Editing Civilization II (section)

==Reception==
===Sales===
''Civilization II'' placed second on [[PC Data]]'s monthly computer game sales chart for April 1996.<ref name=apr1996>{{cite news | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402211056/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1996-06-29/lifestyle/9606270660_1_ms-dos-cd-rom-cd-win95 | url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1996/06/29/top-software-best-selling-titles-games/ | title=Top Software Best-selling Titles: Games | date=June 29, 1996 | author=Staff | archive-date=April 2, 2018 | newspaper=[[Hartford Courant]] | url-status=live }}</ref> The game secured position 3 for the next four months,<ref name=june1996>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970205063051/http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,140,00.html | url=http://www.gamecenter.com:80/News/Item/0,3,140,00.html | title=June's top 30 games | author=GamerX | date=August 8, 1996 | work=[[CNET|CNET Gamecenter]] | archive-date=February 5, 1997 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=aug1996>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970205061646/http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,137,00.html | url=http://www.gamecenter.com:80/News/Item/0,3,137,00.html | title=August's top 30 games | author=GamerX | date=September 27, 1996 | work=CNET Gamecenter | archive-date=February 5, 1997 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> before dropping to No. 5 in September.<ref name=sept1996>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970205060645/http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,195,00.html | url=http://www.gamecenter.com:80/News/Item/0,3,195,00.html | title=September's top 30 games | author=GamerX | date=October 29, 1996 | archive-date=February 5, 1997 | work=CNET Gamecenter | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> It exited PC Data's top 10 in December, after remaining there for an additional two months.<ref name=oct1996>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970205055806/http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,348,00.html | url=http://www.gamecenter.com:80/News/Item/0,3,348,00.html | title=October's top 30 games | author=GamerX | date=November 27, 1996 | archive-date=February 5, 1997 | work=CNET Gamecenter | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=nov1996>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970205054929/http://www.gamecenter.com/News/Item/0,3,444,00.html | url=http://www.gamecenter.com:80/News/Item/0,3,444,00.html | title=November's 30 best-sellers | author=GamerX | date=January 10, 1997 | archive-date=February 5, 1997 | work=CNET Gamecenter | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=moredec96>{{cite magazine | author=Staff | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | title=PC Data Best-Sellers |date=April 1997 | issue=153 | pages=32 }}</ref> In the United States, ''Civilization II'' was the third-best-selling computer game of the first six months of 1996,<ref name=1996first6>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970606062336/http://www.news.com/SpecialFeatures/0,5,3471,00.html | url=http://www.news.com:80/SpecialFeatures/0,5,3471,00.html | title=A whole new ball game | author=Yoshitake, Dawn | date=September 14, 1996 | work=[[News.com]] | archive-date=June 6, 1997 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> and the fifth-highest seller of the year as a whole.<ref name=top1996>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225434/https://www.csmonitor.com/1997/0227/022797.news.news.1.html | url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1997/0227/022797.news.news.1.html | title=News In Brief |author1=Kilborn, Robert |author2=Hanson, Cynthia |author3=Hodges, Debbie | date=February 27, 1997 | archive-date=April 2, 2018 | work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]] | url-status=live }}</ref> Worldwide, its sales surpassed 400,000 copies by August, reached 500,000 in September and topped 600,000 by November.<ref name=400k>{{cite press release | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961221153023/http://www.microprose.com/corporatedesign/press/civ2.html | url=http://www.microprose.com:80/corporatedesign/press/civ2.html | title=The Destiny of the World is in the Hands of Game Players Everywhere with Microprose's Strategy Hit ''Civilization II'' | location=[[Alameda, California]] | date=August 14, 1996 | archive-date=December 21, 1996 | publisher=[[Microprose]] | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=500k>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970606045547/http://www.next-generation.com/news/092196f.html | url=http://www.next-generation.com:80/news/092196f.html | title=Happy Spectrum Hits Million Mark | date=September 21, 1996 | author=Staff | archive-date=June 6, 1997 | work=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=600k>{{cite press release | title=Microprose's Expansion Disc Extends Strategic Game Play with 20 New Challenges and Worlds to Conquer | date=November 5, 1996 | location=Alameda, California | publisher=Microprose }}</ref> In the United States alone, it sold 482,522 units and earned $21.1 million by the end of 1996.<ref name=slow>{{cite news | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518142834/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-03-03/business/fi-34360_1_pc-game | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-03-fi-34360-story.html | title=''Myst'' Opportunities: Game Makers Narrow Their Focus to Search for the Next Blockbuster | date=March 3, 1997 | author=Miller, Greg | newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] | archive-date=May 18, 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref>

