Stronghold 2, the castle-building RTS sequel, offers you two paths: one is the path of war, the other, the path of peace. Pit the defences of the 3D fortress you've built against swarms of invaders, or just make it the heart of a well-run agrarian economy. A peaceful castle sim, in other words. Isn't that ridiculous? Well, actually, no.During my varied Kentish upbringing there was one constant: I hated Dover Castle. Strategically, historically, architecturally, it should have been very
Should you want a pithy summary of Imperial Glory's strengths and weaknesses, go get that copy of Halliwell's Film Guide that's gathering dust beside the TV and look up the entry for 1970 Napoleonic war epic Waterloo. See where it says "historical charade" and "looks both exciting and splendid, though confusion is not avoided"? - that's IG in a nutshell.Pyro Studios has succeeded in creating their own handsome Total War homage (historical setting, realtime battles, turn-based economics and army
By
PSM2_
posted March 21, 2005
What's a minor thug to do? You're on the bottom rung of your criminal gang, overlooked and underpaid. Consequently, while on some shady activity at the, erm, zoo, you don't feel bad about sneaking off for a look at the piranha fish.You're just admiring the flesh-eating beasts when, suddenly, a psycho in a big trenchcoat grabs you, mutters something about "information" and then, without waiting even a microsecond for a response, plunges your head into the water and stands impassively as the
Breasts are lovely. Women can healthily celebrate them, men can healthily appreciate them, and they also serve practical storage purposes. Certainly they are one of the most impressive parts of human anatomy. But can their abundance improve a poorly designed game? You only have to take one look at Playboy The Mansion to see that no, they can't.Based around the life of the eponymous mammary-oriented magazine and its founder Hugh Hefner, Playboy plays like an exceptionally limited version of The
The first of what will probably be many Sims 2 expansion packs gives you the opportunity to live the life of student - y'know being 'crazy', partying, catching meningitis, drinking yourself blind every night - you can see the attraction.Initially, Uni can be a lonely existence. Your Sim is away from his family, living in a small cubicle with classes to attend and assignments to do. And with very little money to spend, you really have to apply yourself to carve out a meaningful existence for
On February 12, 1989, a photographer attached to a Cambridge University archaeological expedition was setting up his tripod on a cliff overlooking the Valley of the Kings when he happened to notice something gold-coloured glittering in the rocks at his feet. Dropping to his knees and digging with eager hands he proceeded to uncover not one but two screwed-up Caramac wrappers, some orange peel, a bag of vomit, and an empty Um Bongo carton (25cl). I'd like to apologise to that photographer and
Their diet is unnatural, and those who consume it are shunned by society. If discovered, they're driven out by mobs waving pitchforks. Yes, Monster Munch and Iron Bru-scoffing games journalists are a hideous breed, and should be slaughtered in their sleep.Vampires though, just as horrible and eighteen times as sexy, get their own videogames. Vampire: The Bloodline Masquerades differs from your average nibble-'em-up. Yes, there's superhuman powers of the undead and blood-drinking, as seen in
Rarely does a game feel this frustrating. Here's an example: my Rohirrim archer cavalry are piling arrow after arrow into Mordor's dark towers. They sit out of range, laughing to themselves at impotent orcs cut down as the fortifications crumble. Right click, move on to attack the next. Without warning my men rush in to the fray, disobeying my direct orders. They're cut down instantly. Their corpses left to rot in Middle-Earth's mud. Or try this, an early level: the Rohirrim are on the attack
December 7, 1941. Hawaii. There's a war going on, but you don't expect the devil to make an appearance. Not in Paradise. Not on a Sunday. But sure enough... planes. Hundreds of them. They fill the sky, spew lead like hail and tear the American Navy a new one. They're the common thread running through all the best bits of EA's assault on the Pacific and with every set-piece you're reminded just what your newest recruit could have been.Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault is the tale of rookie Tom
Oh yes: it's a sordid business. In my experience, those with first-hand experience of what supersonic-speed chunks of metal do to people don't speak of honour, or duty, or the privilege of fighting for freedom. Most don't want to talk about it at all. Full Spectrum Warrior doesn't shy away from the unpleasant parts of war, featuring a mass grave in an early level, but this is very much gaming from a Hollywood angle. The heroes are ordinary men, doing extraordinary things, and saving the day. Or
