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Toddzilla 10-26-2005 12:04 PM

Just got back from EB Games with it - saw that it recommends 512 MB RAM, so I made a quick stop at *shudder* Best Buy for a memory upgrade but they DONT CARRY PC-133 MEMORY - so I'm installing it now with minimum memory req's (256 MB).

w00t

ISiddiqui 10-26-2005 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spleen1015
It runs impossibly slow on my desktop. I am going to install it on this laptop and see what happens.


What are the specs on your desktop?

cuervo72 10-26-2005 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrantDawg
I'm taking up a collection to buy this for me. Please give. Think of the children!! (that I can ignore while playing this game).


You should consider the game an excellent means of teaching children the city names of ancient Sumeria.

Godzilla Blitz 10-26-2005 01:54 PM

On a whim I just went over a picked up a copy of the Special Edition at my nearby Gamestop.

Loading now, but most likely won't be able to play until late this evening.

Eilim 10-26-2005 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzilla Blitz
On a whim I just went over a picked up a copy of the Special Edition at my nearby Gamestop.

Loading now, but most likely won't be able to play until late this evening.


I despise you... May your capital city forever be attacked by raging barbarian hordes. :p

Ben E Lou 10-26-2005 02:00 PM

I picked it up at lunch and just installed it on the laptop.

Vince 10-26-2005 02:00 PM

Man, Amazon.com hasn't even shipped my copy yet.

Though I'm going to be out of town all weekend, and it won't matter, this still bugs me.

ISiddiqui 10-26-2005 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince
Man, Amazon.com hasn't even shipped my copy yet.

Though I'm going to be out of town all weekend, and it won't matter, this still bugs me.


Same here, Amazon hasn't shipped ANYONE's copies from what I've read. I think I'll go out and buy it and cancel my Amazon order.

Godzilla Blitz 10-26-2005 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eilim
I despise you... May your capital city forever be attacked by raging barbarian hordes. :p


Given that I didn't play Civ III that much and only got decent at Civ II, I expect that my capital city will have lots of unwelcome barbarians pounding on the gates. :)

MikeVic 10-26-2005 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuervo72
You should consider the game an excellent means of teaching children the city names of ancient Sumeria.


In grade 8, part of my History class was actually playing the game and recording what techs you needed to advance. Such a fun day when you knew it was off to the computer lab to play some Civilization (the first one). :)

Eilim 10-26-2005 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog
I picked it up at lunch and just installed it on the laptop.


If/when ya get a chance, mind sharing how well it performs on your laptop? I might actually leave the house a few times the next few weeks if it runs on my laptop and is not limited to my desktop machine.

fantastic flying froggies 10-26-2005 02:25 PM

And please do tell us if the AI is any good...

Ben E Lou 10-26-2005 02:33 PM

Definite performance issues on the laptop. Graphics problems, specifically. When I zoom in, the whole screen goes black. Zooming out, I can see the greens and tans of the grasslands and plains. :(

Pumpy Tudors 10-26-2005 02:35 PM

I can live with the screen going black if the AI is good.

Passacaglia 10-26-2005 02:37 PM

Okay, just got back from buying the game. I'm going to limit myself to 1 hour per day, though. I do a lot of binge playing of Civ, then when I get back to the game, I lose the feel for what I had been doing. If I play just an hour a day, I'm likely to stay immersed for a longer amount of -- hey, what am I doing talking to you jerks?

Passacaglia 10-26-2005 02:43 PM

Wow, I wasn't expecting 2 CDs. Oh, and the guy before me got the last copy of the Limited Edition. Did I miss out on much by not getting that?

Pumpy Tudors 10-26-2005 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passacaglia
Oh, and the guy before me got the last copy of the Limited Edition. Did I miss out on much by not getting that?


You missed out on the enhanced AI

ISiddiqui 10-26-2005 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passacaglia
Wow, I wasn't expecting 2 CDs. Oh, and the guy before me got the last copy of the Limited Edition. Did I miss out on much by not getting that?


