SPORE Creature Creator: Monster Mash

Mix and match body parts and color schemes as you seek to create the ultimate in higher — or perhaps not-so-high — intelligence. Put your alien through the paces, commanding it to do anything from laugh to throw a punch, and summon baby versions that mimic its moves. When you’re done, share video clips and pictures of your pride and joy with everyone in the SPORE community. The Creature Creator is just one small part of what you’ll be able to do in SPORE, Will Wright’s upcoming simulation of alien civilizations and interstellar travel. [Jun 18]

EVE Online: Empyrean Age Thunders

Return with us to the universe of EVE Online, where 35,000 years from now, humanity has lost all contact with — and memory of — Earth. Four factions rule known space, an uneasy peace allowing their pilots to travel between star systems as they carry out missions, mine asteroids for valuable metals, and help their corporations’ influence grow. However, a recent series of deadly events have escalated into war, and you’ve been called on to support your side’s cause. The Empyrean Age introduces factional militias, the ability to capture solar systems, a new region of space known as Black Rise, and more. [Jun 10]

Sid Meier: On a Wing and a Dare

The second inductee into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences’ Hall of Fame, prolific game designer Sid Meier is best known for his Civilization series of strategy games, although he’s sailed the high seas for Pirates!, blasted into outer space for Alpha Centauri, and even hit the links for SimGolf. And he might not have accomplished any of that if not for a dare from a fellow programmer. Read on to learn all about it, as well as Meier’s philosophy toward game design and more. [May 14]

Ankh: Heart of Osiris: An Egyptian Slacker

Assil, the shiftless son of a pyramid architect, managed to meet the Pharaoh and get his death curse removed in the first game, but when the story in Heart of Osiris opens, someone has stolen his precious Ankh. That someone happens to work for the god Osiris, who wants it for his own fiendish plans, but you and Assil will figure out a way to get it back. Sure, that quest may involve combining seemingly unrelated objects to produce results that move the story along, but that’s the point of this Monkey Island-inspired humorous game. [Apr 30]

Head Toward the Light in Penumbra 2

Black Plague concludes the story begun in Penumbra: Overture, in which a mild-mannered physics professor named Philip found himself exploring a nightmarish abandoned mine in Greenland, after receiving a book from his long-lost father. Philip escaped the mine only to find himself in a high-tech research station. Armed only with what you can find around you, guide Philip to the truth. Penumbra’s advanced physics engine allows you to interact with the game environment in new ways. [Apr 23]

Triple Your Gaming in Puzzle Quest

Travel the world of Etheria and take on more than 150 quests as you strive to become powerful enough to defeat the evil Lord Bane. Play as one of four character types in a fantasy game that mixes the role-playing, puzzle, and strategy genres into an experience that’s more than the sum of its parts. [Apr 9]

Forge Your Destiny in Fable: TLC

Unlike many role-playing games, Fable: The Lost Chapters does not place you in a predetermined role, with a specific path to follow. Rather, you have many decisions to make between good and evil actions. As you undertake quests and your renown in the world known as Albion grows, your appearance becomes more beatific or more demonic, depending on your inclinations. You can also develop your character’s magical or physical abilities, or both, as you see fit. [Apr 2]

Light Up the Circuit in Cars: Mater-National

Return to Radiator Springs and reunite with old friends in Cars: Mater-National. Lightning McQueen has come back to set up his racing headquarters and build a new stadium, so Mater wants to celebrate by hosting an international racing festival. Complete races and mini-games as you head toward a Mater-National championship showdown against Italian hotshot Giovanni. Play as many of your favorite characters, including Lightning, Mater, Doc Hudson, and Mike and Sulley of “Monster Trucks, Inc.” [Mar 26]

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars: Next Rank

The latest entry in the venerable Quake series moves beyond tactical first-person shooters of the past by allowing you to earn experience points and improve your character’s abilities and weapons between battles. The action takes place in 12 maps set on Earth, where the Global Defense Force (GDF) is trying to repel a Strogg invasion in the year 2065. Choose one of five distinct character classes and join the fray, achieving objectives that will help your side win the battle. [Mar 19]

