Age of Empires is one of the most amazing and legendary civilisation style games that ever existed.

Now in this third part, you're taken into the New World. Players are able to develop European nations from the Age of Discovery through to the Industrial Age. There are eight playable nations that battle across a wide variety of lands - from the early beginning of the swamps of Florida to the Rocky Mountains. You can recruit Native American tribes along the way and with them, try to seize control of trade routes while being supported by your Empire back in Europe.

There's no doubt that visually, the game looks superb with some of the best graphics ever seen in the Age of Empires series. However, the developers seem to have concentrated on graphics more than the realism aspect. An exception to this is the fact that you are supported by your home European nation in your quest to plunder the New World which is something unseen in previous versions.

However, it is attention to detail and unfaithfulness to the realities of history that really let the game down. American Indians are portrayed as mercenaries rather than spiritual tribes and gold mines suddenly appear hundreds of years before they ever did!

Age of Empires 3 looks great and has the potential to be a great game but the developers probably need to pay more attention to historical facts than the graphics themselves.

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The multiplayer mayhem and single-player shenanigans are spread over five themed zones - Jurassic, Camelot, Arabian, Construction and Wild West – and, throughout the enlarged landscapes, the entirely destructible scenery works with even greater effect, along with the much-loved worms’ armoury - now with an even bigger choices of weapons and fun along the way.

In single-player modes there’s even more beyond the day-to-day business of destroying worms. Through the 25 missions, you’re also charged with objectives such as recovering items or smashing scenery. All the single-player maps are available to play in multiplayer mode, along with a further set of 20 multiplayer-specific maps.

With bold levels, an improved 3D camera and animation system, a stunning arsenal delivering comedy kabooms, the loveable, customisable, yet entirely destructible, worms are back in force with Worms 4: Mayhem.

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The premise behind the game is simple : take control of a group of little men and send them round a variety of landscapes looking for other little men to blow up or shoot in the face. Each member of your team that survives a level is available for the next mission, thus making progress a little easier. Modern day equivalents to Cannon Fodder are probably the hundred or so real time strategy games around, but none of them can match Cannon Fodder's ingenious level design and delightful attention to detail. And you don't need a Pentium IV to run it, either.

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Warzone 2100 is a real-time strategy game, developed by Pumpkin Studios (Archived website) and published by Eidos-Interactive. In late 2004 Warzone was released by its copyright holders, Eidos-Interactive, to the public under the GNU General Public License and the Warzone 2100 Resurrection Project was born.

Although comparable to Earth2150 in many significant aspects, it does contain some that are unique. These include various radar technologies, a greater focus on artillery and counter-battery technologies, more frequent in-game cinematic updates as gameplay progress, as well as a different vehicle design method.

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The legendary planet Dune did for RT strategy, what Wolfemstein 3D did for first-person shooters. At almost fifteen years old, this is the mother of all strategy games. Your mission is to build a functional base using the facilities on offer, and to construct a powerful army that will face and defeat opposing forces. You may choose from four houses, much as you could pick GDI or NOD in the Command and Conquer series.

Dune II was a defining game which has influenced countless others since then. Anyone that wants to see raw gameplay at its best from the early 90s, download this.

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Civilization 4 features gorgeous 3D graphics, loads of in-game movies, brilliant audio and music, and, most importantly, the best and most addictive gameplay of any strategy game ever created. As a matter of fact, Time magazine has named Civ IV one of the hottest new games this year!

Sid Meier’s Civilization is a turn-based strategy game that challenges players to build and expand an empire, throughout all of human history, and become the most powerful ruler in the world. Choose one of 18 nations to lead and go head to head with some of the most famous leaders in history. Each civilization has its own special characteristics - some are fairly peaceful, while others are expansionists and conquerors. You’ll battle your foes with a huge arsenal of weapons, beginning with primitive archers and warriors, then catapults, knights and frigates, and eventually with modern tanks, submarines, mobile infantry, helicopter gunships, stealth bombers, and nuclear weapons. However, Civilization IV is more than just a great combat game: you can also achieve victory through diplomatic cunning, cultural or religious alliances, and technological dominance.

