The Civilization franchise forked to this game in an era when this game could stand tall. Now, it makes me wish this fork had been the path that they stayed on. The game aged badly in some ways, but it runs well here, and remains my favorite in the franchise. The Alien Crossfire content feels flat compared to what it builds upon, but the original is the strongest offering in the genre.
It beats me down just like every good game from that old dos era did. But it does so at just the rate and in just the way that makes you want to keep playing, and gives that old fashioned triumph feel for every extra level you smash your way through.
