World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

The Burning Crusade is of course the most hotly anticipated expansion to the unbelievably huge World of Warcraft. Raising the level cap to 70, introducing new races, new quests, new areas and so much more, The Burning Crusade is so close and yet so achingly far away still.

We sent not one, but two selfless gamers into the beta for a couple of weeks to bring you the comprehensive guide to what to expect, the good and the bad points, some ideas on how it plays, and of course lots of screenshots and video to entertain you while you wait for January.

You can read the full, in-depth preview of World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade for free in this issue of PCGZine. Download it now to read the preview, check out the screens and watch the action.

Command and Conquer 3

The headlines might have been about this next version of C&C going console-bound, but of course the 360 is not likely to be the place aficionados will play Command and Conquer 3.

One of the most definitive PC games of all time is making a welcome return, some ten years after the first game. We'll have raft of new units (see the preview in the mag to see what we mean) and some incredible voice talent. This appears to be one game EA is pushing the boat out for.

You can read the first look for Command and Conquer 3, see the first screens and find out who to listen out for in this issue of PCGZine - download it for free now.

Medieval II: Total War

Medieval II: Total War brings us catholicism, and lots of it. He dictates war and money in this latest game in the Total War series, but is there more than a new veneer to the game?

Six years and four games down the line, it's slightly terrifying that no serious rival to Total War's scale and depth double-whammy has yet emerged. The time to strike is now, however. Though without question still the king of strategy hill, Medieval II shows the first signs of the complacency that an undisputed lead so often leads to in sport, politics, rabbit-versus-tortoise footraces or whatever. It's the last Total War, Rome, with the volume way up and some particularly effective plaster over almost every crack, but nevertheless unavoidably very similar. And this is not necessarily a bad thing.

You can read the full review of Medieval II Total War for free in this issue of PCGZine.

Unreal Tournament 2007

We're going to need guns, lots of guns. This appears to be the premise behind the next Unreal Tournament, with every gun and weapon imaginable rendered in pixel-perfect detail.

With an uncertain release date being a good thing (it'll be done when it's done), massive levels, promises for lots of modding, fans are hoping for a glorious firefight of a game, and Midway look set to deliver.

You can read the first look of Unreal Tournament 2007 and see the first screenshots for free in this issue of PCGZine.

Guild Wars: Nightfall

The idea behind Guild Wars is an online role-playing game without the need to pay ongoing game fees. It is maintained by releasing add-on packs which gamers buy. Guild Wars Nightfall is the latest pack and features a quasi-African setting.

You can read the full review of Guild Wars: Nightfall for free in this issue of PCGZine.

Warhammer: Mark of Chaos

Fantasy Warhammer fans rejoice for finally your prayers have been answered. Warhammer: Mark of Chaos brings the tabletop game to your PC. Can Warhammer: Mark of Chaos bring us the game we all want, or will Medieval II (also reviewed this issue) show us how PC military games are meant to be?

You can read the full review of Warhammer Mark of Chaos for free in this issue of PCGZine.

Maelstrom

An RTS with a difference, Maelstrom has been generating a lot of interest among gamers. We take a sneak peek, and play the almost, but not finished until next year game and see what makes it tick.

If you can't wait for C&C3 (see First Looks this issue) to sate your RTS needs or more importantly, if you'd like an RTS with genuine twist and streak of inventiveness, then Maelstrom is going to be one for you.

You can read the full preview of Maelstrom for free in this issue of PCGZine.

Splinter Cell: Double Agent

Sam Fisher has always been a reliable sort. He's a hero, who you know is always going to come up with the goods. So Double Agent should be a guaranteed cert for a good game.

The lack of review code and some negative previews though have got fans jittery. The game developers can't have betrayed us like Sam Fisher, can they?

You can read the full review of Splinter Cell: Double Agent for free in this issue of PCGZine.

Colin Mcrae: DIRT

It looks gorgeous - that's the first thing you should know about new version of Colin Mcrae. This time the action goes off-road courtesy of the new Neon engine.

Fans of the Colin Mcrae series will lap up the licensed cars and the ability to play against other players online.

You can read the first look of Colin Mcrae: DIRT and see the first screenshots for free in this issue of PCGZine.