would you like to build a port colony for her majesty? If the idea interests you, then go for 1701 AD. This game, by Sunflowers and Related Designs, focuses on economics, supply and trade to and from a Caribbean port colony during the time of European colonisation. Players take on the role of the first inhabitants who come from a European country to build a profitable port colony for the Queen. A nice selection of scenarios, and a continuous play mode against Artificial Intelligence or human opponents mean there’s plenty to play here. The biggest change is the new 3D engine, which allowed the developers to focus more on the visuals. 1701 AD is a better game when compared to the earlier games in the series 1503 and 1602. This game should please fans of this genre.

Most games begin with a lone galley, that is, a boat, on the ocean looking for a port to colonise and call home. While some of the resources can be found anywhere like lumber or meat, many others require either fertile land for tobacco, hops, wheat, or a mineral deposit like iron or jewels.

In order to advance a colony to a new level, certain needs and facilities have to be met. The section on combats is considerably weak, which isn’t too surprising given the game’s emphasis on economics. But it serves an important purpose. Once the enemy military vessels begin to appear in the water, it’s a race to secure supply lines from other island chains by providing escorts for trade vessels. And there is the added danger of a revolt in the city if there is a disruption in supply.

The actual tactics of combat are extremely simple. Ship to ship combat is merely a matter of choosing a target and firing. At the end of the day, all the battles boil down to who has the bigger navy. Land battles are more engrossing as they involve different types of units available, giving you a chance to turn a battle around by using the right units at the right time.

It’s wonderful to see the colony grow. Each building with its animated inhabitants, hordes of wildlife and the strong weather effects, lend colour to the game. The camera movement is smooth and the animations never really miss a beat. This is a well-produced title. A lot of attention has been paid to bringing it alive on screen.

The sound is pleasant. It has not been overdone, but there’s plenty to keep your ears glued.

1701 AD isn’t the best when it comes to games based on economics, but it’s one of the best. Terrific presentation, colourful visuals and some great sound provide a winning package. 1701 AD is a surprising historical game that should keep you occupied for some time.

Minimum system requirements: Operating system: Windows 2000/XP, processor: 2.2 GHz or higher, RAM: 512 MB or higher, free hard disk space: 3.5 GB or higher, video card: 64 MB or higher, 4x DVD-ROM drive.