I finally understand this phrase, which was said to me often back in the mid 90’s. Having had my first run-in with Civ4 last night, I know why people told me they lost girlfriends/fiancés, stopped eating, played for days at a time, all because of this game (or rather, its predecessors). It is all-absorbing, intricate in detail, with a good chat/teaming system and resilience for those with unreliable net connections or a need to leave off a game to be resumed later.

Really gripping stuff. I’m determined not to play too much: too much time needed at the gym, and to get through my current reading pile.

Damn you Matt/Damo, for introducing me to this thing, and Amazon for selling it cheap!