FreeCiv: 'Because civilization should be free'


FreeCiv.org has released FreeCiv 2, an open-source adaptation of the classic turn-based strategy game, Civilization. This title bears a striking resemblance to Civilization 2--the sole reason this user maintained the Classic environment on his system for three years after switching to OS X.

There is a caveat for those wishing to play FreeCiv 2 and that is the game requires Apple's X11 windowing environment. However, exchanging one emulation environment--X11 for Classic--won't likely pose much of a problem for most fans of this popular franchise.

There is also the less-than-fully polished interface but at this price--"free"--this user for one won't complain too bitterly. Further, most of the must-have features, including network play, are in there.

You can download your very-own copy here (16.2MB). Like most open-source projects, FreeCiv welcomes your donation.

Editor's note: There's no Quartz or Cocoa goodness to admire, but this is a sublimely entertaining game... And, of course, with a little support from "the rest of us," FreeCiv can only get better.

What's your take?