"Whenever people call out to the heavens a god is born".  This is where you come in.  Black and White is a game full of beautifully detailed graphics, unparalleled AI, and engaging storylines.  You are given the role of a god, and are granted the power and duty to rule.   Whether you choose to rule with a feather touch or with an iron fist is your choice.  You are a god, you do whatever you please.  However you must never forget that your power is derived from the prayers of your followers so you need to keep them worshipping.  So the question becomes, would you rather be respected, or feared?  

In addition you are charged with bringing up and training a loyal assistant, your creature.  This is where the AI comes in.  The creature is a child awaiting training.  While your choice of creature (limited to cow, tiger or monkey in the beginning) does determine their starting personality it is up to you to teach them right from wrong.  For the more sadistic this feature becomes a source of infinite replayabilty.  Creating a cow that only eats people or a pyromaniac monkey become worthy challenges for the more twisted players.  Your creature changes in appearance in combination with its spiritual alignment.  If your creature is evil it will look viscous and demonesque.  If it is good it will radiate the light of goodness for all to see.

The installation was easy and quick and the load times are relatively sort for such a graphically impressive and complicated game.  The controls are highly novel and take some getting used to.  Luckily ( or unluckily for the easily annoyed) many of the in game puzzles involve precision use of controlled camera angels.  Thus the controls can be learnt in game.  However, for those who would rather start the game as a master the god's playground offers the perfect training ground and is accessible at any time simply by pressing F2.  The game also supports iFeel technology adding a nice tactile addition to an already immersive game.

This game is eye candy.  While the people may look like ants from far above, the landscape is full over brilliantly rendered textures.  I found none of the graphical errors present in many polygon-based games.  None of the people or creatures ever seemed to be passing through objects when they were actually still on the other side.  This is and impressive feat in a game with a 360 degree adjustable field of vision.  The real treat however comes with watching your creature.  Their actions and especially facial expressions are amazingly constructed.  This makes it easy to think of your creatures as more than simple servants.  They become pets. 

The musical score  creates the perfect backdrop for a game where gods literally move over the waters.  The sounds of the creatures are impressive as well.  As expressive as they can be without language your creatures will show their needs and feelings through gestures and voice.

 Black and White Is a novel approach to an old concept familiar to fans of the simulation and strategy genres.  However, Black and White goes far beyond its predecessors, successfully creating a game that merges simulation, strategy, adventure, role-playing, and action genres.  With such a potentially large fan base Black and White is destined to become a classic. 

Install: Easy
Easy and quick installation.

Graphics: 10 
Amazingly well textured landscapes, expressive facial features, and incredible perspectives create a visual feast.

Sound: 9
The music is fit for a god.

Concept: 10 
Blending sim's, rpg's, action and adventure genres, while featuring a unique and impressive world with an engaging story line, Black and White is an outstanding creation.

Overall: 9
An incredible game that features great AI, music, graphics and story.