Sid Meier's Civilization II

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 504 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 426 out of 504
  2. Mixed: 48 out of 504
  3. Negative: 30 out of 504
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  1. Sheaulle
    Apr 13, 2003
    10
    Even today this game is addictive! If you don't have it and don't have the money for its successor "Civ III" buy it. "Civ II" will bring hours, days, weeks, months and - believe me - years of fine entertainment to you. There are countless user maps/mods available, and there are still coming new ones - often with a historically educational or compelling fantasy plots. Even today this game is addictive! If you don't have it and don't have the money for its successor "Civ III" buy it. "Civ II" will bring hours, days, weeks, months and - believe me - years of fine entertainment to you. There are countless user maps/mods available, and there are still coming new ones - often with a historically educational or compelling fantasy plots. Nevertheless it's very cheap now. In Europe you get it for app. $5,--. Note: There are several versions available, such as "Civ II Gold edition" with multiplayer abilities and two official add-on packs or "Civ II - Test of Time" with improved graphics and gameplay, also multiplayer, but no editor and a lack of compatibility to original Civ II scenarios. I recommend both of them. … Expand
  2. W
    Oct 6, 2007
    10
    The best. As old as it is, no strategy game has really outdone this, which is a shame.
  3. GregW.
    Mar 9, 2005
    10
    The King of all empire-building games, the standard against which all are measured. The balance between features and playability has not been equaled since - Civ 3 was a step backward, with too many changes and additions that upset the basic playing experience.
  4. [Anonymous]
    May 16, 2008
    10
    Great strategic game, even it has bad graphics it is one of the best games ever.
  5. Will
    Nov 17, 2006
    10
    Peerless. Civ II is still the standard by which I judge this genre and despite many solid follow-ons & copycats, I still enjoy occaisionally loading it up for a game.
  6. DavidJones
    Dec 26, 2006
    10
    This is the game by which all others playability are judged. III, IV, V, ... etc. none will ever be as fun as Civ 2! Because they are all to complicated, Civ 2 got it just right, I keep trying to find other games to play, and keep coming back to many happy, challenging hours of Civ 2. Designed my own maps, units, etc. James D -what are you crazy!? Somebody delete that 1 vote! HowThis is the game by which all others playability are judged. III, IV, V, ... etc. none will ever be as fun as Civ 2! Because they are all to complicated, Civ 2 got it just right, I keep trying to find other games to play, and keep coming back to many happy, challenging hours of Civ 2. Designed my own maps, units, etc. James D -what are you crazy!? Somebody delete that 1 vote! How could you go from Civ II back to Civ 1!?… Expand
  7. whitesun11
    Jul 30, 2013
    8
    This is definitely good game. But not excellent. I am fan of Civilization series, played a lot even Civilization I (which, in my opinion is slightly better than this). And I'll try to explain, why.

    Despite so addictive gameplay, graphics could be better (at least more user friendly, more readable). Also when your civilization is big enough there are too many unnecessary clicks at the    This is definitely good game. But not excellent. I am fan of Civilization series, played a lot even Civilization I (which, in my opinion is slightly better than this). And I'll try to explain, why.

    Despite so addictive gameplay, graphics could be better (at least more user friendly, more readable). Also when your civilization is big enough there are too many unnecessary clicks at the endgame dealing with cities micromanagement. Barbarian spawning is not logical. And unhappy people in the cities at the endgame are too annoying and again not so logical too. City management interface could be better. For example when you are in the city mode, you cannot see amount of maintenance cost.    … Expand
  8. femmefatal
    Sep 1, 2011
    10
    This is the BEST all time Civilization game bar none. It is better than Civ III and definitely better than Civ V (which is the worst of the series). Civ IV gives it a close challenge but II is still the best and most challenging. Pay no attention to that FOOL who says it's the worst game ever he's just mad cause his pew pew game didn't get 1st place in something. If you love strategy youThis is the BEST all time Civilization game bar none. It is better than Civ III and definitely better than Civ V (which is the worst of the series). Civ IV gives it a close challenge but II is still the best and most challenging. Pay no attention to that FOOL who says it's the worst game ever he's just mad cause his pew pew game didn't get 1st place in something. If you love strategy you will love CIV II.… Expand
  9. thevaliant
    May 17, 2013
    10
    This is the second best computer game I have ever played. And I played it nearly continuously for a period of six years. I could not recommend it more strongly.

