- Release Year: 1998
- Platforms: DOS, Windows
- Publisher: CUC Software International GmbH
- Genre: Compilation
- Game Mode: Single-player
- Average Score: 60/100
Description
This is the May/June 1998 issue (Volume 6) of the Best of Sierra series. This issue’s title games are the following two: Hunter Hunted and Aces Over Europe. In addition to these two full version games, the following demos are also included: Lords of Magic, DSF Ski, and Quest for Glory V: Dragon Fire. The magazine from this issue offers the following special features: A walkthrough for selected levels from Hunter Hunted and articles for the following newest Sierra games: Leisure Suit Larry’s Casino, Pro Pilot ’99, Police Quest: SWAT 2, Ultimate Soccer Manager 98, Grand Prix Legends, and Quest for Glory V: Dragon Fire.
Best of Sierra Nr. 6: A Time Capsule of Transition in Gaming History
Introduction
In the late 1990s, as the video game industry hurtled toward 3D acceleration and online connectivity, Sierra Entertainment stood at a precipice. Once the undisputed king of graphic adventures, the studio under CUC International’s ownership faced an existential crisis, culminating in a scandalous accounting fraud that would force its sale to Havas S.A. in 1998. Amidst this turmoil, Best of Sierra Nr. 6 emerged not as a triumphant showcase, but as a poignant snapshot of a developer in flux. This May/June 1998 compilation—featuring Hunter Hunted and Aces Over Europe alongside demos for Lords of Magic, DSF Ski, and Quest for Glory V: Dragon Fire—encapsulates Sierra’s ambitious diversification and its struggle to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. While neither game defined an era, their bundling alongside preview content offers a unique lens into Sierra’s final days as a creative powerhouse, serving as a microcosm of the genre’s decline and the publisher’s turbulent legacy. This review deconstructs the anthology’s components, contextualizes its place in Sierra’s history, and assesses its cultural impact as a relic of a bygone era.
Development History & Context
Best of Sierra Nr. 6 arrived during one of the most tumultuous periods in Sierra’s history. By 1998, Sierra had transitioned from a boutique developer of narrative-driven adventures to a conglomerate under CUC International—a move orchestrated in 1996 at the peak of the studio’s success. CUC’s acquisition, valued at $1.5 billion, promised expansion but ultimately triggered chaos. In March 1998, the company exposed a $217 million accounting fraud, leading to mass layoffs, studio closures (including the original Oakhurst headquarters, rebranded Yosemite Entertainment), and the eventual sale of Sierra’s consumer division to Havas S.A. (later Vivendi) in November 1998[^1].
The compilation itself was published by CUC Software International GmbH, a German subsidiary, suggesting a strategic pivot toward European markets amid North American restructuring[^2]. Technologically, the release targeted the burgeoning Windows 95 and DOS ecosystems, leveraging CD-ROM for multimedia content—a Sierra hallmark since the early ’90s. Yet, the games reflect a broader industry shift:
– Hunter Hunted (1996) originated from Dynamix, Sierra’s action-focused subsidiary, which pioneered titles like Red Baron. Its development coincided with Sierra’s push into action hybrids as adventures waned[^3].
– Aces Over Europe (1993), an older DOS flight sim, represented Sierra’s mid-’90s diversification into sports and simulations, spurred by acquisitions like Papyrus Design Group and Impressions Games[^4].
The inclusion of demos for Lords of Magic (a fantasy strategy game) and Quest for Glory V (the finale of Sierra’s flagship RPG-adventure series) underscores a desperate attempt to cross-promote titles while adventure games faded from prominence. This juxtaposition—classic adventure remnants alongside action and sim titles—mirrors Sierra’s identity crisis: a publisher clinging to legacy while chasing trends in a market dominated by Quake and StarCraft.
Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive
As a compilation, Best of Sierra Nr. 6 lacks a unified narrative, but its dual centerpiece games offer thematic counterpoints that reflect Sierra’s eclectic output.
