This is an incredible game.  When first introduced to it, I played it far into the night just because I couldn't be torn away.  This game is lacking in todays standards of good graphics, but the downside ends there.  It has  massive multiplayer options, hot-seat, internet, etc.  Also, in the game,  the programmers really thought this through because you are able to either  let the computer do all the work for you, and have a simple game, or do it  yourself, and work your butt off.  You get to make your own spaceships,  hand-selecting what weapons to put on it.  Have you seen Star Wars Episode  IV, the one with the Death Star?  You know the laser it shoots to blow up  the planet?  You can put that on a ship if you want.  You can put all sorts  of crazy weapons on, just to have the fun in sending your one SUPER-SHIP  against the opponents armada of scout ships.  Thsi game has a little bit of  a plot to it, allowing you to follow in the action.  Also, you have to  research the weapons you want to put on your ships.  In addition, you can  choose to hand-pick the stuff that goes on your colony worlds, or you can  let the computer auto-build the stuff for you.  I was banned by my parents  from this game for a little over two years, and even with the massive  improvements in graphics from the time of its release, Masters Of Orion II  is still my favorite, and what I look forward to after coming home.  All in  all, THIS GAME IS A MUST-HAVE!