Black & White is an unique and original strategy god-sim from legendary game designer Peter Molyneux (Populous, Powermonger, Magic Carpet and Dungeon Keeper). Black & White looks very unique, the game mixing elements of all of Molyneux's previous games into a truly unique experience. The story in Black & White revolves around the conflicts that are going on between the gods. You are playing a god, trying to increase your influence over as many villages as possible, and also raising a creature to carry out your will. This is a living and breathing world that reacts realistically to yours and your creature’s actions. Your godly power is derived from your minions, the villagers of your tribe. They are your mana source, your resource pool, and ultimately, your guinea pigs to protect or destroy :) There are eight tribes that will be encountered in the game : Aztec, Celtic, Egyptian, Greek, Indian, Japanese, Norse, and Tibetan. Each of these tribes will offer different miracles for you, their god, to perform. In addition, you have complete control over the 3D perspective of the game and complete control over more or less everything else in the world. How I mentioned above, there are also creatures. You can choose from three creatures in the beginning: a cow, an ape, or a tiger (I played a cow, because this little monster looked cute). This creature has the most complex AI ever seen in a computer or console game. You can teach it everything from where to go to the bathroom, how much and what to eat, to how to treat the villagers. Although this little beast requires constant attention, as leaving one alone for a long time can cause it to revolt :) Another part of the game are miracles (spells) from fireballs and lightning storms to benevolent healing spells, magic plays a key role in your heavenly rule. In total there are 14 different spell types. Black & White utilizes famous Gesture Recognition Technology, the amazing new method of spell casting where you use the mouse to trace a particular shape. It actually looks like you're casting. Certainly in the beginning, only simple miracles will be obtainable. You must make the villagers believe in and worship you to do more. The graphics in Black & White are impressive, the game has absolutely gorgeous textures and brilliant lighting effects. But the game's pace is pretty slow, fortunately there's really not a lot of action in the game. Also voice acting, sound effects and music are very well done. I bet you will love the creepy little voice that whispers "death…" every time when a villager dies! Of course there are some downsides such tricky control scheme, sluggish camera control, also converting enemy villages can be a slow, tedious, and frustrating process. However Black & White is very well done and very original game. For more goodies visit Black & White official site.