Ever wonder what happened to the explorers launched into space at the end of Civilization II ? This game has the answer: they landed on a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri and quickly divided into feuding factions, each bent on molding the new world according to the group's particular philosophy or culture. But the human colonists are not alone. Alpha Centauri employs the same basic gameplay, rules, and concepts as Civilization II , but features enhanced diplomacy and a new, slicker interface. Players begin by assuming leadership of one of seven colony factions, establishing a base on the unexplored world. Conquering territory, developing technology, expanding the faction's population, and dealing with native life forms are critical priorities that must be correctly balanced for survival. If a faction's military output is low, it may be vulnerable to attacks by others or by dangerous mind worms that roam the landscape. On the other hand, building war machines at the expense of scientific research
