SPD 1994
Genre: Adventure
Rating: 2/6
Licence: Freeware
System: PC

Before he was banished from public view in order to stay in the pool or 'fly' over the fields forever, Rudi Scharping was the head of one of the biggest political parties in Germany: the SPD. In 1994, he managed to lose the most important election in spite of all polls having been in favour of the SPD mere weeks earlier. A few months before that, the results of the election of the European parliament turned out even worse for them. In spite of (or because of?) this game.

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.

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.

Chris Crawford 1990
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 6/6
Licence: Freeware
System: PC

Balance of Power is almost a simulation of the cold war. As one of the two major superpowers (USA or USSR) you try to gain influence without starting a nuclear war.
The rest of the world is serving as a playground for the enemies. Other countries are not directly conquered but you try to get the respective government on your side or to overthrow it.

Microprose 1991
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 6/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Without any doubt, Civilization is the greatest and most addictive game that ever graced a computer screen. Designed by Sid Meier, who at that time was already a household name among gamers, the game introduced the world to a new level of empire management: from settling whole continents, through researching new technologies, to building military units, city improvements and even wonders of the world. The game has spawned several sequels and copies, out of which only a single one (Alpha Centauri) comes close in the terms of gameplay and overall fun. Civilization has never left my hard drive, and probably never will, remaining the main reason why I still keep MS-DOS on a separate partition.

Microprose 1991
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 6/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

"Civilization" is definitely one of Sid Meier's masterpieces and surely one of the most famous games of all times. The game is far too complex to be reviewed in its entirety. For further explanations look into the very extensive help files and the Civilopedia which come with the game.

Microprose 1994
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

Once upon a time, Sid Meier along with some other people created really innovative and fresh games. But then Civilization came! Even though it was (is!) a great game, it had one negative effect on the gaming industry: It made Sid Meier & company reusing the basic idea again and again.

Virgin Interactive 1990
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: PC

You're the newly elected Prime Minister of Israel because your predecessor has been assassinated. Your task is to help Israel survive amidst the Arab nations by means of diplomacy and military.

Ascon 1992
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 4/6
Licence: Commercial
System: Amiga

The late Middle Ages: The Baltic Sea are is ruled by the Hanseatic League, an alliance of flourishing cities ruled by a class of wealthy merchants. As an aspiring merchant in any of those cities, each player tries to build up a trading empire by sending out ships, buying and selling goods and establishing offices in as any cities as possible.

DKTronics 1983
Genre: Strategy
Rating: 5/6
Licence: Commercial
System: C64

Since we were still talking about Saddam_Hussein_the_bad_dictator & George_Bush_the_good_pacifist & The_war_in_the_name_of_peace and all that, why don't we put up here a dictator sim. Yup, and a pretty darn addictive one.