Sid Meier's Civilization II

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 511 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 431 out of 511
  2. Mixed: 49 out of 511
  3. Negative: 31 out of 511
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  1. W
    Oct 6, 2007
    10
    The best. As old as it is, no strategy game has really outdone this, which is a shame.
  2. JimmyC.
    Mar 6, 2003
    10
    Fantastic, everything i loved about the first own and they even improved the graphics.
  3. JeffL.
    May 27, 2003
    10
    My all time favorite game. Just learning the new ways to explore and battle/conquer is an everyday wonder.
  4. YuriW.
    Aug 22, 2003
    10
    Amazing.
  5. RussellL.
    Oct 5, 2006
    10
    Are you kidding? This is great! I've downloaded JUST a 60 minute trial and I LOVE IT! My only question - you've made this, and higher versions, but can you make a Civilization 5?
  6. BrianG.
    Jul 12, 2006
    10
    it was the best game i've played and possibly the only game i will play.
  7. WesC.
    Dec 8, 2008
    10
    I played this game when I was 10 years old. Before I played Civ II, the only games I played on the PC were Solitaire and Minesweeper. It sat on the start menu for months since I got my first computer and I wouldn't play it because it looked stale. This game blew my 10 year old mind away as soon as I learned the ropes. I would get amazed everytime I notice myself reading civilopedia I played this game when I was 10 years old. Before I played Civ II, the only games I played on the PC were Solitaire and Minesweeper. It sat on the start menu for months since I got my first computer and I wouldn't play it because it looked stale. This game blew my 10 year old mind away as soon as I learned the ropes. I would get amazed everytime I notice myself reading civilopedia articles one after the other without getting bored. The gameplay is really so entrenching that it was more than enough to keep me going for hours; 7 days a week, for many months to come.… Expand
  8. Sheaulle
    Apr 13, 2003
    10
    Even today this game is addictive! If you don't have it and don't have the money for its successor "Civ III" buy it. "Civ II" will bring hours, days, weeks, months and - believe me - years of fine entertainment to you. There are countless user maps/mods available, and there are still coming new ones - often with a historically educational or compelling fantasy plots. Even today this game is addictive! If you don't have it and don't have the money for its successor "Civ III" buy it. "Civ II" will bring hours, days, weeks, months and - believe me - years of fine entertainment to you. There are countless user maps/mods available, and there are still coming new ones - often with a historically educational or compelling fantasy plots. Nevertheless it's very cheap now. In Europe you get it for app. $5,--. Note: There are several versions available, such as "Civ II Gold edition" with multiplayer abilities and two official add-on packs or "Civ II - Test of Time" with improved graphics and gameplay, also multiplayer, but no editor and a lack of compatibility to original Civ II scenarios. I recommend both of them. … Expand
  9. GregW.
    Mar 9, 2005
    10
    The King of all empire-building games, the standard against which all are measured. The balance between features and playability has not been equaled since - Civ 3 was a step backward, with too many changes and additions that upset the basic playing experience.
  10. DavidJ.
    Apr 11, 2006
    10
    I've tried many free games, but this is the only one I keep playing and coming back to (Civ2 MPG is free at Abandonia.com), for years now, since the beginning. My highest score on King/random map is 195% and that game was a lot of fun (no cheating of any kind, spaceship). James D-how can you say that! Civ 2 is WAY better then Civ 1! except that I will grant you that Civ 1's I've tried many free games, but this is the only one I keep playing and coming back to (Civ2 MPG is free at Abandonia.com), for years now, since the beginning. My highest score on King/random map is 195% and that game was a lot of fun (no cheating of any kind, spaceship). James D-how can you say that! Civ 2 is WAY better then Civ 1! except that I will grant you that Civ 1's review process of every Civ's progress at the end of each game was very cool, I wish Civ 2 had that also. Civ 2 is just right in the level of complication, I tried Ages of Man II/CTP and others, and ending up coming back to Civ 2! I even designed my own Dirigible and Siege Warfare units/technologies, very cool!… Expand
  11. KevinJ.
    Jan 6, 2007
    10