    Civ 3 didn't cut it, though Civ 4 is also very good.

    (The best game ever? Hearts of Iron 2)
  10. YeshuaAgapao
    Nov 2, 2011
    10
    My 2nd favorite game while I was in college 1997-1999 (Master of Orion II was 1st). Modding is in text files, but still understandable by non-coder season users.
  11. Fall_Guy
    Jul 4, 2013
    10
    17 years on and Civ II is one of the greats. For anyone willing to invest a few hours to learn the game mechanics, they will find a world that is as immersive, expansive, and definitely addictive as any modern game. Plus you get to learn about history! The graphics for the time were excellent, as was the sound design(!). I personally sunk many hundreds of hours into this one as a17 years on and Civ II is one of the greats. For anyone willing to invest a few hours to learn the game mechanics, they will find a world that is as immersive, expansive, and definitely addictive as any modern game. Plus you get to learn about history! The graphics for the time were excellent, as was the sound design(!). I personally sunk many hundreds of hours into this one as a teenager... time well spent!… Expand
  12. Picard
    Aug 23, 2014
    10
    Civilization II is an excellent turn-based strategy game, one that probably set goalposts for the genre. Even though it is an old game, it has an ageless quality which will keep it relevant for years to come.
  13. Shockwave
    Sep 9, 2010
    10
    My fondest memories of this game were creating death trap scenarios for my friend in high school. The only dislike I had for this game were the epic voyages caravans had to take, sometimes spanning thousands of years. Other than that, pure awesome.
  14. ddorent
    Dec 10, 2010
    10
    Like wine it gets better with age. my all time favorite game . fun, deep , smart.
  15. iseeall
    Dec 10, 2015
    10
    An excellent 4x strategy game which improved everything Civilization 1 had. Civ 2 system was then even further improved by the same development team in Alpha Centauri, yet even Civ 2 by itself offers great experience and huge replay value. I've played hundreds of campaigns in it for maybe 10 years. Compared to later sequels Civ 2 feels a pretty hard game on Deity level, mostly due to veryAn excellent 4x strategy game which improved everything Civilization 1 had. Civ 2 system was then even further improved by the same development team in Alpha Centauri, yet even Civ 2 by itself offers great experience and huge replay value. I've played hundreds of campaigns in it for maybe 10 years. Compared to later sequels Civ 2 feels a pretty hard game on Deity level, mostly due to very powerful barbarians appearing in the beginning of the game, and a somewhat too random outcomes of battles. Democracy is also a seriously overpowered government due to huge population boosts while you have >50% happy citizens (and all others content) in cities, making it best even for war-time. If you find Diety too easy (which it is), try playing it extra-hard by making your starting settlers sleep for 100 turns. Or restart the game until you get a map where you appear on the North or South pole. Or play with 1 city only (the OCC challenge which was later added as game feature in Civ 4 or 5). Or you can edit the rules of the game by opening the txt file in the game's installation folder - it's that easy. I've played all the games in Civ series and must say that apart from Alpha Centauri, Civ 2 still remains the best in the series. After Alpha Centauri polished the model to almost complete perfection, the later sequels were just money grabs done by random people trying to squeeze yet even more from the fans and adding questionable changes for changes' sake. If you are too young to have seen Civ 2 or Alpha Centauri, resist your revulsion with their obsolete graphics and get some patience to dig thru the rules which sadly aren't well explained by today's standards. Civ 2 and AC are truly gaming classics which inspired a whole generation of gamers.… Expand
  16. mrjohno
    Jan 14, 2013
    10
    I spent the best part of my childhood playing this game and it taught me a tremendous amount about how the world developed over a series of years. It is still worth picking up, particularly if you like this turn based expansionist games
  17. PreWarp
    Apr 26, 2013
    10
    If I even hear the music to this game I'm glued to the screen for the next 9 hours. Very addictive and just a down right glorious game. This game captivated me from the very beginning, and looking back its still in my top 5 All Time Favorite games.
  18. Hurley
    Feb 2, 2015
    10
    I have very very cheerfully given hours of my life to this game. The 'just another turn' aspect is, for me, the standard by which all other games are judged. The balance of elements, the surprises (i found some after over a year of playing!), the range of difficulties from casual up was effective as a training approach and the strategy you use at the easiest level often wont work at theI have very very cheerfully given hours of my life to this game. The 'just another turn' aspect is, for me, the standard by which all other games are judged. The balance of elements, the surprises (i found some after over a year of playing!), the range of difficulties from casual up was effective as a training approach and the strategy you use at the easiest level often wont work at the highest level (I still hate those Zulus!) all adds to the game for me.… Expand
  19. Pershonkey
    Jun 10, 2015
    10
    Absolutely incredible - this game is proof that gameplay trumps hollow graphics. Honestly one of the best games ever made, even though it's almost 2 decades old. It's a shame even the ports are all but obsolete too. The future will be missing a classic of gaming if this disappears.
  20. jeffciv
    Jan 1, 2016
    10
    Flat out: One of the best computer games of all time. Great gameplay, excellent modding, outstanding 2D graphics. Civ II Multiplayer Gold is the best version (5.04).

