Civilization

PlayStation · Strategy

Civilization

Certified classic

SystemPlayStation
Released1996 (originally 1991)
GenreStrategy
DeveloperMicroprose
PublisherAsmik Ace Entertainment, Inc
Players1 player
CommitmentWeekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours)
SeriesCivilization
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 15

Developed by Microprose and published by Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc, Civilization arrived on the PlayStation in 1996 as a strategy game. This PS1 release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1991.

It came out in the PS1's second year on the market. Other notable PS1 releases from 1996 include Resident Evil, Tomb Raider and Crash Bandicoot. Among the 55 PS1 strategy games in our database, it ranks #10 by legacy score.

It is part of the Civilization series; on the PS1 you can also try Civilization II. The series also appears on other systems with Civilization (SNES) and Civilization (Saturn).

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

Pick it if…

  • you want to think and plan
  • you have time for a weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours)
  • you want to experience one of the PS1's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you want quick action without planning ahead
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Civilization is like

Strategy games reward planning over reflexes: command armies, manage resources and outthink opponents on turn-based or real-time battlefields.

Tip for newcomers: Read the manual or tutorial if one exists: retro strategy games often assume you know their rules. Save between missions.

Civilization walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Civilization.

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Playing PS1 games today

PS1 games range from quick arcade racers to 60-hour RPGs. A selection is available through PlayStation Plus Premium, and if you own the discs you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88.

Civilization FAQ

When did Civilization come out on the PS1?

Civilization was released for the PlayStation in 1996; the original game dates back to 1991.

Who made Civilization?

It was developed by Microprose and published by Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc.

Is Civilization multiplayer?

No. Civilization is a single-player game.

How long does Civilization take to play?

As a strategy game, Civilization typically falls into the "Weekend project" category: roughly 6–20 hours. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Civilization on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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