Astrologaster

Just what the doctor ordered…

$9.99 From Nyamnyam, astrologaster.com Needs macOS 10.12 or later Fans of Blackadder will enjoy the codShakespearean 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 figures, 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 different questions about health, finance, and other issues, and he then turns to the stars for guidance. Your main task is simply to select whichever zodiac reading seems to offer the best advice — the influence 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 affairs over a longer period of time.

It’s a fairly simple affair, 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.

Each 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.