Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri™ Planetary Pack

I can't believe it, you added the Alien Crossfire Add-On for free! That's what I call service, thank you GOG, thank you very much!

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri (aka SMAC) remains one of the most critically-praised turn based strategy games to this day. PC Gamer gave SMAC its highest ever score (98%), even higher than Civilization II's 97% score. Although the magazine's current editors occasionally express regret at the score, the reviewer to this day stands by that 98%, and so do I. Generally, the game follows the same strategy as Civ 2, but with a focus on a sci-fi setting, an interesting story, forward-thinking techs, and most-importantly, amazingly distinct and fleshed-out factions that each present a legitimate rationale why their philosophy should guide the development of humanity on the planet. The graphics and sound have held up remarkably well. In addition, the hard-science approach to future technological development remains outstanding. Although I can't address the other branches of science, as a PhD in Molecular Biology, I can confirm that several of the ideas and philosophies considered new technologies have been discussed to various degrees by biological futurists and xenobiologists. Also, don't miss the excellent manual and bibliography - this truly sets the standard for a comprehensive manual that avoids being too unweildy to be useful. My only minor complaints about this game are typical with most Civ strategy games: (1) As your Civ grows, the game gets bogged down in the micromanagement of multiple cities. (2) Once you are clearly ahead, the endgame can drag a bit. (3) The expansion -Alien Crossfire- is not included with this game. Although the expansion's new human factions and the 2 opposing alien factions are slightly bland and generic overall, the expansion and new techs really do a great job enhancing the SMAC experience. Regardless, SMAC is a complete game and strategy experience even without the Alien Crossfire expansion, and should not impact your decision to purchase the game. Overall, this is an absolute must-buy for any CIv fan, strategy fan, and sci-fi nut. Sid, your fans are still waiting for SMAC2.Just, please don't let it turn into Master of Orion 3.

Oh the memories. For a younger person tho, the game could be less addictive and less interesting with the old graphics style and strange soundtrack. But they should look again. For, beyond the appearances, it is truly an extremely complex game, that, with nowadays' graphics would dwarf a lot of TBS titles. Let it be bought! Thank you, GoG.

I have played it when it came out and I still play it. What is the magic of Alpha Centauri? Is it a Civilization in Space? No. Alpha Centauri brought with itself many improvements over Civilization that even Sid Meier did not use it in the recent versions. What are these? 1) Terraforming. I will just put what could you do with terraforming: a: Increase or decrease the height of a tile. Note that with increasing attidute, the food intake could decrease (as no vegetation could be planted) but energy (which is kind a trade for Alpha Centauri) could be harvested more since the tile is closer to the sun(s). Also, since winds are concerned, and the winds are from west to east, the western side of a mountain is more fertile than eastern side because of humid winds. b: Drilling for aquifers in order to have new rivers. c: Some terraforming activities result in environmental damage, which result in fungus growth. d: You could melt polar ice or have sun shade in order to increase or decrease the sea level. e: You could use planet buster's (nuclear weapons of AC) in order to drastically change the environment. 2) Fully custom units. Do you want a laser equipped terraformer (which is actually worker for AC), here you are. Oh, did you want your unit to have police power since it will only be used for garrisoning, ok, customize the property of your unit. 3) Wide variety of base unit types. Gyrocopters, hovertanks, paratroopers, gyroplanes...etc. 4) Supply crawlers: You do not want to found a new city because of just one good resource? Ok, you can send a crawler to extract the material. It is like a caravan on wheels. 5) Distinct faction feel: Every faction (civilization for AC) is unique both in way of play and visual. You could expect less cities for Morgan, less terraforming for Gaia, protected cities for Sparta and heavy industry for workers faction. And they are balanced. 6) Satellites. Now you can harvest the sky in order to increase the production. You are not limited to earth. 7) Complex diplomacy with respect to even today's civilization 5. 8) Social engineering (you could be a free market economy but with damage to environment). 9) Best for me is: Philosophy. All of the factions are searching for the meaning of life but with their own understanding. The technological victory is actually transform into transcendence with some very big entity (It was a surprise for me, so wait for it in the game). In every technological advance, in every secret project (wonder for AC) is connected to an idea and a philosophy. There is a story that are presented with texts and intermissions. And it is a good story. At the end, Alpha Centauri, with its expansion Crossfire is one of the hidden gems of Sid Meier. It is a must-buy for a hardcore gamer who like to spend time in order to understand what the game presents. It is a interactive philosophy book with the question of life. It divides people not for nationality but for ideas and ideals. This game changed my view of the world when I first played it as a child. It is still plentiful and giving for any person who likes to think.