (Readers' Vote)
Analytics
Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings!
Related Games
Released 2022 on Linux, Windows
Released 2016 on Android, iPad, iPhone
Released 1996 on Windows, Macintosh
Released 1987 on NES
Released 1986 on MSX
Released 2004 on Dreamcast, 2005 on GameCube, PlayStation 2
Released 1987 on Amiga, 1987 on Commodore 64, 1988 on DOS...
Released 2016 on iPhone, 2018 on Windows, 2021 on Nintendo Switch...
Released 1997 on Windows
Related Sites +
-
A complete infographic of all the creatures present in the game
by Andy Herbert -
Ataxia II, a fan clone
for Windows: downloadable freeware game by Duncan Timiney; additional material -
Ataxia: Chaos Wars, a fan clone (at Wikia - Chaos Remakes Wiki)
for Windows: downloadable freeware game by Duncan Timiney; encyclopaedic entry -
Chaos Editor: World of Spectrum
An editor for Chaos by Ian Gledhill for ZX spectrum. Published as Type-in in Your Sinclair, issue 69, page 24. -
Chaos Funk, a fan remake (at Allegro.cc)
for Windows: freeware downloadable game by Richard Phipps -
Chaos Groove - Battle of the Wizards
Chaos Groove is a remake of Julian Gollop's ZX Spectrum spell casting classic. The developer is Richard Phipps, who made Chaos Funk. -
Chaos Groove, a fan remake (at Wordpress)
for Windows: freeware downloadable game by Richard Phipps -
Chaos, a fan adaptation of the original
for Atari ST: downloadable freeware game by Martin Brownlow and Adam Turnbull at "Bunny Abandonware" -
Chaos, a fan made aplication (at Android Apps Game)
for Android: downloadable freeware application by Richard Quirk -
Chaos, a fan remake
for Flash MX: online playable game by Myke Black -
Internet Archive
for ZX Spectrum: downloadable release; online emulation of game; additional material -
Law, a fan remake
for Java: online freeware remake by Jim Purbrick -
Morkin 2, a fan clone at Abandonware
for DOS: downloadable freeware game by "Anthony Hamilton / POW Productions" -
Qaop/JS – ZX Spectrum emulator
for ZX Spectrum: online emulation of game written in JavaScript -
Realtime Chaos, a fan remake (at SourceForge)
for Linux: freeware downloadable game by Stephen Smith -
The Making Of: Chaos
By Edge -
The Tipshop
For ZX Spectrum: a central archive for all Spectrum and SAM games hints, tips, cheats, maps, hacks and pokes. -
Wikia - Chaos Remakes Wiki
encyclopedia about remakes of the original -
Wikipedia
combined platform entry -
World of Spectrum
for ZX Spectrum: downloadable releases; additional material; remakes links; player reviews; magazine references; magazine adverts -
ZX-Art - online archive of pixel art and 8-bit music
For ZX Spectrum: music, credits, pixel art. artist's graphics artwork.
Identifiers +
Contribute
Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.
Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Kabushi.
iPad, iPhone added by Sciere.
Additional contributors: Kreezer Frost, Patrick Bregger, ZeTomes.
Game added March 4, 2005. Last modified February 16, 2024.