[1] Combat is a simple "majority rules" system: a larger number of ships completely eliminates a smaller force.
[2][better source needed] The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction also stated that the game was similar with Starforce: Alpha Centauri.
[3] In Issue 4 of The Space Gamer, Neil Shapiro commented that "Someone, somewhere, went to a powerful lot of artistic trouble to design and produce 4000 A.D.'s physical parts.
Despite this, he concluded by giving an Overall Presentation grade of "Very Good", saying, "4000 A.D. is not only fun but proof positive that a game doesn't have to be wildly complicated to be a real challenge.
"[1] An entry of The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction also praised the game's strategy and theme, concluding that "4000 A.D. is a striking example of rich abstract gameplay generated from a simple set of rules."