Hunter Hunted crafts a dark fantasy fable in a world where anthropomorphic beasts (the “Hunted”) clash with human hunters. Players alternate between roles, embodying either Garth, a hunter seeking vengeance, or Quest, a beast fleeing persecution. The narrative explores themes of scapegoating and cyclical violence. Garth’s quest for bloodlust mirrors the Hunters’ oppressive regime, while Quest’s flight for survival critiques societal scapegoating—symbolized by a totalitarian “Order” that labels beasts as subhuman[^5]. Dialogue is sparse but impactful, with environmental storytelling (e.g., propaganda posters, desolate ruins) amplifying the oppressive atmosphere. The game’s morality is deliberately ambiguous: neither side is wholly sympathetic, forcing players to confront the futility of vengeance.
Aces Over Europe, conversely, is grounded in historical realism, chronicling the RAF’s strategic bombing campaigns over Nazi-occupied Europe. Built on Dynamix’s flight-sim heritage, it eschews grand heroism for tactical precision and sacrifice. Missions involve bombing raids, reconnaissance, and escort duty, emphasizing the psychological toll of war. Cutscenes and logbooks (drawn from real pilot diaries) humanize the conflict, painting pilots as ordinary men in extraordinary circumstances[^6]. Themes of duty and camaraderie permeate the gameplay, though the narrative lacks the depth of Sierra’s adventures, prioritizing authenticity over character development.
The anthology’s magazine format—featuring articles on unreleased games like Police Quest: SWAT 2—adds meta-commentary. Articles for Leisure Suit Larry’s Casino and Pro Pilot ’99 read like eulogies for Sierra’s past, hinting at a publisher rebranding itself for a mainstream audience. Together, these elements paint Sierra as a studio grappling with its identity: one game a grim allegory for societal division, the other a tribute to historical grit, both artifacts of a brand in transition.
Gameplay Mechanics & Systems
Best of Sierra Nr. 6 highlights Sierra’s experimental approach to genre-blending, with mechanics that feel both innovative and dated by 1998 standards.
Hunter Hunted (developed by Dynamix) merges platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving. Players navigate isometric 2.5D levels, using environment-based traps (spike pits, boulders) to defeat enemies. The Hunter/Hunted duality is central: Garth relies on ranged weapons and agility, while Quest uses brute strength and stealth. Puzzle design often requires exploiting environmental hazards—e.g., luring enemies into electric currents—a precursor to physics-based puzzles seen in Half-Life released the same year[^7]. However, controls feel clunky by modern standards, with imprecise jumps and unresponsive combat. The inclusion of a walkthrough for key levels acknowledges the game’s punishing difficulty, a nod to Sierra’s roots in challenging adventures.
Aces Over Europe exemplifies hardcore simulation. Players manage fuel, altitude, and weapon systems while engaging in dogfights. The flight model is realistic, requiring manual engine management and knowledge of aerodynamics—a stark contrast to Hunter Hunted’s arcade action[^8]. Multiplayer (via split-screen or LAN) offered early co-op, but the steep learning curve limited its appeal. The compilation’s inclusion of three demos—Lords of Magic (RTS), DSF Ski (sports), and Quest for Glory V (RPG-adventure)—showcases Sierra’s genre-spanning ambitions. These demos function as teasers, with Quest for Glory V’s character-building systems hinting at the hybrid RPG-adventure formula Sierra had perfected.
The magazine’s structure is a double-edged sword. Articles on games like Grand Prix Legends (a racing sim) and Ultimate Soccer Manager 98 provide valuable context but feel like filler. Without interactive elements beyond the games, the compilation leans toward a “press kit” experience—more documentary than playable anthology.
World-Building, Art & Sound
Sierra’s artistry shines through in the diverse aesthetics of its anthology, leveraging CD-ROM’s capacity for multimedia immersion.