The Sims Castaway Stories: Be a Monarch

Play as David Bennett or Jessica Knight and learn how to survive on a deserted island where mysteries lie hidden in the jungles, the wildlife can be tamed, and other Sim castaways and natives wait to be found. Collect resources that you can trade for amenities and even embark on an island-themed career as you progress through the story. In free play mode, join the castaway civilization on Wannami Island and build your own hut or modify an existing one. [Mar 12]

Neverwinter Nights 2: Reach a Crossroad

A horrific battle happened in your hometown of West Harbor when you were just an infant. You have little memory of the event, and the villagers only whisper rumors about it. An attack, however, heralds a new war, and soon you are sent on an epic quest to not only defeat evil but to also reveal the secrets of the past. Or will you turn to evil, leading the Forgotten Realms down a dark path? The choice is yours. [Feb 27]

The Lights Are Bright in Neon Tango

Freeverse’s Neon Tango owes some of its digital DNA to the shoot-‘em-ups of yesteryear, but this is a game with 21st century attitude. Pilot your ship through 50 levels of mayhem, dodging Penta-Fighters, Triangle Troopers and other bad guys as you grab power-ups and figure out the best angles for bouncing your shots off walls. Watch out when the level boss appears, because he won’t show you any mercy. [Feb 6]

Tomb Raider Anniversary: Even Better

Lara Croft’s original, groundbreaking adventure comes to life in new ways as Tomb Raider Anniversary retells her first story with enhanced graphics and sound, new moves, plenty of unlockable content, and more. Lara travels to Peru, Greece, Egypt, and the fabled lost city of Atlantis as she seeks the three pieces of the Atlantean Scion, a major artifact that her father sought all his life, until he vanished a few years ago. Join us for a fresh look at familiar territory. [Jan 30]

The Movies: Stunts & Effects Adds Flair

Hire stuntmen and women who will bring new excitement to your films with the Stunts & Effects expansion pack for The Movies. As they improve their skills, they’ll be able to pull off more difficult stunts, including rappelling from helicopters and being thrown from an explosion. Other new stuff includes blue and green screen sets for filming special effects-heavy scenes, costumes for creating monster movies, a stunt school and a hospital, and more. Let’s go make some big-budget blockbusters. [Jan 23]

Drop Point Alaska: Conquer the Mountain

From ten different drop-off points, snowboard down one of the biggest virtual mountains found in a videogame. Complete challenges and unlock control of the helicopter so you can bail out anywhere and explore this pristine wilderness setting. Compete against other players across the Internet in Stick a Trick and Trick or Die challenges. See if you can unlock the Darkwalker snowboard. [Jan 16]

Commander: Europe at War

Shape the latter half of the 20th century as you take control of the Axis or Allies in the strategy game Commander: Europe at War. Play through the major events of World War II, including D Day and the Battle for France, and see if they turn out differently this time. Move your land, air, and sea forces, improve their abilities by winning battles and conducting research, and plan the final strike against the opposition. You can even play beyond 1945 and create an alternate history. [Jan 9]

Hide Your Valuables: Hordes of Orcs

Armed with nothing more than various types of towers, walls, and spells, stop marauding hordes of orcs from entering a portal and attacking the peaceful world on the other end. Set your strategy as you upgrade your towers and decide their defensive priorities. With five game modes and four levels of difficulty to choose from, you’ll be fending off the brutes for a long time to come. [Jan 2]

The Sims 2: Bon Voyage: Tickets to Paradise

Your Sims can now choose from Takemizu Village, Three Lakes, or Twikkii Island — or a custom destination created by you — when they need to go on vacation or plan a honeymoon. Eat new food, indulge in one-of-a-kind shopping, go on guided tours and discover hidden places, and buy mementos to bring home. If your Sim has a good time, you’ll have rewards to choose from when they leave. [Dec 26, 2007]

GameTap: Reconnect With the Classics

With over 550 games from 13 platforms to choose from, GameTap offers something for everyone. Travel to the early days of videogames with the arcade version of Pong and Pitfall! on the Atari 2600, revisit Sega’s classic consoles of the 80s and 90s, and recall adventures through fantasy worlds in role-playing games from the DOS era. There’s even more fun on the GameTap Web site, where you’ll find Lara Croft of Tomb Raider fame starring in the animated series “Re\Visioned.” [Dec 19, 2007]

