Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

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One of the great franchises of PC gaming, Command & Conquer: Red Alert has been a firm favorite since the mid-Nineties thanks to its unique combination of real-time strategy, Cold War aesthetics and camp humor. The latest edition, Red Alert 3, continues this fine tradition with major improvements to the game's graphics and sound. The Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 demo consists of three tutorial missions and a couple of playable campaign missions, one each for the Soviets and NATO, making for a decent-sized demo which will give you a good idea of whether or not you'll like the full game As in previous editions of Red Alert, this latest version pits the Soviet Union against the Allies and manages to pack time travel, nuclear weapons and a hilariously high-camp series of performances into its 7-minute introductory movie. The movie also introduces Red Alert 3's main addition: the Empire of the Rising Sun, a new playable power bent on world domination. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 makes use of the new graphics and 3D effects that were unveiled in last year's Tiberium Wars title, meaning that C&C fans will already be completely familiar with the game's controls and appearance. We thought we detected slightly higher CPU and GPU load in this title over Command & Conquer 3 but this caused nothing more than minor glitching with the maximum settings applied. The sound, video and acting are all of superior quality, making the game feel like a really well-rounded product. At the end of the day, though. what Red Alert 3 is really missing is something new. Sure, the vehicles and units have been shaken up a bit (including the bizarre War Bear addition for the Soviets), and Japan has been added to the roster of competitive powers. But Red Alert 3 really isn't that different from Command & Conquer 3, or Red Alert 2 for that matter. The graphics and sound are much improved but the gameplay is pretty much exactly the same. Fans of the series will enjoy Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3's graphical improvements and comedic moments. But anyone expecting new gameplay features will be disappointed.

Ice Age Adventures

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Building on the massive success of Ice Age Village, Gameloft's follow-up title Ice Age Adventures takes Sid, Manny, Diego and friends to greener pastures. It's a game that combines elements of city building, match-three puzzles, and endless running, packaged beautifully within a world based around a huge family movie license. Will it be a hit? You bet your furry butt it will be. A mammoth adventure Ice Age Village has been a huge success in app stores, and Ice Age Adventures builds on this formula, with the town-building part still at the center of the gameplay. You star as the hapless hero Sid, who must venture off to various islands to rescue herds of different animals. You then bring the animals back home, build houses for them, feed them, upgrade, renovate, decorate, etc. In order to free animals you'll generally need to complete a challenge, based around a mini game, namely a Candy Crush-style match-three game where you need to drop a set number of hearts; or a fun endless sledging game. These games make for a welcome slice of variety and help to inject an element of skill into a game that would otherwise consist of just tapping and waiting. In order to achieve a 100 percent completion rate of each island, you'll need to not-only free all the animals trapped on it, but also collect all the items and bonuses on it. You'll also get to unlock all the heroes from the movie, such as Manny and Diego, who will then follow you as you explore, helping you clear obstacles that Sid couldn't on his own. The game features social integration via Game Center or Facebook. You can compare scores with your Facebook friends, check on their progress, send and receive gifts, and more. In-app purchases explained Gameplay elements aside, there's no escaping the fact that Ice Age Adventures has been built to make big money for the developer. The game features at least four types of game currency, which can be 'won' by playing, watching ads, and, of course, paying real cash. Some types of game currency (berries and shells, for example) can be won by harvesting them from dwellings, collecting them on island scouting missions, or playing the mini games. But sooner or later (about 45 minutes of play, in my case), if you want to avoid long waits when constructing or opening new parts of islands, you'll need to dip into your acorns reserve, which is the hardest currency to acquire without paying for. The game isn't difficult to get into, and while the amount of collectibles, challenges and objectives can be daunting at first, the interactive tutorials and clear labeling of the interface Cool presentation Ice Age Adventures makes great use of the movie license, and in this sense it's a marked improvement on Ice Age Village. If you're a fan of Ice Age you're in for a real treat. There are plenty of funny cut scenes and in-game interaction between your favorite characters, with authentic graphics and lots of speech. Be warned, if you find Sid irritating as a character then you'll hate this game. His off-the-wall personality dominates Ice Age Adventures. His quips litter the game, which if you're a fan of his you'll love, but if not it'll annoy the heck out of you. To protect his feelings I won't say which side of the Sid fence I sit on. Evolving the genre Just like natural history, the evolution of a game format can be a slow process, and this is illustrated by Ice Age Adventures. Although it brings little originality in terms of gameplay concepts it's significantly different to Ice Age Village to enthrall fans to make the switch, despite its aggressive monetization mechanic. It's clear that Gameloft's association with the Ice Age franchise is in no danger of extinction. In fact, this game is packed with all the ingredients needed to make it a game players stick with, especially younger ones.

