Industry Giant II: Gold Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)First of all this is a great Game. If anyone can't get it to run with your video card, You can download this Fix patch [...] Then your game should run. Don't forget to change the [...] so it says "Language=". Otherwise you'll play in German.

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The Guild 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)I enjoyed the first in this series, but this one just takes it all to a whole new level. It should be noted that I only played this after 1.2 patch came out that addressed all of the bugs everyone complained about. So I feel there is no point in harping on ancient history - the game is fixed - and it is fabulous.
The possibilities in this game are near endless, you can do virtually anything you want, when you want it. Think Sims + Oblivion + Settlers all rolled into one game, in perfect harmony.
Replayability is huge, with plenty of maps, a lot of professions and classes. Nothing is scripted, everything happens like it would in the real world. The learning curve in this game is fairly large, and many people new to the series will require 2-3 manual reads and the tutorials done at least twice. But you are rewarded with a fantastic game, realistic gameplay, and a world you'll come to love.

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As the successor to the highly rated medieval life simulation Europa 1400, The Guild 2 offers players the opportunity to control the fate of a large dynasty during the Middle Ages. Players can match wits with other human opponents via a truly unparalleled online multiplayer mode that has been completely redesigned for this sequel. In addition, The Guild 2 introduces the franchise's first story-driven single-player campaign.

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Capitalism Plus Review

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(More customer reviews)Professor Thomas Kosnik,
Consulting Professor, Stanford School of Engineering, and Lecturer, Harvard Business School , Technology Today, CNBC-TV Cable
"Capitalism is a world class, hands-on learning experience which I've used at Stanford School of Engineering and Harvard Business School. Gamers not only learn the subtleties of growing an entrepreneurial business but also learn about leadership and team building necessary in any business situation." "Capitalism is very realistic and will allow the dynamics to change depending on whether you're selling a cola product, which is sort of a low tech-branded consumer good, or whether your selling consumer electronics or a PC."
Professor Drew Fudenberg
Harvard University
"This game does an excellent job of modeling many of the key aspects of modern business. Not all aspects of it are realistic, but enough of them are that many sensible strategies are encouraged. In particular it's gratifying to me to see that the game rewards thinking about sources of long-term competitive advantage, be it from brand recognition, low production costs gained from learning-by-doing (a nice touch!), a monopoly on high quality inputs, or a big technological lead."
Businessweek, October 21, 1996
Capitalism isn't just for those who aspire to be the next Michael Dell or Sam Walton. It can be a fun and useful exercise for anyone who wants to test their entrepreneurial mettle without, for once, taking any risk. Players can choose to compete against computer-controlled rivals in four different industries: farming, manufacturing, raw material mining, and retailing. For a truly adventurous and time-consuming game, players can mix and match industries as captains of giant conglomerates. As in the real world, players compete locally, in one city, or fight it out on the global stage.
With so many possibilities, Capitalism is an intense strategy game, much like chess, where players must constantly think ahead. As such, it could easily overwhelm novices. But by adjusting several factors--competency and managerial style of the computer-controlled rivals, for example, can be varied from very aggressive to conservative--gameplay can be suited to various styles and speed. The game even allows a player to hire presidents to manage the day-to-day operations of different divisions so the player can concentrate on the big picture.
Far Eastern Economic Review, September 26, 2002
The mass market isn't the only audience for Chan's games. Like Virtual U, Capitalism has made the leap from game room to classroom. Because of its high degree of realism, the game has been used by professors at institutions like Harvard and Stanford Universities to help students learn basic business principles. Chan is hoping that Restaurant Empire and Hotel Giant will also be adopted for training and education. "Simulation games are a fun way to learn about anything," he says. "They prove that computer games aren't just about shooting things but can also be educational."
CNN - 22nd May 2002
Kristie Lu Stout, CNN Correspondent
Some guys have all the luck. They have the billion dollar market cap, the brand, and the empire, while the rest of us spend our lives toiling away in cubicles with no chance to ever run the show. That is until now. Even the desk jockey can claw his way to the top in "Capitalism," the game.Hong Kong game developer Trevor Chan just released the follow-up to the award-winning original, but the objective is the same. Move your assets to turn an upstart into the most profitable company in the world. First-time players can choose a challenge like, the world in your hands, where you manage a research and development lab out to post annual revenues of $400 million, and as you take on the competition, that's when the real drama begins.But "Capitalism" is no Business 101. Critics call it a deep involving game that could test even the sharpest business document. In fact, it's been used as a simulation exercise for business students at Stanford University.


