Archon II: Adept

Free Fall Associates

Industry	Video game development
Founder	Jon Freeman, Paul Reiche III, Anne Westfall
Products	Archon II: Adept

Archon II: Adept is a 1984 strategy/action title created by Free Fall Associates, consisting of Jon Freeman, Paul Reiche III, and Anne Westfall, and released by Electronic Arts for the Atari 8-bit computers and Commodore 64. Subsequent versions were developed for Apple II, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, and Amiga platforms.

In Archon II, gameplay revolves around a board where pieces engage in combat upon occupying the same square as an opponent. This game serves as the follow-up to the 1983 release Archon: The Light and the Dark.

Gameplay

Adept accommodates either two human players or one player facing off against the computer. The second player commands greater magical resources. The Order faction controls yellow units, while Chaos commands blue. The board consists of concentric elemental rings—Fire, Air, Water, Earth—alongside two Void squares and ornamental citadels. Each side begins with four wizards known as "Adepts," who have the ability to summon additional units.

The game introduces a system of managing magical energy, which is accrued by holding power points and consumed when moving Adepts or casting spells. Adepts can summon demons—neutral to both sides—or elementals unique to each faction; these summoned creatures require upkeep costs. Spells serve various purposes such as healing, impairing opponents, removing enemy units, or initiating Apocalypse—a climactic confrontation where transformed citadels battle in a Void arena to determine the winner.

Players take turns either moving pieces or casting spells. Summoned units are restricted to movement within their elemental ring or one square in any direction; Adepts may teleport freely but cannot enter occupied squares except to attack enemy pieces. Summoning on a square occupied by an opponent demands higher magical expenditure. The cost varies depending on the unit type.

Each turn, four power points gradually move inward on the board; two static power points located on Void squares generate less magical energy. Victory can be achieved by controlling all six power points simultaneously, annihilating all opposing units, or prevailing in Apocalypse. A player who cannot make a legal move loses instantly. The computer-controlled opponent may surrender if reduced to a single Adept without magical power. Losing the final Adept triggers Apocalypse under the premise that "the Masters intervene."

Combat

When two pieces engage in battle, they are transported to a real-time combat arena where attacks can be launched in eight directions. An audio cue indicates when attacks recharge—Order’s recharge time is longer than Chaos’s. Successful strikes diminish an opponent’s life meter; once depleted, the piece is eliminated and removed from play. Surviving units return to the board carrying any damage sustained during combat. Battles may end in a draw if both combatants perish simultaneously.

While the original Archon featured melee, ranged, or area-of-effect attacks, Adept expands combat mechanics: chimeras alternate among three attack types; juggernauts transform themselves into projectiles; krakens’ ranged attacks weaken over distance. Adepts have the ability to switch between controlling their units’ movement and guiding projectiles mid-flight; gorgons slow enemies rather than inflicting direct damage. Firebirds (which replace phoenixes) can cancel their own attacks mid-execution; wraiths drain health while remaining mostly invisible; sirens must remain stationary to emit damaging songs automatically.

Combat arenas have also evolved: Earth arenas retain obstacles similar to those in Archon that block movement and projectiles; Water arenas slow unit movement; Air arenas reduce speed and deflect projectiles; Fire arenas permit projectile use but inflict damage on units; Void arenas are completely open without obstacles.

Reception

The Apple II edition of Archon II received acclaim from II Computing for its increased difficulty compared to the original, highlighting its inventive elements and expansion of the game’s mechanics. In contrast, Ahoy! praised the Commodore 64 version’s visual presentation but criticized its gameplay as less captivating, remarking that efforts to set it apart from chess "fall short" and that Adept "fails to deliver the same enjoyment." Conversely, Computer Gaming World endorsed both the Archon and Adept versions on Amiga for enthusiasts seeking demanding strategic gameplay.

See also

• Archon Ultra

External links

• Box, manual, and screenshots
• Review in GAMES