Lords of the Realm II Sierra/1996 If you are a fan of computer wargames and have not yet experienced Lord of the Realms II, then you have missed a real treat. The good news is it has been around long enough that it is now widely available at give away prices (we picked one up for just $8). Players in this game assume the role of medieval lords, each the ruler of a county. Throughout the game, lords must divide the labor of their peasants between agriculture (herding cattle and growing wheat) and industry (mining iron, quarrying stone, cutting wood, and manufacturing weapons), decide how to tax their people, and adjust food distribution. When necessary, they can upgrade their fortifications, raise troops, hire mercenaries, and buy needed goods from merchants. The ultimate goal of the game is to conquer enemy counties and become king over the entire country. Troop types include peasants, macemen, archers, crossbowmen, pikemen, swordsmen, and knights. Castles begin as simple, un- garrisoned palisades and can be upgraded, resources available, to a motte-and-bailey, Norman keep, stone castle, or royal castle (a big stone castle with a moat). Sieges are the high point of this game. Attackers can assault fortifications with troops supported by catapults, siege towers, and battering rams, and defenders can man the walls with their soldiers and pour boiling oil on the besiegers. Lords of the Realm II has improved upon the deficiencies of its predecessor, Lords of the Realm, and provides a good balance of strategy and tactics, economic management and battle. It rates a solid 6 on a 6-point scale.