Cultures

Bearing rather an unsubtle similarity to the Settlers games, Cultures puts you in charge of a tribe of Vikings, which you must guide round the globe in a quest to uncover twelve parts of a comet. Along the way, you'll have to collect resources, build villages, create industries, raise armies, trade and see to the happiness of each individual in your tribe, such as making sure that they find a suitable bedmate. You'll also have to give each Viking an occupation, and the more they use their skills, the more skillful they'll become.

It's a massive challenge to make all parts of your tribe run smoothly, as you need to keep a watchful eye on food, building materials, religion, entertainment and defence. Occasionally it can all get a bit much, especially later on when villages and populations start expanding. It's a shame that there isn't a clearer and more versatile menu system, as the one provided is a tad clunky.

Unlike most of the strategy drivel that trickles through the PC offices, Cultures really will test you to your limits. You'll even have to plan where to place certain buildings so that your tribe can run as efficiently as possible, such as building a hunting lodge near to both a forest and your storage facility, so that your hunters can gather and drop off food as quickly as possible.

Although many of you will be put off by its complex gameplay, Cultures is well balanced, hugely challenging and entertaining. If you're into Settlers or you just like the idea of micro managing some sweet little cartoony characters, Cultures is well worth the effort.