The Sam and Max series is one of the most entertaining game series out there and this latest installment featuring Father Christmas might be a bit out of season but still delivers some fun.

The game description goes thus: "He's the most ancient and powerful opponent they've ever faced, a hairy, bloated, pagan God - Santa Claus! With Christmas presents on the attack and carols of gunshots drowning out the bells, Sam & Max must storm the North Pole to bring down a less-than-jolly foe. Can the Freelance Police make sense of this Christmas conundrum in time to save the world's children from a holiday tainted by tears, turmoil, and Torture-Me-Elmer?" You basically have to get the two intrepid heroes to the North Pole to stop a crazed Santa from destroying everything with his explosive presents. The graphics are first rate as you expect from this series although the gameplay is a little stunted - it seems the developers have spent more time making it look good than making the game really challenging and playable. However, it is a lot of fun trying to get to the North Pole with all the obstacles the bearded one has left in your way and the sound effects are also excellent with realistic cartoon style voices and sounds.

Another great installment of the Sam and Max series although it could have done with a bit more focus in the playability department.

Download Sam & Max (201) Ice Station Santa in Softonic

After having already published two other trailers that gave us a sneak peek of the game, Rockstar offers now a third, longer video with many more details about the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto IV.

This 2-minute long trailer includes images from the game featuring known elements such as the streets of Liberty City, where the action takes place, and also new characters, new vehicles and a glimpse of all the new missions and submissions you'll be entrusted with in GTA's fourth episode. The video is presented just like a movie trailer, using cinema-like editing, transitions and even credits.

Although a video can't obviously capture the feelings you experiment while playing this game, it does help a lot in getting an overall impression that contributes even more to rise the hype around GTA IV, to the extent that even Nintendo lifetime fans like me might consider moving on to XBOX360 or even PS3…

Action cinema meets action videogames in this beautifully designed trailer where you'll get a preview of the all new Grand Theft Auto title coming next April 29th. If you're a true GTA series fan you shouldn't miss it.

Download Grand Theft Auto (GTA) IV Trailer Move Up, Ladies in Softonic

Calendar Magic is an easy-to-use pack of calendar utilities that is entertaining, informative, educational, and of equal applicability in the home and in the office.

It supports the following calendars: Full year and individual month Gregorian, Afghan, Armenian, Baha'i, Bangla, Chinese, Coptic, Egyptian, Ethiopic, French Revolutionary, Hebrew, Hindu Lunisolar (3 variants), Hindu Solar, Indian National, Islamic Civil, Julian, Revised Julian, Parsi Fasli, Parsi Kadmi, Parsi Shenshai, Persian (2 variants), Sikh Nanakshahi and Vietnamese calendars. A user option is provided to choose between displaying/printing calendars showing each week starting on a Monday (in line with the ISO 8601 international standard), on a Sunday for North American users, or on a Saturday for Middle East users.

It supports a month-by-month, side-by-side comparison of any two of the 23 calendar systems listed above. The display remains synchronised as you change day, month and year values in either calendar system being viewed. Again, users may choose between displaying each month with weeks starting on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday.

It supports date conversions among the 23 calendar systems listed above, plus conversions to Balinese Pawukon, Thai solar, old Hindu Solar, old Hindu Lunisolar and Mayan date formats. Julian day value, day of week and day of year information is also displayed. For Gregorian dates, many other facts are displayed, such as modified Julian day value, Lilian day value and Rata Die day value, and year related information including Roman numeral form, Dominical Letter(s), Dionysian Period, Julian Period, Golden Number, Solar Number, Roman Indiction and Epact. Various special days are also recognised (e.g. Halloween), as are modern Olympic years, Commonwealth Games years, European Athletics Championship years, and World Athletic Championship years.

It includes lists of Western Christian festivals, Eastern Orthodox festivals, Hebrew festivals and Islamic festivals for any (Gregorian) year. In addition, Hindu festivals may be listed for any year in the range 2000 to 2043, Baha'i festivals from 1845 onwards, Buddhist and Chinese festivals from 1645 to 3000, and Sikh Nanakshahi festivals from 1999 onwards.

