Age of Wonders

An ancient saga of strategy, war and magic (according to the blurb on the box), Age Of Wonders is actually little more than an average action/strategy game for hardcore beardy-weirdies. Initially it's relatively entertaining. However, the turn-based combat system just seems archaic in this day and age, and it's not long until you start wondering if you could be spending your time on something more fulfilling, like counting the hairs on your arms. There's also a problem with AOWs so-called research spells, which just end up giving away what you're going to discover next. If it had been released four or five years ago, it would have stood a chance. As it is, the only thing about it that's likely to make you sit up and take notice is the price.