Civilization II
| Civilization II | |
|---|---|
North American cover art of the PC version
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| Developer(s) | MicroProse |
| Publisher(s) | MicroProse |
| Producer(s) | Jeff Briggs |
| Designer(s) |
Brian Reynolds Douglas Kaufman Jeff Briggs |
| Programmer(s) | Brian Reynolds Jason S. Coleman Chris Taormino |
| Artist(s) | Michael O. Haire |
| Writer(s) | Dave Ellis |
| Composer(s) | Jeff Briggs Roland J. Rizzo |
| Series | Civilization |
| Platform(s) | Mac OS PlayStation Windows |
| Release date(s) | PC PlayStation |
| Genre(s) | Turn-based strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single player (multiplayer with Multiplayer Gold Edition) |
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Publication | Score |
| AllGame |  |
| Game Informer | 7.75/10 (PlayStation) |
| PC Gamer (UK) | 96% |
| PC Gamer (US) | 96% |
Sid Meier's Civilization II is a turn-based strategy video game developed and published by MicroProse. It was first released in 1996 for the PC and later ported to the Sony PlayStation. In 2002, Atari (MicroProse's owner at the time) re-released the game for newer operating systems, such as Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
Civilization II is similar to the first Civilization, with some changes to the various units, civilizations, world wonders, tile "specials" and technologies. The graphics were changed from a top-down view to an isometric representation. Rivers no longer occupy the whole of each tile along their length; instead, they are part of each topography square through which they flow, adding productive value, defensive bonuses and movement ability. The AI was improved as well, including the elimination of most random events by now making the computer player go through the same production requirements as the human player.
The game features entirely new concepts, such as firepower and hit points, and changes to some units' abilities and strengths. For instance, engineers and settlers can be automated to improve surrounding areas, but do not ignore enemy zones of control. Some new units are added such as stealth aircraft.
The player has the ability to consult the 'High Council' for advice (as long as the player still has the CD in the drive). The council consists of film clips of actors portraying advisors in the areas of the military (a brawny man, often drunk, angry or both; he becomes a stereotypical American general when Modern Age is reached), economics (a smooth-talking merchant, later a snooty and suave businessman), diplomacy (in the Modern Age, a saucy femme fatale with a vaguely Eastern European accent), technological progress (a nerdy scientist), and the people's happiness (an Elvis Presley caricature, wearing sunglasses even in the Ancient period). They often argue with and insult one another, as each advisor's department demands a different set of priorities. The counselors' costumes change with each new era. In many ways, the 'High Council' constitutes a bit of comic relief, especially from the expansionist military adviser, who will insist on more troops even when the player has 60 battleships, or during the Medieval Period will sing the last refrain from the 18th Century English traditional song "Down Among the Dead Men", punctuated with a hearty "No complaints, sire!". When the player is experiencing anarchy, the characters begin talking and shouting unintelligibly at the same time, interrupting each other, and finally beginning to fight, with all counselor windows shutting down and turning into the "Ⓐ" symbol of Anarchy.
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