Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom - PC Games

The updates from previous historical incarnations are not exactly plentiful but then if you are a fan of this kind of game, the setting and new challenges are enough to provide variety and the incredibly addictive game play can not be underestimated. The scenarios are suitably involved, and advancement usually involves a minimum number of particular types of citizen, trade criteria and a certain amount of cash in the treasury.

Money is made not only through taxes, but by trading with your neighbours and it's this diplomatic element of the game that is one of the most fun. Most of your neighbours are ambivalent to you at the start and it's your job to bring them round to your way of thinking either through bribes, tributes or your military might.

Religion is another important factor. Your people are a superstitious race and no wonder as the gods are part of their daily lives, if you don't make enough offerings to your chosen divinity you might find yourself with a plague or famine on your hands but if you make regular gifts and devote enough festivals to your ancestral deities then they will walk among your populace granting all manner of helpful bonuses.

Graphically it's not a million miles from the previous offerings; people go about their daily lives, fires break out and festivals involving processions of Chinese dragons throng your streets, but is a shining example of the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" style of game development. --Kristen Bowditch