Civ IV?

[jverne]

i was wondering if you people could tell me a bit bout Civ IV (+expansion packs)?

for the record, i've played most civs and liked civ3 and Civ:CTP especially.

i've read some reviews about Civ IV and i'm not sure what to think...lot's of them say that it's great but i got a felling that the game was dumbed down compared to previous releases?!

the most thing i'm interested in...

how much you can go into the future? (i especially liked Civ:CTP because of the future tech, civ1,2,3 was a bit disappointing)

is combat dumbed down and boring? (i especially hate the "warrior kills spaceship" crap)

is the game complex enough? (more or less than civ3, as in management)

is it shorter or longer than other civs?


civ series was one of the greatest games ever, but i'm beginning to sense the usual trend of dumbing down which really turns me off from playing newer games.


thanks

 

[KagePrototype]

Civ4 is pretty much regarded as the best in the series. So yeah, buy it. Ignore all the dumbing down comments, I've had more fun plying civ4 than any of the other ones. It's incredibly well balanced for such a complex game.

is combat dumbed down and boring? (i especially hate the "warrior kills spaceship" crap)

There's no more of that rubbish, you'll have to upgrade your units if you want to keep up. The only thing dumbed down is that units only have one stat (strength), instead of seperate attack and defence stats. Now each unit gets certain perks against certain types of units, e.g. 50% extra damage against melee or 50% city defence. You can also give individual units specific upgrades when they rank up, like extra damage when attacking cities or being able to heal other uits on the same tile. So while it has changed a bit, it's a lot more interesting.

is the game complex enough? (more or less than civ3, as in management)

It's definately very complex, and bloody tough against good opponents.

is it shorter or longer than other civs?

You mean the number of turns? Or the tech tree? All I know is that I've had it for almost a year and it's still on my HDD.

 

[Cheomesh]

Also as a unit kills stuff, it gains experience. After some XP gain, you get to "skill up" the unit with things like "forest fighter" or "city attacker".

 

[Sainku]

It is a little less complicated than civ3. I don't know if I would call it dumbed down as much as streamlined. I can't think of any options missing really but it feels a lot more accessible. I never really found the combat to be very deep in the civ series to begin with but the way they earn experience does add a bit more depth to it.

The only thing I don't like is the early game seems to be over to fast, I can't really start much of a military campaign with any of the countries with early game special units before something else phases them out. But I recall having the same problem in other versions as well.

 

[kattmat]

I'd say it's better then civ 3, as others have said it feels streamlined in a good way.

Skip the worthless Warlords expansion though, get Beyond the Sword instead, has all the features of Warlords (except the scenarios).

 

[Eejit]

The only thing I don't like is the early game seems to be over to fast, I can't really start much of a military campaign with any of the countries with early game special units before something else phases them out. But I recall having the same problem in other versions as well.

Play epic or marathon speed

 

[Sainku]

Play epic or marathon speed

I tried that but all the unit production times are increased when you do that too aren't they? I didn't play in those modes to much but it appeared to be even more important to make vital units with the long production times to defend from barbarians.

 

[jverne]

hmm sounds interesting.

yeah combat wasn't very thrilling in any game of the series. but i like the customization stuff you can do.

i also hated in all civ games that you cant go making war in the early ages.

i'll try the demo


thanks

 

[Eejit]

I tried that but all the unit production times are increased when you do that too aren't they? I didn't play in those modes to much but it appeared to be even more important to make vital units with the long production times to defend from barbarians.

Unit production times are indeed increased too but not to the same extent as the age length.

 

[delusional]

If I remember correctly, in civ1 I was able to take over other countries with iron age warriors and build many cities. But when I play civ4 it takes me forever to get 2 cities and expand. never played civ2 or 3 though.