Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri™ Planetary Pack

I bought this game thinking I'd play for an hour to remember the early days. But, I found myself playing it an entire day. I didn't even find the early Civilization games (I & 2) that addictive. can't put this game down. I find the game controversial, because the factions are very opinionated. I can't identify with any of them, and yet I still enjoy it. The game seems to have its own world, and sticks to it. Many of the advances are believable. Many of them are funny (e.g. organic super lube). Plus, the depth of the game is so deep, that even after winning it (and continuing play), it is still challenging. The advances and wonders seem to go on forever. This is the only classic game from an era of 20 years ago that still makes me want to play it on a daily basis.

Loved it then, and I am loving to play it now!

Questions to ask your self before buying. Are you a strategy fan? Do you feel AI in most games is easy to beat? Do you want an intelligent and complex game? If you answered yes to even one of these, you need Alpha Centauri. The games depth is wonderful. Like all civilization games, there is a tremendous effort made to create a world for you to conquer, through military or economic or development, or alliance or militarily. The AI factions are varied in there priorities and will actively yet logically try to undermine you. Treat them good and agree with there priorities and they will loyaly follow you. The graphics, understated yet very descriptive. A lok at any game hex will be enough for you to understand every important. The UI is very simple to learn and very rewarding in depth. You can automate any number of functions you don't want to deal with or take complete control of every action and resource in game. If you like civilization games, or grand strategy games in general, this is the best one ever made. It will satisfy the hardcore as much as the noob.

i love this game so much. i spent so many nights playing it and now i get to do the same again! it's still challenging and the storyline compelling. i wish some of the old modding sites were still around in this day and age, but you can't have everything! :)

I remember years ago watching my father playing this game, and then playing it a little as he watched. Naturally, I got hooked. I've played this game time and time again, probably five or six times through to a tech victory, several times to other types of victory, and many times to a loss. It never got boring. The only problem with Alpha Centauri is if you start on it, you'll find yourself playing it when you should be waking up in the morning.