Europa Universalis (PC)

This is the best and most detailed strategy game I've ever seen. It's got the lot, from conquest and resource management to diplomacy, trade, religious factors and colonisation. The scope and replayability are immense. It beats civII and civIII into submission. I played for 18 hours solid the other day and it's still only 1515 in my game. You have the option of playing any of 140 nations although some are obviously a lot more worthwhile than others, between the years 1419 and 1820. Using diplomacy or force you can absorb other countries although if you're not careful they spring up again through revolts. Given explorers and conquistadors you can ...  Read the complete review

Europa II is based on old-world maps from napoleonic and colonial times with set territories where you compete to hold your own against other countries. It has very good-looking but simple graphics, don't expect any graphic battles scenes or more than top-down 3D. You play in real-time so there is always something going on and you can do multiplayer. At first sight Europa appears horrendously detailed, the screen is packed with buttons and information. However, the game breaks down into political, military, religious and trade issues and maps - once you have gone through an easy step-by-step tutorial you are well-equiped to get stuck in. I ...  Read the complete review