This is an excellent game.  Though this is a sequel to Civ II there is no need to have experience on that game.  This new game eliminates the blurring of history periods that occurs in Civ II.  It also allows for  different kinds of victories.  It further has many customization options.  Then there are the nuclear weapons!  WOW!  You can upgrade the warheads and  the bombs get more and more powerful.  At one point you can vaproize about  20 squares and as many cities that would be in that area!  The mushroom  cloud that accompanies the strike is most impressive.  Unlike a lot of sims  out there, this one come with very complete information and manuals.  If  you enjoyed Civ II or the builing empires kind of games this is a MUST  HAVE!