Guitar Hero III: So You Want to Be a Star

Eight rock venues. Thirteen characters. Seventy-one songs. Concerts in front of adoring crowds. Now you can be a deity among rockers when you play Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Hit the notes as they come down the screen, keeping your Rock Meter in the green and filling your Star Power for the right moment to unleash it. In multi-player Battle Mode, throw dirty tricks at your opponent to keep them off balance. [Dec 11, 2007]

More MacFun Than a Barrel of Monkeys

Freeverse may be well known for its Burning Monkey series of games and exciting PC-to-Mac ports like Heroes of Might and Magic V, but it’s also determined to offer the best casual gaming portal around with the launch of MacFun. The site offers something for everyone, from such original Freeverse titles as 3D Hearts Deluxe and Tiki Magic Mini Golf to Diner Dash: Hometown Hero, Chocolatier, and other releases from the best independent game developers. [Dec 5, 2007]

EVE Online: As the Solar Systems Turn

Nearly 200,000 players dictate the daily evolution of the EVE Online galaxy, where 5,000 solar systems contain thousands of worlds controlled by four races. Choose your faction and start building your wealth, using it to upgrade your spaceship or buy a better one, as well as purchase personal augmentations. Join a corporation or start your own and set out to conquer your own corner of the universe. [Nov 14, 2007]

Pirates of the Caribbean Online: Pirate’s Life

Set sail on the high seas solo or with a buccaneer crew, traveling from one island to the next as you seek fame and fortune. All of the major characters from the movies, including Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann, and Captain Barbossa, give you quests and teach you to use various weapons during your adventures. You also learn some voodoo in the process, which comes in handy when facing off against the reanimated pirate skeletons commanded by Jolly Roger, a cursed pirate captain who wants revenge against Jack Sparrow. [Nov 7, 2007]

Tiger Burns Bright with PGA Tour 08

Fourteen real-world golf courses, including storied St. Andrews and Pebble Beach. Twenty-three real-world golfers, including Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, and Annika Sorenstam. The complete PGA Tour schedule, including the new FedExCup Championship. Mix in the new Tiger Challenge Mode and the ability to create custom golfers, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 is a dream game for golfers who dare aspire. [Oct 31, 2007]

Off the Beaten Path With Colin McRae Rally

300 stages of competition take you to nine countries in your pursuit of a rally racing championship. Beware, these intense contests take you through a variety of rugged terrain in all types of inclement weather, pushing your driving skills to the limit as you negotiate hairpin turns on icy roads, squeeze through narrow gates and bridges, and try to keep your car from sliding off a mountain. [Oct 26, 2007]

Madden NFL 08: You are the Franchise

Call the plays, run the plays, and make key off-field decisions in Madden NFL 08. You’ll find all of the real NFL teams, stadiums, players, and coaches in a game that lets you guide your favorite club through multiple seasons in Franchise mode. Skill drills, Hit Stick 2.0, Player Weapons, and other new features bring extra dimensions to the action, letting you take control in ways you never have before. [Oct 24, 2007]

WarBirds 2007 and FlyBoys Squadron

Recreate the intense dogfights of World Wars I and II in FlyBoys Squadron and WarBirds 2007, respectively. Both games give you the option of taking on offline missions or engaging other players in combat over the Internet. iEntertaiment CEO Bill Stealey spent more than 4,000 hours in the cockpit during his Air Force career, so he made sure his team created two of the most realistic fighter plane simulations ever made. The action may be digital, but the adrenaline rush you feel is real. [Oct 17, 2007]

It’s Time to Learn With Playhouse Disney

Preschool Time Online stars the characters your kids know and love from the Playhouse Disney TV shows. Bear, of “Bear in the Big Blue House” fame, guides your child through the current learning adventure, which features a specific theme that drives the various games and activities. The learning adventures reinforce skills in eight key areas and grow with your children, becoming easier or more difficult depending on their ability to complete the previous set of games and activities. [Oct 10, 2007]

The Cold War Heats Up in Battlefield 2142

By the middle of the 22nd century, a new Ice Age has decimated much of the Northern Hemisphere, driving desperate nations into one of two factions: the European Union or the Pan Asian Coalition. By 2142, the two sides are locked in a deadly struggle over the remaining habitable land in Europe and Africa. Choose your side, select a soldier class, and fight on foot, in vehicles, or in the air. The new Titan mode adds exciting wrinkles to the mayhem. [Sep 17, 2007]