It has the ability to create, display, update and delete reminders for events (birthdays, anniversaries, meetings etc.) for "this year", "next year" or "every year". When Calendar Magic is started up, both visual and audible warnings are given for "imminent" events (those occurring within the next seven days) for which reminders have been set. In addition, a calendar for any month, in this year or next year, may be displayed with day numbers highlighted in red for those days in the month for which reminders have been set. Left-clicking on any "red day" will cause the reminder(s) set for that day to be listed.

Download Calendar Magic 16.9 in Softonic

Build an empire in this Risk-like game. Conquer the world, Europe, or North America with up to ten computer opponents, or play against a friend (LAN/Internet and Hotseat). Minimize your losses during the game and, if you are good enough, get your name listed on the world's top-20 Web site.

You also can create maps of your own and share them with others. The game's options include seven computer personalities to choose from, the ability to chat while playing, statistics, and the option to play with or without dice. Version 4.1 features 1280x1024 sized maps; click anywhere on a territory to select (not only right in the middle); new map of Scandinavia; less mouse clicks required.

Download Empire XP 5.2 in Softonic

If you're constantly getting caught by surprise by the weather, then Crawler Weather will help keep you dry and ahead of the weatherman - and the traffic - on a regular basis.

You can set the program to regularly check for weather updates in your area or for a destination of your choice. This includes information on current local and international weather conditions delivered to your desktop. If you're based in North America, it also offers some really useful information on traffic conditions but unfortunately, this does not extend to Europe - a shame because it's a really nice feature that is a big bonus when planning business or vacation trips. You can also view graphical forecasts, radar images, detailed weather maps and much more. The program is beautifully presented with a live map on the left of the screen, wind speed and temperature gauge on the right plus forecasts for the next three days along the bottom.

A really good looking weather program that would have scored more highly if the traffic information had been available for all parts of the world.

Download Crawler Weather in Softonic

If you've always wanted to drive a truck, this is your opportunity so don't miss it out!

18 Wheels of Steel American Long Haul lets you drive one of those huge American trucks all over the United States, either in campaign mode or doing single missions. The first game mode involves being able to run your own truck company, whereas the second one puts you behind the wheel as a truck driver in charge of the most varied deliveries across the country.

I must admit I expected more from this game. The graphics are nice, but not brilliant. The music is only on while on menus and disappears during the game. However, what I didn't really like was the gameplay itself. The trucks are quite difficult to control (maybe due to the fact that I've never driven a truck in my whole life). I spent 10 minutes moving around the garage just to get my cargo trailer attached. Plus, campaign mode doesn't tell you what your missions or your aims are - or at least I wasn't able to find them in my notebook. In all, a somewhat disappointing title. You may as well give it a try and let us know what you think about it.

Become an American truck driver and take deliveries all across the United States.

Download 18 Wheels of Steel American Long Haul in Softonic

Crysis is a futuristic first-person-shooter that will immerse you into some action-packed missions in a remote island that has been invaded by an alien race. As a member of a highly qualified squadron, you'll take part in the US government plan to recover the island and wipe out those nasty aliens.

This demo gives a sneak peek of the game that enables you to get a very approximate idea of what the game looks like. It allows you to play a complete level that also works as tutorial to learn the basic movements and keyboard shortcuts. Graphics are simply stunning and the sound effects, like radio conversations, add another touch of realism. The game gets you quickly involved into the adventure, leading your way through several objectives and letting you taste different weapons, along with your character's abilities. These special skills, together with the high level of interactivity with the environment, make Crysis a very open game where every situation can be solved in several different ways.

Sometimes the environment is too dark and you'll hardly see anything, but fortunately you can turn night vision on to make things a bit clearer. Also, you'll need some patience before actually starting to play, as it's highly recommended to watch the cinematic intro and get a glimpse of the whole story – that is, as long as your computer meets the high hardware requirements.