Civilization IV delivers faster mid and late game AI turns, and offers greater control over your civilization's government and religions, while at the same time de-emphasizing the less fun micromanagement (cleaning up pollution, for example). And there’s more! Civ IV has been designed from the ground-up to deliver fantastic multiplayer gaming options, as well as unprecedented modding tools - allowing you to create new units, game maps, scenarios, and even entire new civilizations!

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The concept of Bridge Builder is simple yet brilliant. Your task is to build a bridge which has to support a passing train and stay undamaged. Actually, it doesn't necessarily have to stay undamaged, the train just has to pass to the other side safely... Each bridge element is $100 and your budget is limited. The process is simulated using a fairly realistic physics engine and rendered in real time.

There are many ways to play Bridge Builder: you can choose just to build working bridges so you can pass all levels quickly (more or less). If that's not enough, you can try to optimize your bridges to be as cost-effective as possible (see the Records section). Of course, you can also forget sommon sense and build crazy and weird bridges, try to make them look particularly nice, or even cunstruct complex mechanisms...(check out the Bridges section), just for the fun of it... The game sets no limits for your creativity!

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After receiving an ominous warning from a mysterious prophet, the Orc warchief Thrall must guide his warriors to a strange new land in this fully playable demo of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos.

Whether you're new to real-time strategy or a skilled veteran, you'll be in for a challenge as you navigate the Orcs through lush 3D environments and lead them into battle against those who stand in their way. Can you rally the Horde in the face of extinction?

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Expand your lands while you build and fortify your citadel. Entertain with jousts, lavish feasts and tournaments with an iron fist and dispense medieval justice to your overworked and slovenly peasants. Stronghold 2 is the most accurate, amazing and dynamic depiction of siege-warfare and castle-life ever portrayed.

This is the story depicted in this excellent adventure: the King, having fled after the defeat of his armies, now attempts to rule his country from a secret location. It is not known if he is even in the country anymore. Now, powerful barons jostle for what is fast becoming a disintegrating kingdom. It is up to you to stem the tides of their ambition and unite the land under the King once again!

Take a look at what Stronghold 2 has to offer:

• See the breathtaking medieval setting in beautiful 3D or choose from a variety of other views to survey your domain
• Be Lord of a true-to-life medieval berg. Watch the falconers deal with the "rat problem", discover how man and pig lived side by side, see weavers, candle makers and ale wives go about their business
• Hold great festivals such as jousting tournaments, feasts and dances and conduct public executions to keep peasantry in line
• Brand new soldier types, siege weaponry and castle defenses
• As lord, your gaze reaches far. Watch life inside castles and behind closed doors.
• Earn valuable honor points and use them to rise through the ranks from humble serf to mighty duke
• Non-linear interactive story unfolds as you decide which challenge to undertake next

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Plunge into the fascinating world of ANNO 1701 by become a conqueror of new worlds. Weigh anchor, sail the seven seas, explore new continents and foreign cultures. Demonstrate your strategic skills, business acumen and diplomatic finesse.

Maximum interaction with the gaming enviroment through numerous details such as the cheers or protests of the population in the village center, lovingly animated portraits with audio, and the ability to negotiate and engage in diplomacy with foreign peoples.

Extremely detailed, lifelike graphics, unprecedented effects and breathtaking realism permeate flora and fauna, village life and even natural disasters such as hurricanes, volcano eruptions and earthquakes.

A unique information mode and stunningly simple, clearly structured user interface give even beginners an ideal point of entry to the game.

More than 100 sub-quests are integrated dynamically into the game. Players can choose whether or not to accept them. Successful completion brings suitable rewards.

Clandestine diplomacy involving special operations such as sabotage, espionage and demagoguery opens up intelligent, strategic options to proceed.

