You wouldn't think a 2D turn-based strategy game could be full of atmosphere; not the sort of genre that we associate with many emotions.

But holy dancing cows is it good, it's so damned creepy and immersive; the strange music and all the weird fmv really build the story and the factions actually have character and dialog with you.

I knew I liked this game when I was a kid but couldn't remember why, it's a Civ style game yes, but it is much more than just a plain strategy game; its got that atmosphere a lot of old PC games have, like Thief and System Shock.

I wonder why Sid didn't keep exploring with the TBS genre? Then again he made some real gems like Civ, Pirates and Colonization along with Alpha Centauri.

I actually missed this one back in the day and only got the chance to experience it thanks to GOG.com.

I agree with you entirely! When I fired it up and started playing my first game the first thing that caught my attention was the attention devoted to the theme of the game. The voice dialogue, the sound effects, and especially the sci-fi environmental background music. While not a huge fan of the civ series (part 3 being my favorite to date), I absolutely love the atmosphere SMAC creates!

It's a true gem of an experience.

The atmosphere is unmatched and extremely unique. I can't think of another videogame based on hard science fiction.

I'd love to see a remake or a sequel if done right. In it's current form, it's an unpolished and blemished masterpiece. I say so, because of the myriad of glitches and the confusing UI. I spent the afternoon playing, only for the game to crash on me, losing hours of progress.

Don't get me wrong, I still love it. Just frustrating and unfortunate about the problems that plague the game. I wish there was a community of moders that worked around this game to fix it up.

Don't get me wrong, I like all of the quotes and voice acting in the game, but is it possible to disable the Network Node quote when you first build one? Douchechills!

Because no one would buy them
To get rid of the network node quote, you would first have to be able to use a computer. Even if I explained how to do it, you do not know how to use a computer, so it would not do any good.

uhm....there's a setting that turns off the speech as soon as you move away from the screen, whcih basically means you end up not hearing anything if you click through screens quickly. not really what you want, but it does help.

SMAC is actually designed by Brian Reynolds (Civ2, Rise of Nations, Age of Empires 3, now some stupid Zynga thing).

Are you slandering one of the funniest quotes of the entire game?

I DON'T KNOW BUT I BEEN TOLD
DEIDRE'S GOT A NETWORK NODE
LIKES TO PRESS THE ON/OFF SWITCH
DIG THAT CRAZY GAIAN WITCH!


SMAC's atmosphere truly is unmatched. Even the factions are created with absolutely fantastic vision and design.

Brian Reynolds had a lot to do with the atmosphere of SMAC, and his background in philosophy helped him flesh out the world and its factions. That's why there are quotes from Aristotle, Plato, and Kant. The Civilization series by contrast tends to be generic and a bit dull.

del

This game is Brian Reynolds masterpiece. Sid only has his name on the cover.

I agree. Alpha Centauri provided me with nights full of enjoyement and fascination. The whole setting is really fleshed out and detailed, there is even a story which make the whole planet even more interesting. Planet feels hostile and different, making it a challenge to colonise. The factions are by far one of the best ones I ever saw, with those amazing quotes and dialogues.

The soundtrack is also really great, it's dark and gritty. Making it even more immersive.

IMHO all the Civilization games are a step backward from SMAC. Sure with Civ V you have 3D map and good animations, etc. But in SMAC you had a real 3D map and you have weather effects. In SMAC not only could you change the weather with the Condenser, you could terraform the map: you could lower and rise land.

I wish there would be more games with the depth and atmosphere of SMAC instead of the 10th copy of Civilization. :(

Pretty proud of this one, were you?