Games: Jaw-dropping AI promotes war game.

Title Brothers In Arms: Road To Hill 30 Platform Xbox Genre First-person shooter Price: pounds 39.99

YOU'D be well entitled to scream out 'Noooooooo, not another wartime first-person shooter!' But hold your fire on this one, set during the famous airdrop before the invasion at Normandy in WWII, as you take on the role of Sgt Matt Baker.

Yes, there's weapons, tons of enemies and some cheesy dialogue between comrades, but the tactical elements of Brothers In Arms raise it above the level of most meagre FPS titles, as you must choose between the success of your mission and the lives of your men.

And as if that's not enough to keep you occupied, gorgeous environments and incredible AI developed by those behind Halo and Half Life will keep your jaw firmly in the trenches. Brilliant stuff."

RATING 4/5

Title Act of War: Direct Action Platform PC Genre Real-time strategy Price pounds 34.99

This is a frighteningly plausible tale of international intrigue and geopolitical military conflict, putting you in control of counter-terrorist forces to defend cities of the world.

As commander of a newly formed anti-terror military unit known as the Talon Task Force, players recruit combat units, develop technologies, manage finite resources, and deploy their forces against a cunning and ruthless terror network, all against the backdrop of familiar city surroundings.

It's engrossing stuff and sure to keep fans of real-time strategy games busy for weeks, while the edgy nature of the title in today's climate of terrorism will ensure more press than most games of this kind

RATING 5/5

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