A game which might now Appeal much on the outside but gives a lot in gameplay. It adds many fun hours. Even these days.
Spells are really good and balanced and also adds a lot of fun, which is the main future of this game.
The campaign is also a very good start to learning the game, it starts out slow but builds up as it goes, after the beginners missions have been completed and you have unlocked more technology you will see that the AI becomes real hard too. They will attack from land, air and water. Spells also make a really good defence not only in combat but in building giant walls from cliffs.
The maps also gives a lot of variety so one tactic is almost never successful, forcing the player to think in new ways. While there ain't that many units and buildings it still makes an awesome game-play, quantity isn't always quality.
So give Populous The beginning a shot, its worth it.