The first time I played CivNet I loved it! I had been a big fan of the original Civilization and had played for hours and hours on end. CivNet is essentially a Windows version of Civilization 1, except with the networking added on. The net aspect of it is decent, though not the greatest thing out there. To be honest, I usually used it in the original, single player mode.
Overall, this is an excellent game. Well crafted and thought out. The versions that have come out since this one (Civilization II, Civilization III, Civilization IV) have been good with great graphics (obviously improving each outing) but to be honest, I still go back to the original.
It’s great game-play as well as great strategy.
For those who have not heard of the game, the objective of it is to do one of two things: either conquer the entire world or reach Alpha Centauri before any of the other players (computer or human) do. You start out back about 6000 BC and set up your first city at that point. From there it is discover the lands around you, begin setting up defences, and develop your city. At some point (usually early on) you start developing other settlers so that you can start other cities. Once you have other cities you can start producing more things faster such as military units, scientific discoveries, and the all-important taxes. There are other things
that can be done to grow your cities such as building granaries, aqua ducts, etc. Other things that can be built are barracks to produce veteran military units, temples to keep the people happy, and sports stadiums. In addition to this you can also build the great wonders such as the great library from Alexandria, the hanging gardens of Babylon, and the pyramids from Egypt. Each one of them will give your civilization a unique advantage. However as the game progresses, some of these effects will dissipate. The lighthouse will let your naval units go one extra space until the discovery of magnetism. The pyramids will allow you access to any type of government until communism is discovered. The later you get, the more powerful the effects, and the wonders allowed to be built later in the game usually don't run out as far as their effects.
This is a complex game, having to balance keeping your people happy keeping up enough taxes to support the buildings within your cities, and keeping up the science budget so that you can continue advancing and not fall behind the other civilizations out there.
Like I said before, this is an amazing game. The graphics are not great, but it's a strategy game, so honestly, that's not as important. Check it out!
