Alien Nations

Alien Nations is a real-time strategy game with a lighter, more colourful personality than the usual grim business of commanding armies. Players establish settlements, gather resources, develop technology and manage competing races while trying to turn a patch of alien territory into something resembling a functioning civilization. There is plenty to keep track of, from the economy to military affairs, but the game does not take itself quite as seriously as many strategy titles. Its cartoonish presentation gives the conflicts a playful edge, even when your carefully planned settlement starts running short of something important. The mixture of city building, resource management and combat makes it a pleasant alternative to more conventional RTS games. It rewards planning, although the computer is always ready to demonstrate that your brilliant economic strategy apparently forgot one tiny detail: having enough food.