Spore Creature Creator

Strategy Breeding/Constructing General

The Spore Creature Creator gives Spore fans, and those who are creatively curious, the first hands-on opportunity to design their own species and share it with their friends. All creatures designed with the Spore Creature Creator can be imported into the full retail version of Spore for PC and Mac. The demo lets players shape, paint and play with an unlimited number of creatures, using 25 percent of the creature-making parts from Spore. Gamers can then share these creations with their friends, including seamless uploads to YouTube. [Electronic Arts]

Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom

Strategy City Building Management Historic Government

You are transported back in time to when emperors reigned and China was the greatest and most resplendent power on earth. Epic in scope, Emperor spans seven dynasties and more than 3,000 years of Chinese history: from China's pre-imperial Xia dynasty circa 2100 BCE to the Mongol invasion of the Middle Kingdom under Genghis Khan in 1211 CE. As Emperor, you will build housing to attract immigrants to your new city. Then the city's workers and farmers, administrators and soldiers will be yours to command, and you will have the work force you need to build a provincial city into a great metropolis. At your bidding, legions of workers will toil to erect walls strong enough to keep the barbarians at bay. Under your banner, armies will march forth to do battle with the enemy. Trade and commerce will flourish and an army of tax collectors will collect the taxes that are due. Schools and clinics, palaces and gardens will embellish the city you have built and proclaim your benevolence to the world. [Sierra]

Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate

Strategy Turn-Based Fantasy General

Key features of the expansion pack include: New faction: Introducing the brand-new Dwarves faction, made up of heroic warriors and rune magic adepts who stalk Ashan's deepest mountains and most hostile regions. A brand-new adventure: Featuring 15 new missions, new heroes, and improved cut-scenes, the new campaign will lead players even deeper into the dramatic events that began with Heroes of Might and Magic V. Extended game experience: Includes a wealth of new spells and abilities, 5 new single-player maps, 10 new multiplayer maps, new buildings, new artifacts, and new neutral creatures, Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate gives players the tools to develop new tactics and further their game experience both online and offline. Improved mechanics and gameplay: New features, such as Caravans and a random map generator, allow players to have unlimited replay options and an even smoother gameplay experience. In addition, the simultaneous turn feature will speed up online games. [Ubisoft]

Oriental Empires

Strategy Turn-Based 4X

A turn based 4X strategy game, recreating the civilizations of ancient China. Develop your land, build great cities, raise huge armies and fight epic battles, with hundreds of soldiers fighting right on the game map. Advance your technologies, culture and religion to create one of mankind’s biggest empires.