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117 of 125 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
You Don't Need Civ4, August 21, 2006
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
In late 2002, I took a second job at a major electronics retailer and decided to use my employee discount on what looked like a cool game: Civilization III. That game changed my life... in the gaming sense. It was everything I ever thought a computer game should be: turn-based strategy with multiple avenues to test my ego and self-promoted genius. Above all features of Civ3, however, my most favorite was the customization of the game through the map editor and the wonderful online resources of the Civ community. (I've downloaded more Civ3 files than MP3s.) This allowed me to express my self-proclaimed genius with new rules, technologies, and units (and all the accompanying chronologies and requisites) at my discretion. Nothing could get any better, I had thought.
When Civ4 was being talked about, however, I couldn't imagine on what grounds they could improve - except perhaps making the game even more customizable and thorough. Well, you've already read about the differing features of the game: less micro-management, more diplomatic and trade features, new technology trees, enhancing popular mechanics found in previous Civ titles, and of course, going 3D with it all.
When playing Civilization IV, you sense an overwhelming POTENTIAL to be a really great game. In my mind, that potential has not been fulfilled, and I hereby advise you to purchase Civ3 Complete instead and forego Civ4 if you haven't chosen so already. If you have already purchased Civ4, let's send a message to Firaxis Games that they need to do better - let's stop purchasing Civ products until they are actually without so many bugs, that aren't rushed to be released for the holidays, and that don't insult our intelligence by requiring expensive "expansion packs" which merely add content that should already have been included in the original release.
Here is a list of comparative reasons to only own Civ3 and not Civ4 and boycott future Civ titles until something changes for the better:
1. There is no map editor in Civ4. Instead, they included a "World Builder" which is so awkward and strange. It is not like Civ3's map editor where you can set starting positions, resources, civilizations, and terrain BEFORE you play the map. The "World Builder" of Civ4 only allows you to alter scenarios from the installation or randomly generated maps. You cannot create maps from scratch - you can only change what has already been created within predefined parameters.
2. Who needs 3D graphics for a turn-based strategy game? Civ4 is not fully 3D; it merely allows a tilting view from ground level to overhead. That can be cool, but consider the offset: it is unnecessary for this genre, it diverts computer resources from other cool and more thorough features, and it makes the game extremely difficult to modify. For Civ3, there are well over 1,000 things you can either download or make yourself and put right into the game. You don't have to know XML or Python programming languages as you would in Civ4. Civ4 requires advanced education (like a graphics design or computer science degree) to simply alter things like governments, units, buildings, and game rules. Waiting for others to design them (like the amateur online community or the professional expansion packs) isn't so fun anymore.
3. Expanding content for more money? This was a problem with Civ3, as well - its first expansion pack was a total waste of money because everything was later put on the second expansion pack. People bought the first expansion pack because they loved Civ3 so much and didn't know it was a waste. (Many video game makers are taking advantage of gamers in this way, not just the Civilization makers.) My point here is to fight back. We already know what they are going to pull: Civ4 has an expansion pack out there titled Warlords. It basically includes elements intentionally left out so as to somehow formulate a "new" product. In the base version of Civ4, you have the Great People: artists, scientists, merchants, and prophets. Hmmm... now we get the warlords, eh? Oh, and a few other civilizations and buildings left out from before. Nice try... Boycott this type of marketing out of sheer principle. Play Civ3 Complete until Civ5 comes out if you have to. Maybe Civ will be less of a cheap shot then.
4. The last reason why you should be content with Civilization III and completely forget that Civilization IV was ever made is the most simple. Purchasing Civ3 Complete right now (1) will cost you less than half of Civ4; (2) is fully expanded while Civ4 is still looking to make more money off of us; and (3) Civ3 has the very same level of addictive game play as any other Civilization title. If you have already dropped the cash for Civ4, simply do not support Civ4 any longer. In fact, uninstall it and put it in your drawer as a sad chapter of shameless marketing. Yes, Civ4 is fun, but it is does not live up to its potential in most ways. Playing Civ3 will take up your time quite nicely until they release a REAL title that doesn't take advantage of us so blatantly.
To conclude, my overall point to stick with Civ3 and forego Civ4 is this: without an easy, efficient, and overwhelmingly powerful customizing interface (like an awesome map editor that allows FULL customization), we are simply asking for "re-tread" products. The fact that Firaxis did not include a kick-butt map editor proves in my mind that they expect us to wait for their "expansions" to come out and spend at least $150 each before they move onto Civ5. Hold out with Civ3 Complete and wait until Civ4 goes away.
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42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Civilization 3 is a great game but it's not for everyone, December 5, 2004
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
Civilization 3 is a great game but it's not for everyone. It is akin to chess and Risk but much more complex than either.If developing a civilization from a single tribe to a modern superpower sounds like your cup of tea then you should already have this game. You manage all aspects of your chosen civilization: War, diplomacy, trade, etc... .This is a turn based game, slow paced and not action oriented. If your looking for great graphics this is not your game. I think an active imagination is essential to the enjoyment of this and maybe a fondness for history. Patience and much thought must be put into playing this and some people don't enjoy that for entertainment. Understandably I suppose.
Personally this is my favorite game ever. If I could only take one game with me into eternity this would be the one. The replay-ability on this game is phenomenal. I have been playing it regularly since it was first released. For me thats its greatest strength. In this age of jaded video gamers (including me) its truly something for a game to remain so intriguing no matter how many times you've played it. There is so much dept its staggering. However, most of that dept is below the surface and isn't really needed until you start playing on Emperor difficulty or above. After 3 years of playing this I am still learning new things.
One aspect of Civilization that you should be aware of is the modifications people have made for it online. This extends the replay value even more so. The Warhammer mod for this game is excellent. If you want a fantasy setting with elves and dragons etc.. The Rise and Rule mod makes this epic game all the more so by adding hundreds of new technologies and units. There are far to many good mods to address here. Seriously, the mods change Civilization 3 into different games practically. If you have Civilization and haven't taken advantage of the mods your missing out. They can be found at the best gaming community I've ever had the pleasure to lurk upon: The aptly named www.civfanatics.com. Along with strategies and game analysis.
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113 of 122 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Civilization III is finally Complete!, November 23, 2004
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
Civilization III Complete is the entire set all in one thorough package.
Civilization III (called "Civ3" by most of its fans) is the best turn based sim game of its type available. So what if it's turn based? Real-Time Shooters (called RTS by their fans) often don't even give you a chance to think before someone sneaks up behind you, and you're a piece of burnt toast. That's no fun. A Turn Based game can give you a chance to review your options before making a decision.
Of the World Building games, Civilization 3 holds the crown of leader of the pack. If you play games like Settlers, Pharaoh, Caesar III, Tropico, or older versions of Civilization, you owe it to yourself to check out this great game.
If you don't yet own Civ3, this is the perfect present. It includes all three of the packages - the original Civ3, the "Play the World" edition which adds the multiplayer option (including online and even play-by-mail!), and the "Conquests" disc which adds new world leaders and many great scenarios. The option to install just one, just two or all three sets of data was a great touch.
But if you already have Civ3, it's probably cheaper to buy just the "Conquests" add-on disc because it also has the "Play the World" data in the same package.
Recommended for anyone who wants to see what it would be like to own the world. Highly recommended for "sim" fans.
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