C&C Continues the Tiberium Wars

The year is 2047. Seventeen years of peace come to a horrific end in the blinding flash of a nuclear explosion. The Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and the Brotherhood of Nod begin The Third Tiberium War, as chronicled in Command & Conquer 3. Play as the GDI, Nod, and an alien race, the Scrin, that attacks both sides in the war. A rich, detailed story-line backs up 34 missions of single-player action, with plenty more combat found online. You might even find one of your multi-player skirmishes featured on BattleCast Prime Time. [Sep 17, 2007]

Harry Potter’s World in Order of the Phoenix

For the first time, you can explore Hogwarts any way you want, interacting with other students, embarking on smaller tasks — and even playing wizard chess, Gobstones, and Exploding Snap — between your main quests. The Order of the Phoenix video game uses the novel as the basis for its story and takes the look and feel straight from the movie, even going so far as to feature scans of the actors’ and actresses’ heads, along with their voices. The Hogwarts layout is based on the filmmakers’ actual blueprints. [Sep 17, 2007]

Need For Speed: Carbon: More Than a Race

Challenge the other crews that control Palmont City and take over their territory when you beat their drivers in various types of races. Use the cash you earn to buy more cars, purchase upgrades, and customize your vehicles. Recruit crew members who provide vital functions during races, such as blocking other drivers and pointing out shortcuts. You can only call yourself ruler of the streets once you’ve conquered the other crews, both in the city and in the treacherous canyons. [Sep 17, 2007]

The Sims Pet Stories: Claw to Success

Alice will lose her home to the rotten Diana DeBore if she can’t come up with 120,000 Simoleons, but she could win the dough by entering her pet Dalmatian, Sam, in the local dog show. Meanwhile, Stephen Loyal finds his plans for catering the Midnight Masquerade Ball disrupted by the job of caring for his cousin’s cat, Diva. Alice takes solace in her pet while Stephen barely tolerates his new assignment. Follow the tales of both characters in The Sims Pet Stories, or create your own Sims and their furry companions. [Sep 10, 2007]

Happy Holiday Stuff: To All Sims Good Night

The latest Sims 2 stuff pack features more than 60 objects to help your Sims celebrate the fall and winter holidays. Whether you want to put the Huge Tree Extravaganza on the front lawn or simply place a wreath on the front door, you’ll find plenty of stuff to liven up your Sims’ homes. Clothes, trees, decorations, wallpaper, artwork: it’s all here. [Sep 4, 2007]

Customize Your Gameplay With Mods

Turn your World War II game into a battle between pirates. Take Unreal Tournament into World War II. Explore new eras of history in Civilization IV. Leave the Homeworld 2 universe for the Star Wars one. All that and more is possible when you download modifications, or mods, for your favorite games, turning them into entirely new experiences. [Jul 18, 2007]

Dream the Impossible Dream in Ratatouille

So Remy is a rat. That won’t stop him from pursuing his passion: cooking great food. Guide Remy through Paris, exploring six perilous, action-packed worlds drawn straight from Pixar’s latest animated hit. Unlock all kinds of cool content, including the teaser for Pixar’s next film, and invite friends over for some multi-player mini-game fun. Just don’t forget the words of Remy’s hero, the chef Auguste Gusteau: “To be great…you must be fearless!” [Jul 11, 2007]

Age of Empires III Meets The WarChiefs

This expansion pack to the popular real-time strategy game features the ability to control three Indian nations: the Aztecs, Iroquois, and Sioux. The trio offers unique bonuses and units, while the existing European nations receive new military units, as well as the option to start a revolution when entering the fourth Age. And everyone has a chance to use the new Trade Monopoly option and win a match that way. [Jun 27, 2007]

EA’s Triumphant Return to the Mac

Need For Speed: Carbon. Battlefield 2142. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Madden NFL 08. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08. Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars. Electronic Arts is back on the Mac in a big way, and six major titles are leading the charge this summer. Learn more about each one. [Jun 20, 2007]

X3: Reunion: Have Starship, Will Travel

Pick up where X2: The Threat left off and follow the adventures of Julian Brennan as he protects the universe from Kha’ak attacks and dives into a mystery concerning a strange crystal and an even stranger ship. Or, plunge into the X Universe with your own character, earning enough credits to buy better ships and even build factories that produce goods for sale in a dynamic, ever-changing economy. You might even get the chance to command your own fleet of starships. [Jun 13, 2007]

