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You start out with just one unit and some basic knowledge of the local area, aiming to guide your civilization into becoming the dominant force. Your goal can be achieved either by conquering every other civilization or sending a spaceship to Alpha Centauri.

As you progress, managing resources like food, construction, and trade becomes crucial. You'll need to locate cities to make use of these resources, which can be improved by constructing buildings and wonders. Each city can construct one item at a time - units, buildings, or Wonders of the World - each with unique effects.

The game features over 100 scientific advancements, but researching them depends on your output, which must be balanced against financial and military concerns.

Combat is an essential aspect of the game, where you can engage in battles within cities or on open terrain. The defense advantage lies in forests and mountains, while combat units can be damaged, reducing their effectiveness until they're repaired.

Keeping good diplomatic relations with other civilizations is vital, as you may need to trade knowledge, pool military resources, or form alliances - but beware of broken promises, as this affects your reputation.