2 in 1 Pack: St. Thomas – Elisabeth I.

This 2 in 1 Pack bundles two German management games, St. Thomas and Elisabeth I., on two CDs. Both are historical strategy titles aimed at players who enjoy trading, politics and running a small empire rather than fast action.

Gameplay

St. Thomas, from Sphinx and Rainbow Arts, is the better documented of the two. You govern a tiny Prussian colony and try to make it prosper:

• Trade: The heart of the game is organising convoys and profitable triangular trade routes.
• Politics and negotiation: Deal with other powers and keep your colony safe.
• Danger: Pirates, invasions, ship battles and even sword duels can interrupt your plans.

The ideas are interesting, but the game is held back by an awkward interface and a lack of focus, and the sword fights are slow with poor controls. Elisabeth I., the second game in the pack, is another managerial strategy game; as its name suggests, it takes its theme from the era of the English queen.

Verdict

This 2 in 1 Pack offers two ambitious German management games at once, which gives it some value for fans of the genre. However, St. Thomas suffers from a clumsy interface and unfocused design, and the pack as a whole is mainly of interest to collectors and players who enjoy niche historical strategy.