Galactic Civilizations

Platform: PC

Set in outer space, Game Nation’s Galactic Civilizations is reminiscent of the popular Sid Meier Civilization series of strategy games.

As with many such games, you start from humble beginnings. In Galactic Civilizations you dispatch your survey ship to find an inhabitable planet where you can get a colony started. You also collect along the way a number of special goodies that can earn you bonuses.

You are not alone, however. Hyperdrive – recently invented – is now regularly used by other species in the galaxy. And, like you, they are all eager to become the dominant power in the universe, by fair means or foul. You learn quickly how to distinguish between your potential allies and enemies.

Although Galactic Civilizations is about empire-building and the struggle for supremacy, it is not solely about conquest through warfare. Diplomacy and trade are often better ways of maintaining peace and buying time for yourself.

You can sometimes pacify your enemies by giving up the odd colony or star system, just as you can win allies for yourself by sharing some of the technology you have developed.

Galactic Civilizations is an absorbing and engaging game which you can quickly learn. And fortunately – unlike its rival, the well-known space combat game, Master of Orion III – it doesn’t overwhelm you with finicky details.

Wario World
Platform: GameCube

This new 3D game from Nintendo introduces Wario – Mario’s jealous and egomaniacal rival – in this, his first console adventure.

In the cellars beneath Wario’s castle are hoards of plunder accumulated from his many adventures on Game Boy.

But Wario has little opportunity to digest his loot. A mysterious black jewel in the trove transforms the gems into monsters. Wario’s wealth – once his source of pride – becomes his greatest foe. Now, he must scramble to recover his riches.

The action is non-stop. Trap-doors in the castle drop you into hidden chambers that present you with mind-bending puzzles.

As Wario progresses in the game, you learn a multitude of cool moves. You can punch, kick, jump and grab monsters and objects, and enjoy the satisfaction of seeing your defeated enemies explode into showers of coins.

Wario should prove to be an especially popular addition to the Nintendo family. He is instantly recognizable as he arrogantly struts around in his trademark purple trousers.

Charles Martinet – the actor famous as the voice of Mario – brings a special zest to Wario’s growls, chortles and guffaws.

Wallace & Gromit in Project Zoo
Platforms: PS2, Xbox, GameCube

Oscar-winning animated characters, Wallace and his pet dog Gromit, now star in their own delightful 3D action-adventure game, created by Frontier Developments.

The duo’s old enemy – the sinister penguin, Feathers McGraw – has kidnapped all the baby animals in a zoo in order to force their parents to do his bidding.

To defeat this diabolical scheme, Wallace and Gromit infiltrate the penguin’s domain by constructing a giant wooden bird, the Trojan Penguin.

When the 30-foot wooden bird is left at the zoo gates, the conceited Feathers naturally assumes that it is a tribute to his genius and makes it the zoo’s centrepiece. But unbeknown to him, Wallace and Gromit are hiding inside the Trojan Penguin.

At nightfall the duo start their amazing adventure to foil the penguin’s dastardly plot.

Gamers navigate the dog Gromit through five action-packed levels (with 24 sub-levels and mini-arcade games), with Wallace never far behind to offer his advice or provide one of his ingenious contraptions, such as Springy Boots or the Gyrocopter.

Gromit can perform head spins, back flips, high jumps and hilarious “sneaking” moves.

The game is totally non-violent and suitable for children of all ages. It features wacky “weapons” such as the Porridge Gun, Coal Flinger, Banana Launcher and Knitting Machine.

Far Cry
Platform: PC

A tropical paradise seethes with hidden evil in Far Cry, a cunningly detailed first-person action shooter.

You are a freelance mariner Jack Carver exploring a remote tropical island with a brash young female journalist named Valerie.

Shortly after docking, however, your boat comes under fire from a mysterious militia group swarming about the island.

You learn that you have stumbled on the secret base of a private army which has plans for unleashing regional chaos.

The further you push into the lush jungle canopy, the stranger and more horrific things become.

Far Cry gives players heart-pounding drama and suspense in an eerie setting, complete with authentic lighting, shadows, sound and weather effects.

Battles never become repetitive when you face Far Cry’s unpredictable, intelligent AI mercenary units, trained in advanced adaptive group tactics. Units include snipers, stalkers, scouts, and grenadiers that engage you from all angles, distances, and terrains in co-ordinated strikes. Commanders will even call for reinforcements by land, sea, or air.

You can lock onto distant enemies with motion-sensing binoculars. You can choose from among a wide range of combat options, such as close-quarters combat, long-range shooting, search-and-destroy tactics, stealth operations, and combat driving skills through indoor and outdoor environments.