    Although Brian Reynolds could have improved certain programming aspects which hinder high-level playing. For example (technical terms coming!), he assumed that no player could generate more than 32,767 science beakers    Flat out: One of the best computer games of all time. Great gameplay, excellent modding, outstanding 2D graphics. Civ II Multiplayer Gold is the best version (5.04).

    Although Brian Reynolds could have improved certain programming aspects which hinder high-level playing. For example (technical terms coming!), he assumed that no player could generate more than 32,767 science beakers per turn... which means if you earn the 32,768th beaker, your science suddenly "drops" to -32768 and begins counting "up" again!! That is because he chose to store science as a two's-complement, 16-bit variable... the most significant bit (the 16th bit) is used to indicate negative values, and 2^16 =32,768 (the binary value of the 16th bit is 1 2 4 8 16 32 64 128 256 512 1024 2048 4096 8192 16384 **32768**), which means 1000000000000000 binary and -32768 in binary two's complement. So in effect, earning 1 beaker reduces your science by -65,536 !!!

    The pathfinding, and the programming Brian took to make the game run so well on machines that and 1,000 to 100,000 times less powerful than today's is not perfect, but has aged well. Today's games, especially including AAA+ games, have (from a customer's point of view) often not improved substantially in 20 years. Witness the debacle of September 2013's Rome II Total War, with Romans jumping off siege engines, barbarians running in circles (mosh pits? lol), and cavalry charging through pikemen.

    The isometric game view, the 2-D graphics, the acting (yes real humans!) and voices, and of course front and center the Gameplay.

    One of the true top five PC games, of any genre, of all time. And it continues to stand the Test of Time!    … Expand
  21. MarcS.
    Jun 26, 2008
    0
    this game was one of the WORST games iv ever played EVER. I was compleatly bored the whole way through and would not recommend this game to anyone out of fear of them killing themselves out of bordem.
  22. GeorgeH.
    Jan 24, 2004
    10
    The best.
  23. Ian277
    Jan 25, 2011
    8
    i played civ three first so i will probubly underestemate this game but here i go. this game is very fun and addictive. i like the gameplay and basicly alot about it. it is far to simple to be given a nine but it sure is better than 4.
  24. Discord
    May 19, 2012
    10
    The second best Civilization game made to date. Leaves Civ IV, the worst in the series, in the dust and gives Civ V a run for its money. Civ II is a fun strategy game with astounding scenarios even in the Vanilla game. Definitely a solid game with great gameplay.
  25. sealjo
    May 31, 2014
    10
    One of the best games ever. Can consume thousands of hours. Civ V is a better game but it takes ages to play, leaving it much less rewarding. If only the AI wasn't quite so stupid when it came to automated settlers, refusal to play a diplomatic game and a few other things.
  26. theirrelephants
    May 25, 2018
    10
    I still play this 22 years after release.