By mid-January 1997, global sales of ''Civilization II'' had surpassed 720,000 copies.<ref name=mill1>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970615020125/http://www.cdmag.com/news/0115971.html | url=http://www.cdmag.com:80/news/0115971.html | title=Ch-ching – Westwood cashes in | author=Bauman, Steve | date=January 15, 1997 | work=[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]] | archive-date=June 15, 1997 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> It finished 20th on PC Data's monthly chart for March,<ref name=mar1997>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000306101157/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_05/01_pcdatamar/index.html | url=http://headline.gamespot.com:80/news/97_05/01_pcdatamar/index.html | title=PC Data Releases Monthly Numbers | work=[[GameSpot]] | author=Lee, Helen | date=May 1, 1997 | archive-date=March 6, 2000 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> and was the United States' 17th-highest-selling computer game of the year's first half.<ref name=6months>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000307163045/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_09/12_toptwenty/index.html | url=http://headline.gamespot.com:80/news/97_09/12_toptwenty/index.html | title=Game Sales on the Rise | date=September 12, 1997 | author=Staff | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=March 7, 2000 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> The game had topped its predecessor's 850,000 sales that August,<ref name=civ2sales>{{cite magazine| author=Coleman, Terry |title=Cover Story; Hallowed Ground |date=August 1997 |issue=157| magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | pages=66–68 }}</ref> and continued to sell "over 20,000 units a month" by November, according to Microprose.<ref name=20k>{{cite press release | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980120113900/http://www.microprose.com/corporatedesign/press/civ2fwpress.html | url=http://www.microprose.com:80/corporatedesign/press/civ2fwpress.html | title=Microprose Unleashes a Whole New Dimension for Fans of the Award-Winning Sid Meier's ''Civilization II'' Series | date=November 11, 1997 | archive-date=January 20, 1998 | publisher=[[Microprose]] | location=Alameda, California | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> ''Civilization II'' reached 1.2 million units sold by April 1998; Terry Coleman of ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' wrote that sales were "still going strong" at that time.<ref name=colemansales>{{cite magazine | title=READ.ME; Will the Real ''Civ'' Please Boot Up? | date=April 1998 | issue=165 | author=Coleman, Terry | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | page=40 }}</ref> In the United Kingdom alone, the game sold 160,000 units by 1999.<ref name=pczonesales>{{cite journal| title=''Civilization: Call to Power''; The Story of Sid and ''Civ'' | author=Wright, Andrew | journal=[[PC Zone]] | date=April 1999 | issue=75 | pages=70–73 }}</ref> It also received a "Gold" award from the Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland (VUD) in August 1998,<ref name=vud1998>{{cite press release | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000713050154/http://www.vud.de/infopres/cebit98.htm | url=http://www.vud.de:80/infopres/cebit98.htm | title=Uhr TCM Hannover – ein glänzender Event auf der CebitHome | date=August 26, 1998 | publisher=Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland | archive-date=July 13, 2000 | language=de | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> for sales of at least 100,000 units across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.<ref name=gameprogold>{{cite magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718145345/https://www.gamepro.de/artikel/vud-gold-awards-2003,1290773.html | url=https://www.gamepro.de/artikel/vud-gold-awards-2003,1290773.html | title=VUD-Gold-Awards 2003 | author=Horn, Andre | date=January 14, 2004 | magazine=[[GamePro|GamePro Germany]] | archive-date=July 18, 2018 | language=de | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Civilization II Gold'' alone sold 171,495 copies in the United States by September 2000, according to PC Data.<ref name=numbersracket>{{cite magazine | author=Jones, George | date=September 2000 | title=''Call to Power 2''; The Numbers Racket | issue=194 | pages=54, 55 | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] }}</ref>

In August 2001, Jeff Briggs of [[Firaxis]] estimated that ''Civilization II'' had sold "about 3 million" copies.<ref name=3m>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010828180918/http://www.pcgamer.com/eyewitness/eyewitness_2001-08-22.html | url=http://www.pcgamer.com:80/eyewitness/eyewitness_2001-08-22.html | title=Firaxis Interview | date=August 22, 2001 | archive-date=August 28, 2001 | work=[[PC Gamer US]] | author=Staff | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> Meier said that he was "wrong on all counts" about opposing mod support; "The strength of the modding community is, instead, the very reason the series survived".{{r|jahromi20210922}}

===Critical reviews===
{{Video game reviews
