Locomotion (PC, Atari)

Reviewed by PETER ELEY

(Herald rating * * * *)

Sometimes the steady diet of computerised destruction and carnage pales as a way to pass a few hours and at times like this, games such as Locomotion (pictured) come into their own.

Chris Sawyer may not be a household name, but he's the man behind some of the most thoughtful, addictive and non-violent games around.

Perhaps Rollercoaster Tycoon is his best-known title, but there was a lesser known game called Transport Tycoon doing the rounds some years back.

Locomotion is the successor to that, a game based around achieving commercial domination by moving freight around the globe.

These simulation-style games don't need advanced animated graphics of the sort found in fast-paced action games such as Doom 3 or Far Cry, and can be played on lower spec machines as a result.

Their appeal is more in the business model of the game, and the level of control it gives you over your budding empire.

Locomotion scores well here, and is a user-friendly game with an impressive amount of depth. It's not bad graphically either, but won't win any beauty contests.

Rating: G

Email: peter.eley@nzherald.co.nz