    I think that says it all, really.
  27. notsolittlejon
    Jan 28, 2013
    9
    An extremely addictive and well-rounded turn-based strategy game with long-lasting appeal. I found the WWII scenario to be delightfully challenging and fun. Even though Civ V is now available, Civ II still maintains a level of enjoyment that makes it worth going back to again and again.
  28. carlosgtardon
    Jun 10, 2014
    10
    Bajo mi punto de vista uno de los videojuegos de estrategia más completos de la historia, curva de dificultad moderada, fácil de acceder, muy generoso. Sin duda el escenario de la segunda guerra mundial es la situación que más he rejugado nunca, jamás me cansaba de ella, cada vez cogiendo un bando distinto.
  29. tseikku
    Jan 6, 2016
    10
    Civilization II is probably the best game I have ever played. I have played it at least hundreds of hours - maybe thousands of hours. All new strategy games will always be compared to this classic masterpiece. The most current game of the series - Civilization V - has very nice graphics but it isn't as addictive as Civ II.
  30. XPowerBlazeX
    Apr 14, 2016
    10
    I have just discovered the magnificence of the Civilization series as I wasn't a big fan of strategy games before I decided to give Civilization a shot. I played them briefly before, but never seemed to get into them. That was until I played Civilization II! I watched some game play footage on YouTube and bought the game immediately soon after! When I completed the tutorial given to you inI have just discovered the magnificence of the Civilization series as I wasn't a big fan of strategy games before I decided to give Civilization a shot. I played them briefly before, but never seemed to get into them. That was until I played Civilization II! I watched some game play footage on YouTube and bought the game immediately soon after! When I completed the tutorial given to you in the manual and started my first game, I played from 10:00pm till 4:00am! You really do keep saying "one more turn!" This is where that motto started! This was the start of the legacy Civilization now has! Civilization was the first game, but it didn't get deep and defined until the sequel. Yes, I am hooked! It's such a deep game and you're always learning something new each time you play! There's an immense amount of strategies you can implement and the clever AI and random elements really keep the game fresh!