Crysis is a must-have for all FPS lovers: varied missions, lots of action and a very attractive story that each player can enjoy in their own way.

Download Crysis Demo in Softonic

The Animated Atlas of the Third Reich is designed for use in British schools to educate pupils about the history of Hitler's evil empire. The atlas includes more 150 digital maps - some of which are extensions - covering all of Europe, the Soviet Union, Middle East and North Africa, accompanied by more than 300 articles.

In addition, to allow children to follow the inter-war period, children can follow the military movements of the Allies and the Axis powers before World War II broke out. You can zoom in on the battles, cities or the biographies of commanders that interest you the most.

The developers claim to have dedicated more than two years to the investigation and the development of Hitler's Europe 1914-45 and the level of detail and graphics that it includes is truly impressive. For kids, this is an invaluable resource and for teachers, it will save many hours of boring preparation.

Download Hitler's Europe 1914-45: The Animated Atlas of the Third Reich in Softonic

Sparta is based on the history of the ancient ages and their main nations. Spartans, Persians and Egyptians are fighting for influence around Little Asia, Europe and North Africa.

Historical correct timeline is 500-450 BC and the action takes place with different campaigns for all three races. Sparta represents 3D strategy in real time with the new developed “Ancient Wars Engine” (AWE), where the player will have to use each nation’s powers to be superior over other competitors and build up a driving and ruling faction.

The main emphasis is on large-scaled battles and complex tactical manoeuvres. Additional to this, a new method of army equipment is represented. Warriors can be equipped with weapons and shields, can be put on horses or on chariots and be given special abilities.

The player can collect abandoned weapons after battles or import powerful weapons from other cultures to build more powerful and different special units. Additionally the forces of nature are very important, because fire, find etc. will affect the whole environment. Cities can be upgraded (e.g. turned to fortresses), workers gather resources to ensure the economic part. Sparta offers every aspect RTS gamers like.

Download Ancient Wars: Sparta in Softonic

To coincide with the release of Sid Meier’s Railroads, the original Sid Meier’s Railroad Tycoon (SMRT), straight from 1990, has now been made freely available in full. The game takes you back to the 19th century where you create your own transportation empire by building railroads, buying new trains and setting up connections between cities.

Those of you who are worried about compatibility: fear not. You won’t have to access DOS to play the game because it features its very own DOS Box. Original gamers of SMRT, will fondly appreciate the minimalistic graphics, midi country music, pixelized area maps, but most of all, the crux of the whole series, managing your money and assets. You start off with a million dollars (of which you’ll have to pay back $500,000) and must first choose a good location, build a station and then start laying tracks. You’ll soon become familiar with all the varieties of locomotives, like the Norris, Crocodile or Ten-Wheeler. The game really starts to get addictive when you see your network of railroads reach more and more cities and your income start to rise. Depending on the level of difficulty you choose, you’ll also come across rough competition and you’ll have to protect your assets from truly aggressive entrepreneurs.

Even though the graphics don’t compare to what you’ll find in the latest release, Sid Meier’s Railroads, the simulation aspect of Railroad Tycoon is as much thrilling now as it was 10 year ago. All aboard!

Download Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon Deluxe in Softonic

"Ho Ho Ho!" Somewhere around the North Pole, trouble is hanging in the air: this year Rudolph and the other reindeer are ill! So, what should our beloved hero Santa Claus do? Children all around the world are waiting for their presents! He cannot let them down!

Well, no time to waste. Santa grabs his red jacket and gets ready to get out of the North Pole and deliver gifts... using a snowboard.

This is the world of Snowboard Santa! Just help the little old man in red throught his way in order to fulfill children's whishes. Collect as many "magic stars" as you can to gather points and avoid the evil elfs sent by Dr. Death to prevent you from achieving your goal.

