Medieval: Total War - Gold Edition

If The Gifted but goofy child is Hearts Of Iron II (see opposite), then Medieval: Total War is the nearly-as-clever but more athletic older brother who can do backflips when losing an intellectual argument. And in anticipation of the sequel planned for release around the end of the year, Mastertronic have brought out the original title complete with the Viking Invasion expansion for a tenner.

The game jigsaws the turn-based strategy and large-scale troop management of the world map with the 'oh-my-lord-look-at-that' element of thousands of troops running around in a real-time 3D war sim. Like Hearts Of Iron II, it has a hardcore edge - there's an enormous number of realistic influences, battles can be hectic, and if you don't maintain good tactics, you'll find your men breathlessly dead.

It's not a game to fritter away an hour -expect to dedicate weeks and months. It's been four years, and although it might be showing its age, there's still the great scope, smart AI and excellent music that'll potentially keep you interested until the sequel arrives.