    I have owned this game since its release and still play it even with the better graphic alternatives of Warcraft and the like.
  12. SGrunter
    Jan 31, 2008
    10
    Civ 1 was one of the greatest games of it's time.
    Civ 2 followed as a sequel..............awesome!!
    Civ 3 and 4 have come out with better graphics........ONLY!
    Civ 2 rules to this day with it's on screen playability.
    I bought Civ 3 and 4..............scrapped them and always have a civ 2 game going on...............Greatest game ever....Civ 2.
  13. [Anonymous]
    May 16, 2008
    10
    Great strategic game, even it has bad graphics it is one of the best games ever.
  14. RamadanS.
    Jun 23, 2008
    10
    For me, this game is the best strategy game!
  15. MikeW.
    Jul 11, 2008
    10
    Top 5 best games ever made for sure. Civ II is a genre defining classic and stands the test of time 12 years and many Civ games later it is still an absolute joy to play.
  16. ChrisI
    May 27, 2009
    10
    A great strategy game. If you solely take gameplay into account, it weasily accommodates for the old graphics it uses. This game is great for any strategy lover, and, speaking on a personal level here, there is a huge feeling of achievement as you force 2 or more enimes to battle each other, while you patiently build up your own armies to pick off whats left.
  17. GeorgeH.
    Jan 24, 2004
    10
    The best.
  18. Will
    Nov 17, 2006
    10
    Peerless. Civ II is still the standard by which I judge this genre and despite many solid follow-ons & copycats, I still enjoy occaisionally loading it up for a game.
  19. DavidJones
    Dec 26, 2006
    10
    This is the game by which all others playability are judged. III, IV, V, ... etc. none will ever be as fun as Civ 2! Because they are all to complicated, Civ 2 got it just right, I keep trying to find other games to play, and keep coming back to many happy, challenging hours of Civ 2. Designed my own maps, units, etc. James D -what are you crazy!? Somebody delete that 1 vote! HowThis is the game by which all others playability are judged. III, IV, V, ... etc. none will ever be as fun as Civ 2! Because they are all to complicated, Civ 2 got it just right, I keep trying to find other games to play, and keep coming back to many happy, challenging hours of Civ 2. Designed my own maps, units, etc. James D -what are you crazy!? Somebody delete that 1 vote! How could you go from Civ II back to Civ 1!?… Expand
  20. BobM.
    Aug 31, 2008
    10
    One of the best games of all times. If you can get passed the very dated graphics (and don't have the latest Civilization for some reason), it's still an awesome game. You can easily fill a weekend with friends playing this gem. Heck, I even invite Marc S. over to show him how good this game can be.
  21. DavidB.
    Sep 19, 2008
    10
    Best Strategy I ever played. Most adictive also. I spent 3-4 years having this as my most played game and I had Age II at the same time, so You get the idea. If you like action or don´t like to think much, this is not for you, but if like brain strategy, this is the game for you. Too bad I lost my cd. But tehre´s always CIV IV!!!
  22. Shockwave
    Sep 9, 2010
    10
    My fondest memories of this game were creating death trap scenarios for my friend in high school. The only dislike I had for this game were the epic voyages caravans had to take, sometimes spanning thousands of years. Other than that, pure awesome.
  23. ddorent
    Dec 10, 2010
    10
    Like wine it gets better with age. my all time favorite game . fun, deep , smart.
  24. femmefatal
    Sep 1, 2011
    10
    This is the BEST all time Civilization game bar none. It is better than Civ III and definitely better than Civ V (which is the worst of the series). Civ IV gives it a close challenge but II is still the best and most challenging. Pay no attention to that FOOL who says it's the worst game ever he's just mad cause his pew pew game didn't get 1st place in something. If you love strategy youThis is the BEST all time Civilization game bar none. It is better than Civ III and definitely better than Civ V (which is the worst of the series). Civ IV gives it a close challenge but II is still the best and most challenging. Pay no attention to that FOOL who says it's the worst game ever he's just mad cause his pew pew game didn't get 1st place in something. If you love strategy you will love CIV II.… Expand
  25. thevaliant
    May 17, 2013
    10
    This is the second best computer game I have ever played. And I played it nearly continuously for a period of six years. I could not recommend it more strongly.