Download Snowboard Santa 1.2 in Softonic

The year is 2142 and the dawn of a new Ice age has thrown the world into a panic. The soil not covered by ice can only feed a fraction of the Earth's population. The math is simple and brutal: some will live, most will die.

In Battlefield 2142™, players choose to fight for one of two military superpowers - the European Union or the newly formed Pan Asian Coalition -in an epic battle for survival.

Armed with a devastating arsenal of hi-tech weaponry, including assault rifles, cloaking devices and sentry guns, players will also take control of the most lethal vehicles known to man. Massive Battle Walkers wage fierce combat on the ground, while futuristic aircraft rule the skies. When taking on this futuristic armor players will need to use their wits and an arsenal of new hi-tech countermeasures like EMP grenades and smart mines to level the playing field.

Features

Titan Mode

Wage epic-scale war to defeat your opponent's Titan, a massive flying warship, controlled by the team's commander. Players must destroy the Titan's shields, board the craft, fight to it's reactor core and detonate it from the inside – all while defending their own Titan.

64-Players Online

Experience all-out war with Battlefield's legendary multiplayer for up to 64 players.

Real-Time Persistence

To the victor goes the spoils! Equipment, medals and other rewards are awarded in-game and in real time. Choose an unlock and have access to it immediately next time you spawn. The game features five times more unlocks than Battlefield 2.

Customizable Abilities

Gamers can expand their abilities and blend multiple player classes to match their play-style.

Lethal Vehicles

Gamers control menacing Battle Walkers that stalk the land and futuristic gunships that patrol the skies. APC's and high-speed recon vehicles keep the action fast, furious and unpredictable.

High-Tech Weaponry

EMP grenades, sentry guns, smart mines, cloaking devices, and more change the rules of the Battlefield forever.

The world has changed

Fight for survival on the Battlefield of the 22nd century in brand new locations from Minsk to North Africa as the ice presses down from the North.

Download Battlefield 2142 in Softonic

Vacation Designer 2006 guides you step by step to plan the perfect trip, from desktop to Web. It offers interactive destination maps linked to over a thousand official tourism Websites, a travel research Web browser to capture articles and photos, a notebook for collecting and tracking trip details and reservations, and a day-by-day itinerary creator and printing wizard, all integrated into one package.

Features:

• Navigate Thousands of Official Destination Websites
• Make Travel Reservations Across Multiple Websites
• Collect Trip Details, Contact Information, and Ideas
• Track Goals, To Do Lists, Packing Lists, and Budgets
• Schedule Each Day to Maximize Your Time Off
• Finalize and Book the Perfect Trip Plan then Print It

Download Vacation Designer 2006 Travel North America and Europe 1.0 in Softonic

Thierry Henry rose to fame since joining Arsenal in 1999. At the North London club, he has established goal scoring records and has impressed by his personality and presence on the pitch. On national level, Thierry Henry won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Cup in 2000 with France. As the season comes to an end, persisting rumours send him off to Barcelona. Before this eventually happen, enjoy this original wallpaper of the Arsenal star.

Download Thierry Henry Wallpaper in Softonic

In 1999, Rockstar Games and Rockstar North (then known as DMA Design) furthered the groundbreaking gameplay concepts established just two years prior in the original Grand Theft Auto - with the release of GTA2. GTA2 expanded on the top-down, open-ended crime world gameplay formula with a host of new features including the advent of multiple rival gangs; seven, to be exact, including the Yakuza, Scientists, Looneys, Rednecks, Zaibatsu, the Russian Mob and Hare Krishnas. Earn your respect with each gang. Reap the benefits with all manner of shady work-for-hire gigs contracted your way. And climb your way to the top of the criminal pile.

Now, longtime Grand Theft Auto fans can revisit this classic entry in the series - and new jacks who missed out on this early franchise title can further discover Grand Theft Auto�s roots - absolutely free. GTA2 has been completely optimized for play on modern PCs and is available gratis for all registrants to the Rockstar Games mailing list (rest assured your information will not be shared with any third parties, you will only receive information from Rockstar). Simply fill out the form below and check your email for a direct link to the file (353 MB .zip file, includes install .exe, readme .txt file, and a .pdf of the original PC game manual).

