Call to Power 2

Herald rating: * * * *

Activision PC

Review: Peter Eley

One of the best games ever written for the PC keeps on going and going, although the magic word "Civilization" has had to be dropped from the title because of copyright hassles.

But make no mistake: Call To Power 2 is the latest in a long line of Civilization god sims. Fans of the series will remember that Civilization: Call to Power was something of a disappointment and didn't compare to its rival Alpha Centauri, ironically written by Civilization creator Sid Meier.

Version 2 is much better, fixing lots of interface and gameplay problems and looking much better. It's sure to appeal to all budding megalomaniacs who fancy a crack at controlling their own empire.

These aren't games you can play in a couple of hours before Shortland St. Empires take a long time to build and lots of time to manage, so budget for some extra-long sessions. But then, that level of intensity is what turn-based games are all about.

E-mail: petereley@herald.co.nz