The Dreamers Guild / Cyberdreams 1995
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

In a distant future, humanity has finally done it: it has finally destroyed itself. 'Only' indirectly, though, as it was the 'Allied Mastercomputer', the American defense system, which developed a consciousness, called itself 'AM' (as in 'I think therefore I AM') and wiped out the human race. Since computers (especially military ones) are sadists, it kept five humans alive to torture them for all eternity.

Ubi Soft 1989
Genre: Action
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Ilyad is a game with a troubled past. It was scheduled for release in 1989, but for some reason, it never appeared in spite of being finished. A British magazine then dug it up and brought it to the public as a coverdisk in 1991. Another year later, it was finally released commercially at last (I doubt it was very successful; a certain other crewmember of this site owns what is probably one of the few boxed originals in existence). To get it over with right from the start: the three years show. The graphics virtually scream '80s', and they aren't even very spectacular for that time.

Thomas Wolf 1983
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

Along with Kaiser, this game defined the 'ruler-genre' for years to come! The premise is simple: make your country strong and stable inwards to conquer your neighbours.

Fitting the name, Imperator is set in ancient Rome. Your main job is to distribute the budget amongst several groups of interest. Every year, they demand a certain sum and it's up to you whether to comply fully, partly or not at all. That influences this group's stance towards you. If you give your wife (!) only half the amount she wanted, she'll be more likely to start a rebellion. On the other hand, if you provide the merchants with even more money than they said, they'll love you!

Frog City / SSI 1997
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Europe in the 19th century: military superpowers trying to take over the world. Whether it is direct wars and takeover of land or acquiration of 'colonies' - these were troubled times.

In several scenarios (defined by their starting date, each representing a slightly different historical situation) or on a random map, the players each take over one of the 'relevant' (i.e. powerful) countries trying to achieve total world domination. The final step for this is to be elected by the one of the council meetings which occur on a regular basis.

Frog City / Mindscape 1999
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Going back in time... after the period of time which is commonly referred to as 'Imperialism', the series tackles the European takeover of the American continent (or a random world substituting for the 'real' one).

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

So, what makes this game so 'dry'? Well, just look at the screenshots. Apart from the 3D starmap everything is white and gray. Furthermore there's no sound. 'Why play this game then?', some of you might say. WAIT! You're about to miss a great game...As I said, it's a very complex and deep game, but luckily I've managed to find the manual for detailed information.

Epyx 1984
Genre: Action
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

"Another visitor... stay a while... stay forever!"

This is how Elvin Atombender welcomes you to his lair. Mr Atombender is the stereotype of a mad scientist. He's currently plotting to destroy the world (once again). You are a secret agent with the mission to stop him. You leave the elevator, enter a room and...

Trecision 1994
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

Tom Scool, a former private investigator who doesn't mind taking less honourable jobs if the money is right, has been hired by Sam Svarowsky, an un-gentlemanly collector, to retrieve a precious gem for him. This gem is in the possession of the actress Diana Stevens who is currently residing in a cut-off chalet in the mountains. All the important members of her next film project are there as well: the screenwriter, the director (who is also her husband), some members of the cast. In addition, the novelist Eric Wells has been invited - he wrote the thriller which the film should be based on. Svarovsky kidnaps him before he arrives, so that Tom can take his place at the chalet. He's supposed to get the safe combination and with that, the gem. It doesn't work out as planned. Shortly after Tom's arrival, Diana Stevens is murdered. Due to a storm having cut off the regular connection to the outer world, the police might be a bit slowed, but they'll surely arrive sooner or later. Not much time left for Tom to get the jewel and escape unrecognized...

Blue Byte 1997
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

1997? Yes, I know what you're thinking: So he is playing new games after all. That's right - there are a few good ones. The more current the year, the bigger the exception, though, making it even more noteworthy if a good game turns up in such a year. Considering its age, Incubation is like a flower growing from bowl of pus. Growing from such an unpleasant surrounding, it has to be spoiled in some way.

Lucas Arts 1996
Genre: Adventure, Action
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

The daily life of Dr. Henry Jones Jr. Somewhere in Central America, he's carrying out his archeological duties. It all starts with his colleague Marcus Brody giving him his latest assignment. It usually concerns finding an artifact before a competing archeologist does, freeing someone from the clutches of the nazis or something similar. The best thing about it: every time you start the game, you get a different adventure to play. Or at least that's what the advertisement says.