Sid Meier's Civilization III Critic Reviews

It was difficult to write this review, because each time I started the game to check on some detail, six hours mysteriously vanished.

The biggest, deepest, most spectacular strategy game ever made.

The changes mostly seem to increase your options for trying new strategies, without altering the core game. And actually, that’s a brilliant approach.

Perfectly captures the epic sweep of the previous games but adds a bunch of new features that improve upon an already brilliant concept. It's superior in every way to "Civilization II"—and for that matter, any game of this type in recent memory.

Complex combat, climbing the tech tree, and resource management (commonly found in RTS games) make Civ III a deep strategy game – far beyond a simple Simulation game.

A flat out brilliant game...This is another addicting game that you very well could lose sleep and miss work over (I should know, I’ve done both).

The interface is much better implemented this time around...To make a long story short, Civ. III is a worthy heir for the franchise and a definite must have for any strategy gamer who doesn't want us to make fun of them.

Subtle and clever...The game, like its predecessors, is about addiction. Unfortunately, it does a great job of it.

For goodness' sake don't play this on evenings when you have to work the next day because the odds are you'll still be in front of your machine in the early hours, striving to build one more bit of your spaceship, or conquering just one more city before you go to bed.

The AI overall is vastly improved.

Just like "Civ II," it blends a simple start with a vast array of options and pulls them together into a detailed, compelling, and seamless gaming experience.

Apart from some minor bugs and several strange solutions Civilization III has to offer infinite possibilities and extreme replay value.

It's back with a vengeance...in short, a triumphant proclamation that strategy gaming is alive and well and still able to keep you rooted in front of your computer for hours at a time.

The game is still frighteningly addictive, constantly dangling new accomplishments in front of players who, at 3 am, are still planning on playing "just one more turn."

A classic in the making, Civilization 3 once again serves up a big plate of turn based gameplay covered in gobs of strategy and tons of choices, this is one that will keep you coming back for another helping over and over again.

A worthy and immersive extension of the series, and comes close to perfection in terms of strategy.

At its best, Civilization III is addicting and enjoyable. Unfortunately, it suffers from some play balancing , AI, and occasional stability issues which bar it from realizing its full potential.

A release finally worthy of the fans who have been waiting patiently for it.

If you're a fan of the series or of the genre, then I can readily recommend picking up Civilization III -- just keep in mind that it may not be all you expected, especially later in the game.

The progress made in this installment is a little disappointing, but that said, Civ III does continue the franchise's tradition of delivering the very best that the genre has to offer.