Sega/PC (£34.99)
Medieval II is an exceptional game that brings history alive with enormous flair and clarity. Covering a tumultuous era in Western history, this intricate sim focuses on the power battles that spanned five centuries, starting with the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Five armies feature: the English, French and Spanish, as well as Italy’s two opposed powerhouses, Venice and the Holy Roman Empire. To conquer new settlements, cities and countries, players must balance their resource- hungry armies with the needs of trade and technology research, while keeping an eye on the welfare of their citizens.
Here is a game that has been masterfully crafted. The menus are neatly presented, and a help feature kicks in just enough so that players can start without spending hours wading through the manual. The battles boast intricate graphics with astonishing detail in 3-D, showing thousands of units clashing simultaneously. Game modes include the ambitious Grand Campaign, as well as quick or historical battles, such as Agincourt and Pavia.
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TIM WAPSHOTT