Free Orion is an open-source, platform-independent galactic conquest game in the tradition of the Master of Orion games. Its commercial competitors, just to give you an idea, are VGA planets, Galactic Civilizations and Space Empires. Free Orion instead is a collaborative promising project, a community effort that moves forward based on the motivation and contributions of users and it is currently in the alpha stage.

Although graphics can be interesting, the game is somewhat difficult to enjoy for new players. There is little in the way of guidance and at the beginning, FreeOrion appears rather boring. In theory, victory is achieved by eliminating all ships and planets belonging to other empires, that's fairly standard, but at this stage there isn't any combat yet.

You must read the 'quick' play guide, (which isn't that quick) in order to understand a bit what to do. The guide starts in a very step by step way: 'to start a game, run the freeorion executable, then click on the 'Single Player' button on the main menu, then 'OK' on the Galaxy Setup screen. You should then see a starmap which you can drag around with the mouse and zoom in/out with the scrollwheel. The triangle next to the star is a fleet. Clicking the fleet opens the fleet window. Try moving fleets around to explore, making a new colony or clicking on techs in the Research screen to read their descriptions.’

If you are patient enough, and you are really passionate about strictly strategic games you might want to try this project and maybe collaborate in the related forum for further, more exciting releases. As specified in the game's Wiki, the easiest way to contribute when new to the project is simply to join in brainstorming discussions on the forums.

Strictly for strategic games lovers, an intriguing, promising game.

Download FreeOrion 0.3.9 in Softonic

The game of Sudoku seems to have replaced the humble crossword as the king of bus travel pursuits.

What's more, the way people are playing the game is changing too, and more and more people are using digital incarnations of the game. When you first load Impossible Sudoku you'll probably fall out of your chair when you see the game board.

Unlike the games you get in puzzle books this one has loads and loads of little numbers as well as bigger numbers filled in every square on the grid. It's a little daunting at first but don't worry because these are here to help you. They are actually 'auto marks' that indicate the numbers that are available to enter in a particular square based on the current state of the grid. Don't worry if it's too confusing for you because you can switch the feature off (you can't toggle auto marks, unfortunately and the change will come into effect in the next game).

There are lots of other things you can customize in Impossible Sudoku, and it's actually one of the most impressive number games I've seen in terms of its options. You can undo, redo, mark, check moves, solve the puzzle, and access all manner of statistics. There are five levels of difficulty, and you can even create your own puzzles from scratch.

The presentation of the game is pretty impressive - there's a choice of nine bright, colorful skins and the sound effects that play when you enter numbers are quite cool without being annoying.

In fact, the only thing that really lets the game down is its feeble help system. All you get is a one-paragraph description of the rules and there's nothing in the way of tips and tactics that might help beginners.

Overall though, this is a wonderful simulation of Sudoku.

Download Impossible Sudoku 1.05 in Softonic

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.

Download Sins of a Solar Empire Demo in Softonic

Conflict: Denied Ops brings us back again to first-person action shooters, this time with a really innovative twist: you'll control two characters instead of one.

The story presents a group of paramilitary squads controlled by the CIA who are entrusted with a series of dangerous missions located in different conflictive areas all over the world. Your two characters belong to this team but have different ways to approach each mission's aims: one is a sniper, the other is a heavy gunner. One will move as stealthily as possible, the other will shoot ruthlessly from his machine gun without thinking twice. Just press the tab key and you'll seamlessly change from one to another.

Let's face it: controlling two characters is somewhat confusing, especially during your first moments in the game. But the good thing about it is that you can handle each mission in two different ways, according to what's better for the mission in itself – or simply to your personal liking. Eventually, this double perspective almost enables you to play two different games. Of course, the two-character gaming style makes a lot of sense when you play a co-op mission with a friend, but unfortunately I couldn't test that.

Another area where this game stands out is the fact that most of the surrounding scenarios are interactive, meaning you can destroy them with your weapons and also use them to attack your enemies. This point, together with highly realistic graphics and a fast-paced soundtrack, turns Conflict: Denied Ops into a fully immersive action adventure that's definitely worth a try.

Although having two characters may feel a bit confusing at the beginning, you'll soon appreciate the possibility of completing your missions in two possible ways, both equally challenging and fun.

Download Conflict: Denied Ops Demo in Softonic

Urban Terror brings a very welcome dose of 'realism' to the Quake 3 engine. Taking place in realistic, urban settings, the mod pits SWAT or marines against terrorists in a blur of hi-octane cordite-reeking action.

