I know no one really cares about my favorite game , Civilization II, but I achieved something in a recent game that I don't think I've achieved in my 30 years of playing it. I got all the top 5 cities in the world!
Cities occupy one tile and harvest yields from nearby tiles: food, trade and production. They may build units, city improvements or wonders of the world. Typically, each civilization will constantly expand by founding new cities until all of the map is settled. Analogous to chess pieces, the many different units vary in their functions, mirroring historical types of soldiers and occupations. Units occupy one tile at a time and may move every turn. Most of them can attack others in battle; a minority have non-military functions.
After civilizations make contact, they begin diplomatic relations. In war, a civilization may conquer another civilization's cities. When all of a player's cities are conquered, they are permanently removed from the game. To end war, two players may negotiate peaceful relations.
Scientific research is a focal point of the game. Players begin with primitive technology and hence limited possible actions. Grouped by eras from ancient to modern, civilization advances, both scientific and societal, offer numerous advantages.
There are three paths to victory: conquering all other civilizations, building a spaceship that reaches the Alpha Centauri star system using advanced technology, and otherwise surviving until 2020 AD (being ahead in civ score over the others). A player's score is calculated after finishing the game.
There are many games available on the internet. But I really like this one. It is never the same game twice, I don't have to move fast, it is no "shoot them up", and I know the rules and tech advances. It is more of a thoughtful game (like chess or risk). I enjoy being able to consider actions and do some planning without time-pressure.