The Sims 2: Seasons: To Everything Turn

Seasons brings with it the weather cycle, along with the appropriate activities for your Sims, such as getting into snowball fights or catching lightning bugs. Spectacular visual effects let you appreciate all the seasons, from snowstorms to thunder-and-lightning showers. This expansion pack also features two new skills — gardening and fishing — along with six additional career paths, a new neighborhood, and more. [Jun 5, 2007]

Make Your Sims AbFab, with Glamour Life

The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff continues the tradition started with Family Fun Stuff, giving your Sims another 60-plus objects for improving their homes’ décor as well as dressing up for a night on the town. Install paintings, sculptures, and other art, update furniture with a sleek new look, hang new light fixtures, go shopping for new duds, and more. [May 31, 2007]

Brighten Lives: The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff

Sixty new items, along with a variety of new wall and floor coverings, spice up your Sims’ lives in Family Fun Stuff. From sharp clothes and playful costumes to neat knickknacks to fantasy- and nautical-themed children’s furniture sets, your Sims have new ways to liven up their day-to-day activities. [May 14, 2007]

Ancient Egypt is Good For Laughs in Ankh

A mummy may have placed a death curse on him, but Assil isn’t too worried. He figures he should be able to get the Pharaoh to remove it — if he can figure out how to get past the palace guards. They’re terrified of crocodiles, but how will Assil use that information to his advantage? That’s a typical puzzle found in Ankh, a humorous adventure game in the mold of the Monkey Island series, and other funny business. [May 2, 2007]

How We Learned to Love Playing DEFCON

Thanks to DEFCON, you can play out nuclear armageddon scenarios to your heart’s content, safe in the knowledge that you won’t have to build a fallout shelter any time soon. Remember, the tagline is: “Everybody dies.” Just make sure your side has fewer megadeaths than anyone else. [Apr 25, 2007]

Lego Star Wars II: Completing The Circle

Visit a LEGO-fied version of the original Star Wars trilogy in this sequel to the bestselling game. Play as Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and other characters as you travel through the planets shown in “A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “Return of the Jedi.” [Apr 18, 2007]

The Sims Life Stories: Your Stories

Take classic Sims 2 gameplay, add a story mode, and you have The Sims Life Stories. Play the 24 chapters in Riley’s and Vince’s lives as she learns to adapt to a new town while he tries to find true love. Free Play mode lets you enter neighborhoods and take control of other Sims, or make your own families and move them into an empty house. Life Stories’ optimized graphics run great on laptops, letting you play the game in a window while multi-tasking with e-mail, Web surfing, and other activities. [Apr 4, 2007]

Fate of the Galaxy: Star Wars: Empire at War

Control Rebel or Imperial forces as you vie for galactic supremacy in Star Wars: Empire at War. Amass vast starship fleets and fight to control a planet’s orbit. Then land your ground forces and do battle on the surface. From traditional X-Wing and TIE fighters to spaceships and vehicles never seen before, you have a wide range of units to build and upgrade with your credits. Bring in Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Boba Fett, Darth Vader and other well-known characters to turn the tide in your favor. [Mar 28, 2007]

RC Tycoon 3: Soaked! Makes a Splash

Grow your theme parks with killer whale and dolphin shows, water slides and flume rides, aquariums, and more in the RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Soaked! expansion pack. Your peeps (patrons) will also thrill to expanded MixMaster shows that now include laser and water displays, while new objects, such as those found in the new Atlantis theme, give them more to marvel at. Just make sure that the latest VIPeep (Very Important Peep), Bob Waterman, approves of what you’ve done when he stops by for a visit. [Mar 14, 2007]

Heroes of Might and Magic V

Heroes of Might and Magic V melds the strategy and role-playing genres as it takes the venerable series to a new world, Ashan, where six factions vie for control: the humans, the wizards, the demons, the Necromancers, the Dark Elves, and the Wood Elves. Play 30 intense missions spread across six campaigns, with six more custom missions available, and experience the new Dynamic Battle System, the gorgeous new 3D graphics engine, and more. [Mar 6, 2007]

