All image rights: Nyamnyam.Fans of Blackadder will enjoy the cod-
Shakespearean antics of Astrologaster,
although the gentle humor and rather sedate
pace of the game seem better suited for a
spot of casual gaming on an iPad, rather than
sitting down for a long gaming session in
front of a Mac.
Set in 1592 as the Plague swept across
London, Astrologaster casts you as Simon
Forman, an astrologer and “physick” who
was actually alive at that time. Many of his
patients were also real-life historical Ľgures,
and the game draws on Forman’s own notes
to ensure historical accuracy.
During the game, there are 14 patients
who come to visit Forman and seek his
advice, with each character being introduced
by a comical medieval madrigal. As Foreman
is an astrologer as well as a physician, his
patients ask a variety of diļerent questions
about health, Ľnance, and other issues, and
he then turns to the stars for guidance. Your
main task is simply to select whichever
zodiac reading seems to oļer the best adviceAstrologaster
Just what the doctor ordered...
$9.99 From Nyamnyam, astrologaster.com
Needs macOS 10.12 or laterASTROLOGASTER
Stylish pop–up
book graphics
Well written and
performed
Simple, repetitive
gameplay
The Blackadder–esque
humor may not appeal
to everyone
GOOD— the inľuence of Pluto might suggest a
fatal “cardiac passion”, while Venus points
to a “mild imbalance of black bile”. If you
choose wisely, the patient may write a letter
of commendation and return again in the
game, giving you the opportunity to guide
their aļairs over a longer period of time.
It’s a fairly simple aļair, and the quaint
British historical humor may not be to
everyone’s taste. And while the astrological
charts might be accurate, based on historical
records from that time, it’s never entirely
clear why you might choose one solution
rather than another, which makes your
progress a bit hit–and–miss at times.
However, the game is well presented, with
attractive graphics that look like pages from
a pop–up book, and its cast of professional
voice actors makes a nice change from the
rather amateurish acting in many games.
Even so, the simple page–turning controls
and clicking to select a zodiac reading seem
more suited to tapping the screen of a tablet
or smartphone when you’ve got your feet up
on the sofa, rather than sitting at a desk and
using a mouse to control the game (the iOS
version is less expensive too).
THE BOTTOM LINE. A gently amusing game
that provides a pleasant way to while away a
lazy Sunday afternoon. CLIFF JOSEPHEach of your patients in
the game is introduced
with their own comic song.Patients may have medical problems, or seek financial
advice; use Zodiac charts to get guidance from the stars.
Reviews
48 AUG 2019 maclife.com