A multiplayer mode supports up to four players over a LAN or the Internet. Cooperative play is also possible.

Winning conditions can be freely configured for single and multiplayers in the continuous game.

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The SimCity saga is a classic in the world of videogames. Its attractive mixture of strategy and simulation elements along with a high level of detail has made a real success from it.

SimCity Societies is one of the last representatives of this popular series: a new title that follows the SimCity line, but adding more and more elements from The Sims, the other successful saga created by EA. In a way, we could say the game is now easier to play – something which newcomers will be thankful for – while still keeps the same addictive elements for hardcore SimCity players.

In SimCity Societies you have the possibility to create very different towns, not only in aspect, but also in their values. From creativity to spirituality, from knowledge to production, the values of your city will affect its general design and layout.

Another distinctive feature is the attention paid to your citizens, not just as a crowd of people, but actually caring about their individual needs and feelings. You can click on anyone of them and see how they're doing, where they work and whether they're happy of not.

We also find this incredible level of detail in the game's graphics. You can freely move around with your mouse and use the wheel to zoom up to street level, until you're able to see your citizens' faces. There's also a huge array of objects (homes, workplaces, shop and the like) you can choose from and combine anyway you want. On the downside, this means that you have so much information in the game's interface that it can become really overwhelming for first-time players.

SimCity Societies is, in short, a very entertaining game: the kind of title that you can play for hours without noticing the passing of time. Also, it's a great chance for you to start playing the SimCity saga if you haven't played any of these titles before.

SimCity Societies is the evolution of the original SimCity saga: a strategy building simulator that will get you hooked before you can even notice it.

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In the third chapter of this simulation series, you guide your tribe as it populates a new part of Isola.

Virtual Villagers offers you the chance to develop the skill sets of each and every one of your tribe members, as they grow up and become older. Each tribe member has his own character and what he likes and dislikes. You will have to make the best of all of them to make sure the whole tribe survives and becomes stronger. Throughout the game you will also be presented with a number of puzzles to solve. Winning tech points will improve your skills (leadership, restoration, alchemy, medicine and science).

If you are a big fan of simulation games and notably of The Sims series you will probably like this game. However, although the game offers enough help, the lack of clear objectives at the beginning might put off some users. You will need a bit of patience before your tribe really starts developing.

Virtual Villagers 3 - The Secret City is faithful to other iterations of the series: good graphics, lots of puzzles and control over a number of characters. A fun and exotic simulation game!

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March, 2047. A massive nuclear fireball explodes high in the night sky, marking the dramatic beginning to the Third Tiberium War and long-awaited return of the most groundbreaking Real-time Strategy franchise (RTS) of all time.

In 2047, Tiberium has blanketed the Earth, which is now divided into zones based on the level of Tiberium infestation. Pristine Blue Zones represent 20% of the planet's surface and are the last refuge of the civilized world. Partially habitable Yellow Zones make up 50% of the planet's surface; most of the world's population lives in these war-torn and ecologically ravaged areas. The remaining 30% of the planet is uninhabitable, a Tiberium wasteland swept by violent Ion Storms. Red Zones are like the surface of an Alien planet.

The infamous Kane has returned to lead the Brotherhood of Nod in a massive global assault on the Global Defense Initiative and the few remaining Blue zones left on the planet. Only you can stop him. The fate of humanity – and the planet – is in your hands.

Featuring state-of-the-art, next-generation graphics, an epic story with live action, full-motion video sequences, and the classic fast-paced C&C style of play, C&C 3 sets the standard for the single player RTS experience. When you decide to test your skills online, a suite of truly innovative features, such as the ability to transform online battles into a spectator sport, unfold.

Fast, Fluid, Fun

The ultra-responsive, smooth-as-silk gameplay C&C invented is now better than ever, intuitively placing your entire arsenal at your fingertips.

