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A Giant Step Down

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 5 / 18
Date: March 26, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I was extremely disappointed in Civ IV compared to Civ II and III. Civ IV plays extremely differently than its previous versions. Did Sid have a conversion experience because Civ IV seems to be all about religion? I bought my computer a year ago and it wasn't a bare-bones model but the videos are choppy and the graphics are awful. So unless you have spent thousands of dollars on a sports car of computers, don't waste your money on this one.

Sid Meir's Civilization IV

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 3 / 20
Date: April 14, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Don't like the graphics or movement of the various people, animals, etc. The tutorial is not the best. After numerous tries to understand the game I un-installed it and put it on the shelf.

AWFUL

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 1 / 11
Date: March 29, 2008
Author: Amazon User

i loved playing civilization when i was a kid but omg all this time has passed and instead of using the technology they really moved back in time. the scenario in this game is so awfull that there is no way you can enjoy it. There are not a lot of improvements and the game is very stupid! definatly not worth the money. go buy age of empires, at least they have improved their games alittle

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!

Error ridden for Vista

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 27 / 39
Date: December 09, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I have attempted to update the game but I get an error when I try that. I have uninstalled the game, reinstalled it several times. I have made sure that direct x and other things are completely updated before reinstalling. I have followed all instructions that the company has given me to fix the issue..(to include removing the game from the registry) and STILL I get the same error. I can not install ANY patches because it says that there is NO previously installed version of the game. No patches. They keep telling me to install patches in a particular order...NO PATCHES WILL INSTALL... I can not update the game or upgrade to the next version. Overall this game is good but I am not happy about the Vista incompatibility.

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?

Still can't top Civ II

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: January 07, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Sure, in terms of graphical sophistication and rules, this latest Civ is the most impressive yet. But in terms of sheer escapist fantasy power, it doesn't hold a candle to Civ II.

The problem with making things gorgeous to look at, especially at high resolution and in detail, is that the game slows down considerably. By the time you have invested 8 hours playing a round, and your little empire has grown, you want the game to proceed a snappy pace. Rendering all that detail, however, has a cost, even on a higher-end home system. Civ IV's big weakness is that game play becomes very slow.

Others certainly disagree and prefer the eye candy of animated rivers and watching individual units flex their muscles in combat. I've turned off all the detail and as much animation as I can get away with, but the game still isn't as much fun as Civ II, which I still play. Your mileage might vary, so give it a shot--the 'gold' edition is certainly a good deal.

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.

Not as good as Civ 3

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: August 05, 2008
Author: Amazon User

i would rather play Civ 3 than CivIV.I like the graphics better on Civ 3 better as well.Civ seems to have losts its way.

Fun game, annoying support

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 11, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I bought the Gold edition and the Beyond the Sword expansion pack and overall I think this game is excellent when you are playing it. I really have to say it is addictive and as long as you are happy with the game right out of the box and assuming you are not the type of person to read the manual anyway you will love it.

Unfortunately it had a few shortcomings:
- documentation claimed that the full manual was on disc 3 (Gold) but at least on mine it wasn't there. I emailed support and they told me to go download it off some third party site. When I responded politely that they must be joking and they must have a pdf version of the full manual somewhere they sent me a link to a pdf of the full manual...who knows why they told me to go hunt one down myself the first time.
- when you go to download an update there is no progress bar so you sit there and wonder if it's almost done, how much longer, etc. The only way you know the update is still running is when you go to click on something else and it tells you that you may not proceed until the update is complete. It might take a really long time depending on how fast your connection is and you pretty much just sit there wondering.
- I checked out the website and it is pretty barren for such a great game, and you can find some of the links are broken on the website so it seems like they don't really maintain the site much.
- some parts of the game itself are somewhat clunky like the Civilopedia. It is pretty decent although they could have added more information to it and the interface for it is pretty poor. I wanted to know what caused the global warming effect and of course that wasn't in there so I ended up chasing down the full game manual just so I can find out what game effect made it (using nukes apparently).
- the only real game issue I had with it was when you get to the end of a game and just barely scratch the surface on super-tech things like space-elevators and interstellar spacecraft it's all over. Years ago I played the Call to Power game and the one thing that I loved about that game was the high-tech. Underwater cities, extreme eco-terrorists (I loved the ability to eco-nuke a city) and stuff like that. None of that here...at least yet (cross my fingers).

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