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ROCKY MOUNTAIN TROPHY HUNTER
Manufacturer: Sunstorm Interactive (1998)
Price: $19.99
Genre: North American (Rocky Mountain region) big game hunting simulation.
System Requirements: Win95, Pentium 75 or faster, 16 MB RAM, Mouse, CD-ROM, Sound
Card, Direct X, 40 MB HDD space.
o DESCRIPTION: Rocky Mountain Trophy Hunter is the follow-up to Sunstorm's mega hit, Deer Hunter. Now players have the chance to hunt Elk, Moose, Bighorn Sheep, and Black Bear in the Rocky Mountain region (Colorado, Idaho, Utah). Instead of brushy eastern woodland, players now find themselves hunting in the plains, valleys, and barren highlands while dealing with heavy winds, rain and snow (watch out for the lightning). While much of the game is similar (or identical) to Deer Hunter, players will find RMTH every bit as challenging (if not more challenging) and enjoyable as it's hugely popular predecessor.
Due to the variety of game species, players must put some thought into what type of equipment to take on the hunt. Since players can only take four small items (such as binoculars, attractant, calls, spotting scope, marker flags, etc.) and two larger items (tree stand and/or bear bait bags) along with a weapon. The standard Deer Hunter weapons are here (bow, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader) along with a scoped .44 magnum revolver. Each weapon has it's advantages and drawbacks which can make or break a hunt. Once the player has selected his/her equipment, it's time to hunt.
. The hunting area is almost seven times larger than
in Deer Hunter, with differing terrain throughout the 7.5 x 7.5 mile hunting area: alpine
lowlands and plains along with wind swept, barren, rocky highlands. Each species found in
RMTH has it's own particular habitat, thus you'll find bighorns in the higher elevations,
elk in the alpine meadows/plains, moose in the lowlands while bear tend to range anywhere
mooching for a meal (note: these are general tendencies). Each animal has it's own set of
characteristics to further challenge (confound) hunters.
.
Wind direction and movement play a decisive role in RMTH; animals will
realistically react to a player's actions. Using calls too many times, trampling around,
etc. can cause game to generally vacate the area. As the wind changes, so does a player's
tactics on moving- keeping downwind can be tricky indeed!
Once a player has decided to settle down and try his/her luck in an area showing recent game animal activity (i.e. beddings, droppings, trails, tracks, rubbings, etc.), it's time to call in the quarry using calls, scents, and baits. Players can scan the area using binoculars to attempt spotting game at a distance, watching as the animal ambles closer. Some animals will respond to your calls (this is VERY cool) while others will "talk" as they get close (bears will actually grumble)!!! Now's the time to take aim and fire.
When an animal is shot it will either stagger and drop or charge off wounded. Wounded animals may then be tracked on the area map by following the blood trail. Once found the animal becomes part of your trophy room (al la Deer Hunter). Actual Boone and Crockett Club ratings are used when rating a trophy animal, so it's quite possible to bag a Boone and Crockett record animal!
. By the way, if you wish to practice you marksmanship be
prepared to hike to the shooting range! Access to the range is found only on the area map-
but you never know what you may run into along the way.
.
THE SCOUTING REPORT:
THE PROS:
Good graphics.
Excellent selection of weapons and gear.
Moose, Elk, Bighorn, Bear.
HUGE hunting area.
Excellent AI, animal will actually call back!
THE CONS:
Only one hunting area.
No mobility in hunting area outside of the map screen (al la Deer Hunter).
Reviewed by Steven Ellis
ROCKY MT. TROPHY HUNTER: ALASKAN EXPEDITION
Manufacturer: Sunstorm Interactive (1998)
Price: $19.99
Genre: Add-on to Rocky Mt. Trophy Hunter. Allows hunts in Southern and Northern
Alaska.
System Requirements: Same as Rocky Mt. Trophy Hunter.
DESCRIPTION: Alaskan Expedition is the first, and possibly only, add-on for Sunstorm's Rocky Mountain Trophy Hunter. This expansion allows players to hunt Kodiak (i.e. Grizzly) Bear and Caribou (along with the usual cast of RMTH game animals) in Southern or Northern Alaska.
The graphics look identical to what you'll find in RMTH- except there is alot more snow! The animal graphics are sprites (pretty outdated by late 1998) but look passable. Players also get two new weapons: a semi-auto rifle and a crossbow- both of which are nice additions to the game.
The best part of the add-on is the feature which allows the hunter to become prey during encounters with Kodiaks. If they get too close and are in a bad mood- LOOK OUT!!! These bear WILL charge- with fatal consequences. The attack graphics are decent as well but not "cutting edge" for 1998/1999.
THE SCOUTING REPORT: