Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Planetary Pack

by Loki Entertainment Software

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004TBBX
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: April 27, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,565 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Ever wonder what happened to the explorers launched into space at the end of Civilization 2? This game has the answer: they landed on a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri, and quickly divided into feuding factions, each bent on reshaping the new world according to their particular philosophy or culture. But the human colonists are not alone. Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Planetary Pack bundles together the full version of Alpha Centauri with its official expansion pack, Alien Crossfire.

Alpha Centauri employs the same basic game play, rules, and concept as Civilization 2, but features enhanced diplomacy and a new, slicker interface. Players begin by assuming leadership of one of seven colony factions, establishing a base on the unexplored world. Conquering territory, developing technology, expanding the faction's population, and dealing with native life forms are critical priorities that must be correctly balanced for survival. If a faction's military output is low, it may be vulnerable to attacks by others or by dangerous mind worms that roam the landscape. On the other hand, building war machines at the expense of scientific research may result in trying to manage a massive but obsolete war machine or a rebellious population.

Within the game, you can now automate tasks that--in the earlier game--were repetitive and dull. The factions also have a better mix of leaders; three of the seven factions are headed by women. The computer AI for the other groups does a good job of making decisions in accordance with each faction's particular philosophy and world view, and will often surprise a human player with an offer of strategic alliance or a sudden double-cross.

Alien Crossfire, the official add-on pack for Alpha Centauri, expands on the original game by adding seven factions, new facilities, additional secret projects, and new branches to the elaborate technology tree. The pack also provides new enhancements to Alpha Centauri, including play-by-e-mail multiplayer mode, hot-seat multiplayer mode, and numerous tweaks to the interface and unit properties. Alien Crossfire's new factions include cyborgs, drones, pirates, and two sets of alien societies. Factions are balanced by a set of predetermined statistics and characteristics, such as bonuses for particular government and production styles.

This easy-to-learn and thoroughly absorbing game takes the best features of the classic Civ 2 and sets them in a brave new world. The addition of Alien Crossfire's expanded features, missions, and multiplayer capabilities ensures that players will be exploring the fascinating world of Alpha Centauri for a long time.

Amazon.com Product Description

The Planetary Pack combines the highly rated Alpha Centauri and its official expansion pack, Alien Crossfire. As a bonus, each package includes a free Prima strategy guide. With Alpha Centauri Planetary Pack, legendary designer Sid Meier presents the next evolution in strategy games, with the most addictive, compelling game play yet. Explore the alien planet and uncover its myriad mysteries. Discover new technologies and build dozens of bases as you spread your futuristic empire across the alien planet you now call home. Trade technology, wealth, or information with neighboring civilizations or new alien inhabitants to strengthen your empire--but war may be a quicker means to an end.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Computer Game I've Played, July 28, 2000

By 

T (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Planetary Pack (CD-ROM)

Where can I begin with this game? For any Sci-fi fan, this game is for you. I picked up a copy of Alpha Centauri from one of my friends. And I instantly got hocked on it. The whole concept of this game is wonderful. Earth life is threatned so the UN sent the game charcters up into whole new solar system (which I read you can see from earth) to start a new life. But when the spaceship lost connection to earth and the captain was killed, panic broke out. You start a new game crash landing on Planet. The first priority is to build a defense for your new base. Throuout the game you have to comunicate with other factions ( people who were on the UN ship and have landed on Planet to), build new bases (expand) and base facilities), build up a military, and go to war. You get to chose from a wide varity of characters to chose from. A few examples are Chairman Yang of the Hive and Brother Lal of the Peacekeepers. Each Character has thier own personality. You my find some hard to work with (if you decide you want to work with them). Also, each charcter has their own opinon on how to govern Planet. And when I found the Alien Crossfire Expansion, I was evn more excited. More factions, techs, and projects. I think I've talked enough but if you have any questions about the game please e-mail me.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alien Crossfire, April 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Planetary Pack (CD-ROM)

Sid Meier's Alien Crossfire is the best strategy game I have played in a long time. A boost even from the simpler Civilization II and other programs in that series, it is fantastic to play and a lot of fun. I reccomend the Pirates to play. Hint: Use global warming to your advantage!