Click to enlarge

Virtual Programming has announced the release of Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim. Majesty 2 takes players to Ardania, a kingdom still in disarray after a demon wreaked havoc 500 years previous. Players recruit heroes who help them complete a 16-mission campaign, but the heroes have minds of their own: they may be more interested in having a beer at a local tavern than fighting monsters. Smart hero management is key to restoring Ardania to its former glory.

"Majesty 2 builds on its predecessor by giving players more ways to entice heroes and prod them in the right direction," said Virtual Programming CEO Mark Hinton. "It's a nice twist on traditional strategy game dynamics, because it requires you to manage relationships in addition to overseeing building construction and so forth. It's quite a challenge."

"We're thrilled that Mac gamers get to revisit Ardania," said Paradox Interactive's Fredrik Wester. "Majesty 2 deepens the kingdom's mythology and offers another exciting chapter in its rich history."

As they complete quests, each hero improves their statistics with better abilities and fills their inventory slots with increasingly powerful items, giving Majesty 2 a role-playing element. Complementary heroes can be assigned to groups that are better equipped to tackle tougher missions, and players can promote the most successful heroes to the title of Lord, enabling them to be summoned from the Hall of Lords during later quests. While players can't directly affect heroes' movements, they can place various types of flags, such as defense and explore flags, that entice heroes with promises of monetary rewards.

Majesty 2's multiplayer option allows up to four players to compete over a LAN, going head-to-head or in teams as they vie for supremacy on a variety of maps. Players can create and share their own maps with the included editor.

System requirements:

• Mac OS X: 10.6.3 or higher
  
• Intel CPU, 2.16 GHz or faster
  
• 1 GB RAM
  
• GeForce 8600, Radeon X1600 or newer 128 MB
  
• 1.5 GB Hard Disk space
  
• Internet connection for product registration

Majesty 2 (add to watch list)

Virtual Programming (add to watch list)

Buy Majesty 2

Click to enlarge

Noble Master Games has released its medieval strategy game Age of Conquest III for Macintosh, Windows, and Linux. The medieval Risk-like turn-based strategy game is the standalone single player version of the company's Age of Conquest online game.

Age of Conquest III is a medieval Risk-like turn-based strategy game where you take the reins of a budding empire and struggle against other kingdoms for control of the world. One game supports competitions with up to hundred players.

Age of Conquest III contains maps from all over the world including Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, a World Map and many more. Scenarios range from ancient to modern times. The game features simple building options such as construction of fortifications and watch towers. A player governs over military strategy as well as income and spending. Diplomatic functions available are alliances, peace treaties, cease-fires and vassalage. An integrated map editor can be used to create custom maps and upload them to a central repository for other people to enjoy.

Noble Master Games (add to watch list)

Age Of Conquest III (add to watch list)

Click to enlarge

Inside Mac Games has posted a new review of TransGaming's fantasy strategy title, The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom. The game puts players in the role of a ruler trying to create, build, and manage a kingdom.

Here's an excerpt from the review:

The menu offers you a standard mix of strategy modes: Campaign, Skirmish maps versus the AI, and Multiplayer which also sports a ranked ladder Empire mode. In the campaign you take up the role of the enthusiastic Princess Zoe dispatched by her father to free the land of Tandria from the evil lord Wolvering. The campaign is in essence a long tutorial introducing new buildings, units and strategies as each mission progresses. The simple story is serviceable, if a bit predictable at times. It has adequate voice work told through various colorful storybooks, in-game cutscenes, and pre-rendered clips. Players likely won't feel a strong connection with the characters or storyline, but it's enough of a reason to make it through the campaign once, and it serves as a good primer for Multiplayer.

IMG Review: The Settlers 7

Ubisoft (add to watch list)

TransGaming (add to watch list)

The Settlers 7: Paths To A Kingdom (add to watch list)

Buy The Settlers 7: Paths To A Kingdom

Running Pillow recently announced the release of King's Smith 2 for Mac. The time management game set in medieval times puts players in the role of a young blacksmith named Anya who must fight against betrayal, memory loss, and conspiracy as she works to help her king.

King's Smith 2 is a new time management game where you play the role of young blacksmith girl Anya. In this sequel you'll face the malicious betrayal. You'll be kidnapped and despite your memory loss, you'll have to discover hidden plans and help the King once again. Throughout the journey around a kingdom you will encounter many strangers, ogres, dragons and others. You'll also learn many new abilities that will help you to upgrade your equipment and armors.

There is also a system of magic cards in the game. These cards can be found anywhere in the game and they will help you immensely. You can choose cards which fit your style the best.

Can you help Anya to recover from memory loss and discover hidden plan which threatens the kingdom and the King himself?

Features:
- Manage your own smithery.
- Various armors and weapons to repair and upgrade.
- Travel through exotic countries.
- Enjoy immersive atmosphere with deep storyline.
- Discover rare magic cards and powerfull spells.
- Reclaim your lost King's Smith title!

Running Pillow (add to watch list)

King's Smith 2 (add to watch list)

Search for other Mac games news stories or browse our Mac Games News Archive.