PC Games

Like it or loathe it, the space trading/combat genre got a much needed boost in the arm with Freelancer. Microsoft's long overdue deep space epic is not a "done in a weekend" proposition, and a meaty multiplayer mode means you'll be able to match it with the best human pilots as well. The Freelancer demo allows exploration of the entire Liberty system, with five different spacecraft able to be piloted.

Licence: Demo.
Online: http://www.microsoft.com/games/freelancer/
Operating system: Windows 98/Me, Windows 2000/XP.
Requires: 600MHz CPU, 128MB RAM, 300MB hard drive space: Direct 3D video card with miniimum 16MB.

Install instructions: As this is a large file it may take some time to load through your browser after clicking the link below. Unzip to a temporary directory and run the file setup.exe.

		Windows

Continuing this month's trackside theme, Live for Speed is an outstanding example of what can be done by talented coders on a budget. The LFS team, Scawen Roberts, Eric Bailey and Victor van Vlaardingen have put together a masterful online racing game much in the vein of Grand Turismo. Only in the demo stage at present, the rock solid netcode and suprisingly deft visual touches will surprise many gamers. Even if you're not a PC racing fan, the ease of getting started in multiplayer and the low system specification required make this a very worthwhile install.

Licence: Demo.
Online: http://www.liveforspeed.net
Operating system: Windows 98/Me, Windows 2000/XP.
Requires: DirectX 8.1.

Install instructions: As this is a large file it may take some time to load through your browser after clicking the link below. Unzip the archive into a temporary folder, the run LFS.EXE.

		Windows

The final NASCAR title makes the series go out with a bang. CPU straining visuals vie with rock-solid racing physics to offer the complete NASCAR experience. Even if you're a fan of different racing styles, make sure to check the demo out. The NASCAR Racing Season 2003 single player demo allows players to race in single race or test mode two tracks: Talladega Superspeedway and Michigan International Speedway.

Licence: Demo.
Online: http://www.sierra.com/games/racing2003
Operating system: Windows 98/Me, Windows 2000/XP.
Requires: 450MHz CPU, 648MB RAM, 300MB hard drive space, DirectX 8.1.

Install instructions: As this is a large file it may take some time to load through your browser after clicking the link below.

		Windows