Featuring actual weapons (with recoil!) and more realistic environments, Urban Terror combines the best of Quake 3 Arena with what was, for me, a much more enjoyable setting. The speed of play is impressively fast and the graphics held up fairly well. The quality of the sound effects leaves something to be desired (every shot sounds exactly like the last, never mind who fired it) but I found that the music added a welcome theatricality to events.

The download includes a number of default maps including Abbey, which is the one you can see in our screenshots. On this particular map, newcomers and rusty oldies alike can try out their skills by adding bots to the game for a sort of single player mode. It's also worth noting that the game no longer requires Quake 3 Arena to be installed (see the requirements section below for details).

Urban Terror is one of the best Quake 3 Arena mods available - highly recommended.

Download Urban Terror Quake 3 Mod 4.1 in Softonic

Battleships Forever is a new strategy game in real time that is focused entirely on space battles. It's distinguished by enormous ships and spectacular battle scenes plus some great gameplay.

You begin by choosing a number of ships from among a list destroyers, patroller or defenders. Each is composed of different "modules" that can be configured to obtain different advantages on the battlefield. From there, the whole game is controlled by using the mouse although there are hotkeys that allow you to issue orders to your fleet. The gameplay is simple but each mission is a challenge, because the artificial intelligence of the enemies and the size of some of the craft which you can also design yourself with the in game editor.

The graphics are a bit disappointing in that they are 2 dimensional but the sound effects, particularly explosions, make up for this

A great battleship game that will have space fans enthralled for hours.

Download Battleships Forever in Softonic

Some videogame genres are more likely to be set in certain environments or historical periods, such as RPG and fantasy, FPS and World War II and real-time strategy and medieval times. However, sometimes you find exceptions to the rule like Company of Heroes, an adventure set during the Second World War which all strategy lovers are going to enjoy.

The game enables you to play as the British army or the German Panzer Elite squad, in two of the most important battles in World War II. In spite of being a real-time strategy game, you're soon immersed into action-packed skirmishes and you really need to be quick if you want to beat your enemy. This is why we strongly recommend following the tutorial level instead plunging headlong into the campaign.

Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts features extraordinary graphics, plus the ability to pan and zoom the camera with total freedom. I specially enjoyed the possibility to set the camera at ground's level and see action as if you were right in the middle of the squadron.

Get ready for some strategy and lots of action in this epic adventure.

Download Company of Heroes Oppossing Fronts Demo in Softonic

In TaskForce you are the commander of an assault force that faces the threat of battle with mutant monsters from another world. The game is reminiscent of the classic TaskForce X-Com, (in fact it's almost the same game) except that in this version, you get to control a lot more soldiers - almost double that in X-Com. This means greater difficulty but also the option to create some sophisticated tactics and battle plans.

The controls are very simple and it includes accessible menus. However, the graphics in TaskForce are depressingly basic and even if you increase the resolution, the soldiers still appear very pixelated. Nevertheless, the gameplay makes up for what the graphics lack and you'll still get hooked managing your platoon as they slash through the mutant army.

A worthy successor to Taskforce X-Com let down by the fact that the graphics could have been better.

Download TaskForce 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

MMORPG developers are apparently doing some research on more original settings for their adventures, as the traditional medieval environment is quickly getting wasted. So, after seeing an Egypt-oriented game not long ago, today we have RF Online, a free online RPG with a science-fiction background.

Despite this innovative approach, RF Online keeps all the traditional elements of the RPG genre. You create a character, picking up any of the three possible races and several other classes, and then enter a widely populated world (server) where you'll be entrusted a series of missions. On accomplishing them, you'll be rewarded with valuable objects such as new armory or more powerful weapons and you'll also earn experience points. The fact that RF Online follows the typical RPG structure so faithfully helps a lot when trying to grasp the basics of the game. In any case, I recommend you to watch the complete tutorial included in the game.

RPG games usually take a long time to be properly tested and evaluated. Bearing that in mind, I must say I got an excellent impression from RF Online during our tests. It took me a long time to play (installation, patching and account creation) but then I was able to enjoy a very elaborate adventure, detailed graphics and a really excellent soundtrack. Also, the server's response time was great.

The first missions are really easy to quickly get you on the move; besides, you can always ask for help in the chat, as RF Online emphasizes team work a lot. The only thing I didn't like was camera control: it takes a while to get used to moving your character with the left mouse button while controlling the angle with the right one.

RF Online is a very original RPG set in a futuristic environment, but which at the same time keeps the traditional RPG elements. Plus, it's completely free!

