Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 271 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 225 out of 271
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 271
  3. Negative: 19 out of 271
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  1. DorianG.
    Aug 10, 2008
    10
    The greatest game ever made, like Civilzation with every aspect improved on. Interesting factions, fascinating technologies, hilarious quotes and profound philosophy make this good game into an amazing game.
  2. Selfbiased
    Mar 7, 2005
    10
    Sid equals god.
  3. LilyC.
    Sep 2, 2005
    10
    There is no "key" to domination. That's what makes this game great. And as a physics student, I often find myself lost in thought considering the practicality of some of the advanced technologies in the game (I won't bore you with the details, but the Space Elevator is a brilliant and probably quite feasible idea).
  4. JustinM.
    Mar 20, 2004
    10
    Awesome run your own empire type game.
  5. ZaphodB.
    Oct 18, 2006
    10
    Outstanding, exceptional extremely addictive game.
  6. AlexM.
    Jul 30, 2007
    10
    A true classic, alpha centauri is a great example of a civ2 successor, while horrible spin offs spawned themselves in the call to power series, SMAC kept the simple civ2 game play core, while expanding the content, if you've tried civ1-civ4 try it, you will greatly enjoy it. Its only weakness comes from its difficulties with winXP.
  7. ScottF
    Aug 8, 2008
    10
    I'm so tired of critics thinking that just because this game is "unoriginal" and "too-much like civ2" is a bad thing. This game is arguably the best turn-based strategy game ever. So what if it's a lot like civ2, civ2 was a lot like civ1 but no one seemed to mind then.
  8. IzaakA.
    Dec 5, 2003
    10
    Almost 4 years since release it still has a spot on my computer with the expansion. Excellent.
  9. PaulTR
    Oct 26, 2004
    10
    This game is a mind-blower. Even after 5 years since its debut I still play a game or two in my spare time, to relax. And nothing's more relaxing than divide and conquer on a planetary scale. It's a classic, pure and simple, and the best turn-based strategy game since...chess.
  10. BrianW.
    Jul 6, 2004
    10
    The best game I've ever played.
  11. GlennM.
    Aug 22, 2005
    10
    Meiers just blows my mind with his unbelievably enthralling gameplay.
  12. WilliamM.
    Dec 12, 2002
    10
    In my opinion, it's the standard for all current and future turn-based strategies.
  13. VitalyB.
    Mar 18, 2003
    10
    One of the most amazing Civ-styled games. Better than all the Civs together (and especially the awful Civ3). I wish there were SMAC2.
  14. Lados
    Sep 13, 2003
    10
    Best game that i ever played.
  15. MillerM.K.
    Nov 29, 2004
    10
    This game is one of the best if not THE best game I'v played on the PC.
  16. RichardP.
    Nov 29, 2006
    10
    This game really gets you in the role of a responsible and sometimes cynical leader. I fell the game really hits the peaks of an RTS and just allows you to immerse yourself for hours upon hours of playing. Truly great!
  17. ElliotN.
    Apr 25, 2006
    10
    It's a very good game. Some may complain it is complicating, but it captures many elements of civilization, government.
  18. GarrettM.
    Dec 24, 2007
    10
    This is, without question, the best game I have ever played bar none. The gameplay is smooth and balanced, the subject matter is throught provoking, and the sheer artistry and consideration that went into the technology tree is nothing short of astounding. Incredibly addictive and rewarding without fail, it sets itself apart from the Civ series by being so rich and unique, sometimes I This is, without question, the best game I have ever played bar none. The gameplay is smooth and balanced, the subject matter is throught provoking, and the sheer artistry and consideration that went into the technology tree is nothing short of astounding. Incredibly addictive and rewarding without fail, it sets itself apart from the Civ series by being so rich and unique, sometimes I would find myself just sitting and thinking about the personalities, the technologies, the well selected quotes and the themes they address. This has spoiled strategy gaming for me, because I've never found one that could hold a candle to Alpha Centauri.… Expand
  19. Crowbarfetish
    Mar 24, 2011
    10
    I played this game years ago when I was just a wee tyke,. I got civ5 and got nostalgic so I dug up my old copy. Still so much fun.. The story. The depth.. Man... They really don't make them like they used to.. Have we gotten stupider?
  20. Cgarater
    Nov 26, 2010
    10
    Liked a lot, one of the MASTER PIECES of it's time, technology tree was superb and you could play it as a leader of one of the 3 clans after a trip to another galaxy. Simply another MUST HAVE
  21. GoFindaGolux
    Mar 15, 2011
    10
    Better than any of the Civilization games, in almost every aspect..

