This game is like a mod of CIV5 and nothing like the old Alpha Centauri game.
It has some similarity in setting and somewhat random research but not even close to the fun aspects of the Alpha Centauri game. So no, this game is not a replacement of Alpha Centauri, not even close.

Even just look at this game on its own, the design of alien planet and futuristic stuff is good and all but the game play is just boring. It just plays like CIV5 in space in a bad way. As CIV5 become a game to play as past/present civilizations with set traits, reusing that core to a more open-ended setting and factions doesn't really work. Civilizations in CIV5 had no real character other than traits but you knew who the leaders were and a general idea of their tendencies, like Gandhi and Montezuma. In this game, you just have generic traits and corresponding stereotypical leaders for the factions. They have no character. You can't love them for their character or not notice them as factions are set in stone.

As for the planet, it has nothing interesting after a game or two. It was not really the main focus even in Alpha Centauri but without the memorable characters, it was the only thing players could expect.

In terms of game play, it's fine but there is nothing really to do or choices to make in an alien planet with competitors that you don't care and have no character.

Despite all the negatives in this review, it really isn't a bad game. It's just that I would recommend playing Alpha Centauri or other space, or 4X games in general, instead of this one.

Very fun game, always like Sid Meiers work.

good