After an uneasy start with Civilization I, Sid Meier returns with a new and improved version of his classic with Civilization II.

Graphics: 9/10

The graphics are a stellar improvement from Civilization I. You can actually see the units (rather than their picture). I even found them to be better-drawn on the PSX over the PC; they were less pixelized. There are far more units and all of them are quite distinct.

The fighting has been improved too; a stone-age warrior won't be able to destroy a tank anymore. They have hit points, and they fight accordingly; a weak unit is more likely to be defeated because it's exhausted. Also, units get realistic bonuses; for example, pikemen have more defend against mounted units and howitzer bypass city walls.

A new and interesting feature: there are many videos in the game. The High Council now talks to you, giving you verbal advice and praise/demonize you depending on how you rule. My personal favorite is the science one, especially when you lag behind in science. There are also movie when you build a World Wonder. I thought that was interesting and adds an interesting element.

Finally, the City window is much more user-friendly. You can keep a better eye on your food, people and production. However, navigating between these windows is very hard with the PSX controllers; I'd much rather use a keyboard and a mouse.

Music: 5/10

On the PC version, you had 7-10 tracks that played at random. You also had a sad music when a civilization get destroyed and Ode to Joy when you win the game.

That didn't translate well for the PSX. Music is completely static; YOU have to change it if you want. However, the sound effects DID translate well. Although older units usually sound the same (you can hear their swords), units after discovering gunpowder sound very modern. You can hear their gun shots, canons and similar units yell, “Fire!” and the nukes sound very dramatic.

Addictiveness: 10/10

It's a Civilization game; need I say more?

Thanks to its improvements, you will spend countless hours trying to control your empire and win. Since no two maps are ever the same, each game is different from the other. You can even control its size, climate and age (an older world will have fewer mountains).

There are even scenarios. You can choose to either be during the Roman Era – as the Romans, the Egyptians or maybe the Gauls – or during World War II at the invasion of Paris. Will you be the Germans and conquer the world? the Allies and try to liberate France? The Soviets and try to repel the Germans?

Depth: 10/10

As for the previous episode, Civ II lets you control your empire and grow it. But unlike the previous episode, many features have been improved.

First, many wonders don't expire. It's a good thing to see that the Sistine Chapel and Shakespeare's Theater will last forever, keeping your citizens happy.

Second, spying is much more elaborate. With Communism, you can poison water supplies, plant nuclear devices and bribe cities/enemies (with the spy, you can be 2x the price for cities and not lose your reputation).

Finally, you get a better perspective on things. You can manage your cities better, see what they produce, what commercial products they require, if they're starving...

Difficulty: 7/10

Along with better features, the game is extensively difficult.

Starting at Warlord, your enemies can ally against you, making you fight on two fronts more often than not. They can also ally with you, but they will keep bugging you for freebies in order to keep the alliance.

Starting at Prince, your enemies can start building wonders even if you haven't discovered the technology. Be sure to be on track.

Barbarians are also more difficult. By setting them at the highest level, you do get a bonus but they pop up everywhere and in large numbers. In the modern era, they can create guerrilla which sabotage everything around you. Be on the lookout.

Finally, the PSX version doesn't have the fluidity of controls. It's very annoying to have to direct an arrow for moving rather than press a key. Plus, the orientation of the arrow is sometimes not very precise. With such slow loading times, saving and loading your game will be frustrating.

Also, the higher your level the more discontent your citizens become. This means that your cities grow slower since you have to spend time and money on luxury to keep them working.

Fortunately, some features are also easier. Under Republic, there is a 50% chance your Senate will allow war; ditto for Democracy when you build the United Nations.

With Leonardo's workshop, you can automatically and at no cost improve your units for the next best thing. It's very practical, until the Automobile, to switch directly from warrior to musketeer without paying a dime.

In short, this game is for you is you want to spend countless hours trying to conquer the world. As there is more than one way to do it, keep the coffee nearby!