When I read about the plot of the role-playing game Peacemaker, it immediately sounded like a good game. Instead of wreaking havoc and shooting things up for points, you are instead charged with the task of striking balance and creating peace. The game takes place in the midst of the real-life Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Given the choice to either lead the people of Israel or Palestine, players are thrust into the mist of civil unrest and every decision is met with a positive or negative response. For the most part, unless you are a political science major, the game winds up being one of mostly trial and error.

Your overall success in the game is measured by your “approval rating” and you have the option of consulting “advisors” before you make each decision. Peacemaker displays a great ability to explain why an action works or doesn’t as you play, and the games use of actual news clips enhances the play.

After a number of games, playing as the leader of both Israel and Palestine, I found that my governing skills were severely lacking as I caused the eruption of “civil war” more than a few times.

The game has a rather simple interface, your screen is filled with a map of Israel and you use a menu of political, humanitarian and military actions to try to calm tensions in the region. You can choose from three levels of play: “Calm,” “Tense” and “Violent” that regulate the number and frequency of incidents that you are expected to respond to as a leader. Your actions are often met with resistance and protests as you learn the ways of your people.

The game as billed as “A Video Game to Promote Peace” and if nothing else it is effective history lesson and proves that being in power takes a great gift of diplomacy and courage. While I can’t really see Peacemaker holding gamers attention for extended periods it is a refreshingly different game. I would recommend it to parents who are looking to give their kids something to play other than the violent games that are too prevalent.

I extend an olive branch to Impact Games for a job well done.