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• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.1 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: Rome: Total War is the very definition of an epic strategy game. Read review

Specs: Teen, Creative Assembly, Strategy, Real-Time Strategy, Historic, 1-8 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: If you're new to the SimCity franchise, this package is a solid introduction. Read review

Specs: Everyone 10 and older, Maxis, Strategy, Strategy / tactics / wargame - city building

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.6 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Zero Hour fundamentally improves the core game, and it should ensure that Command & Conquer: Generals continues to be popular well into the next year. Read review

Specs: Teen, EA LA, Strategy, Strategy / tactics / wargame - real time

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.1 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: While this game may look cute, it is in fact as sophisticated and enjoyable as the very best strategy games out there. Read review

Specs: Everyone, Team 17, Strategy, General Strategy, 1-6 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Cities XL tries to expand the city-building genre with new ideas, but the solo game is generic, and the online features aren't ready for a ground-breaking ceremony. Read review

Specs: Everyone, Monte Cristo Multimedia, Strategy

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.5 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: All its new features combine to make Yuri's Revenge ideal or even downright necessary for anyone who enjoyed Red Alert 2. Read review

Specs: Teen, Westwood Studios, Strategy, Real-Time Strategy, Sci-Fi

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: As befits its source material, The Battle for Middle-earth is a huge game, and there's a lot of great real-time strategy gameplay to be had in it. Read review

Specs: Teen, EA LA, Strategy, Strategy / tactics / wargame - real time, Fantasy

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Kingdoms suffers from a long list of problems that collectively prevent it from exceeding its ancestor or from rejuvenating a tired genre. Read review

Specs: Teen, Cavedog Entertainment, Strategy, Real-Time Strategy, Fantasy, 1-8 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: A few flaws hold it back, but the latest Settlers game is the series' most charming to date. Read review

Specs: Everyone 10 and older, Blue Byte, Strategy, Strategy / tactics / wargame - city building

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Railroad Tycoon III is surprisingly easy to learn for a game of its scope, and it has something for anyone with a fondness for trains or making loads of money--which means just about everyone. Read review

Specs: Everyone, PopTop Software, Strategy, Tycoon, 1-4 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Teen, Maxis, Strategy, Miscellaneous - virtual life, Realistic

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.8 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Though it may seem difficult for beginners, Age of Wonders II sounds good, looks great, plays terrific, and improves on every aspect of the original game. Read review

Specs: Teen, Triumph Studios, Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy, Fantasy, 1-8 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.5 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: World in Conflict is a thrilling, spectacular strategy game, and an even better multiplayer experience. Read review

Specs: Teen, Massive Entertainment, Strategy, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis is an enjoyable game that should appeal to dinosaur buffs and park simulation fans alike, thanks to its attractive graphics engine, unique features, and surprising gameplay depth. Read review

Specs: Teen, Blue Tongue Entertainment, Strategy, Tycoon, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.9 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Apart from odd attempts at humor that are hard to ignore, the story execution falls flat, the scenarios are tediously scripted, and the skirmish mode is terribly limited. Read review

Specs: Teen, Reality Pump, Strategy, Real-Time Strategy, Fantasy

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: By seamlessly integrating into The Movies, the Stunts & Effects expansion offers a lot of cool new toys for would-be studio bosses and virtual moviemakers to play with. Read review

Specs: Teen, Lionhead Studios, Strategy, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Forces of Corruption is a great addition to the Empire at War saga thanks to an interesting new faction that offers up a different way to conquer the galaxy. Read review

Specs: Teen, Petroglyph, Strategy, 1 Player

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Firefly Studios has polished up its old game nicely and has sent it on a long road trip into the Crusades. Read review

Specs: Teen, FireFly Studios, Strategy, Real-Time Strategy, Historic, 1-8 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.7 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: War of the Ring is a competent, if lackluster, effort that will probably appeal to Middle-earth fans and casual gamers who haven't played a lot of real-time strategy before. Read review

Specs: Teen, Liquid Entertainment, Strategy, Real-Time Strategy, Fantasy, 1-8 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.5 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: Traditional and fresh in all the right ways, this strategy sequel is an absolute joy for veterans and newcomers alike. Read review

Specs: Teen, Blizzard Entertainment, Strategy

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.5 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: As a refinement of the Age of Empires legacy, Empires offers enough that's new to even appeal to those who aren't card-carrying RTS fans. Read review

Specs: Teen, Stainless Steel Studios, Strategy, Real-Time Strategy, Historic, 1-8 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.0 stars Mediocre

  Overall score: 4.5 (2.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: You may play a feudal lord in Stronghold 3, but the tedious micromanagement and bugs make you feel like a peasant. Read review

Specs: Teen, FireFly Studios, Strategy, 1-8 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Engrossing exploration, diverse development, and challenging combat return in Might & Magic Heroes VI. Read review

Specs: Teen, Nival Interactive, Strategy, Strategy / tactics / wargame - turn based, Fantasy

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Mark of Chaos captures the fantasy combat of the Warhammer franchise in a beautiful way, but it's marred by some technical issues and a basic strategic campaign. Read review

Specs: Mature, Black Hole Games, Strategy, 1-6 Players

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: On one hand, it's a derivative real-time strategy game. But on the other, it's a tidy little bundle of escapism that's perfect for a generation of gamers raised on Star Wars. Read review

Specs: Teen, LucasArts, Strategy, Real-Time Strategy, Sci-Fi, 1-8 Players