    Civ 3 didn't cut it, though Civ 4 is also very good.

    (The best game ever? Hearts of Iron 2)
  26. YeshuaAgapao
    Nov 2, 2011
    10
    My 2nd favorite game while I was in college 1997-1999 (Master of Orion II was 1st). Modding is in text files, but still understandable by non-coder season users.
  27. Discord
    May 19, 2012
    10
    The second best Civilization game made to date. Leaves Civ IV, the worst in the series, in the dust and gives Civ V a run for its money. Civ II is a fun strategy game with astounding scenarios even in the Vanilla game. Definitely a solid game with great gameplay.
  28. sealjo
    May 31, 2014
    10
    One of the best games ever. Can consume thousands of hours. Civ V is a better game but it takes ages to play, leaving it much less rewarding. If only the AI wasn't quite so stupid when it came to automated settlers, refusal to play a diplomatic game and a few other things.
  29. theirrelephants
    May 25, 2018
    10
    I still play this 22 years after release.

    I think that says it all, really.
  30. iseeall
    Dec 10, 2015
    10
    An excellent 4x strategy game which improved everything Civilization 1 had. Civ 2 system was then even further improved by the same development team in Alpha Centauri, yet even Civ 2 by itself offers great experience and huge replay value. I've played hundreds of campaigns in it for maybe 10 years. Compared to later sequels Civ 2 feels a pretty hard game on Deity level, mostly due to veryAn excellent 4x strategy game which improved everything Civilization 1 had. Civ 2 system was then even further improved by the same development team in Alpha Centauri, yet even Civ 2 by itself offers great experience and huge replay value. I've played hundreds of campaigns in it for maybe 10 years. Compared to later sequels Civ 2 feels a pretty hard game on Deity level, mostly due to very powerful barbarians appearing in the beginning of the game, and a somewhat too random outcomes of battles. Democracy is also a seriously overpowered government due to huge population boosts while you have >50% happy citizens (and all others content) in cities, making it best even for war-time. If you find Diety too easy (which it is), try playing it extra-hard by making your starting settlers sleep for 100 turns. Or restart the game until you get a map where you appear on the North or South pole. Or play with 1 city only (the OCC challenge which was later added as game feature in Civ 4 or 5). Or you can edit the rules of the game by opening the txt file in the game's installation folder - it's that easy. I've played all the games in Civ series and must say that apart from Alpha Centauri, Civ 2 still remains the best in the series. After Alpha Centauri polished the model to almost complete perfection, the later sequels were just money grabs done by random people trying to squeeze yet even more from the fans and adding questionable changes for changes' sake. If you are too young to have seen Civ 2 or Alpha Centauri, resist your revulsion with their obsolete graphics and get some patience to dig thru the rules which sadly aren't well explained by today's standards. Civ 2 and AC are truly gaming classics which inspired a whole generation of gamers.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PC Game of 1996
4
#4 Most Discussed PC Game of 1996
2
#2 Most Shared PC Game of 1996

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Gamezilla!
    94
    While those looking for a revolutionary new game may not be entirely satisfied, any serious gamer who can even imagine enjoying this game probably will.
    Read full review
  2. All Game Guide
    100
    It is an incredible and very addictive game; once you start playing you won't want to stop... You will want to play Civilization II over and over, as every game is different.
    Read full review
  3. GameSpot
    92
    Microprose managed to add a score of new play elements that help the aging strategy classic evolve - without sacrificing the game’s addictive qualities.
    Read full review
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