Over 30 Single Player Missions

In a vast open-world 'theatre of war' where each decision you make matters, you'll experience one cohesive, epic story told from the unique perspective of all three warring factions.

Story Like You've Never Seen

High-definition, live action video sequences that seamlessly tie the game's epic story together featuring an unparalleled, diverse cast.

New Ways to Attack

Keep your opponent guessing by building flying battleships, wielding the power of terrifying Ion Storms, and combining units to form powerful never-before-seen super-units.

Battle the Best Online

With multiple online game modes, all-new multiplayer maps, and a fully featured content editor, go online to see how you stack up in RTS' ultimate forum.

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Launched in 1995 Transport Tycoon Deluxe is a classic economic simulation, where you aim to make it big by building and developing your own transport company. Grow your own transportation network and sell off goods to beat your main rivals and become the leader on the market.

Nostalgic fans of the game will be glad to discover OpenTTD, effectively a completely free version of the game. What's more it has been completely revamped. Graphics have been slightly improved, adding more color, and many new features are now included. The Euro is now part of currencies, you can bribe town authorities and set up international and metropolitan airports among others. Usability is also better, with new features like the autorail build tool or being able to get a cost estimation. You can even play online with up to 8 other players.

The only real drawback to the game is that you' ll the original version of Transport Tycoon Deluxe data files in order to make it work.

In all, anybody who's even the least bit interested in games should get their hands on this free version of an excellent classic simulation title.

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I must admit strategy games are not exactly my cup of tea, but I do appreciate good strategy titles when I find any. And Sins of a Solar Empire is one of them.

This adventure will please strategy fans for sure, as it includes all the typical elements you can find in this game genre: resource management, merciless battles and smart planning to take your empire to the highest level. But don't be fooled by this apparently traditional scheme: being set in outer space, Sins of a Solar Empire is quite original for a strategy adventure.

This particular setting means that every element in the game is related to space. So, instead of using regular soldiers, horses, combat units or even tanks, you manage spaceships. And instead of conquering towns and villages, you take over planets. Graphics are just fine, certainly not as detailed as other strategy games that are set in historical environments though.

Sins of a Solar Empire features single player and multiplayer gaming modes (though the demo only lets you play the first one). Solo gaming presents you with a series of scenarios and various challenges, including typical strategy elements such as diplomacy alliances, research and development of new strategies and a rather unconventional black market where you can trade crystal and metal without following the legal procedures. As you can see, there are many elements to be taken care of, which means that the game may feel a bit overwhelming at the beginning. This confusion is particularly noticeable when moving around the playing area, because maps are quite large and you can easily get lost.

Even if you're not a big strategy fan, you'll appreciate Sins of a Solar Empire for its original gaming environment. If you like strategy, you should definitely give it a go.

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Everyone has sometime dreamed of being mayor and ruling a city. The good news is that you can now make that dream come true.

City Life gives you the reins of a whole city and entrusts you a simple yet difficult mission: manage every single aspect of your city and make it a great place to live. You can choose to play either in Scenario mode, where you begin your career with an already built city, or in Free mode, in which you start building everything up from scratch. Whatever playing mode you choose, you must take care of every single detail: power factories to light up streets, residential areas for citizens, companies and firms for them to work, shopping areas, hospitals, schools and of course, traffic and public transportation. As you can imagine, you'll need loads of concentration and a good strategy if you want to succeed as virtual major. Man, I never knew running a city was that hard!

But that's not all: City Life includes another challenge, this time involving citizens themselves. They're categorized in different social classes and you'll need to have that into account when building residential areas if you don't want demonstrations and riots going on everyday.

Gameplay is quite easy: most actions are performed with the mouse, plus menus are simple and clear. I especially enjoyed the ability to zoom in up to street level, so that you can actually walk along the inhabitants of your city. On the downside, moving around the map is not that intuitive and I couldn't find a way to change perspective with the mouse, which is far more comfortable than they keyboard.

City Life 2008 lets you build the city of your dreams, but be aware that this involves a lot of work!

