Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri™ Planetary Pack

I have the original game discs and the GOG version, and checked using the same method that gives you the secret Firaxian faction (with Sid as the leader - you get fusion reactors from Turn 1). The source of the GOG's copy were altered so that any difficulty beyond the two lowest are set to the impossible difficulty (transcendent). At the 3rd difficulty level on up, any enemy faction can build two units at once per city in one turn. So be advised. Its still the same game with no other changes however. So if you want to relax, and enjoy the classic feel? Play them, just that you'll easily stomp them. If you want a challenge? Well, it jumps straight to 'computer is a cheating b@st@rd' mode. Its that or alter the game files back to the original settings.

With Alpha Centauri Sid Meier and his team managed to do the impossible. They took a game that was already a classic in its own right (Civilization) and made it even more classic. A few highlights: - The game benefits from an interesting universe and backstory (which was later fleshed out in a trilogy of novels, a graphic novel and 2 stories freely available online). -The 7 (14 with Alien Crossfire) factions all act and behave differently from one another. You will grow to like some leaders and hate others. - The unit design workshop allows to design units from numerous parts for any possible task. Want flying colony pods? (this games version of the settler unit) You bet! - Like in Civilization there are many ways to win from conquering the world to transcendence (technological singularity) to economic victory (if you have enough energy you can buy out everyone else). - Many other touches that round off the experience include some great ambient music that will put you in the right mood to the very well made secret project (wonder) movies that can be either enlightening or hilarious. Alpha Centauri is a game that I've played over and over ever since it originally came out way back in 1999. Even the original on its own is great but the Alien Crossfire expansion rounds out the experience with many little improvments and additions. If you're looking for something similar to Civilization or something in the 4X genre and you've not got it already then SMAC is a must have.

This easily one of the greatest strategy games ever made. An amazing setting combined with solid game-play and AI that is challenging even today, SMAC is worth every penny and more.

Alpha Centauri is quite simply the greatest turn based strategy game of all time. It is Brian Reynolds’ and Sid Meiers’ absolute masterwork. Buy it.

Amazing Sid Meier game, and comes with the Alien Crossfire expansion! There should be absolutely no reason whatsoever to not own this. Water cities! Planet busters! If you haven't played this before you should. If you have played it before, you've already bought it.