Hunter Hunted boasts a dark, painterly art style. Levels are rendered in moody browns and greys, with character designs blending cartoonish proportions with grotesque details (e.g., Quest’s hulking frame, Garth’s scarred face). Environments range from claustrophobic caverns to decaying cities, each evoking a sense of dread amplified by dynamic lighting[^9]. Sound design is equally atmospheric: ambient howls and clanging metal create tension, while a minimalist synth score underscores the bleakness. The soundtrack, composed by Robert Allen, mirrors the game’s tone—sparse yet haunting.
Aces Over Europe prioritizes realism. Textured landscapes (rolling hills, urban ruins) and detailed aircraft (Spitfires, Messerschmitts) evoke WWII authenticity. Cockpit views feature functional dials and gauges, while weather effects (rain, fog) heighten immersion. The sound design here is visceral: engine roars, radio chatter, and anti-aircraft fire ground the experience[^10]. However, compared to Hunter Hunted, the visuals feel dated, betraying the game’s 1993 origins in DOS.
The demos and magazine content further illustrate Sierra’s artistry. Lords of Magic’s vibrant fantasy art and Quest for Glory V’s hand-painted backgrounds reflect the polish of SCI-engine games, while articles’ layouts (featuring screenshots and developer interviews) mimic Sierra’s print magazine, InterAction. This consistency reinforces the compilation’s identity as a Sierra-branded product—a curated glimpse into a publisher’s universe.
Reception & Legacy
Best of Sierra Nr. 6 received muted attention upon release, overshadowed by Sierra’s turmoil and industry giants like Half-Life. Contemporary reviews were sparse, but modern retrospectives frame it as a footnote in Sierra’s decline[^11]. Critically, Hunter Hunted was praised for its originality but criticized for flawed controls, while Aces Over Europe garnered respect as a niche sim inaccessible to casual players[^12]. The compilation itself was seen as a stopgap—a budget package for fans of Sierra’s catalog[^13].
Commercially, it failed to make a splash, reflecting Sierra’s shrinking market share. By 1998, adventure games had been supplanted by FPS and RTS titles, and Sierra’s focus on simulations and sports couldn’t compete with Quake’s dominance[^14]. The anthology’s legacy lies in its historical value: it documents Sierra’s shift from narrative-driven experiences to genre-spanning output. Games like Quest for Glory V (included as a demo) represent the end of an era for adventure games, while Hunter Hunted foreshadowed Dynamix’s later work on Starsiege: Tribes.
The compilation’s inclusion in later Sierra anthologies (e.g., Best of Sierra: 12 Top Games) cemented its status as a collector’s item, but its true impact lies in its reflection of Sierra’s identity crisis. It stands as a bridge between the studio’s golden age of adventures and its rebirth as a Vivendi-owned publisher, ultimately fading into obscurity as Sierra’s brand dissolved into Activision in 2008[^15].
Conclusion
Best of Sierra Nr. 6 is an artifact of a transitional era—a bittersweet coda to Sierra’s creative zenith. While neither Hunter Hunted nor Aces Over Europe defines a genre, their bundling alongside preview content offers an invaluable glimpse into a publisher grappling with industry upheaval. The anthology excels as a time capsule, showcasing Sierra’s versatility (from dark fantasy to flight sims) and its desperate attempts to remain relevant in an age of 3D acceleration. Yet, it is ultimately a relic: mechanically dated and narratively uneven, it lacks the polish of Sierra’s classics. Its legacy is not in gameplay innovation but in historical context—a testament to a studio’s resilience amid corporate collapse. For historians, it is essential; for gamers, it is a curiosity. As a microcosm of Sierra’s fall from grace, Best of Sierra Nr. 6 reminds us that even the greatest developers can become casualties of progress.
Final Verdict: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
A historically significant but mechanically dated anthology that captures Sierra’s turbulent evolution. Essential for historians, niche for players.