Colonization is a bit different from the Civilization series. It has anyway been important for the development of Civilization. The main difference between Civilization and Colonization is that Colonization has more micromanagement then Civilization and covers a shorter period of history.
Colonization starts in the Colonial Age, AD 1492 and lasts until 19th century with one or two turns a year. You are put in the role of Viceroy of the New World and your mission is to colonize the New World, in the west, in the name of your king and country.
Colonization has a well-developed resource system and each colonist (citizen) can be assigned to work outside the colony (as in Civilization) or in any of the buildings in the colony. If the colonists are working outside the colony the are obtaining raw materials or food. The raw materials may be used inside the colony to produce other resources. A building without any colonist working in it produce nothing, or very little. To earn money you have to sell resources to your mother nation or the natives.
Each colonist represents a populationpoint, which can be taken out of a colony at any time and found new colonies. The colonists can have different special abilities. One can be better on farming, another a better carpenter.
All your soldiers are armed colonists, and can therefor found new colonies. If a soldier lose a combat it becomes a lower level and colonists are captured if attacked by another European power.
By Gramphos