Holiday gift guide: PC games

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'Civilization: Call to Power II'

In this story: 'Civilization: Call to Power II' 'Deer Hunter 4' 'Pac-Man: Adventures in Time' 'Disney's 102 Dalmatians Activity Center' RELATED STORIES, SITES

From Dennis Michael
CNN Showbiz Today Correspondent

(CNN) -- While video game console systems have become increasingly popular over the years, gaming on personal computers is still a very common pastime as well.

One of the more widespread genres that has emerged over the past several years is the "God" or "sim" game. In these types of games, players act as the mayor of a city, a general overseeing their armies in battle or even the manager of a theme park where you have to build the best roller coasters to succeed.

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A well-known version of this type of game has been the "Civilization" series. Activision's latest is "Civilization: Call to Power II." Players are cast in the role of leader, attempting to build their civilization over a 6,300-year time period that spans from ancient times into the future.

Try to imagine a world where the ancient Egyptian kingdoms flourished and continued to advance until they had become a world power and pioneered outer space travel. You get a little bit of an idea of how this game works. These types of games are suited to those who like a challenge without a dizzying pace.

Another trendy video game genre is hunting, which involves firing virtual guns at computer-rendered deer and other wild animals. This type of game does have its critics. But considering how popular real outdoor sports such as this are, it isn't surprising that the simulations are too.

"Deer Hunter 4" is the latest trophy in the Wizard Works series. Rated "T" for Teen by the Electronic Software Ratings Board, this game lets outdoor types take to the hunt in locations from Lodgepole, Alberta, to Wood Lake, Colorado.

Who remembers Pac-Man? How many quarters did you drop into those machines in the early '80s? Except for those who were the arcade kings (and queens) who could figure out the patterns of the ghosts chasing the little yellow eating machine, you were probably an average player at this earliest of video game smashes.

The pop-culture icon with the insatiable appetite is back in "Pac-Man: Adventures in Time" from Hasbro. Gone are the two dimensional mazes filled with power pellets. The game is now a 3-D adventure that sends Pac-Man on a time traveling journey to ancient Egypt, the wild West and beyond. You still have to eat as many power pellets and enemy ghosts as you can. What would Pac-Man be without those themes?

Disney Interactive is right in step with its film division with the release of "Disney's 102 Dalmatians Activity Center." Designed for children from 4 to 8 years old, this hybrid CD-ROM is playable both on PCs and Macs. Players engage in simple-to-play games and activities based around locations and characters from the movie. Historically, Disney's designers have made these games easy enough for young players to grasp with minimal parental help. But you might just find yourself playing right along with the kids.

On Thursday: PlayStation 2 games -- although you probably still can't find the consoles anywhere.

PC review: American McGee's Alice
December 5, 2000
Civilization: Call to Power has history in its corner
March 26, 1999
Review: D2
September 1, 2000
Review: Ms. Pac Man Maze Madness
November 28, 2000
The digital century: Video games & computing's hall of shame
November 24, 1999

Call To Power II
PlanetDeerHunter
Pac-Man: Adventures in Time
Disney's ''102 Dalmatians'' Activity Center CD-ROM

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