Ogre (video game)

Lore & Background

Ogre was released in 1986 by Origin Systems, adapting the popular Ogre board wargame to home computers. It was made available on a wide range of systems: Apple II, Amiga, Atari 8-bit computers, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, and Mac. The game's graphics and sound were described as 'limited' by Info magazine, but the user interface was approved, and the game was recommended to newcomers to battle simulations. M. Evan Brooks of Computer Gaming World noted that while Ogre is a faithful adaptation of its parent boardgame with adequate graphics and can be fun, it was not the bargain that the boardgame was.

Reader's Guide

Ogre's significance lies in its role as an early computer adaptation of a popular board wargame, bringing the tabletop experience to multiple home computer platforms. Reviews from the era were generally positive: inCider gave it three stars out of four in 1986, and Info rated the Commodore 64 version three-plus stars out of five, praising the computer opponent and user interface despite limited graphics and sound. Computer Gaming World rated it three stars out of five in a 1992 survey of science fiction games and two-plus stars in a 1994 survey, and later ranked it #130 in the magazine's 1996 list of 150 Best Games of All Time. Tim Robinson in Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer No. 81 highly recommended the game, calling it great competition and noting options for human vs. human play. The game's legacy is that of a competent, faithful conversion that appealed to both boardgame fans and newcomers to the genre.

Did You Know?

• It was available on Apple II, Amiga, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, and Mac.
• Computer Gaming World ranked it #130 in its 1996 list of 150 Best Games of All Time.
• Info magazine stated that 'the real fun is you against the computer' despite limited graphics and sound.