With the real world crumbling around us, what better time to switch on your PC and play countless hours of co-op Civilization V?  The latest Humble Bundle package lets you buy Civ 5 in all its ilks for a lowly sum.

So, we've had a few months to let the frisson of exploring deep space wash over us.  Last year, Civilization: Beyond Earth took the series in a whole new direction by asking players not to rewrite history, but to explore what the future holds for the citizens of a planet whose resources are quickly dwindling.  At least, that's what a textbook would tell you.  Really, it's an excuse to plop down on an unexplored planet and 4X some alien scum.

Publisher 2K Games has been pretty good to us co-op gamers over the years. That's why Steam has a special 2K 10th Anniversary Publisher Sale going on right now including many of their best titles! Grab your buddies and pick up some great deals on a huge bundle of fantastic co-op titles.

Got a PC and a ton of time this weekend? You're in luck, because Steam likes you very, very much. From now through Sunday at 1 p.m. Pacific Time, you can download and play both Civilization: Beyond Earth and Saints Row IV for free. Go on, call the co-op buddies. It's time to either conquer the world or save it from an alien invasion!

When I was very young, I would visit my aunt's house a few times a year, excited to see my cousins whom owned the latest consoles and games. During one of these visits, I found one of my cousins engrossed in some sort of strategy game, though it was tough for my adolescent mind to determine the exact details. This was my first introduction...