Rise of Nations

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Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots is an extension pack to the popular turn-based strategy game, Rise of Nations for Windows PCs. Much like other spin-offs in this popular series, Rise of Nations adds a cadre of new features to the original game. In this game, you can explore 6,000 years of history as you build up the economy of your new civilization and ensure its continued survival. This newest extension pack introduces players to six new nations to conquer and cultivate. In addition, there's the option to engage in four unique campaigns that are single player only. Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots also comes with over 20 original units and introduces players to government types you've never seen before in this game series. You can play through eight different epochs at your own pace, from Ancient Age at the earliest to Information Age thousands of years later on. The graphics in Rise of Nations might be a bit basic for some users, especially compared to video games in today's high definition gaming world. The myriad of different options will more than make up for it for a lot of players who want the flexibility and experience of creating their own civilization from the ground up though. Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots is a thoroughly engrossing game for history buffs and general gamers alike.

Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties

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Age of Empires III strikes back with a new expansion pack and takes you to the Ancient Eastern empires. As with any other Age of Empires adventure, The Asian Dynasties is designed with an incredible level of detail, creating an involving atmosphere that makes the game really enjoyable. In this sense, every single element in this demo is designed according to Asian stereotypes, from player menus to background music and including, of course, buildings, cities and military units. Also, if you have played any of the previous Age of Empires, you'll master the controls in no time, as they remain just the same; if not, don't worry because they're easy to learn. Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties is pure strategy: you'll have to gather resources, build your town, create and army and battle against the enemy. This demo only allows you to get a sneak peek of the whole game but the overall impression was good... at least for an Age of Empires fan like me.

Kingdoms & Lords

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Kingdoms & Lords is a fun medieval game which blends the worlds of strategy, simulation and turn-based battle gaming. What's Kingdoms & Lords about? If you enjoy games like Clash of Clans and Castle Clash then you'll like Kingdoms & Lords. Your mission is essentially to protect your village from attack from evil invaders. You achieve this by not only fortifying your kingdom with barracks, soldiers, stables, etc. in a simulation-style town-building mode - but also by attacking your enemy. The turn-based battles in Kingdoms & Lords are fun to play, if not very original. You must choose which types of warrior to send in (swordsmen, axemen, spearmen, etc.) and use their skills accordingly. There are magic spells you can cast to assist you. Unfortunately, magic potions, soldiers, buildings and the like don't come for free in Kingdoms & Lords. There are three types of in-game currency, some of which you can build up by collecting taxes or unlocking achievements. Eventually though, you'll find yourself having to part with real cash if you want to keep playing at a steady pace. Taking command Both the strategy and battle modes in Kingdoms & Lords are pretty easy to grasp, especially if you've played this type of game before. If not, your virtual guide, Lisa, will run you through the processes of constructing and battling so you don't get lost. How does it look? Kingdoms & Lords is bright and colorful, and there's plenty of detail here. From the realistic buildings in the town, to the fun effects of the battle sequences, the game feels very much alive. Music in the game has a very medieval feel to it. The sound effects really help set the scene, especially the twittering bird song, which adds some tranquility amid all the fighting! The verdict Kingdoms & Lords is a fun game that will amuse fans of both simulation games and role-playing adventures. It's a shame that progress relies so heavily on in-game purchasing.