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Capitalism 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)This title is less of a game than it is a tool for immersing yourself in a business environment. This is good because this was how it was advertised to me before I bought it. That said, it is very good at the latter, and fairly decent at the former.
The goal is relatively straightforward. Make money, hit some profit targets (or whatever the scenario asks for - could be cornering a market, achieving aggregate sales targets, etc), and succeed at capitalism.
The gameplay is very deep. Price setting, factory building (and floor planning, even), real estate, economic cycles, a slew of products to choose from, technology research, training investments, marketing, income statements and balance sheets for comparative analysis, stock market gyrations - if you can find it in the Wall Street Journal, chances are high it's in this game too. And, most features are realistic enough to give plausibility to the entire enterprise. I like the focus on total capital rather than just running a business with high sales levels - I think most people considering this title would agree that wealth and income streams are more important than simply being popular (and not rich).
The graphics are in between Sim City 2000 and 3000, which was the standard when it was released, and are fairly decent even today. They do not detract from gameplay.
The sound is not bad, either. The sound effects are quite nice - I like how they added touches like playing a clip of the trading room floor when you look at the stock market. The music...can be turned off, unless you like being in an elevator.
The replayability is where this game shines. This game has a mammoth store of scenarios, and ends with a scenario that encompasses all of the previous ones combined (I have put in 12 hours on this one scenario alone and still have not completed it, although it was mainly due to tediousness rather than difficulty - imagine cornering not just the auto market but all types of consumer and industrial markets from tires to toothpaste, along with all aspects of retailing, manufacturing, and commodity production). I found the challenge factor to be very near the top of strategy games in general, and very much enjoyed the complete non-linearity with which you could accomplish tasks and goals.
One caveat, which may further reveal the depth of the game: When you play this game, and put your all into it, you'll begin to wonder why you're not simply reading *real* market trends and income statements, and overseeing your *real* businesses and investments. That, more than anything else, made me put this game aside, and pick up the Wall Street Journal once more. Otherwise, a great business simulator, and fairly entertaining at that.

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The Ultimate Strategy Game of Money, Power and Wealth.

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CSI: Miami Review

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(More customer reviews)Among other things! First off, let me tell you I'm a huge fan of CSI, and will buy anything that comes out with the CSI moniker on it. I've played both of the CSI Las Vegas games, and have had fun playing those.
CSI Miami is technically the same game as the previous CSI PC games. When there's a sequel to a game, you hope that the user interface hasn't changed much, but the gameplay has. This game plays exactly like the other ones to the point it's formulaic. You play 5 cases, 4 with CSIs and 1 with the Lead CSI. The last case always incorporates the previous 4 cases. I spent about 10 hours playing this game, and I've played it before. It wasn't that it was hard, just how should I put this gently, ridiculously nitpicky. What I mean by this is, you can pass up huge pieces of evidence and it not cost you any points, but the smallest task you don't do, will hold up the game for an infinite amount of time while you go back and re-check all your steps. This happened to me in the 2nd case and it was a stupid fingerprint that had been checked on earlier evidence, but not another piece of earlier evidence. It was maddening.
The voice acting was done by the original actors, but the only one who managed to speak with any sort of believability was Horatio Caine. Speedle was the worst offender, sounding at times like a Ben Stein stand in "Wow."
I did enjoy playing the game - the story lines were excellent and believable, and tied up well in the final case with Horatio. (After playing this game, I have learned never to join a country club). I found no bugs in the game which is a relief after the mess that CSI Dark Motives was when they put it out earlier this year. Upon further inspection, there's a patch on www.ubi.com, for bugs, but I played it through with no problem, but I suppose it would be better to install this and head off any problems before they occur.
So in the end, the game wasn't a bad way to spend a snowed in Sunday, but if I had my druthers, the game would be much better. If you're not a die hard fan of the show, don't bother with it and invest your money in the upcoming Season 2 DVDs releasing shortly. Die hards pick it up with the understanding that it isn't that great.