    There are useful features in this game that I'm still discovering, even after having played it extensively on three computers. I can't say that for any other game. Two particularly annoying aspects of Civilization are repeated here. The first is the world generator. The player gets one chance a day to start a "good" new    Better than any of the Civilization games, in almost every aspect..

    There are useful features in this game that I'm still discovering, even after having played it extensively on three computers. I can't say that for any other game. Two particularly annoying aspects of Civilization are repeated here. The first is the world generator. The player gets one chance a day to start a "good" new world/game. Repeated tries generate worlds that are often barren and unplayable. The other issue is that if the human player "gets too far ahead", the computer players go into overdrive -- enemy units becoming nearly invincible. Even more annoying, if the computer has decided some faction must die (to make way for another computer player who can challenge you), no amount of money or military units given to the "loser" will save them. They do practically nothing to defend themselves and crumble without warning..    … Expand
  22. Doniazade
    Dec 5, 2010
    10
    More or less the single best turn-based strategy game ever made, excelling in absolutely every area. Even now, nearly twelve years later, very few games can stand up to its incredible charm and addictiveness. I could play it for months and months.
  23. Comradepinko
    Jan 27, 2013
    10
    This is my favorite Civ style game of all time. The gameplay is near perfect and the back story is incredible. I love reading through all of the details on each technology that is developed, and playing through as different factions with entirely different strategies never gets old for me. Even now, more than a decade after its release I still occasionally come back for more, and otherThis is my favorite Civ style game of all time. The gameplay is near perfect and the back story is incredible. I love reading through all of the details on each technology that is developed, and playing through as different factions with entirely different strategies never gets old for me. Even now, more than a decade after its release I still occasionally come back for more, and other modern Civ titles only keep me interested in them for a few months after their release before I come back to this gem.

    Every future empire building game should strive toward imitating the excellent design of this title.    … Expand
  24. NotkerBiloba
    Jan 30, 2015
    10
    Agree wholeheartedly with Tb87670, except I was a little older in 1999 and had played previous Civ titles and whatnot. This game is 16 years old, and miraculously still fresh on my current play-through after not having looked at it in years. I love the sci-fi story in addition to all the usual Civ features. If only something similarly creative could be done in this genre!
  25. Drakan
    Sep 1, 2011
    10
    Brilliant game. SMAC is probably the apex of Turn-Based Strategy gaming even 13 years after its release. The amount of Philosophy, imagination, new technological trends that was poured into it was amazing at the time. I got to pick up this game for the first time in 2004, some 6 years after its release, and I was blown out of the water by its staggering depth and possibilities. The limitBrilliant game. SMAC is probably the apex of Turn-Based Strategy gaming even 13 years after its release. The amount of Philosophy, imagination, new technological trends that was poured into it was amazing at the time. I got to pick up this game for the first time in 2004, some 6 years after its release, and I was blown out of the water by its staggering depth and possibilities. The limit is really your skill and imagination on playing it. You can play it through a myriad of different playstyles following which faction you choose to play with. Each game will feel completely different from another one as the strategies that must be pursued are completely different. Highly recommendable game which you can now buy, updated, through GOG.com for only 5 USD. Really worthwhile. You do not need a high end rig to play it. Its pure strategy gaming directly in your veins.… Expand
  26. bubbadukes
    Mar 30, 2011
    10
    if you even remotely liked any of the civ games, buy this. graphics aren't phenomenal but the presentation and depth are. the amount of choices at your disposal is overwhelming. the civ series never became stale for me, but if it did for anyone, this game will likely freshen up the experience. similar structure, different atmosphere and world. the thought provoking quotes never fail toif you even remotely liked any of the civ games, buy this. graphics aren't phenomenal but the presentation and depth are. the amount of choices at your disposal is overwhelming. the civ series never became stale for me, but if it did for anyone, this game will likely freshen up the experience. similar structure, different atmosphere and world. the thought provoking quotes never fail to disappoint either.… Expand
  27. Gotterdammerung
    May 29, 2011
    10
    It's a fantastic game with an very large scope, and takes it all in it's stride. The technology is all scientifically correct, and the descriptions explain a lot, and the quotes interesting. Also, customization of units is a great touch, that I am sad to see has not been continued in later games. The best part about it, for me, were the faction leaders, each with their own distinctIt's a fantastic game with an very large scope, and takes it all in it's stride. The technology is all scientifically correct, and the descriptions explain a lot, and the quotes interesting. Also, customization of units is a great touch, that I am sad to see has not been continued in later games. The best part about it, for me, were the faction leaders, each with their own distinct personality and viewpoints, all of them humanly flawed, and easy to emphasise with, and see the various pros and cons of their worldview. It has a varied set of win conditions, and the planetary council is a joy. It's one of the best games I've ever played, and I would recommend it to everyone. It's a rare game that makes you truly think about what you are doing.… Expand
  28. Jedai
    Jun 17, 2011
    10
    Still one of the most amazing game of its category. SMAC was fascinating when it came out and it is my belief that it has yet to be surpassed on the depth and interest of its setting for a realist Sci-Fi strategy video game. The gameplay is surprisingly smooth, maintaining your interest and your control despite the great complexity of the game mechanics. With an almost infiniteStill one of the most amazing game of its category. SMAC was fascinating when it came out and it is my belief that it has yet to be surpassed on the depth and interest of its setting for a realist Sci-Fi strategy video game. The gameplay is surprisingly smooth, maintaining your interest and your control despite the great complexity of the game mechanics. With an almost infinite replayability potential SMAC is still played today while plenty of other popular games in its category have disappeared after a short (comparatively) time.

    One of the most interesting Civ-like opus.    … Expand
  29. TechnologoDoom
    Aug 2, 2011
    10
    Alpha Centauri dominates the competition and marks out the stakes for engaging, civilization building. Here's why...

    1. Cultural Philosophy is embodied in the different factions. Ridded of the heavy baggage accompanying past factions (egyptians, americans), factions are boilded town to philosophical embodiments including relgious fundamentalism and scientific anarchism. 2. Tech tree has    Alpha Centauri dominates the competition and marks out the stakes for engaging, civilization building. Here's why...

    1. Cultural Philosophy is embodied in the different factions. Ridded of the heavy baggage accompanying past factions (egyptians, americans), factions are boilded town to philosophical embodiments including relgious fundamentalism and scientific anarchism. 2. Tech tree has actually been thought out. From the quotes from famous literary figures to the theoretical nature of the discoveries, the tech tree makes you actually stop and read. That never happens in other games of this genre.

    3. "Planet" is a living breathing player in the game. Not only in the storyline, but also in mindworm opposition, Alpha Centauri gounds civilization in the environment, and forces an amount of eco-friendliness from it's technological business. 4. The graphics and music are wonderous. They effectively immerse your consciousness into the game itself, drawing you in, and bringing you to this planet at the far reaches of space. Absolutely beautiful.

    This game makes the "Civilization" series boring and inconsequential.    … Expand
  30. ogower
    Aug 24, 2014
    10
    Years later and I still love this game. The backstory is rich and involving, the game mechanics intelligent and fun, the AI some of the best I have ever seen and the overall experience something that stays with you. The AI deserves special mention. In the game you find pods that do various things, one of them being setting of an earthquake that can raise or lower land. In one game, theYears later and I still love this game. The backstory is rich and involving, the game mechanics intelligent and fun, the AI some of the best I have ever seen and the overall experience something that stays with you. The AI deserves special mention. In the game you find pods that do various things, one of them being setting of an earthquake that can raise or lower land. In one game, the drone faction, my allies suddenly broke off their alliance then soon after attacked; it turns out they had accidentally created a land bridge to my continent, presumably making invasion and expansion viable and so changing the AI's game plan. The AI then astounded me when I hammered their ground forces with air by developing ground troops with anti-air capability (presumably using the 'design your own unit' capability that hasn't been used since but is a brilliant innovation), swatting my air force. The game, well over a decade old, felt like I was playing against a human and I have not seen that very often. An astonishing work.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best PC Game of 1999
5
#5 Most Discussed PC Game of 1999
5
#5 Most Shared PC Game of 1999

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Computer Games Magazine
    80
    It might sit a little short of Transcendence, but at four o'clock in the morning you probably won't even notice.
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  2. Gamer's Pulse
    80
    The unoriginality in unit appearance kind of killed the game for me and the good soundtrack that overshadows the game can get on your last nerve depending on how long you've been playing. It just continually loops.
    Read full review
  3. GameSpot
    91
    Another one of those games that can make hours pass like minutes...With its top-notch diplomacy, civilization building, and wargame elements, Alpha Centauri is the new pinnacle of turn-based strategy games.
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