Sid Meier’s Civilization

Sid Meier's Civilization: The Birth of a Genre

Released in 1991 by MicroProse, Sid Meier’s Civilization laid the foundation for the 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) strategy game genre. Developed for MS-DOS, the game tasks players with building and managing a civilization from 4000 BC to the Space Age. From its humble beginnings, Civilization has grown into one of the most influential and celebrated franchises in gaming history.

Gameplay Overview

Civilization introduces players to the intricacies of building a thriving empire. Starting with a single settler unit, the player’s task is to explore the map, found cities, manage resources, and engage in diplomacy or warfare with rival civilizations.

The game is turn-based, allowing players to plan their moves carefully. Balancing the development of technology, the construction of military units, and the happiness of citizens is key to success. Victory can be achieved in several ways: through military conquest, cultural domination, or launching a spaceship to Alpha Centauri.

Key Features

Civilization was revolutionary in its depth and replayability. It featured a procedurally generated map, ensuring that no two games were ever the same. Players could engage in diplomacy with rival AI-controlled civilizations, negotiate treaties, or declare war. The technology tree allowed for various strategies, from rapid scientific advancement to aggressive militarism.

The game also introduced Wonders of the World, special buildings like the Pyramids or the Great Library, which conferred significant advantages to the civilizations that built them.

Civilizations in the Game

Each civilization in Sid Meier's Civilization exhibits unique AI behavior, reflecting its real-world counterparts' historical strengths or tendencies. Here's a breakdown of the available civilizations and their characteristics:

• Americans: Balanced and flexible, excelling in diplomacy and technology advancement.
• Aztecs: Aggressive and expansionist, they frequently seek to dominate neighboring civilizations early in the game.
• Babylonians: Culturally inclined, focusing on building wonders and advancing technology.
• Chinese: Strategically defensive, often prioritizing infrastructure and resource development.
• Egyptians: Builders of wonders, known for their early focus on cultural and architectural achievements.
• English: Naval-focused and strategic in exploration and colonization efforts.
• French: Diplomatic and cultural, often striving for alliances and building wonders.
• Germans: Militaristic and expansionist, frequently focusing on conquest and warfare.
• Greeks: Philosophical and scientific, excelling in research and cultural development.
• Indians: Peaceful and focused on growth, with a strong emphasis on religion and philosophy.
• Romans: Militaristic and organized, frequently seeking to expand their empire aggressively.
• Russians: Opportunistic and aggressive, often prioritizing rapid expansion and military dominance.
• Zulus: Highly aggressive and territorial, focusing on overwhelming their enemies with early military strength.

Legacy and Impact

Sid Meier’s Civilization received widespread acclaim upon its release. It was praised for its depth, complexity, and open-ended gameplay, which encouraged creativity and strategic thinking. The game's influence can be seen in countless titles that followed, and it paved the way for its own long-running series, which remains active today.

Despite its technical limitations, Civilization was a monumental achievement that captured the imagination of players and solidified Sid Meier's reputation as one of the industry’s great visionaries.

Wonders of the World

Wonders in Sid Meier's Civilization are unique structures that provide powerful bonuses. Each wonder reflects a historical achievement and requires significant effort to build. Here’s a list of the wonders and their effects:

• The Pyramids: Provides a government system change without anarchy and grants the effects of a granary in all cities.
• The Great Wall: Improves diplomatic relations and increases city defense.
• Colossus: Boosts trade in the city where it's built.
• Hanging Gardens: Increases happiness in all cities, reducing unrest.
• The Lighthouse: Enhances naval unit movement and exploration.
• The Oracle: Doubles the effects of temples, improving city happiness.
• The Great Library: Grants free technologies whenever other civilizations discover them.
• Shakespeare's Theatre: Dramatically improves happiness in the city where it's built.
• Isaac Newton’s College: Doubles science output in the city where it’s built.
• Adam Smith’s Trading Company: Eliminates maintenance costs for economic buildings like marketplaces and banks.
• Darwin’s Voyage: Instantly grants two free technologies upon completion.
• The Apollo Program: Reveals the entire world map and allows construction of the spaceship.
• SETI Program: Increases science output in all cities.
• Manhattan Project: Enables the construction of nuclear weapons.

Each wonder is unique and provides significant advantages, requiring players to carefully strategize their construction plans to dominate the game.

A Personal Journey with Civilization

It was 1991 or 1992, I don’t remember exactly, when I installed and played Civilization for the first time. I was about fourteen years old, and it was a true revelation. The brilliance with which the gameplay had been meticulously crafted completely captivated me. Few games since then have managed to keep me glued to the monitor for so long and with such intensity (perhaps Skyrim). I played it to the point where I knew every detail and nuance, and I managed to finish it with a completion rate of over 100%. I didn’t even think that was possible and assumed it was a bug.

I played Civilization hundreds of times, often changing my starting civilization and experimenting with countless different approaches based on war, diplomacy, or science. Each time, a unique and almost cinematic narrative would unfold, from the birth of my civilization to its conclusion, whether positive or negative.

It was with this game that I realized videogames are a form of art, and like every form of art, they have the power to leave an indelible mark on the human soul.

Verdict

Sid Meier's Civilization is a masterpiece that stands the test of time. It remains a must-play for fans of strategy games and is a testament to the power of gaming to educate and inspire.

Pros

• ✔ Revolutionary gameplay mechanics for its time.
• ✔ Deep strategy and replayability.
• ✔ Procedurally generated maps ensure variety.
• ✔ A wide range of civilizations and playstyles.

Cons

• ✘ Dated graphics and interface.
• ✘ Limited AI capabilities compared to modern standards.
• ✘ Steep learning curve for newcomers.

Final Score

PC (MS-DOS):

99%