Download Grand Theft Auto Volume 2 in Softonic

With a wave of his icy fingers, the Snow King unleashed a bitter frost on the tropical islands across Earth. Palm trees iced over, fish were frozen solid in the seas and birds could no longer take flight. Setting up a palace on the edge of this arctic wasteland, the Snow King's chilly spirit took pleasure in expanding his kingdom beyond the North Pole. To safeguard his empire, he built a chain of 60 puzzles meant to stop even the wisest sage from reaching his castle and breaking the spell.

In Arctic Quest, you set out to solve the puzzles, each of which takes the shape of an animal or other tropical wonder. As pieces of ice fall from the sky, you grab them with your mouse, rotate them and place them on a grid within the puzzle, filling in the shape and returning warmth to the island bit by bit. If the waters that surround your once balmy home fill up with unused ice, your quest will fail. Luckily, a small fire burns on your land, allowing you to melt surplus ice. You can also earn bonuses that grant you various powers, such as the ability to smash excess ice or paint in portions of the grid.

Download Arctic Quest 1.1 in Softonic

Mexico City – 2013

The Ghosts have learned that a coup has happened during the North American Joint Security Agreement summit. They enter the historical centre to secure both US and Mexican presidents. While extracting the presidents the Ghosts discover that their undercover operation is about to turn into a civil war where anything can happen, even the worst ...

Be ready to get into chaotic situations where danger lies around every corner, every abandoned car or palmtree. Show your military value, your leadership and your tactical qualities; use all your advanced communication resources and your futuristic combat gear to face the intense urban street combat that stands in front of you.

Players will embody Captain Scott Mitchell as he commands the Ghosts and Special Forces allies equipped with the IWS (Integrated Warfighter System) in the quest to save the president of the United States, recover stolen nuclear codes and eliminate a vicious band of renegade soldiers hell-bent on unleashing catastrophe. The game unfolds entirely in Mexico City, where numerous, meticulously researched and detailed environments will deliver complete immersion into the future of urban warfare.

Download Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter in Softonic

In 1997, a band of developers that would come to be known as Rockstar North and Rockstar Games released the original Grand Theft Auto on an unsuspecting public. The groundbreaking non-linear urban crime game shook up a complacent game industry with its irreverent gameplay, humor and style- and a phenomenon was born.

We are now offering this classic progenitor of the Rockstar Games lineage as the first in a recurring series of Rockstar PC game downloads, absolutely free of charge. It's a chance for new fans to experience the roots of Rockstar as well as our way of saying thank you to our long-time supporters feeling that pang of nostalgia. Simply fill out the form below and check your email for a direct link to the file - we've even optimized the game for play on the latest and greatest computers. Now, don't say we never gave you anything.

Download Grand Theft Auto Volume 1 in Softonic

Experience the most gripping and famous battles of WWII through the eyes of a squadron commander and ace fighter pilot. From the battle for England, the attack on Pearl Harbor, to the bombing of Berlin, your pilot skills will create WWII history. Conquer the skies of Western Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific and bring your squadron back alive.

Download Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII Demo in Softonic

For the first time in PC gaming, re-imagine the epic battles from both the film trilogy and the never-before visualised J.R.R. Tolkien fiction in The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II.

Embark on a gripping single-player campaign that takes you deep into the War in the North as three new factions: the Dwarves, Elves, and Goblins. Exploit new strategic advantages—build your castle anywhere, create your own Middle-earth hero, and much more. But beware, this newly revealed Middle-earth hides dangerous enemies commanded by a powerful new AI system, giving them an improved tactical edge. With so much more to see, there is far more to fear.

Will your armies win the war for Middle-earth or be vanquished by enemy forces too powerful to overcome? Take control of all Middle-earth and decide its fate.

Download LOTR: The Battle for Middle Earth II Demo in Softonic