DON'T you just love to be in control! Even if it only means being able to boss your little brother or sister?

But it doesn't have to stop there. For now, new out for the PlayStation, is a game which gives you the power to take control - of the world!

Yes, you can fulfil your wildest dreams by conquering and rebuilding the world in Civilization II made by Micro Prose and published by Activision.

There are few PlayStation games which actually require some thought but this is one.

Civilization II is the latest world-building strategy game which sold more than 1,200,000 copies on the PC and looks set to conquer the PlayStation as power-crazed gamers do their best to rule the world.

The game is well detailed, heavy on in-depth gameplay and military cunning.

Civilisation II gives the player the chance to build an entire empire, but all the time keeping a look out for enemies who want to take control. Be warned, you could easily find yourself embroiled in an epic struggle.

Every game is guaranteed to provide a completely different experience. Building empires that span history, the player can command vast armies that rampage through rival civilisations or you can decide on peaceful trade delegations and political manoeuvres while mastering technology and science.

It might all sound a bit too highbrow for some, especially if your thing is beat 'em ups, but it is a definite plus to see a game that offers something a little more than buckets of blood. There are six degrees of difficulty, from chieftain (basic) to deity where only God-like gameplayers will survive!

Play safe, and start at chieftain level where you will face fewer opponents so you can peacefully expand and develop before encountering rivals. Choose a more difficult level and you will be swamped by enemies and soon into battle.

The enemies are barbarians who you should regard as pirates and thieves but they are not a rival tribe.

After selecting your leader, you choose a tribe. There are 21, including Zulus, Vikings, Americans, Egyptians, Romans, Celts and English.

The gamer then selects the style of city - the architecture - including Bronze age, classical, Roman and medieval.

Just choose the site where you to want build your city and you are in business.

This is definitely a game for thinking youngsters but if you have the patience and inclination to stick with it, then there is much to be gained.JE

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.