Maybe it's because it was the first one I played, but something about the 2d aspect of this game gripped me. I don't have the same love for the games that came after it, the 3d graphics somehow take me out of the historical element.
The fact that in the older games you are basically playing on a map, gives off this almost board-game feeling that is cosy and immersive. (I know that civ was inspired by a board game)
Playing civ3 as a kid really made me feel like I was in whatever era I was playing at. Still remember those jazz fusion tracks especially.
I remember playing against several computer players on a huge map. I can't remember who I was playing as. Probably either Britain or America. But I remember Gandhi approached me as an ally early on. He then pulled me into conflicts with all the other civilizations (damn, that NPC was bloodthirsty!), and together we fought and destroyed each of the other NPCs.
I over-extended myself a bit far on the last of those opponents, and he decided that was the perfect time to attack me. I knew he would at some point, since it's part of the game. But I was so angry at the timing of that betrayal.
I fended off the Indian civilization's attacks, and carefully rebuilt my resources. When I was clearly stronger than him I attacked, and hit him hard. As I ground his forces down more and more he kept pleading for a surrender. But I kept refusing.
I basically got him down to one pitifully small city that was pinned on and had no real defenses, and then played with them like a cat with a mouse. I held out on destroying them for ages, just so he could be as miserable as possible for as long as possible. Yeah, I know it was just a dumb NPC that couldn't feel anything really, but it was still very satisfying.
This is what happens to everyone who betrays me in Civ. The pixels will pay for what they have done.
I do this in Stellaris.
I grind some foul xenos empire down until they're left with a single blockaded system.
I then enslave them and make them pay excessive overlord taxes.
If they complain I glass the planet.
Did someone say consume everything? All are prey. Especially the ones that fight back.
This galaxy is a human galaxy