Stronghold

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Stronghold is a castle building strategy game for Windows PCs. If you're looking for some old school medieval strategy game fun, Stronghold might be right up your alley. It offers lots of challenges, as well as the exciting battles you expect in a game of its calibre. The purpose behind Stronghold is twofold - build up your lands and defend them in battles. You gain lands through a mixture of smart in-game economics and by winning battles with other neighboring kingdoms. The spoils you get from winning wars can help you purchase supplies to expand your own castle and kingdom. Other lords might want your land in Stronghold too though, so expect to have to defend your acquisitions in battle as well. Who among your people you choose to have fight, as well as what strategies you employ during the war, will determine the outcome of the battle. Stronghold is fun to play if you have the patience for this type of game. Unfortunately, the game is a little buggy and freezes up sometimes. The graphics are also quite outdated compared to other available games. Stronghold is a fun strategy game that lets players step into the shoes of a medieval lord.

Stronghold Kingdoms

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Stronghold Kingdoms is a strategy game played over the Internet in the company of hundreds of players, each with their own kingdom. Stronghold Kingdoms offers an introductory tutorial that guides you step-by-step through learning to exploit the natural resources of the game environment. It also helps you create your own castle with an army to protect you from attacks from other players. Stronghold Kingdoms lets you choose the way forward. Will you be a benevolent king or a fierce warrior? Will you advance science and research or head off to plunder neighboring kingdoms? This is entirely up to you. Whether you decide to engage with other kingdoms by creating alliances and trading or invade the adjacent territory, Stronghold Kingdoms will allow you to explore the area and be aware of every detail. Each new game you play creates new possibilities, with a solid achievement and rewards system. In addition, the game also has cards with which you can obtain new resources. Stronghold Kingdoms also offers a help guide if you want to learn even more game secrets. Stronghold Kingdoms is a fun and comprehensive strategy game that'll bring you hours of enjoyment.

Train Simulator 2014

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Train Simulator 2014 brings the new edition of the popular train-simulation to your PC. Players must direct trains to transport people, meet schedules, and observe all the rules of rail transport. On top of that, the editor lets you create route networks and share them on the Steam Community with other train enthusiasts. Train simulation with limited features You can get acquainted with the controls in Train Simulator 2014 using the tutorial, which will prepare you for a full campaign or a quick game. Among the different scenarios, there are simple transport orders from A to B, as well as challenging rides or changing routes in different weather conditions. You can estimate the level of difficulty before starting a route. The scope of the full version of Train Simulator 2014 includes 16 motor coaches and trains, including Southeastern Class 395, Southern Pacific Dash 9 and DB ICE 2. You can create your own routes and share them on the Steam Community with an integrated track editor. More lines and trains are also available as paid downloads, although if you want to buy them all, you'll be paying more than $2800 out of pocket. Realistic expert control Train Simulator 2014 has both a simplified and an expert mode. In expert mode, you have to turn with the mouse or keyboard, release the brake, set the correct direction, and then adjust thrust. Your goal is to keep to speed limits and observe route signals or you'll be faced with penalties. When it comes to stations, you have to let passengers on and off the train, waiting as long as it would take in real life.The train journey itself is in real time too! An overview of the current mission and the tasks you must perform in Train Simulator 2014 is provided by an expandable card at any time. It provides information on traveling to stations or any other important points along the way. Good graphics and sound effects The changing weather and light conditions make the trains in Train Simulator 2014 very realistic. Shadows and light reflections can be seen on the cars, and rain drop must be kept clear from the windows with wipers. The day-to-night cycles with the corresponding lightening and darkening of the sky are also excellent. Players have a view from the cab or from one of the many externally mounted cameras. Train Simulator 2014 is accompanied by authentic sound effects. It rumbles splendidly through curves and turnouts. Purists will love the realistic sound effects without music. Something that didn't quite fit into the picture, however, were the numerous crashes that we experienced during our tests. Conclusion: Very good train simulation but a bit of a rip off Train Simulator 2014 brings everything you would expect from a good train-simulation: a lot of realism, sophisticated lines, spruced-up trains, great sound effects, and a realistic time frame for travel times. Traveling on a well-known railway line, everything was very well considered, including the environment, train speeds- even details like remote country houses and vegetation were adapted. The ability to create your own routes in Train Simulator 2014 with the editor is a nice addition, but it's hardly a fair exchange for the outrageous DLC prices. If you want all the routes and trains - including a number of regional trains - you'll have to pay more than $2800, which is a ridiculously unnecessary charge for a game you're already paying for. When you add this to the crashes we experienced during our test, it does somewhat tarnish the overall positive impression we had of Train Simulator 2014.