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Put the heat on Miami's criminalsProduct InformationWatch the Show.Play the Game.The No. 1 selling PC crime-adventure series returns with the latest release inthe CSI: Crime Scene Investigation series by Ubisoft. Inspired by the hit show on CBS CSI: Miami gives players the opportunity toexperience forensic investigation first hand. As a member of the South Floridateam CSI loyalists must use both cutting-edge scientific methods andold-fashioned police work to solve crimes amid the steamy tropical surroundingsand cultural crossroads of Miami.Join the entire cast of CSI: Miami featuring the actual voices of LieutenantHoratio Caine Caleigh Duquesne Eric Delko Tim Speedle Medical ExaminerAlelxx Woods Detective Yelina Salas and Lab Tech Valera. Explore Miami'scrime scenes - from a staged death in a nightclub to a woman found strangled ona yacht CSI: Miami story-writer Max Allan Collins takes you through a tangledprogression of crime scenes all culminating in a surprising conclusion.Crime always has a price. Somebody's got to play!KeyFeatures IncludeCSI authenticity - The only officially licensed CSI: Miami computerproduct CSI: Miami offers the ultimate CSI experience including musicsounds video and cast likenesses from the show as well as crimes writtenby critically acclaimed CSI writer Max Allan Collins.New case files - Players explore a virtual CSI: Miami worldcomplete with five new cases from a severed limb found in a gator to awoman found dead on a yacht. Each tangled case weaves together to create asurprising conclusionNew "Hands-on" puzzle assembly – More intimateinteraction with the evidence including re-assembling torn photographs and"hacking" computer data.Enhanced player assistance - New gameplay features allow players ofall skills to solve the game. Selectable options include hints for findinghidden evidence and what forensic tools to use where.S

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RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)After many of the 'Tycoon' style games that have been popular over the last few years, the reigning king was a simple family style game called Roller Coaster Tycoon. After two successful expansion packs, developer Chris Sawyer waited well over a year to launch Rollercoaster Tycoon 2. The sequel is based on a no brainer..."Build it and they will come". Seeing that the first game and its expansions still sell well, Infogrames already has a large base of built in fans looking for more of the same, but will these fans love '2', and will this attract new fans? Time will tell.
Overall, the look and feel of the game remains relatively the same. A 3D isometric overhead view allows players to build a theme park from scratch and carry it through pre-defined scenarios. These scenarios have conditions such as have a park rating of X by year Y or have X guests by year Y or build N coasters of type T with an excitement factor of X.
The game ships with about 25 scenarios that are grouped in categories of difficulty: easy, advanced, expert, and Real Parks. The website RollercoasterTyccon2.com promises to have future downloadable scenarios, and one major enhancement over the original game is the inclusion of a scenario editor. Players can now create their own parks/games and trade among friends. You can control all variables from size of park, weather, rides available for research and more.
The 'Real Parks' are actual Six Flag parks from around the world that are pretty close to real world counterparts. You can choose to just manage them or alter them at will.
Game enhancements:
1) Park sizes can be double that of the original game and it supports a much higher screen resolution rate.
2) Scenery: All the original scenery from the RCT and its expansions are present as well as new ones including: Pirate, Scary, Medieval, Gears, Wild West, Giant Gardens and more. There are also more fences, water themes, roofs and walls and the ability to stack scenery makes it much easier to create buildings.
3) New rides: Well obviously there are more coasters but also other attractions as well on top of all the originals.
4) Coaster and ride options: There seems to be much more customizations available for coasters including new car types, special banks, queue line options, supports, signs & banners, special track types and more.
5) New shops and stalls: Again, all the originals and more including sun glass hut, ATM's, First Aid station, more food choices.
6) More music options. Many more styles of music can accompany your rides.
7) Coaster construction: Tool here has been revamped and now you can make/test/save/see coasters better than ever.
Now not everything is perfect in this game:
1) Graphics: Even though the screen resolution and park size has increased, the view is still the same as is the graphics engine. While there is more 'eye-candy' per-se, the overall look is still cartoony and has some 'jaggy' issues. Not to mention that hills, waters, mountains still look slightly un-natural as it did in the original.
2) Lack of scenarios that ship. There are only 3 easy scenarios, a handful of advanced, and more expert. This may prove complex for players who never had the first. Hopefully new ones will be available from the official website soon.
3) No major innovations in game play. I'd like to see new objectives, or disasters to overcome, or new behaviors of park guests, mechanics, handymen, mascots...still the same.
The largest adjustment fans of the original will have to make is getting use to the new construction and customization tools. While they have been expanded (a large plus), they have also taken on new 'handling' characteristics which is proving somewhat confusing for me. For old players, it's retraining how to this new interface and sub-menus...lacking in the 1st game. While this new interface does seem to be much more rich and deep, I truly found it wasn't as intuitive as the RCT 1. I was looking for information that seemed to be present in the 1st game easily, now I have to dig to sub-menus I'm not familiar with.
These were some of the reasons I chose o give it 4 stars instead of 5. Something's are just better off simple, not overly complex.

