'SID MEIER'S RAILROADS!'

'SID MEIER'S RAILROADS!'
(2K Games) for PC.
Genre: Strategy; Rating: E.
Grade: A
No matter how old you are, odds are there's always been a moment when you've been fascinated by toy trains. Go ahead, accept it. You know it's true, so don't bother fighting it. It's nothing to be ashamed of, even if it only lasted a minute or two.
"Sid Meier's Railroads!" taps into that feeling of joy that comes from creating a working train set and a fully functioning city.
What makes it such a family hit is that it brings in elements that both older and younger gamers can enjoy. There's no doubt younger players will take pleasure in laying down tons of track and upgrading trains that look sleek and chug hard down the tracks. The adults can aid in this by handling and teaching the environment and economics of the game, which drive the 15 historical "missions" you'll play.
Do note economics play a heavy role here. You've got to get your local economy thriving so that you can produce steel, lay track and move goods. Whether you're recreating World War II scenarios or reliving the expansion to the American West, there are benchmarks you must hit both practically and monetarily in order to achieve success.
This game definitely has that sit-on-Dad's-knee-and-build-a-nation-of-chugging choo-choos-together feel to it, so drum up the sappy string music and enjoy it.
-- Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard
'MAGICAL STARSIGN'
(Nintendo) for DS.
Genre: Role-playing; Rating: E.
Grade: C+
Bursting with color like a children's cartoon series on Saturday mornings, "Magical Starsign" at first glance doesn't look anything like a game families would be interested in. The cover has an "Oh, another RPG game geared toward sci-fi fans" feel, but you'll be amazed how addicted younger gamers will be once they give "Starsign" a chance.
After creating your own character, you'll join a band of other students from a magic school. The plot is pretty thin, but the action is great as you'll travel to several "themed" planets (fire, water, etc.) and do battle. Nearly everything on the game is confined to using the DS stylus, from battle to traversing the planets. DS games have flirted with this concept in the past, but it's nice to finally see a game given the full-touchscreen treatment.
The only drawback is multitude of minutiae the player must digest. There are aspects of light and dark magic, planetary alignment, upgrading magical powers and just getting used to the idea of character creation and management. Then again, two decades ago when the first "Zelda" game premiered on the Nintendo, we were all lost for a while, since the RPG was a new concept.
"Magical Starsign" is definitely on the shortlist for RPGs that can attract a new, youthful crowd to the genre.
-- Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard
'SNOOPY VS. THE RED BARON'
(Bandai Namco) for PlayStation 2, Xbox, PSP, PC.
Genre: Flying; Rating: E.
Grade: C
At last, one of the great comic strip duels comes to the gaming universe, as Snoopy dons his title of World War I flying ace and does battle with his nemesis, The Red Baron.
After Charlie Brown is taken prisoner by the Baron, it is Snoopy's job to rescue him, as well as defend the homeland and ruin the Baron's dastardly plans of building a super-missile. Thankfully, other Peanuts characters give aid, and there's always your trusted sidekick, Woodstock, riding along with you for support.
The visuals are not the most stunning you'll find in today's gaming world, but they do the job. It's a shame that the Vince Guaraldi jazz tunes that are so indelible to Peanuts aren't featured, but you do get that up-tempo jazz sound that comes pretty close. Some gamers will be disappointed that you never get to fly Snoopy's doghouse like in the comic strip. It's a shame; it's such an icon.
This is probably one of the best chances Peanuts has of making a lasting impression on the gaming world and "Snoopy" does not disappoint. Younger gamers will certainly enjoy renting, if not owning, this game.
-- Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard