PS1 port of Micropolis' civilization simulation. Civilization II offers impressive strategic depth for a 1996 game, with empire progression from antiquity to the space age. Less convenient on console than PC but remains a complete strategy experience.
Your verdict
Category
Turn-Based Strategy1 player7+
Description
Console adaptation of the PC 4X masterpiece where you guide a civilization from the Stone Age to space conquest. Created by MicroProse and Activision, released in 1998 in Japan and the United States and in 1999 in Europe. Twenty-one civilizations, isometric view, technologies, wonders, diplomacy and combat. European multilingual editions.
Civilization II review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"Mild"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Founding a city, kicking off a research, moving a settler and planning the next turn triggers that famous "just one more turn" you can hardly tear yourself away from. Every discovery opens up new units, wonders and horizons to conquer. The micromanagement grows heavy late in the game, but the constant promise of one more milestone to clear holds you in a formidable strategic grip.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Building a civilisation from prehistory to the space age opens sprawling games where exploration, science, diplomacy and war interlock relentlessly. Each map and each people restarts a new world to shape, often dozens of hours long. That legendary strategic depth, and the irresistible 'one more turn', found a near-endless longevity.
A console port of Sid Meier's 4X strategy classic, Civilization II unrolls the famous empire building loop, from antiquity to the space age, between research, diplomacy and conquest. The strategic depth, the near endless replayability and the just one more turn addiction stay intact on PlayStation. The mouse designed interface loses comfort on the pad, and calculation times stretch out. A great strategy game for fans of 4X and the curious about its console adaptation.