Download RF Online in Softonic

There are two main kinds of football games: the ones where you actually play the match against your competitor, moving the team players across the field, and the ones where you play as the manager of the team.

Football Manager obviously falls in the latter, as you can tell from its name, and offers gamers a comprehensive simulators that covers every single aspect of football management, from hiring players to game tactics, including training schedule, salaries and of course, dealing with team supporters.

In fact, the game is so complete that it feels just too overwhelming when you run it for the first time. Also, the fact that the tutorial is broken doesn't help either. But after playing it for a while, you can tell that this game is going to get you hooked on your computer for hours. Just one tip: use your own background music because the game doesn't have any.

Football Manager 2008 enables you to make your dream come true and manage your favorite football team with highly realistic detail.

Download Football Manager 2008 Strawberry Demo in Softonic

Let me confess something before I start this review. In 2001 I played my first game of Pro Evolution Soccer (PES). It was against my friend Aaron and I won 1-0. Then I won 2-1, then he beat me 1-0 with a lucky goal so I won the next one 6-1. He didn't actually score, I gave him the goal on a piece of paper. Since then every year on Earth has meant a new and improved experience of watching Aaron's sad and aging face. So I like PES. I like it a lot.

There are two kinds of football gamers, those that want an authentic footballing experience, and people who play FIFA. PES won the hearts of the former with their first release, which managed to make you feel like you were playing a game of football that you could have been watching on television. They got so much right in that first game that subsequent releases have been bemoaned for their lack of 'big' developments. But we have had faster gameplay, more subtle ball control and some great set-piece changes. Now in 2008 we have 'Teamvision'.

'Teamvision' is the big news of the latest edition of PES and involves the computer's players owning a kind of 'artificial intelligence' that allows them to adapt and react to your gameplay. So much so that you now need to play in true Kenny Dalglish-style as a kind of player-manager with one eye on winning the match and one eye on making sure your tactics outwit your opponent's. Defenders and goalkeepers are more responsive to danger and attacking players make more intelligent runs off the ball, which is now a special blue PES leather number four if I'm not mistaken - it does seem rather small. Plus there are some nice manager and dug-out shots during the games and goalscorers celebrate with the subs. You also get extensive editing options if false names still annoy you.

The retail version comes out in November so get in some practice early. Then you can beat all your mates and rest happy for another year.

Download Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 in Softonic

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars could be best described as a first person shooter with some strategic and roleplaying elements that spice up the whole mixture and produce an exciting, action-packed war adventure.

The game is set during the first years of the strogg invasion on Earth. Your mission consists on fighting them back with a team of highly qualified soldiers. You can choose among different classes, each one of them having different abilities and weapons. The perfect team will have different members that can cover diverse needs, such as an engineer for building bridges to reach an enemy objective or a medic to take care of wounded soldiers. The better coordination the team has, the more successful they'll be. No place for solo bravados here.

At the beginning you feel somewhat confused: too much information to absorb in too short a time before the fight begins. But a series of usefuls tips on top of the screen help you get started, and once you join your team you'll feel like one more member, willing to accomplish your objectives and beat those stroggs up.

The sense of realism achieved in the game is simply jaw-dropping. Landscapes, sound, movement, everything is dedicated to bring the most realistic experience possible. I especially enjoyed the possibility to ride any vehicle you find, although that made me realize I may need some lessons before piloting a helicopter.

In any case, Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is a must-have for FPS lovers who look for something else than just endless shoot-out.

Download Enemy Territory: Quake Wars in Softonic

Kicks Online is a free-to-play football MMO (Massively multi-player online) developed by emerging Korean designers Entermate. Since it's launch in July 2006, they claim it now has over 300,000 registered users, probably due to the fact that this is a highly playable game with great graphics and provides an interesting variation to normal football.

Kicks Online follows 'street football' rules with the appropriate tactics which involves different ways of passing the ball and various surfaces. Whatsmore, the better a player plays, the more his character's skills improve. Matches can be played 3v3, 4v4 or 5v5 mode and can be played in highly unconventional settings such as roofs or even factories. Kicks

The graphics are outstanding considering this is a totally free game featuring cartoon style 3D scenes and characters. The only drawback is that there can be a serious lag when playing against online opponents although much of this will depend on your internet connection. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that this is a highly enjoyable and immensely fun football simulation.

Download Kicks Online in Softonic

Choose one of ten different characters and start dueling your opponents in a battle of skill, tactics and wits. Summon mighty creatures to your aid and waste other mages with dreadful curses.

Magi features 10 characters and over 50 spells to choose from. There are unique skills for each of the playable characters and an epic soundtrack.

