If you want to see what the first GalCiv looked like back in 1993 you can see here:

http://www.quartertothree.com/game-talk/showthread.php?73790-Galactic-Civilizations-3-announced&p=3780404&viewfull=1#post3780404

While the graphics are nothing to write home about, please remember that the other game of the time, MOO looked like this: http://www.abandonia.com/files/games/101/Master%20of%20Orion_3.gif and probably had artists and more than a college student for its main dev.