The preorder edition had the different box (the "bible box"), a hot-key guide (in color), a tech tree poster, and a spiral bound manual.

Samdari 10-26-2005 02:45 PM

There is no Pumpy Tudors pic on this page yet.

Ben E Lou 10-26-2005 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors
I can live with the screen going black if the AI is good.

:D

moriarty 10-26-2005 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors
I can live with the screen going black if the AI is good.


This cracked me up for some reason. Who cares if i can't see anything, just as long as the AI is good damnit!

edit - Skydog beat me to it, should've stuck with the simplistic smiley.

Pumpy Tudors 10-26-2005 02:47 PM

I'm not going to post a Pumpy Tudors pic, but I will post a pic of a former co-worker in this thread soon, just for kicks.

Ksyrup 10-26-2005 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors
I can live with the screen going black if the AI is good.


I just snorted Coke out of my nose. Too bad I wasn't drinking anything at time.

ISiddiqui 10-26-2005 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog
Definite performance issues on the laptop. Graphics problems, specifically. When I zoom in, the whole screen goes black. Zooming out, I can see the greens and tans of the grasslands and plains. :(


So if you don't zoom in all the way, is it ok? :D

Pumpy Tudors 10-26-2005 02:51 PM

I'm sorry, I am thisclose to making another AI comment, but I'm going to hold back. I know it's getting old for everybody, but it hasn't gotten old for me yet. I'll just keep them in my head for now.

Flasch186 10-26-2005 02:57 PM

im just going to say wow, the AI during installation is AWESOME. It basically did almost everything for me, a few clicks and it, the AI, knew exactly where to put everything.

I havnt played the game yet because the AI during the installation was so good, I decided to see if it was AS good during removal. I am pleased to announce that it is and I will now enjoy the AI during installation again.

Thank you

Butter 10-26-2005 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors
I'm sorry, I am thisclose to making another AI comment, but I'm going to hold back. I know it's getting old for everybody, but it hasn't gotten old for me yet. I'll just keep them in my head for now.


I'm tired of making the comments, but I'm not tired of reading 'em yet.

Passacaglia 10-26-2005 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flasch186
im just going to say wow, the AI during installation is AWESOME. It basically did almost everything for me, a few clicks and it, the AI, knew exactly where to put everything.


Not for me -- I had to physically type out the directory I wanted to put it in! Stupid AI.

Pumpy Tudors 10-26-2005 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69
I'm tired of making the comments, but I'm not tired of reading 'em yet.


In that case...

PING: Skydog

Does the AI get better if you zoom out?

Ben E Lou 10-26-2005 03:11 PM

I have a small driver update available. Trying that now.

Several people are reporting this at Apolyton and Civfanatics, though.

Laptop is rebooting as I type.

gstelmack 10-26-2005 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog
Laptop is rebooting as I type.


This would have been much funnier if you had written:

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog
Laptop is rebooting as I ty


Eaglesfan27 10-26-2005 03:18 PM

Due to hurricane aftermath and its effects on shipping, I was told by 3 different stores that it won't be available until at least Thursday and possibly as late as Saturday. Oh well, at least I have this weekend off to hopefully enjoy this once I get it :)

ISiddiqui 10-26-2005 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog
I have a small driver update available. Trying that now.

Several people are reporting this at Apolyton and Civfanatics, though.

Laptop is rebooting as I type.


So the laptop was a no go originally? Yikes... I got the same graphics card VRam numbers you got!! Though AoE III demo worked fine and had the same reqirements, dammit!

Coffee Warlord 10-26-2005 03:26 PM

So where's the Alright Boyz thread for Civ?

moriarty 10-26-2005 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord
So where's the Alright Boyz thread for Civ?


Everyone must be too busy playing or staring at the black screen.

cuervo72 10-26-2005 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors
I can live with the screen going black if the AI is good.


