Alpha freaking Centauri. Those that love ‘Civilization’ type games often hold Alpha Centauri in extremely high regard. The game let’s you pick up where we pacifistic Civilization players left off – with a ship landing on an Alpha Centauri planet, ready to build a new society. Much of the game is Civ taken to a sci-fi world, with goodie huts replaced by supply pods from your colony ship, things like that. There were a few differences, though, that really set Alpha Centauri apart. Game-wise, the ability to custom design your troops and ships added quite a bit of depth for people who love to micromanage.
What you really notice as you play, though, is the story. Yes, there’s a story, one rich with opposing viewpoints, classic science fiction themes, and solid voice acting. If you are a fan of Frank Herbert, Ray Bradbury or similar authors, you’ll feel right at home. You wanted to find out what happened in the story, not JUST ‘win’ the game, which is interesting considering what kind of game it is. You don’t see that in 4X games all that often. If you haven’t played Alpha Centauri, it’s definitely worth trying out.
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