You can gather experience and develop your magician the way you like! You can also collect insignias for your most outstanding achievements.

Download Magi in Softonic

Pax Galaxia is a fast paced and addictive real time strategy game, based on the board game Risk. You will be amazed at the strategic depth of this game, even if it is very easy to learn and play. You will have to conquer stars, break up and force your enemies fleets to surrender, carry out rapid attacks and tactical retreats. Multiplayer modes are available (online and by taking turns on a single computer). A level editor is included.

Download Pax Galaxia 1.15.0 in Softonic

Experience the most beautiful, open ended space simulation game ever created for PC. Discover unknown space, trade and fight your way through the galaxy - it is up to you to become one of the most famous or dreaded pilots in all known space.

Trade exotic goods, destroy ships and buildings, explore unknown anomalies, visit orbital stations and distant places and travel with jump gates Earn money and experience points to upgrade your ship and strengthen your character

This is what this game features:

• Choose between 9 professions, amongst others spy, scientist, headhunter, doctor, policeman or adventurer
• Engage in trade, exploration, fight, quest solving and diplomacy while developing your ship individually
• Discover the Galaxy using 15 different spacecrafts with unique characteristics
• A immersive Universe: 46 star systems and 10 civilizations throughout Milky Way galaxy
• Squad tactics: recruit and command up to 3 wingmen to form your own fleet
• You have complete freedom in movement and choice. SpaceForce2 is a complete non-linear game
• Over 2000 thrilling Missions
• Stunning Graphics, nevertheless good performance even on average PCs

Download Space Force - Rogue Universe Demo in Softonic

Pacific Storm is a game about the war in the Pacific between the U.S. and Japan. It has the elements of a global strategy, tactical game and an arcade air simulator.

Playing either for the United States or Imperial Japan, you walk through a dramatic sequence of large-scale naval and air military operations. The game covers the time from 1940 - 1948. As you play, you can develop new technologies, build and deploy new weapon systems or even change history.

Thanks to a smooth and seamless combination of strategy, tactics and simulator, you are completely free to take whatever strategic or tactical decisions you consider best or abandon for a time all strategy and tactics and inhabit any of your units so as to take part in the fighting personally. Steel Monster's gameplay combines exceptional depth and scale of the strategic mode, superior authenticity of the tactical mode and exciting dynamics of the simulator.

This is what this game has to offer:

• 3D graphics
• Three genres (strategy, tactics and simulator)
• Large-scale naval and air operations in the Pacific from 1940 - 1948
• Capability to change history as the global campaign develops
• Large selection of accurately reproduced historical scenarios
• Units that possess learning capabilities
• Ability to develop new technologies - from increasing the power rating of aircraft engines to guided missiles technology, biological and nuclear weapons

Download Pacific Storm: Allies in Softonic

DEFCON is a stunning, online, multiplayer strategy simulation based around the theme of global thermonuclearweb_buddy-bomber.png war. The game, inspired by the 1983 cult-classic WarGames, superbly evokes the tension, paranoia and suspicion surrounding the Cold War era.

The player assumes the role of a General hidden deep within an underground bunker, the mission being to successfully exterminate the enemy’s civilian population while at the same time disabling the enemy’s ability to retaliate.web_buddy-fighter.png Desperate attempts must be made to form fast, defcon_screenTMB-launch.jpg tactical alliances - alliances that may at any moment break-down to become treacherous and very deadly betrayals.

Compete against the computer or online against your friends for total world domination. Start by launching battleships, subs and bombers in order to decimate your opponents defenses. Scramble together your alliances, but remember only one can stand victorious.

Download DefCon 1.4.0 in Softonic

Theatre of War is a new real time strategy game set, as many other titles, in the II World War. However, Theatre of War stands out for offering an incredible level of realism in both battlefield scenarios and military units. Gameplay is very comfortable, as developers have created a special interface that enables you to control all of your units in a very easy, quick way.

Take a look at what this game has to offer:

• Real World Military Tactics
• Amazing Freedom of Action
• Advanced Individual Unit AI
• 5 Historical Campaigns, each with unique units and equipment
• Over 40 campaign missions based on real WWII battles
• Over 30 different maps designed using historical military documents
• 9 Single (non-campaign) Battles plus 4 Training scenarios
• 8 Multiplayer Missions (Internet/LAN) with a maximum of 8 players
• Unique Role Playing Elements: soldiers gain experience and new skills as they progress
• Huge assortment of units, uniforms, equipment and vehicles
• State of the art 3D character animation and graphics

Download Theatre of War in Softonic