Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri™ Planetary Pack

A space-age turn-based strategy game that Firaxis has chased, but never yet matched. Beyond Earth tried and didn't carry its spirit. The new rebalances for Civ VII are things that SMAC solved twenty-five years ago. Charming graphics, fantastic voice acting and characterisation, and a spirit and politick that inspires you about perhaps any aspect of knowledge, politics, and storytelling.

If one can pass over the UIs issues due to dating this remains one of the civ-style games today. I would even go as far to say that due to both its gameplay and writing is the best that was.

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri famously got a 99% review in PC Gamer. It was worth it. Great replayability -- here I am 25 years later still playing it.

I missed Alpha Centauri when it was originally released but was and still am a HUGE fan of Civilization (well I don't care for 5, but maybe it will grow on me.) Anyway I dl'ed this game last night and...WOW. Why hasn't this game been getting the same love and upgrades that Civ has? Its absolutely phenomenal. I was initially worried about the "storyline" in my sandbox 4x game, but it was done so well that it enhanced the game rather than distracting from it, I was also really impressed and pleased with the way units could be customized, although to be fair many times the relentless upgrading got to be tedious as I tried to keep my production options screen tidy. The factions had great differences and advantages/disadvantages. Also the "atrocity" mechanic is simply superb, although I've found that regardless of adopting Democracy I'm at heart a neural stapling, planet buster missle using, nerve gas emploiying tyrant when I get irritated. Any way, This game is absolutely top shelf and a classic and I'm mystified why it hasn't been carried forward like Civ because with a modern UI and perhaps a few graphical upgrades they'd have another bestseller on their hands. Bottom line: Buy THIS and cheerfully toss your social life in the toilet and flush.

So glad to find this here!! Amazing replayability...great science, vehicular crafting, amazing voiceover work. Steal this game!