Max Design 1992
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 2/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

In late 1992, two trading simulations were competing for the (German / European) market: Der Patrizier (also know as The Patrician abroad) and 1869. The latter came a little later (wow...) and it was generally considered the loser in this direct duel by the press. Only by a small margin, though - a very good second place.

Falken Software 1991
Genre: Strategy, Simulation
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Airline is a nice German business simulation where you try to build up and expand your airline worldwide. At the start you can either decide if you want to start a new company, expand an existing one or wish to bring an unprofitable airline back on the winning track.

Ascon 1992
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

The late Middle Ages: The Baltic Sea are is ruled by the Hanseatic League, an alliance of flourishing cities ruled by a class of wealthy merchants. As an aspiring merchant in any of those cities, each player tries to build up a trading empire by sending out ships, buying and selling goods and establishing offices in as any cities as possible.

Greenwood 1994
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

'Der Planer' is a somewhat different manager simulation because you don't build your company from scratch but you rather have to fulfill the requirements the managerial board imposed on you during a given period of time.

Sunflowers 1996
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Money and political power are often closely related. The family referenced in the title is one of the best known historical examples of this phenomenon. The members of that family don't actually appear in the game, though. It takes place a few levels below that instead. On a regional level, i.e. a member state of the former 'Holy Roman Empire', the player tries to gain political influence - just like the big idols.

Ice Software / Tengen / Domark 1990
Genre: Action
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Atari ST

I never expected the job of a postman to be so exciting! A cool motor boat speeding down rivers and over the sea to deliver important packages (like for example the Britsh crown jewels) to their receipients. Avoiding terrorist ships, mines and floating logs, or blasting them if they are really in the way (I'm waiting for the day DHL starts doing that). All just to ensure speedy delivery (I'm waiting for the day DHL considers taking a go at that, too).

Kingsoft 1992
Genre: Puzzle
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Which game would fit the description 'digital model railroad' best? Most people would say Railroad Tycoon. It doesn't quite fit, though, because of the economic aspects. For Märklin fans, it's mostly about controlling forks and setting routes. The perfectly fitting game: Locomotion.

Klein & Ulrich 1994
Genre: Strategy, Simulation
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

'Ports of Call' is an early business simulation classic which especially on the Amiga found lots of fans. You're in control of a fleet of tramp ships which means that you don´t actually buy and sell goods yourself but rather look for charters to deliver.

Microprose 1990
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Most people already know this classic. Because it was a huge success. And it deserved it! Inspired by Sim City, Sid Meier wanted to do a real-time building game. This was the product.

The most significant thing about the game is, that there's no real goal. Just like in Sim City you just build and build. You can't really win the game, only climb the highscore list. You just try to build up a huge railroad company.

Microsphere 1983
Genre: Puzzle
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: ZX Spectrum

On your first day as the new Chief Operations Manager for a major railway, your expectations of sitting back in a nice office carefully planning generic train routes and timetables turn out to be completely wrong. In your new company, trains don't follow a schedule - they just drive on and on, whereever the tracks send them. A very laid back approach, but the traditional stuffy and bureaucratic way has two major advantages: fewer collisions and more reliable customer service. It's your job to still ensure both - by operating the switching points.