Super Fog-of-War

Hurst2112 10-26-2005 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gstelmack
This would have been much funnier if you had written:

that was funny and wasn't lost on me.

Passacaglia 10-26-2005 03:39 PM

Anyone else getting a "failed to initialize renderer" error message when they try to launch the game?

Ben E Lou 10-26-2005 03:39 PM

Seems to be working fine on desktop. Still black screen on laptop. Multiple reports of same issue at Apolyton and at CivFanatics. I'm not going to fool with the laptop any more for now.

Ben E Lou 10-26-2005 03:42 PM

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthrea...hreadid=140619
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=133108

ISiddiqui 10-26-2005 03:44 PM

I hear there are problems with ATI cards on Poly, but not with your chipset. Hmm... hoping it'll work with mine!

Godzilla Blitz 10-26-2005 03:59 PM

Took a break from work and worked through 20 minutes of the tutorial. Didn't play enough of Civ III to compare this to that, but on the surface of things there seem to be significant differences and enhancements.

No clue on the AI yet, as the only enemy I've encountered is a pride of lions. The Civ IV lion AI is on the spot, though.

Bee 10-26-2005 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passacaglia
Anyone else getting a "failed to initialize renderer" error message when they try to launch the game?


Sounds like an AI problem...

Bee 10-26-2005 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzilla Blitz
The Civ IV lion AI is on the spot, though.


That settles it, I'm heading out to buy the game.

Godzilla Blitz 10-26-2005 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui
I hear there are problems with ATI cards on Poly, but not with your chipset. Hmm... hoping it'll work with mine!


I've heard high-end ATI cards only. Mine is a 9800 Pro, and my game works fine.

moriarty 10-26-2005 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzilla Blitz
... on the surface of things there seem to be significant differences and enhancements.


20 minutes and that's all you came up with. I read that in 3 seconds on their press release. Now get back to playing and write a real report damnit. :p

Flasch186 10-26-2005 04:24 PM

its good

MikeVic 10-26-2005 04:26 PM

Why is Canada behind one day??? I want to play today damnit! Can someone let me romote into their computer so I can watch you play for the next 3 hours?

saldana 10-26-2005 04:51 PM

in case anyone misses me, i will be spending the evening kissing my wife's ass to get her to let me by the game on the way home from work tommorow(unless i can con her into going to get it for me after dinner, in which case you most likely wont hear from me for several days.)

Fouts 10-26-2005 05:00 PM

Just picked this up. Got lucky as Gamestop had 4 left, no strategy guides left tho. :(

Honolulu_Blue 10-26-2005 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saldana
in case anyone misses me, i will be spending the evening kissing my wife's ass to get her to let me by the game on the way home from work tommorow(unless i can con her into going to get it for me after dinner, in which case you most likely wont hear from me for several days.)


Woah. Your wife wont even let you go near the game? That's a harsh woman you've married there...

Godzilla Blitz 10-26-2005 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriarty
20 minutes and that's all you came up with. I read that in 3 seconds on their press release. Now get back to playing and write a real report damnit. :p


Hey, I noticed the lion AI too!

saldana 10-26-2005 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue
Woah. Your wife wont even let you go near the game? That's a harsh woman you've married there...



she remembers how many nights i said "just one more turn" in civ3 and didnt come to bed for 3 more hours.

judicial clerk 10-26-2005 05:12 PM

Quote:

she remembers how many nights i said "just one more turn" in civ3 and didnt come to bed for 3 more hours.

Is "civ3" code for the twenty year old nanny from Finland?

RailsFS 10-26-2005 05:35 PM

Played for about 2 hours today.....and so far, I really like it. The promotions really do feel right. I guess my main gripe so far (too early to be certain) is the speed of the game. In that short amount of time, my civ has advanced to 1300AD, and it just doesn't feel like we've gotten that many techs and such.

