Shoguns and Crusaders feature in the newest PC games

By Peter Muench Oct 9, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Berlin - Mercenaries and shoguns, Crusaders and Paladins, elite soldiers and outer space fighters - all of these roles are waiting for you in the newest crop of PC games.

There's the historic strategy epic Sengoku, which takes you back to ancient Japan. Or there's the action/strategy Cursed Crusade or A Game of Thrones: Genesis for those who thrill to the swordplay of the Middle Ages.

Or, if you want to stay in the modern age, there's the mercenary Global Ops: Commando Libya. And, for those who want to go into the future, there's the strategy game Star Ruler, which is about nothing less than domination of the universe.

Sengoku is set in feudal Japan, circa 1467. The strategy game from Paradox Interactive requires players to manage the affairs of a Japanese noble family. But while you're worrying about running a war or engaging in diplomacy, players must not lose sight of the real goal: to grab power.

Players can choose between 60 different clans and more than 400 characters. Gameplay is divided into different fields through which the player moves step by step. Viewed from above, it harkens back to genre definers like Civilization.

If you have a strong interest in Japanese mythology and epic battles, then Sengoku might be the right ticket for you. But the graphics don't break any new ground and can seem blocky at times.

But it also has an ace up its sleeve: if a battle seems to be going badly, then the field commander can always call on a horde of ninjas for support, who can easily influence the course of battle. The game sells for 28 euros (37 dollars), and is aimed at players aged 6 and up.

Global Ops: Commando Libya offers some solid action with modern-day warriors. Developed by Bit Composer Games, it requires players to take on the role of a US special forces unit on the trail of an atomic bomb in possession of a Russian arms dealer.

The campaign stretches across nine levels and is supposed to take about eight hours to complete. If the single-player mode isn't enough of a challenge, switch to multi-player mode where up to 10 people can play across six different maps. The developers rely heavily on the graphics engine of the successful Unreal 3. Costing about 30 euros, there are no age restrictions on the game.

Players are called to Jerusalem as a restless Crusader in Cursed Crusade. Players take on the role of Denz de Bayle, who suffers from an ancient curse. The game, from dtp Entertainment, includes 36 missions and both single-player and cooperative modes. The cooperative mode is available both online and offline. Offline, a single screen is split so everyone can see. Online, each player uses his or her own PC.

Crusaders in the game can choose from an arsenal that includes about 130 different weapons. They can also use combinations of 16 different fighting styles. Players win experience points for every duel they win. Along with the 36-euro version PC game, there's also a Playstation version of Cursed Crusade for about 50 euros, as well as a 55-euro version for the Xbox.

Sword enthusiasts might also be interested in A Game of Thrones: Genesis. Based on the novels by George R R Martin, dtp has created an elaborate stage for the game's fantasy world. To gain power, players have to enjoy military, political and economic success. The game keeps things lively with multiple perspectives and special effects like fog or changing lighting. Intended for players 12 and up, it costs about 34 euros.

Star Ruler takes place in the unending reaches of far-away galaxies. Download versions of the game have been available since May. Now the box version is available from Iceberg Interactive. The goal is to build up an interstellar fleet to explore the galaxy and set up new colonies. By developing new technologies, enjoying diplomatic successes and employing tactical warfare, players can become the major universal power.