Trolls vs Vikings

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Trolls vs. Vikings is a larger-then-life tower defense game where you must command your arsenal of troll troops to take on angry Nordic guys. Haven't we met before? There have been so many tower defense games for Windows that it seemed every combination of one being against another being had been exhausted by game developers. Yet this is the first time trolls have been matched up against Vikings - and it proves to be a whole lot of fun. The idea of Trolls vs. Vikings is to protect your village from attack from hoards of angry vikings who are determined to get you. You do this by placing different types of troll strategically to attack the Vikings, selecting based on the type of attack each troll performs. Trolls vs. Vikings is unashamedly similar to Plants vs. Zombies. Not only does it look and feel similar to PopCap's undead romp, but the entire gameplay mechanic is virtually identical. The battlefield in Trolls vs. Vikings is divided into different lanes, and the Vikings attack in waves from the right of the screen, just like the brain-eating ghouls in Plants vs Zombies. Even the behavior of the trolls is very similar to the PopCap game. Miner trolls are like sunflowers, digging for moonstones which are used (like suns) as currency for buying trolls. There are catapult trolls that will remind you of pea shooters, trolls that bury underground and grab Vikings like the venus fly traps, and even lightning and fire attacks like those from Plants vs. Zombies 2. Command your own troll army OK, I'll stop banging on about similarities between T vs. V and P vs. Z, now. The truth is, Trolls vs. Vikings is a blast to play. The learning curve is very well defined, easing you in with some tutorial levels to help you get the basics then letting you lose at the right time. One new troll type is introduced in each new level (of which there are more than 70), giving you time to learn the strengths and weaknesses of each. You select a troll to place by tapping or clicking on it from your inventory on the left of the screen and dragging it onto the battlefield or tapping a square. Some trolls can be moved during gameplay, and there are also spells that you can cast (fire balls and rock chucking) which can be bought from the in-game shop. The shop in Trolls vs. Vikings also includes new trolls and upgrades. Currency in the shop is gold collected from dead Vikings, and you can buy more gold with real cash. Woodland wonderland Trolls vs. Vikings is a gorgeous gaming experience. The woodland battlefields are beautifully drawn, and the grunting and groaning sound effects add to the humorous atmosphere of the game. Vikings and Trolls are imaginatively conceived and unlocking new ones is always great fun. Troll playing adventure If you're a Plants vs. Zombies fan looking for a new dose of cartoon tower defense fun, you should definitely install Trolls vs. Vikings. If you've never played Plants vs. Zombies before, I would recommend to try those games first, though since they still have the edge.

