Metal Knights 1.81

Metal Knights is a multiplayer, Internet-based strategy game. Build, conquer, and rule your empire. Destroy and humiliate your opponents. Develop advanced military units, and use them to wreak havoc on your enemies. Manage your cities efficiently, and harvest your natural resources. Climb to the game's hall of fame, and show the world you're not to be taken lightly.

The game is easy to learn, but hard to master. Internet gameplay occurs through servers operated by the developer and includes a free trial for an unlimited period of time. Version 1.802 includes the new multiplayer features suggested by the Metal Knights Task Force player committee.

The looks, music, and interface of this turn-based strategy game reminds us of those in the network edition of Civilization. Metal Knights 98 isn't up to today's standards, though.

The graphics use a mere 256 colors, and the units' unanimated sprites are uninspiring to say the least. The MIDI sound splutters, and the game lacks a volume-adjustment option. The interface is a plain gray window with drop-down and pop-up menus. That might be adequate for freeware, but a $16 game ought to deliver more. The gameplay is a a simplified combination of Civilization and Battle Isle. You capture cities, gather resources, buy military units, and attack the enemy.

The modern combat units include tanks, commandos, rocket launchers, and a dozen others. There is an online multiplayer option, but it doesn't allow simultaneous moves. The demo's four-use limitation is another minus. Overall, we doubt many contemporary gamers will take to Metal Knights 98.

Download a free trail: CNet or buy the game for $16.00