As any of ye scurvy dogs who've served with John Company know, 'tis a curious blend of amassing mountains of gold by trading in diverse commodities, and smashing elegantly-rendered sailing vessels into kindling.

Lots of sea battles; Less accountancy; Good graphics; sound fx

What about the wind; High System reqs; Simplified gameplay

I am suddenly interested in the price of tea in India.  I guess that's what happens when you are a merchant on the make in the 17th Century.  The price of goods, the upkeep of boats, and incessant worry over the approaching retirement age of one of my finest captains - they all occupy my every...

Great naval action; streamlined interface; intuitive gameplay

Repetitious trading; port attacks are overly simplistic; strategic gameplay needs more chrome

Land Ho Captain! Oh the trees are changing color, that fall smell is in the […]

+ Deep; satisfying naval combat; + I got to be a captain; + Trade system is easy to jump into

Loading is an issue; Title is far too focused; Little issues pull you out of the fun

Paradox Interactive has long been synonymous with decent, in-depth yet niche games. For nearly 10 years the Swedish publisher has been delivering titles suited to those with ore ‘hardcore' tastes, especially in the strategy genre.

East India Company is a mercantilist real-time strategy game set at the dawn of the global trade age. As governor of one of the great European East India companies, you must compete against others for dominance of the lucrative markets of Africa, the Middle East, and especially India.

Satiates your inner accountant; Diverse commander abilities; Big empires and big mustaches

Tactical combat won't float your boat; Multiplayer campaign lost at sea; Combat auto-resolve favors the AI

East India Company: Pirate Bay is an expansion pack that allows you to play as a pirate. Your goal is to make as much money as possible in thirty years. They say it's a twenty year campaign but if my math is correct, 1650-1680 is thirty years.

Have you ever dreamt of a simpler life?  A life where the things expected of you are more demanding yet even more satisfying? A more haphazard existence, making ends meet amidst the foam and the welcoming arms of the sea? No? Fair enough.

A good game demanding skilled and patient players with lots of time on their hands. In some parts I felt it a bit prematurely launched, but the detailed and blazing battle scenes make up for that!

For $10, it's difficult to complain with what is on offer with EIC:P, but the unexcusable issues regarding performance make this a cautionary purchase.

I must commend developers for continuing to make classic strategy games and East India Company by Paradox Interactive is no exception to the rule. Combining the genres of war and economics, East India Company is the perfect game to get lost in, especially during the holidays as players attempt to...