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Alpha Centauri
Strategy game/god sim. The premise is that a ship carrying a human colony in cryo-sleep malfunctions. The passengers are forced to remain awake and they form various factions before landing on Alpha Centauri, where their differences persist. Each group has their own agenda and characteristics.
In all seven factions are included in the game. They are; the Spartans (military in character), Gaia's Stepdaughters (an environmental group), the Human Hive (authoritarian in character), the University of Planet (primarily concerned with research and the accumulation of knowledge), Morgan Industries (concerned with business and the accumulation of wealth), The Lord's Believers (a religious group) and UN Peacekeeping Forces, whose aim is to establish and maintain peace. As well as facing enemy factions, the life-forms indigenous to the planet are also a threat.
When the game begins each group has a single base. From here you guide your group as they explore, develop technology and build up their resources. The terrain is blank until explored by your units or until a map of the area is purchased from another group. It is necessary to expand you colony whilst engaging in diplomatic relations or combat with the other factions.
To provide for you population you must build farms (for food), mines (for raw materials), and solar collectors (for energy). Each requires a certain type of land. Among the units you can build are 'formers' which can modify the terrain to make building easier. In order to expedite the game base management can be turned over to the computer.
The game offers a wide variety of unit types. In addition, there us a Unit Design Workshop that allows you to mix and match parts to make new unit-types. The success of units is partly dependent on morale level, which is boosted by success and damaged by defeat. The tech trees featured in the game are extensive and include numerous secret projects to add further dimension to the game.
A wide range of diplomatic options are available. You can establish trade agreements and political alliances. There is a 'Planetary Council' that attempts to bring together all the factions, which you can choose to support or oppose
There are many victory criteria to choose from. They are based on conquest, diplomatic, economic and even spiritual/technological success (called Transcendence). Allied factions can share in victory.
The game is played on a main isometric map screen which displays units and terrain. A window displays text messages concerning current events and there are progress charts to display the status of the game. Via a main menu you can access many game options.
The game's graphics are adequate, if not spectacular, whilst the interface is easy-to-use. The AI is of a high quality. Play is accompanied by a range of sound effects, including good voice-over commentary, and a classical music soundtrack.
The game can be played by a single player or multi-played by up to seven people by hot-seating, or via e-mail, Net, modem or serial connenction.
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Last updated in January 2001. Copyright (c) 2000-2001 GamesSet.Com. |
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