Can you recommend a good PC strategy game? I've tried Settlers IV but it is let down by a useless manual and overcomplicated multiplayer procedures. Peter Codner
There are plenty of good strategy games but they all have a steep learning curve for newcomers who have not played earlier versions of the same game. In some cases you can catch up, because the early versions can be downloaded from "abandonware" sites.
The long-term trend is towards "real time strategy" (RTS) series such as WarCraft, Command & Conquer and Age of Empires, which are all good. However, I'd suggest Sid Meier's Civilization IV or another Sid Meier game such as Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri (basically Civ in space) or Sid Meier's Railroads! (an update of Railroad Tycoon).
Civilization, inspired by a turn-based board game of the same name, did the settlers thing in 1991, a couple of years before The Settlers appeared. Both take a very long time to play. Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword is the latest Civ expansion pack, due on July 24. See firaxis.com.
