User Reviews (1 - 11 of 40)

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Awesome

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 15
Date: August 19, 2007
Author: Amazon User

The only thing I miss from civ III to Civ IV is the 'go to city' (control shift G) control. The game is just perfect!

Stick With Civ 3 Instead

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 88 / 157
Date: August 20, 2007
Author: Amazon User

As much as I love the Civilization franchise and for as long as I have been playing it (since the beginning, I've played every format made available), I have to say that Civilization 4 is a dud. I say this from two distinct standpoints.

First, up until now, modifying the game was quite easy. Before, simple cut and paste functions could be performed and you could put special things into your game to customize it. Now, Civ 4 makes it so that you must know computer programming (XML, Python) just to alter things like governments, technologies, and simple game concepts. Good luck, unless you have the money and desire to get a professional degree.

Second, Civ 4 is just starting to be expanded. This means that we can expect a relatively long line of "expansion packs" that each cost about $30. After you play them (and I recommend that you don't), you will wonder, "Why didn't they just put that simple feature into the main game?" Your answer will be, "Oh, yeah... they want to make money off me." This is frustrating when you think in terms of shameless marketing.

In terms of this package, Civilization IV: Gold Edition, you get the core game plus the Warlords expansion pack included for what the original sold for about two years ago. Eventually, however, we can assume that all expansions will be rolled into one package, so I advise you to wait for a couple years until that happens. Buying this Gold Edition for $50 is ridiculous, especially with so many more expansions coming out. If you want to get started with Civ 4, again, wait for the price of everything to be $35 or less.

The good part about Civilzation 4, in general, is its classically addictive nature as are most of Sid Meier's games. Building up your own civilization as other civilizations are trying to do the same is quite intruiging and fun. It is a great concept, and the playability is certainly endless. But this leads me to explain the title I give this review.

If you buy Civilization 3 Complete right now, you will notice a couple things. (1) It is completely expanded - no more money-making attempts. (2) It costs less than half of any Civ 4 title. And (3) it is as super-addictive as any Civ title out there. So I advise everyone to purchase Civilization 3 Complete instead of wasting your money on Civ 4. You will appreciate this advice if you've had the time to compare these titles.

Closing thoughts: wait until Civ 5 comes out to see if Firaxis is willing to be fair with its fans; forego Civ 4 any way you can; and make sure you get Civ 3 Complete - it'll change your (video game) life for the better!

excellent expansion

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: September 12, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Beyond the Sword has been a sheer joy. The additions to the game add a bit more realism and roleplaying to the game. The Civilization series started out as an imersive strategy game, and still is, but this expansion adds features to make this strategy/simulation game a bit more simulation and slightly less strategy.

Sid has done it again! Great Game!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: September 17, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Wonderful, anyone who is a fan of this game will love this current version. It is as addicting as the others with even better graphics and interfaces. Be ready for hours of fun....with lots of coffee, ;-)

Civilization IV

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 5 / 8
Date: October 06, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Good game. Takes a long time to get anywhere. Would've been helpful for a technology tree for what military or civic thing you wanted to construct showed you the fast technology route to get there. Also would be nice to set the parameters of certain units strength to your desire. Finally, still seems pretty unrealistic of a modern technological unit losing to a B.C. capability say Calvary vs. Warrior, etc... Time running out on you sucks, it 2050 and I'm the most advanced nation on the planet yet I still don't have airplanes and tanks. Although I've played through several games, no matter what my score I never seem to surpass D. Quayle on the rating scale. Overall, still a fun game and the graphics and L. Nimoy voice are great.

They always change the wrong stuff

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 9 / 16
Date: October 14, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Instead of spending all their time and energy on improving the graphics, which was NOT really needed, so far as I'm concerned, I wish the designers would concentrate on improving the GAME, especially the movement and combat systems, which are pathetic. Even 40-year-old board games had better systems, and they didn't have the advantage of a computer to figure out all the ramifications of terrain, numbers, etc. Why can't we have combat where whole stacks attack whole stacks? Why can't we have lines of supply for units in the field? Why can't we have a limit on how many units can be stacked in one square? Why can't they use a grid of hexagons instead of squares? Come on, guys! If I want fancy graphics I'll get a movie DVD; give us a GAME!