Definitely a different feel than any of the previous games, so the developers got that right. I can't wait to play a few SP games, then dive into MP.

Draft Dodger 10-26-2005 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue
Woah. Your wife wont even let you go near the game? That's a harsh woman you've married there...


sounds like just bad AI progamming

saldana 10-26-2005 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judicial clerk
Is "civ3" code for the twenty year old nanny from Finland?


how did you know we have a 20 year old nanny??? she isnt from finland though.

saldana 10-26-2005 05:43 PM

dola, about the game, for people playing on their laptops, what is the control like to move around the map, without a number pad, it was a little bit of a pain in the ass.

RailsFS 10-26-2005 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saldana
dola, about the game, for people playing on their laptops, what is the control like to move around the map, without a number pad, it was a little bit of a pain in the ass.

I assume you mean without a mouse plugged in?

saldana 10-26-2005 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RailsFS
I assume you mean without a mouse plugged in?

actually i phrased the question pretty poorly....how easy is it to move UNITS around the map without the number pad of a full keyboard...is the mouse more functional than it was in civ3...having to drag all the way accross a large continent was a pain, or go one square at a time with the keyboard

Eaglesfan27 10-26-2005 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzilla Blitz
I've heard high-end ATI cards only. Mine is a 9800 Pro, and my game works fine.


I hope this isn't true. My main computer has one of the newest ATI cards :(

Passacaglia 10-26-2005 06:02 PM

Lame. My laptop has the failed to initialize renderrer problem, and my desktop has SkyDog's black problem (only grassland and flood plains show up).

RailsFS 10-26-2005 06:03 PM

Hmmm, well dragging the mouse over continents never bothered me THAT much in previous games, so maybe my opinion won't matter as much. I can tell you that, set to default, the maps are a bit smaller, so there isn't as much dragging. Also, you can bypass the dragging entirely by clicking on the globe (map of the world) and then right clicking the square you want the unit to go to. If you hold the right click down, it will tell you how many turns it will take to reach that spot. I haven't played civIII in years, so I don't remember if you could do that before, but hope this helps.

Draft Dodger 10-26-2005 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passacaglia
Lame. My laptop has the failed to initialize renderrer problem, and my desktop has SkyDog's black problem (only grassland and flood plains show up).


you tryin to start somethin'?

:p

Airhog 10-26-2005 06:31 PM

Ive got it, but I am hesitant to play it. Will fire it up soon though and check out the tutorial at least. :D

henry296 10-26-2005 06:48 PM

I have a Dell laptop with a ATI Radeon 9000 with 64 MB... should I be worried?

Buccaneer 10-26-2005 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RailsFS
Played for about 2 hours today.....and so far, I really like it. The promotions really do feel right. I guess my main gripe so far (too early to be certain) is the speed of the game. In that short amount of time, my civ has advanced to 1300AD, and it just doesn't feel like we've gotten that many techs and such.

Definitely a different feel than any of the previous games, so the developers got that right. I can't wait to play a few SP games, then dive into MP.


Hmmm...that actually had been my biggest concern, that they would turn this into a RoN/one sitting game because gamers nowadays are too impatient to play it out for 20-30 hours. But, I have no idea if this is just bullshit on my part or not.

To all civers: For comparison purposes, how long did an average main game of Civ3 take you?

Buccaneer 10-26-2005 06:53 PM

I am also amazed at those trying to play strategy/3D type games on laptaps. I had never thought it would have been possible.

Draft Dodger 10-26-2005 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer
I am also amazed at those trying to play strategy/3D type games on laptaps. I had never thought it would have been possible.


I threw Dungeon Siege II on my laptop just to see what would happen, and was surprised to find that it plays quite nicely.

Pumpy Tudors 10-26-2005 06:58 PM


Bee 10-26-2005 07:25 PM

Pumpy is my hero

Ben E Lou 10-26-2005 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I could kiss you.

