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25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Game, Excellent Deal, November 24, 2008
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Sid Meiers Civilization IV: Complete (Video Game)
Civilization 4 is an excellent game, especially with the expansion packs. Everyone who enjoys strategy, empire building, city/nation management, etc. will love this game. It has it's flaws (most of these are opinions, however) such as culture identifying national borders (Berlin has been overwhelmed by the culture of Paris and has joined my Empire MWAHAHAHA!) but these do not detract from the gameplay value and the never-ending replayability. The game is tons of fun to play multiplayer as well.
However, be warned about this Complete Edition. The copy comes with version 3.13 of BTS of which several new updates have been released, however the Complete Edition is not compatible with these updates! To update, you will either have to alter your directory, or manually install. Not a big-deal at all, it just won't work with the auto-update in game.
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69 of 87 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Do NOT Buy This. It is the DRMed Version, June 22, 2009
Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Sid Meiers Civilization IV: Complete (Video Game)
Do not purchase this version. its the DRMed version and you can't copy/backup the game -- you need to have the CD in to play it.
Buy the version with the red banner across the top (which also says "The Complete Edition". It is DRM Free.
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14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best games of all time, March 27, 2009
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Sid Meiers Civilization IV: Complete (Video Game)
There are a few games that, no matter what shiny new technology comes along, will always remain on top for decades to come. Civilization IV with its expansions are just one such game.
I got the original Civ IV as a bonus game with a graphics card. Had no idea how good the game actually was. I hungrily snatched up Warlords, which was a great expansion. By the Sword offered less impressive new content, but tweaked and adjusted the rules and features to as close as perfection gets.
It's hard to say what makes Civilization so enthralling, but I think it's the desperate wars and tensions which so closely mimic real world events and scenarios. I recall a couple of weeks playing a real earth map every night, sweating in fear for all humanity what would happen if the cold war between my freedom-loving Greeks and the fascist Indian Empire erupted into open conflict or worse, nuclear annihilation. I recall the sheer indignant anger when launching total war against Roosevelt and his bloodthirsty Americans after being stabbed in the back yet again, our oil supplies sabotaged as an opening assault on our borders and OUR VERY WAY OF LIFE. The ensuing World War ate up a week of my time. The game is incredibly immersing.
I'm guessing good mechanics are at the core of Civ IV's awesomeness. The game runs smoothly and in a balanced fashion, no small task when mimicking the complexity of human progress. Unlike most strategy games, comebacks and unexpected rising stars are not unheard of, as being on top means being on every one's hit list. Being low on the score list doesn't mean certain doom just as being on top is no security.
The details are remarkable. The graphics are detailed and likable, the music is mostly good, and the built-in help file is not only useful, but highly interesting and educational, giving you a general explanation and history of units, civilizations, and great leaders. Reading the epic story of history never gets old in my book.
There are several unique concepts in Civ IV that I think are a great addition. Cultural influence allows you to take over enemy territory peacefully, a realistic representation of how culture affects the real world's borders over time. The customization of national policies is a clever way of micromanaging while giving history a nod. It's interesting how most any real nation could be summed up with the civics offered. No matter what part of the world you live in, at some time there was indeed probably a caste system in everything but name.
Certainly worth mentioning, Civ IV is highly customizable. The expansions come with some interesting mods, maps, and scenarios, or you can customize a special world with special rules all your own. Tons of new stuff awaits online, ensuring a never ending stream of new ways to play the game. I personally have changed a few lines of text to make my world a low-tech ancient brawl, sticking to manly swords and spears instead of chickenwussy guns and planes.
In all, the game hits high marks in pretty much all areas: game mechanics, immersion, graphics/sound, replay ability, customization, and just good old fashioned charm. Weak multiplayer is a bland spot, but who friggin' cares?
There really is no better strategy game to date, and that's saying something.
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