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More depth detail and creative freedom!Product InformationThe best-selling game that started the "Tycoon" craze ramps up the funwith all-new rides features and gameplay that make creating and running theultimate amusement park more fun more creative and totally addictive! Those of you that think you have mastered the previous 'Tycoon' games andcreated the most nauseating coaster designed the ultimate theme park or managedthe financeslike a top CEO can think again. RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 provides a new dimensionof creative freedom that allows you to take your parks and rides to anunprecedented level of fun.Break ground and start from scratch open the gates to existing parks or justcreate the most gut-wrenching roller coaster ride ever - now you can play yourway.As a RollerCoaster Tycoon there are NO LIMITS!New FeaturesNew gameplay options in RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 allow you to play your wayand focus on the aspects of the game you love the mostIncludes 25 coaster designs and 5 Six Flags parksTake over the management of a pre-built Six Flags park or build your owncustom Six Flags park from scratchTake on all-new challenging scenarios and balanceall aspects of park and ride design and managementRoller Coaster Designer - Now you can focuson designing the ultimate coaster without having to worry about costconstraints park guests ride maintenance and all the other challenges thatcome with the responsibility of running the ultimate theme park.Scenario Editor - Design your own challengingscenarios tailored to your individual gameplay preferences. Choose to playwith or without money constraints set your park in the location of your owndesign set your own goals and more!Bigger Parks - Offers park maps that are 4X the areaof the original game allowing you to build parks on a scale that waspreviously not possible.Vertical Scenery Construction - Provides a whole newdimension of building options by allo

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ER Review

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(More customer reviews)I have bought most, if not all, of the Legacy Interactive Emergency Room Games. I also bought the first and second Veterinary Emergency Room games. I think that Legacy started out well, but each succeeding game has been dumbed down. The first and second Emergency Room games had different staff in each room, each with different personalities. After that, the succeding games dispensed with this, and had the same type of staff member in each type of room. Too bad--the personality types reminded me of real situations in real emergency rooms.
In ER, the types of medical skills have also been dumbed down. In earlier games, you had to place the right diagnostic instrument on the right part of the patient. If you did too many tests, the chief of service would castigate you for wasting money. Again like real medicine. The nurses and technicians--despite their attitudes--were the most helpful individuals when you were in a tight spot. Well so much for reminising about the previous Emergency Room games.
ER is not like those games. You do not realy use of learn much about real medicine. You do not even really learn much about what is wrong with your patient. It is more about smoozing with other ER staff and making sure that you do not get too low on hygeine or nutrition points. Treatment is completely nonspecific. As far as actual medical practice is concerned, you might as well be playing Pong. It looks as if someone was trying to emulate the Sims on the cheap.
The graphics are not as good as the ones on Emergency Room Disaster Strikes, or Veterinary Emergency Room. If truth be told, I much preferred the earliest truly functional Emergency Game, Emergency Room II. Even though there was not as much animation, the experience was more realistic.
If you want to play the Sims II, buy it. This is a poor imitation of the Sims and an even poorer imitation of previous Legacy Emergency Room Games. I would suggest that Legacy get a REAL emergency room physician to help them with this series of games.

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For an unprecedented nine years in a row, ER was TV's highest rated drama among 18-49 year olds.Currently, in its tenth season, ER is ranked #2 in overall households by Nielsen Media Research.Created by Michael Crichton and produced by John Wells, the series has earned 21 Emmy awards and 108 nominations, an all-time industry record.Approximately 20,000,000 people each week watch the show on NBC and TNT.

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