|MC         = 94%<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sid-meiers-civilization-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Sid Meier's Civilization II for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=30 March 2019 }}</ref>
|GR         = 93%<ref name="gamerankings">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/196926-sid-meiers-civilization-ii/index.html |title=Sid Meier's Civilization II for PC |publisher=[[Gamerankings]] |access-date=30 March 2019 }}</ref>
|Allgame = 5/5 (Windows)<ref>{{cite web|last=Sutyak |first=Jonathan |title=Sid Meier's Civilization II (Windows) – Review |publisher=[[Allgame]] |access-date=June 4, 2014 |url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=5382&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114130858/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=5382 |archive-date=November 14, 2014 }}</ref><br />4.5/5 (Macintosh)<ref>{{cite web|last= Savignano |first=Lisa Karen |title=Sid Meier's Civilization II (Macintosh)– Review |publisher=[[Allgame]] |access-date=August 15, 2023 |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=12192&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115032520/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=12192&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 }}</ref><br />2.5/5 (PlayStation)<ref>{{cite web|last= Miller |first=Skyler |title=Sid Meier's Civilization II (PlayStation)– Review |publisher=[[Allgame]] |access-date=August 15, 2023 |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=15421&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114140232/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=15421&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014 }}</ref>
| CGR = 91/100<ref name=cgr-review>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961221184113/http://www.nuke.com/cgr/reviews/9607/civ2/civ2.htm | url=http://www.nuke.com/cgr/reviews/9607/civ2/civ2.htm | title=Let's Get Civilized | author1=Chapman, Ted | author2=Gehrs, Scott | author3=Snyder, Frank | date=July 1996 | work=[[Computer Game Review]] | archive-date=December 21, 1996 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| Edge = 9/10<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/EDGE.The.100.most.significant.reviews.from.the.first.100.issues.2001/page/n35/mode/2up?q=%22Civilization+II%22+playstation|section=Civilization II|title=The 100 most significant reviews from the first 100 issues|year=2001|page=37|access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
| EGM = 8.75/10 (PS){{efn|In ''Electronic Gaming Monthly''{{'s}} review, three critics gave ''Civilization II'' 9/10, another 8/10.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20116%20%28March%201999%29/page/n129/mode/2up|title=Civilization II|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=116|date=March 1999|page=130|access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>}}
| Gen4 = 5/5<ref>{{cite magazine|author1=Stéphane|author2=Olivier|date=May 1996|url=https://archive.org/details/generation4-magazine-088/page/n91/mode/2up?q=%22Civilization+2%22|title=Civilization 2|magazine=[[:fr:Génération 4|Génération 4]]|issue=88|language=fr|pages=92–95|access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
|GI = 7.75/10 (PS)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=2382 |title=Civilization 2: Control Your Destiny |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=2013-11-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001003142622/http://gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=2382 |archive-date=October 3, 2000 }}</ref>
|JS = 84%{{efn|''Joystick'' scored ''Civilization II'' 79% for technique, and 90% for interest.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=May 1996|url=https://archive.org/details/joystick071/page/n111/mode/2up?q=%22Civilization+2%22|title=Civilization 2|language=fr|issue=71|magazine=[[Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]|pages=112–114|access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>}}
| MW = 4/5<ref name=macworldreviews />
|NGen = 5/5 (PC)<ref name="NGen19"/><br>5/5 (PS)<ref name="NG52"/>
|OPM = 4.5 (PS)<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kujawa|first=Kraig|date=March 1999|url=https://archive.org/details/Official_US_PlayStation_Magazine_Volume_2_Issue_6_1999-03_Ziff_Davis_US/page/n79/mode/2up?q=%22Civilization+II%22|title=Civilization 2|magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]]|volume=2|number=6|page=81|access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
|PCGUK = 96%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=213 |title=PC Gamer &#124; Civilization 2 (Issue 28) |date=2002-02-19 |access-date=2013-11-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020828200941/http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=213 |archive-date=August 28, 2002 }}</ref>
|PCGUS = 97%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/256.html |title=PC Gamer Online: Civilization II (July 1996) |website=[[PC Gamer]] |date=1999-10-08 |access-date=2013-11-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991113155711/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/256.html |archive-date=November 13, 1999 }}</ref>
| GPPCG = A<ref name=pcgamesrev>{{cite magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961018194413/http://www.pcgamesmag.com/games/Jun96/civ2696.html | url=http://www.pcgamesmag.com:80/games/Jun96/civ2696.html | title=''Civilization II'' | magazine=PC Games | author=Brenesal, Barry | date=June 1996 | archive-date=October 18, 1996 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref>
