I almost bought the latest Civilization IV from my local store today, but decided I’d already got my weekly fix of games. It reminded me of the months of time I wasted playing the original, which you can now download for free. This is the game that started the whole strategy gaming phenomena.
Because there have been several different versions of Civilization released since it was first released in the early 90’s it’s hard to bring up purely the original when doing an image search. The following link does show several images from the first edition. The graphics are dated as you would expect, but the game play that has basically remained the same throughout the whole series is there. If you’ve never played this empire building strategy game you haven’t lived. :)
The game is free standing but it’s recommended that you play it via DOSBox. (Check back in the games discussion to the first few weeks of this project. I explained what DOSBox is. Though it’s not essential; it just enables the game to rum perfectly. Also when you first start the game it will ask you what type of display you have, I found choosing the second choice MCGA, then IBM sound (2) (very annoying sound though) and then mouse and keyboard (1), but I’d try different combinations to see which works best for you. I found some combo’s crashed the game. If you’re okay with using DOS box I’d suggest using that, but as already said, it’s not essential.
I’ve not played this version for over a decade, yet when I installed it several weeks ago I found I was hooked again despite the old graphics and my massive library of games. This together with another game I’ll be posting here soon were amongst the first computer games I ever bought for the PC.
There is a learning curve with respect to the game controls, but they are pretty much intuitive. The commands are laid out like a typical MS windows browser. If you’re like me and find learning a whole series of commands a bind, then don’t worry, it’s not that hard to pick up on the games controls; it’s certainly worth persevering especially as this game is a classic.
All movements and commands can be accomplished using the mouse, but I found using a combination of mouse and keyboard shortcuts the most effective way of playing this game.
Images:
http://images.google.co.uk/images?gbv=2&hl=en&q=civilization+I&btnG=Search+Images
Video:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=w_28ZS3jcgA&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_LM0MEyTwH8&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=c3q7Vmhf8lo&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=IAzAqnHkiZg&feature=related
More Information:
Check out the Wiki for info on gameplay and other stuff about the game:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilization_%28board_game%29#Game_Play
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilization_%28board_game%29
Download Link:
http://www.bestoldgames.net/eng/old-games/civilization.php
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Guess What!
Civilization 2 is also available for free. The second game is basically the same as the original but with improved graphics. You can download it from the same web site as the first:
Download Link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilization_%28board_game%29
Images:
http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=civilization+2&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2
Video:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QkAkM7WE1DA&feature=related (the grid that you can see is optional – I always found it best to keep the grid off)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y47nxo_uvA&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S8JEa8rW_jQ&feature=related
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First come - first to get………..
Following on from the success of the first Civilization, the developers decided to carry the story on from where it finished. That is the arrival of colonists to Alpha Centauri. One of the winning outcomes to the original was to complete the technology tree that enables you to be able to build a space ship to go to Alpha Centauri. So Alpha Centauri was developed and released a few years after the first game. Unfortunately, Alpha Centauri is not yet available for free, but I have the original CD which I bought years ago that I'd like to give to someone who really wants the game. I also have Call to Power II a revamped version of Civilization, that included the original game play but has much improved graphics over both Civilization I & II; plus the addition of new units and animated sequences. I’m happy to give both of these games away for free to the first persons to contact me via Email. Please don’t ask for them in the thread itself. You’ll need to contact the administrators via the private message system (see below your name at the top of this page) and tell them I’m happy for them to release my Email. Quote this thread. I’ll give both to the same person if no one else requests the games by the end of November. If no one asks I'll let you know.
