I'm so tired of critics thinking that just because this game is "unoriginal" and "too-much like civ2" is a bad thing. This game is arguably the best turn-based strategy game ever. So what if it's a lot like civ2, civ2 was a lot like civ1 but no one seemed to mind then.

One of the most amazing Civ-styled games. Better than all the Civs together (and especially the awful Civ3). I wish there were SMAC2.

In my opinion, it's the standard for all current and future turn-based strategies.

One of the best games I have played.

Best game that i ever played.

Almost 4 years since release it still has a spot on my computer with the expansion. Excellent.

Awesome run your own empire type game.

The best game I've ever played.

This game is a mind-blower. Even after 5 years since its debut I still play a game or two in my spare time, to relax. And nothing's more relaxing than divide and conquer on a planetary scale. It's a classic, pure and simple, and the best turn-based strategy game since...chess.

This game is one of the best if not THE best game I'v played on the PC.

Sid equals god.

Meiers just blows my mind with his unbelievably enthralling gameplay.

There is no "key" to domination. That's what makes this game great. And as a physics student, I often find myself lost in thought considering the practicality of some of the advanced technologies in the game (I won't bore you with the details, but the Space Elevator is a brilliant and probably quite feasible idea).

It's a very good game. Some may complain it is complicating, but it captures many elements of civilization, government.

Outstanding, exceptional extremely addictive game.

This game really gets you in the role of a responsible and sometimes cynical leader. I fell the game really hits the peaks of an RTS and just allows you to immerse yourself for hours upon hours of playing. Truly great!

A true classic, alpha centauri is a great example of a civ2 successor, while horrible spin offs spawned themselves in the call to power series, SMAC kept the simple civ2 game play core, while expanding the content, if you've tried civ1-civ4 try it, you will greatly enjoy it. Its only weakness comes from its difficulties with winXP.

The greatest game ever made, like Civilzation with every aspect improved on. Interesting factions, fascinating technologies, hilarious quotes and profound philosophy make this good game into an amazing game.

After trying Civ3 I happily went back to SMAC (and SMAX). The AI opponents are more varried. Play at the hardest setting is rewarding (difficult, but winable). A great game, now available at a great price.

Liked a lot, one of the MASTER PIECES of it's time, technology tree was superb and you could play it as a leader of one of the 3 clans after a trip to another galaxy. Simply another MUST HAVE

More or less the single best turn-based strategy game ever made, excelling in absolutely every area. Even now, nearly twelve years later, very few games can stand up to its incredible charm and addictiveness. I could play it for months and months.

Fun, but broken six ways from side-ways. compared to Civ II-IV, this was an ambitious but ultimately failed attempt at a strategic game. Worth exploring to find all the ways you can break it at least...

Better than any of the Civilization games, in almost every aspect.. There are useful features in this game that I'm still discovering, even after having played it extensively on three computers. I can't say that for any other game. Two particularly annoying aspects of Civilization are repeated here. The first is the world generator. The player gets one chance a day to start a "good" new world/game. Repeated tries generate worlds that are often barren and unplayable. The other issue is that if the human player "gets too far ahead", the computer players go into overdrive -- enemy units becoming nearly invincible. Even more annoying, if the computer has decided some faction must die (to make way for another computer player who can challenge you), no amount of money or military units given to the "loser" will save them. They do practically nothing to defend themselves and crumble without warning..… Expand

I played this game years ago when I was just a wee tyke,. I got civ5 and got nostalgic so I dug up my old copy. Still so much fun.. The story. The depth.. Man... They really don't make them like they used to.. Have we gotten stupider?

if you even remotely liked any of the civ games, buy this. graphics aren't phenomenal but the presentation and depth are. the amount of choices at your disposal is overwhelming. the civ series never became stale for me, but if it did for anyone, this game will likely freshen up the experience. similar structure, different atmosphere and world. the thought provoking quotes never fail to disappoint either.… Expand

It's a fantastic game with an very large scope, and takes it all in it's stride. The technology is all scientifically correct, and the descriptions explain a lot, and the quotes interesting. Also, customization of units is a great touch, that I am sad to see has not been continued in later games. The best part about it, for me, were the faction leaders, each with their own distinct personality and viewpoints, all of them humanly flawed, and easy to emphasise with, and see the various pros and cons of their worldview. It has a varied set of win conditions, and the planetary council is a joy. It's one of the best games I've ever played, and I would recommend it to everyone. It's a rare game that makes you truly think about what you are doing.… Expand

Still one of the most amazing game of its category. SMAC was fascinating when it came out and it is my belief that it has yet to be surpassed on the depth and interest of its setting for a realist Sci-Fi strategy video game. The gameplay is surprisingly smooth, maintaining your interest and your control despite the great complexity of the game mechanics. With an almost infinite replayability potential SMAC is still played today while plenty of other popular games in its category have disappeared after a short (comparatively) time. One of the most interesting Civ-like opus.… Expand

Alpha Centauri dominates the competition and marks out the stakes for engaging, civilization building. Here's why... 1. Cultural Philosophy is embodied in the different factions. Ridded of the heavy baggage accompanying past factions (egyptians, americans), factions are boilded town to philosophical embodiments including relgious fundamentalism and scientific anarchism. 2. Tech tree has actually been thought out. From the quotes from famous literary figures to the theoretical nature of the discoveries, the tech tree makes you actually stop and read. That never happens in other games of this genre. 3. "Planet" is a living breathing player in the game. Not only in the storyline, but also in mindworm opposition, Alpha Centauri gounds civilization in the environment, and forces an amount of eco-friendliness from it's technological business. 4. The graphics and music are wonderous. They effectively immerse your consciousness into the game itself, drawing you in, and bringing you to this planet at the far reaches of space. Absolutely beautiful. This game makes the "Civilization" series boring and inconsequential.… Expand

Brilliant game. SMAC is probably the apex of Turn-Based Strategy gaming even 13 years after its release. The amount of Philosophy, imagination, new technological trends that was poured into it was amazing at the time. I got to pick up this game for the first time in 2004, some 6 years after its release, and I was blown out of the water by its staggering depth and possibilities. The limit is really your skill and imagination on playing it. You can play it through a myriad of different playstyles following which faction you choose to play with. Each game will feel completely different from another one as the strategies that must be pursued are completely different. Highly recommendable game which you can now buy, updated, through GOG.com for only 5 USD. Really worthwhile. You do not need a high end rig to play it. Its pure strategy gaming directly in your veins.… Expand