Max Design 1992
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 2/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

In late 1992, two trading simulations were competing for the (German / European) market: Der Patrizier (also know as The Patrician abroad) and 1869. The latter came a little later (wow...) and it was generally considered the loser in this direct duel by the press. Only by a small margin, though - a very good second place.

Datasoft 1986
Genre: Puzzle, Adventure
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

Some board games can be converted into computer games perfectly, because their rules are simple and logically structured enough. 221B Baker Street is such a case.

30 cases in classic style of Doyle's shorter Holmes stories are waiting to be solved by the player(s). As it was common back in the 80s, the nicely written introductions to these aren't presented 'in-game', but they can all be found in the accompanying casebook.

Ticsoft 1994
Genre: Sport, Action
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Shareware
System: PC

How could this game's concept be described most accurately? Yeah, right - by telling which classic game it's a clone of! Two problems with this though: Nobody will know the original and (even worse) even I forgot the title! It was a sports game by Lucasfilm on the C64 (at least I think it was on this system). Edit: In fact it was Ballblazer by Lucasfilm on the old Atari. Thanks to Chris for reminding me!

Avalon Hill 1991
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Acquire was one in a series of business board games created by Sid Sackson and released by 3M in the 1960s. Later, most of these games were released by Avalon Hill in the 1970s and 80s and are now the property of Hasbro. Acquire is probably the most exciting of this lot of games. It requires good thinking, great foresight, a little bit of luck and lots of attention. The computer version of the game can last only ten minutes, but these ten minutes will require your full attention. Due to the fact it is a board game, the replay value is extremely high.

Gremlin Interactive 1995
Genre: Sport, Action
Rating: 2/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Now I've never been one of the greatest in playing football games... however I do see it as a bad sign when I cannot find a way to move the goalkeeper. Okay, I managed to let him lift his arm... but that's about everything. Limited by this I was naturally not too hard to beat by the computer who pretty much only needed to shoot at the goal to score. Well... I have to admit that this led to frustration. I am willing to accept though that it was just my usual low intelligence hindering me to find out how that @#!* goalkeeper could probably be convinced to do more than lift his arm in the hope to reach the ball without moving or even jumping. Apart from that playing is something like semi-enjoyable. If you can live with getting control over a player that's somewhere in the background instead of the one near the ball and of course an automatical switch once you approach the ball... I do have to be fair though - this does not happen all the time - only in the worst situations.

Falken Software 1991
Genre: Strategy, Simulation
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Airline is a nice German business simulation where you try to build up and expand your airline worldwide. At the start you can either decide if you want to start a new company, expand an existing one or wish to bring an unprofitable airline back on the winning track.

Max Design / Sunflowers 1998
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 3.5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

[Tapuak] Anno 1602 is a classic city building sim. You're founding a settlement in a world of islands, and develop it by providing space to live and necessary goods to the citizens. In mission mode, you have to fulfill single tasks, but in free play, it's your final goal to beat your opponents from the surrounding cities to achieve sovereign rule over the islands. At the beginning, you choose a appropriate island to found your first settlement. Right from the start, you have to deliver basic goods to your people.

Electronic Arts 1984
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

Have you ever heard about Napoleon? Yeah, the genial goblin-like garlic-eater. It's strange how along the time, the good games that had a look at this formidable person...simply failed to appear.

GCE 1982
Genre: Action
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Vectrex

Where DID that enemy tank go? Behind that house? Or next to that ruin? BOOM! Whoah, that was close! It must be able to see us! Let's get outta here! Ahh, now I have you. Just one more shot, and then... trrrrrrrrrrrrrr....... Oh no, not that annoying chopper again! Maybe we can hide here...AAAAH! It has seen us! Race for it! It's released a missile! It's heading this waBOOM! Crap...

Auswärtiges Amt 1991
Genre: Puzzle, Action
Rating: 3/6
Licence: Freeware
System: Amiga

In 1991, the EU wasn't nearly as prominent as it is now. In fact, it didn't even exist back then, because the treaties of Maastricht would only be signed a year later. However, there was the 'European Community' which was pretty much a predecessor of the EU. And it was obvious that the political and economic integration would continue, so there was a 'need' for political propaganda to soften the nationalist feelings of the population. Which part of the population is most easily influenced? Right, the children. Enter Auf dem Weg nach Europa.