If you are someone who's on a limited budget, or someone who doesnt have a good video card for todaysgames, get populous
at this time, the game is probably not more than 10 bucks on amazon, and the game takes up about 90 megs, so you cant complain that it's a waste of time or money. but enough about that, now to explain why i scored it the way i did.
yes, i gave the game an 8 in graphics in an age of doom 3, half life 2, and elder scrolls 4. but i did because although its not anything really spiffy, the game has really beutiful looking enviroments, with nicely stylized buildings, and there are some very nice subtle details, like when you cast a lightning spell near a tree or stack of wood, it will burst into flames.
i gave it a 9 in gameplay because this game is highly addicting. there are so many things to do in a single game. the jist of it is you have a mana bar, showing how much out of how much mana you are currently using. the more mana you have, the faster your spells will recharge, and the fewer spells you have charging, the more mana you have. you gain spells and buildings over time by stealing it from your enemies, who are suprisingly smart. your enemies can be predictable, but they still intelligently respond to what you do, and guard their base. when you start out, you have a shaman, who can cast said spells. you are a higher power, who has the ability to control the entire tribe. you have a recarnation site, and in most missions, so does your enemy. a recarnation site will dissapear if all a shamans followers die. by default your people are braves, who can be made by converting wildmen using a spell, or they can be reproduced by putting your men in houses. also, you can build things such as temples, warriors huts, and several other training structures, allowing you to get real warriors with distinctly different attributes and uses. now, before i spoil anymore of this, just know that the gameplay rocks, lol.
i gave sound an 8 because, again, its not doom 3, but its not bad, and it goes nicely with the style of the game.
i gave it a tilt of 10 because this is a highly addictive game, which, coincedentally, im about to go play right now. bottem line is, if you are considering searching for this at the bargain bin in eb games, go do it. now.