by Luke Bamforth

Created on: September 17, 2010   Last Updated: September 18, 2010

Produced by JoWood Production and developed by 4HEAD studios, Europa 1400 The Guild describes itself as an ‘Absorbing and detailed Life Simulation’ and it certainly lives up to the claim.

It was released in 2002 so if you are a fan of cutting edge graphics then this game might not be for you, however if you can see past the dated visuals you will discover a depth of gameplay that is difficult to beat elsewhere on any format be it PC or console.

The game premise covers a range of two hundred years, during which it is your job to create a powerful dynasty that will last the test of time. To do so you must succeed in your chosen industry while balancing the demands of a political career. Of  course as the game spans over two centuries you must also make sure that your heirs are prepared to inherit your wealth and power, by training them in whichever field you think is best, starting from when they’re in the cradle right up to deciding what university to send them to.

There are so many ways to achieve your goals, from the back alley beatings of opponents to the currying of favour through banquets, that you can play the Guild again and again without fear of repetition. Beware however that nefarious action does not always go unnoticed and unless you are careful the courts may deal with you severely.

From the beginning of the game the point and click interface makes the Guild accessible and very easy to play. It enables you to manage the running of your businesses directly as well as control all the other aspects of your life. You may find however that, as the number of businesses you own increases and your political career takes off, you will have to rely on hiring managers to run some of you properties while you concentrate on the furtherance of your dynasty. The good news is that there are fairly intricate controls that you can set, limiting your manager’s power to effect changes in your businesses.

So if you have ever wanted to live in medieval Europe and do everything possible to rise to the top then don’t hesitate to get this title.

Oh, one last thing, whether you want to run a tavern, guard the streets or rob the unwary to make your fortune the world is your oyster, just remember to procreate or it will all end in tears!

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