cant even play the game as it is broken. graphics are messed up and so is the sound. nice one gog

So I'm not sure you realize, but there is more than one Populus series, a whole support team, and dedicated fans to help you with your issue, if you'd be willing to actually describe the issue, game, system, and whatnot in question instead of being a stuck up snoot.

Complaining about games made before 1999 on modern hardware is hardly helpful. It's an ancient game, just be grateful you can even get it working, even if the graphics aren't perfect.

If it's on gog, bitching about it not running properly is a legit complaint

Yes, but it is an ancient game. People should just be grateful GOG are offering it and the people who can get it working should be extra grateful. This is a game that is hit and miss, so if it doesn't work, it's not GOG's fault but more likely hardware related. Older games are far more pickier about hardware (why do you think there's a big notice saying "don't use any AMD HD card with 7xxx or 8xxx"?)

Freeware? It's not available for free, that would be illegal. And it's a game that precedes even Homeworld, which is about the point when games actually started being cross-compatible, but Populous was all about hard coded changes that broke it on newer OS, so if it works on a PC, the user should simply be grateful it worked, because many can't get it working.

if you desperately want to play the game, you could always just get a Virtual Machine set up using Windows 98 or Windows XP. Users of Windows 7 Professional can use Windows XP Mode to get that VM if they so desire.

Damn, I must had missed this "big notice"...Probably not big enough for me, I guess. But, worst of all, is that I did not check the Forums, prior to buying, for *this specific game*. LOL. "Fate, it seems, is not without a sense of irony." ;)

Try contacting GOG support - http://www.gog.com/support/contact - before giving up on the game. They have been known to go the extra mile in trying to get their (problematic) games to work. Worth a try.

Which Populous game are you trying to run? I could help you get it running if you'd like. No sense in spending money on something that doesn't work... unless you already refunded it?

Let me know :)