Ben E Lou 10-26-2005 07:28 PM

Dola:

On the mouth.

saldana 10-26-2005 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer
I am also amazed at those trying to play strategy/3D type games on laptaps. I had never thought it would have been possible.

i played knights of the old republic 2 and the bards tale on mine, no problems at all

TargetPractice6 10-26-2005 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saldana
i played knights of the old republic 2 and the bards tale on mine, no problems at all

Wow. I don't see how you could play KOTOR2 on a laptop or desktop without problems.

Airhog 10-26-2005 07:38 PM

Played through the tutorial so far. Now, these impressions come from someone that has never played Civ III. I have played plenty of Civ II though. Just from playing the tutorial the pace of the game seemed better. I really only had one complaint with Civ 2, and that was the endgame. I enjoyed playing upto the industrial age, and then I just got bored with it. I think there was too much micromanagement needed to play during the endgame for my tastes. It will be interesting to see how Civ 4 handles that.

Airhog 10-26-2005 07:40 PM

Sorry, that last post got way off topic. I liked what I see so far. The whole city, hamlet thing is different, although I am not sure it is much better than say roads everywhere. And the growing over time thing is more realistic I think. I will try to post more thoughts once I actually start my first game.

Pumpy Tudors 10-26-2005 07:50 PM

SkyDog gonna kiss me on mouth

sachmo71 10-26-2005 07:50 PM

If you don't have hardware transform and lighting on your video card, will the game run?

sterlingice 10-26-2005 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors
SkyDog gonna kiss me on mouth


Just be glad you're not an inflatable penguin.

SI

Ben E Lou 10-26-2005 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors
SkyDog gonna kiss me on mouth

What better, a kiss on the mouth from SkyDog, or good AI?

Buccaneer 10-26-2005 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog
What better, a kiss on the mouth from SkyDog, or good AI?


jb would want both if you could cuddle afterwards.

Bee 10-26-2005 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer
jb would want both if you could cuddle afterwards.



Sorry Pumpy...Bucc is my new hero. :D

cuervo72 10-26-2005 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passacaglia
Anyone else getting a "failed to initialize renderer" error message when they try to launch the game?


Eerie...my Seinfeld DVD that I bought today displayed a "failed to entertain RendeR" message when I tried to view it....

Celeval 10-26-2005 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachmo71
If you don't have hardware transform and lighting on your video card, will the game run?


That seems to be the problem causing the black terrain / invisible leaders. My wife's laptop is having it (Dell Inspiron 700m, only a few months old), mine is not.

jbmagic 10-26-2005 08:39 PM

I love the AI, I Want to Kiss the AI :)

Kam 10-26-2005 09:56 PM

I just finished my first game. I only played on Cheiftain, so I could get a feel for it. I won with a space victory in 2020 - I did not have any goal other than to test the game, so I am sure that I could have won earlier.

Only one war, I was England and I fought Spain and Japan. All the right units won...my War elephants lost to machine guns, my infantry beat archers, etc.

It was a pretty easy level, I was far ahead in technology, but I had very little military. So when I went to war, I was unprepared. I was left to pillaging, so my antique military could at least accomplish something. I built some fighters and bombed cities but I had no real ground troops.

Overall, it feels like a very good game.

Buzzbee 10-26-2005 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kam
I just finished my first game. I only played on Cheiftain, so I could get a feel for it. I won with a space victory in 2020 - I did not have any goal other than to test the game, so I am sure that I could have won earlier.

Only one war, I was England and I fought Spain and Japan. All the right units won...my War elephants lost to machine guns, my infantry beat archers, etc.

It was a pretty easy level, I was far ahead in technology, but I had very little military. So when I went to war, I was unprepared. I was left to pillaging, so my antique military could at least accomplish something. I built some fighters and bombed cities but I had no real ground troops.

Overall, it feels like a very good game.


