I use the Social Engineering screen from this game to explain to people that just because the US is a free market democracy and others have been planned police states, doesn't mean that they are the only options that could exist.
And that within those combinations, that your societies values still matter. I tie in that even impeached republican Richard Nixon ran a free market democracy, but that he prioritized knowledge as a core value. And that from the high school movement in the 1920s forward, having knowledge as our values is what enabled us to become so strong.
And contrast it with Wealth values policies like tax cuts for the wealthy while ignoring the knowledge values policies to make education accessible to everyone, that were already proven successful in our own history....
And then I use the Future Societies to hammer it into people's heads that eventually we will progress past many outdated views. Cybernetic utilizes automation to free humans for more creative tasks. Eudemonic encourages citizens to achieve happiness through fulfillment in a tolerant society without violence. Or we can continue the path of Thought Control, using triggers that create a population that is obedient, loyal, and rejects outside ideas....
I also use SimCity 2000 tax rates to explain the concept that if taxes are too low, you can't afford the services that enable a strong and thriving economy. And if taxes are too high, your government will kill all growth, and create a downward spiral, and also... won't be able to afford the services that enable a strong and thriving economy.
In conclusion, I believe that all members of congress and presidential candidates should be required to demonstrate that they can successfully balance these priorities by succeeding in these two games before they are given the green light to prove that they are incapable and fail to effectively manage the government in the real world.
Another one of those games that can make hours pass like minutes...With its top-notch diplomacy, civilization building, and wargame elements, Alpha Centauri is the new pinnacle of turn-based strategy games.
With his latest title, it isn't so much that Sid Meier has done it again, but rather he's done more. And more of a good thing it is indeed. Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri is an excellent sequel to "Civilization" and "Civilization II."
While it's not the groundbreaking game that Civilization was, it's a very worthy successor and it'll probably stay on your hard drive a long, long time.
I was feeling nostalgic, so when I saw this game on GOG, I had to buy it. It remains, by far, the best 4X game of all time. It's a pity that its "spiritual successor" wasn't up to its standards. It's amazing how game development studios relied on fantastic gameplay when they couldn't rely on pretty graphics to sell their products.
One of the best turn based strategy games of all time. Honestly, would be awesome if they left this game as it is, and just did a graphical remake to bring it into 2016.
I still remember the day when my father came home with this game in his hand. He gave it to me and said: "This is an interesting game, you should try it out and you will learn a lot from it". I never imagined he will be so spot on. We both spend countless hours playing this game. Now, 15 years later I still remember the game with fondness and go for a run at least once a year. Actually last year I completed the game with 4 factions each with different victories. (Miriam - Population; Provost - Transcendence; Sparta - Conquest; Morgan - Economic).
This is such a good game I might call it perfect. I had high hopes with Sid and his Beyond Earth, which was not a bad game, but it just has so little replay value in my opinion. While Alpha Centauri just seems to have infinite replay value.
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...
SummaryLegendary designer Sid Meier presents the next evolution in strategy games, with the most addictive, compelling gameplay yet. Explore the alien planet that is your new home and uncover its myriad mysteries. Discover over 75 extraordinary technologies. Build over 60 base upgrades and large-scale secret projects for your empire. Conquer yo...