Sid Meier's Civilization II

The Good
This game is VERY flexible! Whatever you don't like can be changed by editing Rules.txt, and other text files. The created worlds I don't like can be gotten around by creating my own stock of pre-made worlds using map editor and then selecting them at random. Scenarios can also be created and saved for re-use. the cheat mode is also useful for experimenting, instruction, and creating scenarios. Combat, movement, and cost properties of units can be changed if you wish. Reseach pattern can be changed, units can be made avalable with any advance you want, any wonder can be made non expiring or avalable sooner! New unit can be created, and given unique charactoristics. Can be run w/o the CD-ROM. Likes Win 3.1, 95 and 98 and probably all other Windows versions.

The Bad
The worlds it creates are too random, not enough variation, and have too many small islands and not enough water, even in the small land mass variation. High council advice sometimes is inapropriate.

The Bottom Line
The ultimate strategy game, with endless variations: you can make it what you want!

The Good
The game is very engrossing and entertaining. I liked the fact that you have total control over everything (except when the peasants are in a revolting mood). Learning to play the game is pretty simple however it does take a while to learn the best strategies for improving your score at the end. For those who like to cheat, the game provides those at the click of a mouse. I like to use the cheats to maximize myself whenever some other civ has all but beaten me (and I'm down to one city). Heh!heh! I hate to lose and this way you never do.

The Bad
At times I had trouble getting a round (turn) to end. The game would act like I still had a move to make (and maybe I did but I wanted to proceed) and wouldn't go to the next round. Also at times having another civ's unit in your area (whom you were not at war with) would block you from moving. That could get real annoying!

The Bottom Line
This is an excellent turn-based strategy game. Plenty of replay value with so many different civilizations that can appear when starting a new game. Also the land can change by random generation if you are tired of the pre-drawn maps.

The Good
I liked it because it was Civilization. It got a much needed and fairly well done Windoze-GUI. It had lots of add ons.

The Bad
The gameplay wasn't as good as the original. They went nuts and added all these extra types of units. They didn't know when to stop, and it ruined the balance.

The Advisors screen was gaudy. The Elvis in Civ1 was a cool little joke, but the Elvis Impersonator and Hammy Actors in Civ2 were tedious and ruined the immersion. Plus the same "films" are repeated over and over again. They add nothing. When a Toga-wearing American with a thick accent comes out to advise my Chinese emperor, well...

Stuff they could have fixed like micromanaging is still a problem.

Hobson's choice. Civ1 has better gameplay, but a DOS interface with a steep learning curve. Civ2 is easier, but not nowhere as much fun to play.

The Bottom Line
Good to have a Windows update to the original, but Sid got carried away and added too much crap, wrecking the balance.