    I recommend this game to anyone! You should give this game chance! Especially if you love board games, strategy games, RPG games or even simulation games!    … Expand
  31. Tehrani
    Aug 25, 2017
    10
    For a game developed in 1996 it was a real revolution. I have played many scenarios as many countries and enjoyed the game. New versions really need those strong scenarios. There were lots of wars around the world in this game.
  32. JimmyC.
    Mar 6, 2003
    10
    Fantastic, everything i loved about the first own and they even improved the graphics.
  33. JeffL.
    May 27, 2003
    10
    My all time favorite game. Just learning the new ways to explore and battle/conquer is an everyday wonder.
  34. YuriW.
    Aug 22, 2003
    10
    Amazing.
  35. RussellL.
    Oct 5, 2006
    10
    Are you kidding? This is great! I've downloaded JUST a 60 minute trial and I LOVE IT! My only question - you've made this, and higher versions, but can you make a Civilization 5?
  36. BrianG.
    Jul 12, 2006
    10
    it was the best game i've played and possibly the only game i will play.
  37. WesC.
    Dec 8, 2008
    10
    I played this game when I was 10 years old. Before I played Civ II, the only games I played on the PC were Solitaire and Minesweeper. It sat on the start menu for months since I got my first computer and I wouldn't play it because it looked stale. This game blew my 10 year old mind away as soon as I learned the ropes. I would get amazed everytime I notice myself reading civilopedia I played this game when I was 10 years old. Before I played Civ II, the only games I played on the PC were Solitaire and Minesweeper. It sat on the start menu for months since I got my first computer and I wouldn't play it because it looked stale. This game blew my 10 year old mind away as soon as I learned the ropes. I would get amazed everytime I notice myself reading civilopedia articles one after the other without getting bored. The gameplay is really so entrenching that it was more than enough to keep me going for hours; 7 days a week, for many months to come.… Expand
  38. WinniePooh
    Nov 22, 2003
    9
    Great game, no problem with that, but that damn AI with that "I love other players but I hate you"-attidute which comes at 1000 A.D. Also there is no multiplayer. Still, this is far to addictive to me.
  39. DavidJ.
    Apr 11, 2006
    10
    I've tried many free games, but this is the only one I keep playing and coming back to (Civ2 MPG is free at Abandonia.com), for years now, since the beginning. My highest score on King/random map is 195% and that game was a lot of fun (no cheating of any kind, spaceship). James D-how can you say that! Civ 2 is WAY better then Civ 1! except that I will grant you that Civ 1's I've tried many free games, but this is the only one I keep playing and coming back to (Civ2 MPG is free at Abandonia.com), for years now, since the beginning. My highest score on King/random map is 195% and that game was a lot of fun (no cheating of any kind, spaceship). James D-how can you say that! Civ 2 is WAY better then Civ 1! except that I will grant you that Civ 1's review process of every Civ's progress at the end of each game was very cool, I wish Civ 2 had that also. Civ 2 is just right in the level of complication, I tried Ages of Man II/CTP and others, and ending up coming back to Civ 2! I even designed my own Dirigible and Siege Warfare units/technologies, very cool!… Expand
  40. KevinJ.
    Jan 6, 2007
    10
    I have owned this game since its release and still play it even with the better graphic alternatives of Warcraft and the like.
  41. SGrunter
    Jan 31, 2008
    10
    Civ 1 was one of the greatest games of it's time.
    Civ 2 followed as a sequel..............awesome!!
    Civ 3 and 4 have come out with better graphics........ONLY!
    Civ 2 rules to this day with it's on screen playability.
    I bought Civ 3 and 4..............scrapped them and always have a civ 2 game going on...............Greatest game ever....Civ 2.
  42. RamadanS.
    Jun 23, 2008
    10
    For me, this game is the best strategy game!
  43. MikeW.
    Jul 11, 2008
    10
    Top 5 best games ever made for sure. Civ II is a genre defining classic and stands the test of time 12 years and many Civ games later it is still an absolute joy to play.
  44. ChrisI
    May 27, 2009
    10
    A great strategy game. If you solely take gameplay into account, it weasily accommodates for the old graphics it uses. This game is great for any strategy lover, and, speaking on a personal level here, there is a huge feeling of achievement as you force 2 or more enimes to battle each other, while you patiently build up your own armies to pick off whats left.
  45. BobM.
    Aug 31, 2008
    10
    One of the best games of all times. If you can get passed the very dated graphics (and don't have the latest Civilization for some reason), it's still an awesome game. You can easily fill a weekend with friends playing this gem. Heck, I even invite Marc S. over to show him how good this game can be.
  46. DavidB.
    Sep 19, 2008
    10
    Best Strategy I ever played. Most adictive also. I spent 3-4 years having this as my most played game and I had Age II at the same time, so You get the idea. If you like action or don´t like to think much, this is not for you, but if like brain strategy, this is the game for you. Too bad I lost my cd. But tehre´s always CIV IV!!!
  47. SpaceBAR
    Feb 4, 2020
    10
    I love this game! I loved Civilization one too. I wish Sid Meier was still active! Because he is a great game designer. We are in need of him because lately all new games are crap!
  48. Kai82
    Aug 9, 2021
    10
    A cult classic and frequent contender in best games of all times lists. The Civilization franchise is a well know series of turn based strategy games. Civilizations 2 is considered as one of the best games in the franchise in regard to its time. You pick a nationality with appropriate leader like for example George Washington for the USA or Gandhi for India and start 4000 years beforeA cult classic and frequent contender in best games of all times lists. The Civilization franchise is a well know series of turn based strategy games. Civilizations 2 is considered as one of the best games in the franchise in regard to its time. You pick a nationality with appropriate leader like for example George Washington for the USA or Gandhi for India and start 4000 years before Christ with just the knowledge of roads and a settler (Rarely it can be 2 settlers and this is a mayor bonus). You are developing your society by building cities, building structures, research new inventions, taxes and warfare. It has a lot of depth as you have diplomacy, political ideologies, a satisfaction value for citizens, resources, units and a lot of tactics to chose. The mechanics are interwoven. With each new technology you have new options. Be it new units, buildings or ideologies. Of cause you also unlock follow up research options. Settlers are used to create cities or build roads and irrigate the ground. Both help your city grow and roads allow faster travel. Military units are for scouting (fog of war to uncover) and fighting. During the game you will develop a lot of different units. For the cities location is everything. Rivers are nice and there are also special resources on the map you should prioritize. You can build a lot of buildings in your city that help getting more resources or more research done per round. There are also world wonders which are extremely expensive but have great benefits. There are also ideologies which give also benefits and you should appease your citizens as they will riot if you fail them. There is of cause warfare as you can simply conquer your way to victory. I end here with this set up. The game itself is really good and addicting. You have so much options to develop your civilization and multiple win scenarios. Be it conquering all opponents, colonize Alpha Centauri or be the most develop nation at the end (There is a rating system). For each game or playthrough you have a randomly created map you can adjust for your preferences before creation like size, number of other nations or structure of the world (more oceans, more land, climate etc.). This give a lot of replay value. It is one of the strategy games you will play for hours while saying just another turn before I quit. The AI works well for its time on higher difficulty. On the lower I had no problems but I preferred larger maps which gives even with a full roaster of other nations more time to develop. I had no bugs and glitches in my playtime. Overall this is a classic and rightfully praised for its time. It still works well and I still recommend it.… Expand
  49. GurmpyCoolCat
    Sep 15, 2019
    10
    When the game came out, it took up so much of my time. The repeatability was unending. Civilization series created an entire genre and is the reason for 4X games today. Even though this game is old now, it is still fun to go back and relive some battles, maps, etc...
  50. avergin
    Jul 26, 2020
    10
    This is the game that got me into strategy games in the first place and thought me about the importance of technology and progress.
  51. KaleSungurCrane
    Nov 19, 2020
    10
    OVERALL - 97%

