From Computer Shopper, Treading The Boards, Feb 1995 issue

KING OF THE CATS

    This whole board is a game - from the moment you join, you're a participant. It's also the most creative and entertaining use of RIP graphics that I've seen so far.

    The first thing you do when you join this board is create an alter ego as a cat. You choose a breed, such as Burmese or Siamese; pick your sex; your markings (within the breed's parameters); and even how you say "meow."

    Then the role-playing adventure game begins. The action starts in Ethyl's living room. You play from the cat's viewpoint, and you get around by clicking on where you want to go with your mouse. You can climb the stairs, pass through doors into Ethyl's bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, or basement, or even venture out into the town. The graphics are simple, attractive, and a lot of fun, but because they require a lot of full-screen redraws, you'll want a 14,4000-bps modem as a minimum.

    You start out with nine lives, and a certain number of points in the health, appearance, strength and agility areas. These scores change as you play - eating or napping, for example, adds health points; fighting depletes them. If you health score drops to zero, you lose one of your nine lives. Lose all nine, and your account on the BBS is terminated - whether you have time left or not.

Strength and agility scores can only be increased by exchanging experience points. Experience points are gained by exploring. Getting into the fireplace ashes cuts into your appearance score, but adds to your experience score. Same thing if you fall in the toilet.

In addition to Ethyl's house, there's a whole world to explore, including such sites as the butcher shop, the cemetery, the sewer system, and the museum. Making the game even more interesting, this world changes, so each time you log on you may discover something new to do or explore.

There are levels to be achieved by acquiring experience points. Once you reach the ninth level, a new set of rules kicks in and you gain special abilities. Another goal is to become King of the Cats. Any subscriber is eligible; while King, he or she plays for free and has a say in how the environment is operated. Reaching this exalted rank is not determined by experience points. The King if crowned by passing "The requirements of the throne," as determined by a committee described as "a clandestine group of honorable cats who meet occasionally to determine the new requirements for the next King of the Cats."

The boards interface is marvelously designed and completely consistent. Some of the credit has to go to the board's Searchlight BBS software, which does an exemplary job of integrating RIP graphics.

You can preview the board for free, but are restricted to Ethyl's house and only 15 minutes online per day. Subscriptions are available via mail, credit card, or a 900 number voice call; they start at $10 per month or $25 for three months unlimited time online and unrestricted access. You can call King of the Cats at (206) 34X-9058 (please note: phone number masked as it no longer works- ed.)
 
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