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.