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Command the Company that Changed the Face of History.

From the studio that brought you the blockbuster Game of the Year titles Homeworld and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War comes the next revolution in action strategy. Company of Heroes is a WW2 Real Time Strategy game that brings to life the journey of the brave men of Able Company as they fight across Europe in the greatest war mankind has ever known.

From the opening shots of the D-Day invasion of Normandy players will find themselves immersed in a rich single player campaign. Experience the cinematic intensity, courage, and bravery of the heroes that defined a generation, set against the backdrop of the most dynamic battlefield ever seen in a game.

Features:

• Essence Engine – Relic’s next generation cutting-edge engine provides graphics quality and a physics driven world that is unprecedented in an RTS.
• Environmental Strategy – Real-time physics and a completely destructible environment guarantee no two battles ever play out in the same way. Destroy anything and re-shape the battlefield in your image! Use buildings and terrain to your advantage, or deny them to the enemy.
• Living Soldiers - Advanced squad AI brings your soldiers to life as they interact with their changing environment, take cover, and execute advanced squad tactics to eliminate all enemy opposition.
• 2-8 players MP competition via Lan or Internet – Go online with friends and join in the ultimate battle of Axis versus Allies.

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Lemmings is the kind of casual videogame you never grow tired of. This is why it's always good to have remakes of this classic title, although this time we're going to save penguins instead of those small, pink, hairy creatures.

Pingus is a very well-done Lemmings clone, both in gameplay and graphics, which challenges you in the same way the original title did. Controls are very easy, especially if you already played Lemmings before. The downside to this is that you're forced to play the tutorial whether you like it or not, and it can be quite boring if you're familiar with the game's mechanics.

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Europa Universalis III delves deeply into the areas of exploration, trade, warfare and diplomacy. This epic strategy game lets players take control of a nation and guide it through the ages to become a great global empire. Unparalleled in its depth and historical accuracy, Europa Universalis III gives the player unprecedented freedom in how they choose to rule their nation from an impressive choice of over 250 historically accurate countries.

Here's what Europa Universalis III has to offer:

• Players can enjoy over 300 years of game play by starting at ANY date between 1453 and 1789.
• Nation building is flexible: decide your own form of government, the structure of your society, trade politics and much more. The possibilities are endless.
• The great people and personalities of the past are on hand to support you. Take history in your hands and call personalities like Sir Isaac Newton, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or René Descartes to your court.
• A lush topographic map in full 3D allows for a rich and complete world view, and contains more than 1700 provinces and sea zones.
• Lead any one of more than 250 countries that originally existed during the game’s extensive time span.
• Have more than a thousand historical leaders and over 4000 historical Monarchs at your disposal.
• Manage more than 100 individual unit troops to secure as much power as possible.
• Co-operative multiplayer mode allows several players to work together to controla single nation.
• Customize your game: Europa Universalis III gives you the chance to customize and mod practically anything your heart may desire.Join the constantly growing and incredibly talented Paradox modding community!

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"Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars" is a sequel of "Cossacks: European Wars," the hit of 2000-2001. Developed on a new 3D engine, the game combines 2D graphics and the latest achievements in 3D technologies. Significant rework on the engine as well as a number of gameplay innovations allow for presenting the game on a new level. "Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars" answers to the latest technology advances and provides a chance to even hardcore RTS gamers to experience a brand new gameplay of historical battles played on the true-to-life scale, with tactics and strategy particularities of warring sides taken into account.

Napoleonic period brought "civilized" warfare, fighting in combat formations into being. The very principle is put into practice in Cossacks II gameplay. Generally speaking, formations play a decisive role on the battlefields whereas individual units are mostly ineffective. Players are given a chance to lead their armies to victory in epic battles with tens of thousands of units on the map. The new engine's ability to zoom in and soar upwards to get a bird's-eye view of the battle makes Cossacks II the most spectacular game about the Napoleonic era.

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