PES 2014

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PES 2014 takes to the field once again, this time with a focus on gameplay. A new graphics engine, improved animations and a great atmosphere are the main highlights of this edition. Leagues, cups, tournaments, and online multiplayer Pro Evolution Soccer, which already has a patch available for download, offers several modes of play: Match - Lets you take part in a single game by challenging AI ??or a friend. Football Life - Allows you to play the Master League online and offline. Create your own team, manage contracts, buy and sell players, and lead your team to glory. With the new feature, you can now also become the manager of a country. Basically, the structure of the game has been simplified for improved usability. Become a Legend - Take a single player and watch them progress through a brilliant career. In this mode, you can choose your player to be a goalkeeper, for example, making him unbeatable in goal, becoming the captain of your team, and issuing commands to your defense, just like Buffon or Casillas. Competition - Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 brings back championship mode, which was absent in PES 2013. In addition, you can play the Cup mode, which you can configure to your taste, or play online tournaments. As usual, you can play in the Champions League, Europe League, Copa Libertadores and, this year, the Asian Champions League (all these competitions have official licenses). On the other hand, there's also a huge gap in various club teams because of lcense agreements, including English and German sides, for which Konami did not get the rights (Chelsea is called London FC, City is Man Blue, and many German teams are just entirely absent from the game). Training - Training is the perfect way to hone your technical skills. This mode has a wide range of tutorials split into 5 levels of training. The tutorials are well explained and introduce you to the movements of the game, special moves and much more. You can then also train on corner kicks, free kicks and penalties. During the loading stages, you'll get tips on shots and moves to do in specific situations in a game, a useful intermission that takes advantage of any dead time! The PES 2014 menu design isn't bad, but in terms of usability, it's definitely a step back from the modern and new FIFA 14. Total freedom of movement on the field The game controls in PES 2014 haven't undergone any major upheavals. The main new feature is the TrueBall Tech: with the improved control of the analog stick, you can stop or control the ball through 360 degrees. The result is a striking realism and unprecedented freedom of movement in PES. This is made possible by improved ball physics, meaning there's no longer that annoying "bowling ball" effect that accompanied the series for years. Also improved are the tackles, which are now much more fluid and believable. The power, weight and physical strength of the players can affect the outcome or impact of the shoulder to shoulder struggles between players. Maneuvers are more logical now too; the game favors team play and the pace is slower than in previous years. It's more difficult to steal the ball from a player and get it in the back of the net. Now, you'll need to study the position of players on the field and get the timing right to take advantage of teammates' play or to take a shot on goal. Gone from PES 2014 are the abrupt direction changes of past games; in their place are more natural movements. The cross is calibrated in a more "manual" way than before, while the shots are more believable, despite some trajectories seeming a bit steered. The goalkeepers have improved as well. They have excellent animations and some of the saves are incredible. The way they come out for high balls and crosses is convincing, although the slowness and lack of reactivity of the goalkeeper when facing a striker leaves a lot to be desired (Y button on the Xbox joypad). Artificial intelligence is one of the biggest highlights of PES 2014. The players handled by the CPU move well and appear more unpredictable, work as a team and when necessary, are able to take shots that leave you speechless. There are 6 selectable difficulty levels for the AI. But playing well in PES 2014 also requires tactics which are suited to your team. The range of plays is more limited than in FIFA, but the excellent editor makes up for this deficiency by giving you the ability to create a number of modules. An extraordinary game climate The new Fox graphics engine in PES 2014 works well. All details have been taken into consideration, and the physical resemblance of the virtual players to the real ones is impressive (but only for the famous ones; the "not-so-well known" ones are a bit rough around the edges). Greate care was taken in the production of each of the levels, with excellent choreographic details and unique banners for each team. Despite these improvements, the engine still has to mature: we noticed occasional frame drops, although these don't affect the gaming experience. In addition, there is the inexplicable lack of rain or snow. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's certainly unusual for a game of this caliber. Another new feature to PES 2014 is the almost total absence of "binary": the players now move with total freedom and without pre-determined frameworks. The sound effects are perhaps the best element of PES 2014. The audience is the 12th player on the field, supporting the team with an incessant roar, galvanizing every risky move, whistling at opponents and urging their heroes towards the goals, especially in the most frenetic of the matches. In short, Konami has managed to create an extraordinary atmosphere in which the gamer truly gets emotionally involved. The dawn of a new era For Pro Evolution Soccer, this is the dawn of a new era. This edition relies entirely on the gameplay: more team play, better control of the players, revised ball physics, realistic tackles and various features that improve the gaming experience. So, has PES 2014 finally beaten FIFA? In a word - no. The EA simulator is still king, but the gap has definitely been narrowed and the Konami title is now a viable alternative. The developers have created a fun, rewarding game, which allows gamers to immerse themselves in a stadium that has no equal in any other soccer videogame. The Fox Engine, although still a little immature and rough around the edges, is crucial in the rebirth of the franchise. Konami definitely took a huge step in the right direction: the simulation aspect of the title has greatly improved, much to the happiness of all purists of the genre.