WarCraft II: Tides of Darkness

WarCraft II: Tides of Darkness was released to huge acclaim two years ago and it's easy to see why. It's got stacks of monsters, loads of magic spells, excellent technologies (such as boats and flying machines), and when it comes to the crunch the battles always seem to escalate into epic proportions. With a six-way multiplayer option to boot, WarCraft II's longevity is unquestionable.

The most surprising thing about WarCraft II, though, is the way it infiltrates the ultra-nerdy realms of wargaming and fantasy role-playing and makes them more enjoyable than you'd dare to admit to your dice-throwing friends. Still, if you can own up to your addiction and encourage a few mates to join in, the ensuing scraps will be well worth the paltry tenner you're being asked to shell out.