Simulating the real world in a game gets more and more interesting, because the processing power games can use these days allows much more than just amazing graphics. The sad part is that most realistic simulations don't take full advantage of this, trying to focus on numbers and AI and leaving graphics aside. Exactly the same seems to happen with Space Station Sim, a game expected to arrive in a few days, that tries to place you inside the International Space Station...

<-250x250 Square - left->Developed and tested together with NASA personnel by Avanques Software Publishing, Space Station Sim will be launched across the United Kingdom later this month. What is this all about? Here's what the official press release says:
"Space Station Sim challenges players to embark on a new age for man amongst the stars as they build a home 240 miles high, while flying at 17,500 miles per hour." Not just "another simulation," don't you think?

Even more interesting, it may be possible that NASA will use the game for "future mission planning." If you play well, who knows...maybe you end up as a space mission manager!

"The game begins in the Mission Control Centre, where the player launches new modules and components, recruits crew members, organises supply missions and manages the project budget."

Priced at £19.99, Space Station Sim will arrive to PC World, Amazon and Play.com, as well as to Avanquest.co.uk later this month.

One of the games I will never forget is Transport Tycoon, and despite the fact this can't be happening, every time I see a game involving the "tycoon" word, I have to take a look at it, even if it doesn't have anything in common with that brilliant title I just mentioned. Supernova 2: Spacewar is the game I want to tell you about today, and it comes from Tycoon Games, but this is not the only link to Transport Tycoon, because this space wargame is combined with a resource micromanagement simulation!



<-125x125 Button - left->According to Riva Celso, programmer/designer of Tycoon Games, "After the first title, I wanted to shift genre completely, making a turn-based space wargame, integrated with a resource macromanagement part. I wanted to keep the management part simple, with global variables affecting your whole empire rather than managing every single planet. It is my first game for the Tycoon Games website, which will feature exclusively strategy, simulation and war games."

Supernova 2 has the following features:

- Two selectable factions (Blue Army and Blood Legion) each one with unique tech and units
- Macro management part using resource distribution
- Tech research tree to discover multiple items
- Spacemap to explore and conquer other starsystems
- Full starsystem including planets of various kind: lava, barren, gaia, water, gas, and more
- Turn based battles with different battlefield conditions for great replayability and unique emphasys on turning / facing
- Easy Training Camp option to learn all the secret of the wargame part
- Upon study of alien relics you'll be able to use unique special weapons that do special damage
- Unlimited lifetime updates!

All the above is available for PC and Mac users, for a mere $25. If you want to purchase, download a demo, or find out more about the game, there's only one answer to that question: TycoonGames.eu!

Afraid of starting your own business? Apart from money, you surely need some practice, before anything else, and while business simulation games may not teach you a big deal, they will surely help you get relaxed. Just hink about this - it's not about building a media empire, a restaurant, managing a hospital or a prison, and not even a zoo! Did I say "zoo?" Well, that's close...

This time, we're talking about managing a pet salon, and your competition with the evil Pet Corp. The purpose? To turn your small corner spa, Paradise Pet Salon, into a huge success, while having fun at the same time!Although it may sound like a child's game, I know a lot of adults who are into playing games without blood and gore, and since I am not crazy at all about Zuma and those like it, I suggest them to try Paradise Pet Salon.

The system requirements are decent, with Windows ME being on the supported operating systems list, and a 600MHz processor with 128MB being just enough to run the game!