| PCPP = 9/10<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mansill|first=Ben|date=May 1996|title=Sid Meier's Civilisation 2|url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-001-1996-05/page/n47|journal=PC PowerPlay|issue=1|pages=48–51}}</ref>
| PCZone = 90/100<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Wright|first=Andrew|date=March 1996|url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_36_March_1996/page/n49/mode/2up?q=%22Civilization+2%22|title=Civilization 2|magazine=[[PC Zone]]|issue=3|pages=50–53|access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
}}

On release, a reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' ventured that ''Civilization II'' "may be one of the most balanced and playable games ever released." He especially praised the added depth of the combat, diplomatic relations, and trade over the original ''Civilization'', which he said was one of the best games ever released for PC.<ref name="NGen19">{{cite magazine|title=Landmark |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=19 |date=July 1996|page=83}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' gave it the Strategy Game of the Year award,<ref>''CGW'' 154 (May 1997).</ref> and ''[[PC Gamer US]]'' named it the overall game of the year, calling it and its predecessor "perhaps the finest strategy games ever made."<ref name=businesswire>{{cite press release | title=''PC Gamer'' Reveals Its 1997 Award Winners | date=February 6, 1997 | location=Brisbane, California | work=[[Business Wire]] }}</ref> ''Civilization II'' was nominated as ''[[Computer Games Strategy Plus]]''{{'s}} 1996 game of the year, although it lost to ''[[Tomb Raider (1996 video game)|Tomb Raider]]''. However, it won the magazine's award for the best turn-based strategy game of the year.<ref name=cgmawards1996>{{cite web| author=Staff|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970614161401/http://www.cdmag.com/news/0325971.html |url=http://www.cdmag.com/news/0325971.html |title=''Computer Games Strategy Plus'' announces 1996 Awards |date=March 25, 1997 |work=[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]] |archive-date=June 14, 1997 |access-date=November 2, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It also won a [[Spotlight Awards|Spotlight Award]] for Best PC/Mac Game.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Spotlight Award Winners |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=31 |date=July 1997|page=21 |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_31/page/n21}}</ref> ''[[Macworld]]''{{'s}} Michael Gowan wrote, "Hard-core strategists will enjoy this game's complexity."<ref name=macworldreviews>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010810062339/http://www.macworld.com/1999/02/games/games.html |url=http://www.macworld.com:80/1999/02/games/games.html |title=Name Your Game; From Goofy to Gory, ''Macworld'' Reviews 48 Ways to Play |author=Gowan, Michael |work=[[Macworld]] |date=February 1999 |archive-date=August 10, 2001 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Next Generation'' reviewed the PlayStation version of the game, rating it five stars out of five, and stated that "Overall, ''Civ II'' remains one of strategy gaming's finest hours and is a welcome addition on PlayStation. For those who are willing, it's a game of limitless possibilities."<ref name="NG52">{{cite magazine|title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=52|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=April 1999|page=90}}</ref>

In 2007, ''Civilization II'' was ranked as third in [[IGN]]'s list of the 100 greatest video games of all time,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_3.html| title = IGN's Top 100 Games| website = IGN| access-date = 2007-07-23| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071202192253/http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_3.html| archive-date = 2007-12-02| url-status = dead}}</ref> having previously rated it at number 15 in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.top100.ign.com/2003/11-20.html |title=IGN's Top 100 Games of All Time |publisher=Uk.top100.ign.com |access-date=2013-11-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104104151/http://uk.top100.ign.com/2003/11-20.html |archive-date=2013-11-04 }}</ref> In 2012, [[G4tv]] ranked it as the 62nd top video game of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.g4tv.com/videos/59230/top-100-video-games-of-all-time-62-sid-meiers-civilization-2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310120530/http://www.g4tv.com/videos/59230/top-100-video-games-of-all-time-62-sid-meiers-civilization-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 10, 2013 |title=Top 100 Video Games of All Time #62 – Sid Meier's Civilization 2 – |publisher=G4tv.com |date=2012-06-12 |access-date=2013-11-07 }}</ref> Polish web portal [[Wirtualna Polska]] ranked it as the most addictive game "that stole our childhood".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gry.wp.pl/galeria/gry-ktore-zabraly-nam-dziecinstwo-najbardziej-uzalezniajace-produkcje-sprzed-lat,179101/10.html |title=1. Civilization II – Gry, które zabrały nam dzieciństwo – najbardziej uzależniające produkcje sprzed lat – Imperium gier |publisher=Gry.wp.pl |access-date=2013-11-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222045129/http://gry.wp.pl/galeria/gry-ktore-zabraly-nam-dziecinstwo-najbardziej-uzalezniajace-produkcje-sprzed-lat,179101/10.html |archive-date=2013-02-22 }}</ref> The journal article "Theoretical Frameworks for Analysing Turn-Based Computer Strategy Games" deemed it "significant and influential".