Toon It Up With Disney’s Toontown Online

Toontown was recently invaded by humorless corporate Cogs accidentally set loose by Scrooge McDuck while he was searching for his friend Gyro Gearlooose. Armed with an arsenal of gags, such as dropped anvils and squirting flowers, you and your friends must defeat the Cogs and restore laughter to this Disney metropolis. Six neighborhoods offer hundreds of quests, and you can take a break from the Cog-bashing by racing your customized kart, playing with your pet Doodle, and fishing in one of the game’s ponds. [Feb 14, 2007]

Nourish Your Noggin: Big Bang Brain Games

Reaction, Sudoku, Fallacy, Echo, NovaSweeper, and Remembrance comprise the Big Bang Brain Games collection, which runs the gamut from next-generation remakes of old classics to new challenges guaranteed to tease your brain for hours. Track your scores, post the best ones to the Internet via your .Mac account, and click around the screen to send a donut hurtling through the background. Mmmmmmm, donuts… [Feb 7, 2007]

The Hunted Becomes The Hunter in Prey

When an alien spaceship comes to a Texas Cherokee reservation and takes Tommy, his grandfather, Enisi, and his girlfriend, Jen, our hero fights back against their captors. Enisi guides Tommy to a spiritual reawakening that gives him new powers, such as spirit walking and the ability to quickly return to life through the Death Realm. Built on the Doom 3 engine, Prey also features wall walking and gravity flipping, new gameplay elements that challenge you to use every surface of the environment if you want to survive. [Jan 24, 2007]

The Burning Crusade Brings a New World

A new world, Outland, highlights the many additions to World of Warcraft found in the expansion pack The Burning Crusade. Travel there with your existing characters or create fresh ones based on two new races, Blood Elves and Draenei, and work your way up to the new level cap, 70. The Burning Crusade also features plenty of new dungeons, monsters, items, and environments scattered throughout Azeroth, along with the addition of flying mounts, new talents and abilities, and a new profession, jewelcrafting. [Jan 17, 2007]

The Movies: Develop Your Inner Mogul

Take control of your own movie studio and make all the decisions, from which stars and directors to hire and fire to the types of films you want to make to the exact placement of sets on the lot. Use The Movies’ built-in filmmaker to lay out your plot and edit the final footage, with the ability to pull in music from iTunes and GarageBand and sound effects from iMovie. Feral Interactive, which published the Mac version of the game, even won a BAFTA award - the U.K. equivalent of an Oscar - for its efforts. [Jan 10, 2007]

The Napoleonic Era: Imperial Glory

Control one of five Old European empires — France, Great Britain, Russia, Austria, or Prussia — and relive the years 1789 to 1830. Control your resources, research new technologies, and build your military and economy to great heights. Switch from turn-based management to real-time action when you invade another country’s territory, but heed wisely the words of Prussian soldier and intellectual Carl Clausewitz: “No one starts a war without first being clear in his mind what he intends to achieve by that war and how he intends to conduct it.” [Jan 3, 2007]

Chart Your Path With SketchFighter 4000

Ambrosia Software’s SketchFighter 4000 Alpha features five settings full of hand-drawn environments that recall those heady days of middle school, when a pile of graph paper and a pen were all you needed to get through the most boring class in the day. Use the included editor to design your own adventures, or head online and play with or against other SketchFighters around the world. [Dec 20, 2006]

Armado: An Unlikely Hero

Armado is the latest in a long line of unlikely heroes from the pages of literary history. Help him place magical eggs in the eagle nests at the tops of seven mountains taken over by vicious army ants. When he’s finished, he’ll release the queen eagle and restore peace to the land. Embark upon a great adventure in this 3D action side-scroller. [Dec 13, 2006]

Legion Arena Meets the Cult of Mithras

The story of the Roman Empire continues in this expansion pack to the strategy game Legion Arena. Confront the demonic devotees of the cult of Mithras as you fight to keep the new empire’s fringe territories from falling under their control. Your soldiers gain access to new equipment and skills during the 35 battles found in the game, and you can even replay the Roman and Celtic campaigns from the original game with the Mithras units under your command. [Dec 6, 2006]

Age of Empires III: Real-Time Strategy

As Ensemble Studios considered what to do next in its venerable Age of Empires series, the development team looked to another genre, role-playing games, for inspiration. Age of Empires III lets players accumulate experience points that they use to customize their Home Cities, which deliver crucial shipments of units and resources when the game is hanging in the balance. Other new features include trade routes, random treasures guarded by man and beast, and the ability to forge crucial alliances with Native American tribes. [Nov 28, 2006]