Civilization II is a strategy game. Strategy games are typically lacking in the graphics department. Civilization II is no exception. The “gameboard” is a square based system, turned 45 degrees (Q*bert-style). Mind you, as far as strategy games are concerned, Civilization II is average. It does, however, excel in small outtakes from the gameplay. When your civilization discovers certain technologies, you are greeted by some nice looking graphics, and in some cases, video.

The soundtracks are rudimentary, but acceptable. You may wish to listen to a CD or the radio because the repeat on the soundtracks is fairly short, and the game goes on... and on...

I like this game. When you review games, you play a lot of games... a whole lot of games. This gives you a limited amount of time to play games just because you want to. It also makes it REALLY easy to identify your favorite games; the games you go back to. This game is one of most addictive games I’ve ever played. It’s not extremely fast paced, but it is a really fun strategy game. Civilization II shows the value of rewarding the gamer. Occasionally, a traveling historian will write a book, either about the wealthiest civilization at that time, or the happiest civilization, or the most advanced civilization, etc., allowing you to know how you’re doing and to strive to be better. And the first time your subjects spontaneously decide to improve your throne room, you’ll be hooked.

Civilizations II does have a lot of “pieces” to understand, but the rules are fairly straightforward, and the complexity slowly builds along with your empire. If you need to use it, there is a Beginner level, which offers suggestions along the way. (And there’s always your council of advisors...) If you enjoy strategy games, and have some patience, then you’ll love Civilization II.

I really only have one complaint about Civilization II. When you assign orders to a unit telling it to go to a city, I find that sometimes they will get partway there, but then they’ll get “stuck” and simply step back and forth between a couple of positions. I can only assume this is due to a faulty path-choosing algorithm. This is a bothersome problem, but occasionally you can sometimes gain control of those units again. Otherwise, the game is excellent... very well balanced.