From: "J.C. Connors" <thalcos@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: Princess Ryan's Star Marines

Ron J. Fuschillo <ron@connix.com> wrote in article
<3397579a.1497198@news.connix.com>...
> I just received a newsletter from Avalon Hill and right on the cover
> was a game titled "Princess Ryan's Star Marines".  What..... Anyone
> here anything about this game?
> 
> Thanks Ron
> 
> Programmer by day gamer by night

It's one of the newest games from Avalon Hill guru Don Greenwood. A combination
board / card game, players control the Star Marines as they proceed through
hazardous terrain to rescue Princess Ryan. One player controls the evil Black
Guard, who must utilize his resources and firepower to stop the marines.

One of the more interesting concepts of the game is that even though the marines
are working together, only one can win. Likewise, only one of the marine
players is the Commanding Officer, who decides when the marines run, when
the fight, and must make the tactical decisions for the whole group -- usually
very dangerous to the rest of the players. Naturally, this position changes
as the game progresses (and marines get killed off), giving all players the
chance to lead the marines.

PRSM is one of Avalon Hill's most component-heavy games, consisting of
over a hundred full-color cards (regular playing cards -- not the thin AoR
ones) -- featuring really nice computer generated artwork -- a big ole board,
and a lead miniature. You'll see right away that it's a big departure for
Avalon Hill... though a very welcome one.

I've played it once and it's a fun game. It has a nice complexity level to it;
not too complicated that only wargame grognards will understand it, and
not simplified too much that it's watered down. I'll say one thing, though --
it's a very LOUD game... I can usually hear it being played anywhere in
the building!

The game's a week or so from shipping, so it should be in stores by the
end of the month. Hope I gave a fairly-impartial preview.

-J.C.
Avalon HIll