Sword

Name: Sword Publisher: Wolfire Software Developer: Wolfire Software Media: 176k Download HD Installation: 820k Got it for: Free. It is distributed as freeware as per the game's Readme file.
Sword was played on my iMac DV SE, 400Mhz machine under OS 9.2.2 with an 8 meg ATI Rage card and 512 megs of ram. It was running at a screen resolution of 800X600.
Patches?	Just for kicks, let me present the system requirements:
None that I have found. Click here to download Sword. (Upon talking to the game's developer, David Rosen, I have been granted permission to host the game here.)	Doesn't really list them, but I am betting almost any Mac could run it adequately.
High above a busy metropolis, two very angry men battle it out for the fate of all mankind! Ok, maybe not...but they are there, and they are very angry with each other... What's it all about? A hip, little game done in FutureBasic. Controlling one of the angry, rendered gentlemen you attempt to drain the others lifebar by stabbing him constantly with your sword. Gameplay consists of advancing, retreating, blocking and attacking....and though it may seem simplistic at first, once you get into it, it gets increasingly addictive. You'll have to use some quick reflexes as you must determine at which level your opponents attack is coming in at, then block accordingly and even attempt a counter attack...
Graphics - Not bad....there's just not a whole lot to it: The city is pretty much just a static picture displayed in 256 colors. The characters animate nicely and look pretty good...and though you can switch your monitor resolution to 640X480, the game still only runs in a small window...
Sound - Very loud sword clanging...and lots of it.
Control - Nice and easy. Using the keyboard or the iShock consists of knowing when to hit one of the five buttons it uses...that's about it. To use the iShock all you have to do is set up a new config for Sword in the iShock's menu. By default, if you choose the original pad and button pre-determined setup(no. 1), it's already set up for you(and Sword). Pretty cool, huh?
AI - Pretty straightforward...he comes at you and attacks. You either block, retreat or whoop his ass...
Replay value - High. With seven speed settings, six health schemes, and the extreme addictiveness of the game itself...you'll be back for more.
Getting it to run - Super easy: Just unstuff it and play. Included are the game file and the original readme, be sure to take a look into it to get associated with the gameplay. Also, you can drop the color on your monitor to 256 or Sword will do it for you, after you finish the game though, it will switch it back to Thousands of colors rather than Millions.
Tips for better gaming experiences: * Choose "1 Block" in the "Game" menu when you are just starting to learn how to play. * Though the speed can be adjusted to seven different levels in the "Game" menu, I'd recommend slowing it down just a bit when you're getting started. * Health points can be adjusted in the "Health" menu. Again, for learning, I would recommend infinite health at first. Still Supported? Yes, and downloadable(along with quite a few other really great games) over at Wolfire Software.
My rating: 75(out of 100) - Nothing to write home about, but certainly a great little game to pass the time with. The price is definitely right, and once you get into it...you'll may find it hard to stop.
Baraka's meowy review: What the hell is this!? I start the game, the other stick guy either whips my ass in three, lightning-quick hits or knocks me off the steel girder. I think I'll go back to chasing my tail...it's a lot more entertaining than this pile of crap.

This is how it starts....	....and this is, generally, how it ends...