So how’s the PlayStation conversion coming along?
Very well. The problem with this sort of game – made for PC, mouse and keyboard – is that they sometimes don’t translate well to console. Early indications, however, suggest Bullfrog’s God game will fit sweetly in Sony’s grey box. Grasp the basic controls, and you’ll be smiting foes with Volcano spells in no time…

It’s an update of previous Populous games, is it?
Not really. The first two Populous games are perhaps a touch too ‘passive’ in design for the modern gamer. They encouraged you to ‘nurture’ citizens, rather than actually control them. The Beginning tries to add a little spice by upping the resource management and tactical aspects of battle. It’s still not Red Alert, but it is that little bit more involving. You snaggle-toothed, question-vomiting muppet…

Oi! Cheeky beggar. Mind your manners!
Yep. That’s another thing you have to do in Populous 3. It’s all very well being an all-powerful and dominant Shaman, but if you’re bereft of the ol’ Mana – special spell juice for God-like bods like yourself – you couldn’t even instigate a rain of frogs onto other frogs during frog mating season. In the Shagging Frog discotheque. With frog-throwing nets…

Okay! I get the point! When can I buy this?
EA’s Shamen are gathering resources in advance of a March launch. We’re not sure of their justified or ancient status, but we could swear we once saw marketing man Dave Wilson going to a PR lunch in an ice cream van…


*A seemless translation from the PC
* Controls are user-friendly
*New resource management and tactical aspects added
*You're a Shaman, not a God this time around
*More than just an update of the first two games