While they're at it, I'd also like to be able to choose the color for my units.

So far, after a few games, I don't think Civ IV is any more fun than Civ III; and isn't fun what's its all about?

Compared to III - a great improvement

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 45 / 47
Date: October 15, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I find that the improvements outweigh the negatives in Civ IV. I've played Civ III for a while, and was always frustrated with the unrealistic means of making it more difficult at higher levels - such as warriors defeating Knights in battle, other Civs building wonders in record turns, things like that. In Civ IV, those issues seem to be repaired. I've found that the rules they give us for combat movements, cost, etc., are not bypassed to make the game more difficult at higher levels.

I like the added variety of leaders and their abilities, seems more realistic and helpful for long term strategy. I also like the addition of more wonders, though they have changed some of the benefits of certain wonders so I needed to get used to the same thing being different.

I also am enjoying the new "Permanent Alliance" option. I just finally used that and really liked the dimension it added to game play.

The graphics do bother me a bit - too bouncy. I've changed settings as much as I can to get away from it, but it is still a bit bouncy and makes me dizzy.

I'm also not pleased with the bug that makes the game not work with my graphics card - which I have yet to find a fix for. I am playing it on another computer. One of my son-in-laws also can't use the game since his graphics card doesn't seem to be supported. He has a much bigger, badder, multimedia computer.

It also has a problem with the online updates. I updated and had serious issues which I had to call the manufacturer to fix - couldn't start the game, couldn't uninstall the game, couldn't reinstall the game - totally useless. A Direct X fix repaired that, but I don't think I even got the update after all the work! I'm quite leary of trying again. Then my son, who also has the game, updated his and it caused serious corruption for him too. I told him what my fix was, and it didn't work for his. He has to call and see what to do now. Updates aren't supposed to break the game, they are supposed to fix it. The game works fine without the updates, so I'm going to forego any future attempts to update.

SUPER Addicting!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 10, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Ok, this game is super addicting once you figure out how to load, run and play it. Took me a couple of hours to load it and get through some errors. I still have never gotten an icon on my screen or on the menu bar. Started playing it immediately and found that it could have used a few more details in explaining stuff. Played it 6 hours the first night and by the end of the 6 hours finally finished learning how to do I think most things. Wished it had a short tutorial game just to get new comers to civilization use to things. My roommate continued to play it till 6 in the morning and I see he has surpassed me in talent and his citizens love him dearly.

I have not had this project long just a mere few days and I can't seem to put it down. I wish inside the city shots were a little better but overall all the other visual items are way to cool with this game.

A definite buy. Though it saddens me a bit that there will be several more editions I will have to buy because only the Gold Edition is yet available. What comes next platinum edition? LOL

Second Time Around

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: November 20, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I started last year with Civilization 3: Gold Edition and at first glance had some mixed feelings for the genre. However, I tried it again this time accepting the game for what it was rather than what it was not and found it rather enjoyable. Now, I've recently bought Civilization 4: Gold Edition and have found I instantly loved the game. The game runs much smoother and runs at a much faster and more involved pace - this game has truly come miles since Civ 3 in my opinion. The new graphics and animations have been vastly improved upon and personally, this is an essential back-bone to a good game. I'm not entirely sure what all the expansion adds to the game, but whatever it may be, the game is that much more enjoyable.
Oh, and I just thought I'd add I've lost my first time around with the Romans under the thinking I'd be able to easily crush my Chinese neighbors..it turned out the complete opposite. Since then, I've started with the Greeks and have finally made it to the AD's : )
Overall, I've found game very enjoyable and maybe a little more challenging than I first though. I can't wait to continue playing more, and so, adios!

Interesting and realistic

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: November 22, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I am a fan of civilization series. I bought this game a few weeks ago. It is a fun and interesting game, quite realisic. Many new factors one has to juggle with, the game has never been so complex and captivating (but not complicated).
Personnally a student of international affairs, I find it quite amusing that I can practice many of the concepts I learned in this rather realistic simulation. Like: irredentism, balance of powers, etc.
This game can be played so many times. Everytime the conditions change and the way you have to manage your civilization also changes accordingly.
It is a good game all in all.

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