<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Caldwell|first=Nicholas|date=2004-02-01|title=Theoretical Frameworks for Analysing Turn-Based Computer Strategy Games|journal=Media International Australia Incorporating Culture and Policy|language=en|volume=110|issue=1|pages=42–51|doi=10.1177/1329878X0411000107|s2cid=142822881|issn=1329-878X}}</ref> In Ted Friedman's essay "Civilization and its Discontents: Simulation, Subjectivity, and Space" from the collection ''Discovering Discs: Transforming Space and Genre on CD-ROM'', he argues that the game "simultaneously denies and de-personalizes the violence in the history of 'exploration, colonization, and development".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://web.mit.edu/21w.784/www/BD%20Supplementals/Materials/UnitFour/friedman.htm | title=Civilization and its Discontents: Simulation, Subjectivity, and Space | first=Ted | last=Friedman}}</ref> ''Computer Shopper'' deemed it a "worthy successor" to Civilization,<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1996-10-01|title=Civilization II. (MicroProse Software) (Games) (Software Review)(Brief Article)(Evaluation)|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18709428.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008194546/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18709428.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-10-08|magazine=Computer Shopper}}</ref> and "arguably the finest multiplayer game ever created".<ref>{{Cite magazine|magazine=Computer Shopper|date=1999-06-01|title=Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri: New World, New Battles.(Firaxis Games' simulation game)(Product Announcement)|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54606478.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008194925/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54606478.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-10-08}}</ref> In anticipation to the launch of ''[[Civilization III]]'', ''New Straits Times'' described ''Civilization II'' as "the best turn-based empire- building strategy game".<ref>{{Cite news|work=New Straits Times|date=2002-01-21|title=Building empires|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-82638620.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008195829/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-82638620.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-10-08}}</ref> ''Baltimore Afro-American'' was "obsessed with the game".<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2004-03-22|title=The Great War in the Classroom|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-116450585.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008194214/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-116450585.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-10-08|journal=Academic Exchange Quarterly}}</ref> ''Tribune Business News'' deemed it an "old favorite".<ref>{{Cite news|work=Philadelphia Inquirer|date=1999-04-14|title=The Philadelphia Inquirer Games Column.|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54381481.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008194922/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54381481.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-10-08}}</ref> The game was the fourth bestseller in October 1996 and the 3rd bestseller in December 1997.<ref>{{Cite news|work=The Washington Post|date=1996-10-21|title=Bestsellers|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-801131.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008201930/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-801131.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-10-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|work=The Washington Post|date=1997-12-15|title=BESTSELLERS|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-760508.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008201854/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-760508.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-10-08}}</ref> ''PC Games'' argued that the game "cemented the franchise's place in videogame history."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/most-important-pc-games-civilization|title=The most important PC games of all time: Civilization|date=August 11, 2016 |access-date=2016-09-01}}</ref>

In 1998, ''[[PC Gamer]]'' declared it the 2nd-best computer game ever released, and the editors called it "intelligent, engrossing and entertaining beyond compare, it's one of the finest artistic achievements of the last decade".<ref name=pcgtop50>{{cite journal | author=The ''PC Gamer'' Editors | title=The 50 Best Games Ever | date=October 1998 | volume=5 | number=10 | journal=[[PC Gamer US]] | pages=86, 87, 89, 90, 92, 98, 101, 102, 109, 110, 113, 114, 117, 118, 125, 126, 129, 130 }}</ref> In 1996, ''[[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]]'' ranked the game sixth in a list of the top 100 games of all time, writing: "''Civ 2'' could well be one of the world's most addicting games."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=July 1996 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |magazine=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=78}}</ref>