old hard classical game

Probably my favorite city-builder of all time. I'm actually surprised I don't have more hours in it, given how long some of the scenarios took me. Impressions was really cooking back in the day, and despite being a city-builder fanatic since then, I don't think I've found anything that comes close to Caesar 3 and Zeus (I don't have as much experience with the other Impressions games).

For those looking for a more difficult city-builder where random events and negligence force you to adapt and respond accordingly, I can definitely recommend this one. Despite being more than 20 years old, I think it's aged pretty well. Definitely enjoyed my time replaying it.

A small warning for anyone looking to pick up any of the early Impressions games though (this one especially). Managing your building and path placement is absolutely crucial, because one of the game's most unique mechanics involves "walkers", which are basically units that travel, deliver, and provide services. I've definitely completed the campaign before without any of this knowledge, but it helps to at least keep your city layout in mind, lest you fall victim to mass emigration and worker shortages.

And don't be afraid to start over on a particular scenario if all seems lost or too difficult to manage -- there are no construction times in this game, so you can get back on your feet very quickly with an ideally more optimal build. Definitely in my list of favorite games.