Civilization II: Test of Time
This game is awesome. It is the only Civilization game that allows playing three different Civilization games in itself. It allows to play the original Civilization II (it also allows to play an Extended Version of the original Civ II) with better graphics, animated units, etc, it allows to play a Sci-Fi Civilization mode (where you colonize an alien planet) and allows to play a fantasy Civilization mode. In the fantasy mode you choose a race instead of a civilization, it allows to pick between the Elves, Merfolk, Goblins, Stygians (Undeads), Humans (dark ages european like), Buteo (Bird People) and the Infidels (nomadic Eastern Europe and Asiatic humans).
Not only does it allow to play three different Civilization games in one, but in the Fantasy Civilization mode, it exists four different "worlds" that you play at the same time. The Humans, Infidels and Elves are better suited to settle the surface "world", Merfolk are better suited to settle the underwater "world", Goblins and the Stygians are better suited to settle the underground "world" and the Buteo are better suited to settle the sky "world".
The addition of these "worlds" makes the game massive (since if you want to conquer everything or destroy specific races you have to settle or march your armies on the other worlds too). It adds a degree of strategy not seen in any other Civ game to date.
It also has a fantasy scenario called Midgard. Which is heavily focused on Norse, Slavic and Celtic mythology, with figures such as Baba Yaga and The Dagda and events such as Ragnarok making appearances.
All the modes have their own graphics for landscape, creatures, units, cities, etc. They have different resources, units, wonders and technologies, it really make the modes feel different from each other and unique, while still maintaining the gameplay of Civilization II.
I wish all Civilization games from that point on would have the fantasy and sci-fi modes in the base game.
