Management of Colonization is done through various pulldown menus. The number of bells you produce has a direct relationship (percentage-wise) to the strength of support you receive from these various factions in your eventual War for Independence. As the game progresses, you earn liberty bells (an icon for freedom support) that impact many factors (rebel sentiment, Sons of Liberty (a group dedicated to protecting rights against the Crown), and a Continental Congress that can include 25 real-life historical figures) in determining your ultimate success when declaring independence through revolution. All of these components are intricately interwoven and your management skills will determine the level of your success.

For example, on the helpful reference chart that comes with the game, you can count 38 possible buildings, each with required construction costs and effects, 22 unique skills (including Outdoorsmen and Craftsmen), 12 different terrain possibilities, each with specific production values assigned, 4 general units (wagon train, colonist, scout, treasure train), 4 native units (brave, armed brave, mounted brave, mounted warrior), 10 distinct military units, 6 specific naval units and 4 types of forts. Strategy abounds but so does the sheer number of components available in building your colony. As expected in any Sid Meier's game, Colonization offers a huge number of game play options and multiple decision-making choices to help you mold your fledgling colony into an economic and military power.įirst and foremost, Colonization is a numbers game.

In this instance, you play as one of four colonial powers (English, Dutch, French or Spanish) in search of a New World where you can establish your colony, manage numerous resources, deal with natives of the land you settle as well as warring factions of competing European nations and ultimately break loose from the home country through a revolution to gain independence. The premise is familiar to those who have played similar 'world-building' games before. There is enough difference, however, to make it stand on its own merits as an interesting and addictive strategy game.

Sid Meier's Colonization will remind you a great deal of its predecessor Civilization.

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