    Gameplay - 9/10 Graphics (for time) - 4/10 Story - 7/10 Game Length - 10/10 Characters - 7/10 Level/Area Design - 8/10 Atmosphere - 6/10 Sound Effects - 9/10 Soundtrack - 9/10 Replay Value - 10/10 I remember buying this from a Car Boot Sale on PS1 and playing it and thinking 'what the hell is this garbage' and not playing it again for a few months. Then one day    OVERALL - 97%

    Gameplay - 9/10
    Graphics (for time) - 4/10
    Story - 7/10
    Game Length - 10/10
    Characters - 7/10
    Level/Area Design - 8/10
    Atmosphere - 6/10
    Sound Effects - 9/10
    Soundtrack - 9/10
    Replay Value - 10/10

    I remember buying this from a Car Boot Sale on PS1 and playing it and thinking 'what the hell is this garbage' and not playing it again for a few months. Then one day when I was bored I gave it a second chance and as soon as I understood the game it became one if my favourites. Still probably my favourite in the franchise. Any game as simple as this that can captivate a 10 year old must be pretty spectacular.    … Expand
  52. Rorok
    May 11, 2021
    10
    I remember playing this game alot with my dad, for the time this game was so inspiring and fun to play.
  53. dimvla
    Jan 31, 2021
    9
    total classic. although outdated and superseded by civ IV it is still fan to play
    there is nothing to say about this game as all turn based fans out there should know about it
  54. Namelgg
    May 10, 2021
    10
    This is maybe the best game I ever played, in terms of game mechanics and rules. Newer versions added more complexity and modern visuals, but all the fun was already there, game time was just right.
  55. Filipekm
    Dec 16, 2022
    10
    The best strategy game ever, no doubt! I fellow in love with the series ever since Civ2 was released. 1. CIV2
    2. Civ III
    3. Civ V 4. Colonization & Civ 1

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PC Game of 1996
4
#4 Most Discussed PC Game of 1996
2
#2 Most Shared PC Game of 1996

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Gamezilla!
    94
    While those looking for a revolutionary new game may not be entirely satisfied, any serious gamer who can even imagine enjoying this game probably will.
    Read full review
  2. All Game Guide
    100
    It is an incredible and very addictive game; once you start playing you won't want to stop... You will want to play Civilization II over and over, as every game is different.
    Read full review
  3. GameSpot
    92
    Microprose managed to add a score of new play elements that help the aging strategy classic evolve - without sacrificing the game’s addictive qualities.
    Read full review
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