Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Civilization II: Fantastic Worlds builds upon the tried-and-true 4X formula of its parent game while injecting a wealth of imagination through its nineteen curated scenarios. Each scenario offers unique starting conditions, specialized units, and custom victory conditions that keep every session feeling fresh. Whether you’re marching legions of Vikings through Midgard or commanding the starship fleets of a distant Borg-like empire, the core loop of exploration, expansion, exploitation, and extermination remains as addictive as ever.

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The scenario pack’s strength lies in its versatility. In the Norse Midgard adventure, players contend with ice giants and rune-based magic, forcing strategic adaptations from the standard tech-tree progression. By contrast, the Atlantis map emphasizes naval warfare and underwater cities, introducing novel tile improvements and specialized units like the trident-wielding Atlantean guards. Each map feels like a self-contained mini-game: you learn new mechanics, refine fresh tactics, and then move on to something entirely different.

For fans of classic MicroProse franchises, the conversions of Master of Magic, Master of Orion, and X-COM are absolute highlights. In Master of Magic, you collect mana, summon mythical creatures, and cast world-altering spells; in Master of Orion, your interstellar empire negotiates, wars, and researches alien technologies; in X-COM, you manage a covert defense force countering an impending UFO threat. These scenarios do more than slap new units onto an old map—they introduce scenario-specific research trees, diplomacy quirks, and event-driven mini-campaigns that feel faithful to their original titles while taking full advantage of Civ II’s interface and AI.

Graphics

By modern standards, Civilization II’s isometric sprite graphics are simple, but Fantastic Worlds stretches these assets in imaginative ways. New terrain types—glowing lava fields in the Jules Verne scenario or bioluminescent forests in the Atlantian map—use palette swaps and retextured tiles to evoke entirely new ecosystems. These tweaks keep the familiar Civ II look from feeling stale and add a layer of visual novelty that complements each scenario’s theme.

The unit sprites also receive scenario-specific treatments. Viking berserkers bear horned helms and glowing runes, while sci-fi marines sport sleek power armor and hovercars zip across futuristic landscapes. Even though you’re still technically moving 32×32 pixel icons on a grid, these small artistic flourishes drive immersion. Animations for spells, UFO landings, or underwater sieges are modest but charming, popping off the screen with precisely the right level of spectacle given the game’s engine limitations.

Menus and UI elements remain consistent with the base Civilization II experience, which means your first five minutes with any Fantastic Worlds scenario feel instantly familiar. Tooltips, icons, and unit portraits are all unchanged in layout, but occasional theme-linked art—such as a Jules Verne–style submarine portrait—adds flair without sacrificing clarity or usability. This balance of novelty and familiarity makes the pack accessible even to longtime Civ II veterans.

Story

While Civilization II is not typically narrative-driven, Fantastic Worlds uses scenario briefs, in-game events, and scripted turns to weave compelling mini-stories. In the Norse Midgard map, an early-era prophecy foretells a dragon’s awakening, triggering world events that reshape alliances and threaten entire regions. Players who rush to research runic lore or forge alliances with dwarf clans will experience different story beats than those who pursue brute-force domination.

The Atlantis scenario offers its own dramatic arc: your underwater empire must discover lost Atlantean technology before sea levels rise and flood vital sectors. Narrative events such as “The Great Reef Quake” or “Leviathan’s Rage” punctuate the action, forcing quick decision-making and reactive diplomacy. These story elements aren’t cinematic cutscenes—rather, they unfold through text prompts and game-mechanic changes, allowing your strategic choices to directly influence the world’s fate.

Jules Verne’s tech-driven adventure stands out for its sense of adventure and whimsy. You pilot steam-powered submarines and giant mechanical walkers, explore uncharted islands filled with prehistoric fauna, and unlock fantastical devices like the Nautilus-inspired submarine or the moon-bound Columbiad cannon. The scenario’s faux-Victorian prose evokes that classic era of speculative fiction, making the story feel like an interactive novel rather than just another map to conquer.

Overall Experience

Civilization II: Fantastic Worlds is a masterclass in scenario design, demonstrating how a robust engine can support wildly diverse settings without compromising balance or playability. Each of the nineteen scenarios stands on its own, offering distinct goals, tile sets, and mechanics that prevent the game from ever feeling repetitive. Whether you’re a longtime Civ II strategist or a newcomer eager to try out fantasy and sci-fi spins on 4X gameplay, there’s something here to captivate your imagination.

The pack’s variety can be overwhelming—juggling nineteen different rule sets means you’ll want to read each scenario’s briefing closely and perhaps keep a notepad handy for scenario-specific tech trees or victory conditions. However, this learning curve is also part of the appeal: mastering Atlantis’s oceanic logistics one night and plotting interstellar treaties in Master of Orion the next keeps the experience perpetually fresh.

Ultimately, Fantastic Worlds succeeds not by reinventing Civilization II but by celebrating its core strengths—deep strategy, emergent storytelling, and addictive replayability—while dressing them up in inventive skins. It’s a treasure trove for Civ II enthusiasts and a compelling showcase of just how flexible and enduring the Civilization formula can be when entrusted to creative map designers and scenario authors. If you ever wanted to pit orcs against robots or defend Earth from an alien invasion in Sid Meier’s classic engine, Fantastic Worlds delivers in spades.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10