It is a little disappointing to know that you finished in such a short time. I generally look forward to playing a nice, long, multi-night game of Civ. However, if the time is compressed because you aren't having to direct workers or manipulate units, then this may not be a bad thing.

Any thoughts as to why the pace seems to be quicker, and whether or not that is a good thing? Anyone?

Celeval 10-26-2005 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzbee
It is a little disappointing to know that you finished in such a short time. I generally look forward to playing a nice, long, multi-night game of Civ. However, if the time is compressed because you aren't having to direct workers or manipulate units, then this may not be a bad thing.

Any thoughts as to why the pace seems to be quicker, and whether or not that is a good thing? Anyone?


Well, for one, there are three time scales - Quick, Normal, and Epic. They affect how quickly units & buildings are built / research is completed / etc.

Galaxy 10-26-2005 10:29 PM

that boz

sachmo71 10-26-2005 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celeval
That seems to be the problem causing the black terrain / invisible leaders. My wife's laptop is having it (Dell Inspiron 700m, only a few months old), mine is not.



Thanks!

ISiddiqui 10-26-2005 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzbee
It is a little disappointing to know that you finished in such a short time.

Also recall he was playing on Chieftain and did not have to build that many units. At the higher levels with more military, and probably more wars, the game would go longer.

Godzilla Blitz 10-26-2005 11:33 PM

Just played through the tutorial and then continued on to the end of the game it generates. Easiest level, and you're way ahead of the Indian civilization before they get their first city, so it's impossible to lose. Played about and hour and a half altogether and wiped out the Indians for the win.

Some thoughts...

Gameplay is smooth. The keyboard shortcuts, the ways to automate things, and the interface all work to make the game very easy to play. In this regard, the game seems polished, although I obviously need to play more.

I really like the way units get experience and promotions. You can also rename any unit (this may have been in Civ III already?).

I still have no idea what the AI is like, as the easiest level seems, well, rather easy. The opponent, India, is quite passive and you've got a huge headstart.

City development is quite different. I'd tell you more but I really don't understand exactly how it's different. It hasn't "clicked" for me yet. I think I'm still in my Civ II/Civ III mindset.

Religion seems very cool, but it sure confused me. I founded a national religion in Buddhism, but then I got Moses as a great Jewish prophet. He just kind of walked into Rome one day. Not sure where he came from, but there was some desert nearby, so that could explain things, I guess. Anyway, he could build something really cool if he went to his Jewish holy city, which was Delhi, in India. Humm, I'm pretty sure you don't win the game by building really cool things for your enemies, so I figured that was a bad idea. Confused, I hid him at a nearby winery for a thousand years or so. He seemed happy, but I'm not sure my civilization was better off for it. Then I founded Confucianism (not sure how that happened either, but I think it had something to do with discovering the Code of Laws), and got a minor prophet, I think. Not sure what I was supposed to do with him either, so I hid him in some iron mine for the rest of history. I'm pretty sure hiding prophets in various places around the world is not the most effective way to use these guys, but as I said, certain things in the game haven't "clicked" for me yet. Occasionally, I'd get notice that such and such a city adopted a certain religion, which was kind of neat. Why it was kind of neat I have no idea, but I remember thinking, "That is kind of neat." Then I would get confused and just go build more praetorians so I could smush the Indians.

Anyway, so far so good. Time to start a real game. Second difficulty level for the easy win?

MikeVic 10-26-2005 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzilla Blitz
Just played through the tutorial and then continued on to the end of the game it generates. Easiest level, and you're way ahead of the Indian civilization before they get their first city, so it's impossible to lose. Played about and hour and a half altogether and wiped out the Indians for the win.

Some thoughts...

Gameplay is smooth. The keyboard shortcuts, the ways to automate things, and the interface all work to make the game very easy to play. In this regard, the game seems polished, although I obviously need to play more.

I really like the way units get experience and promotions. You can also rename any unit (this may have been in Civ III already?).

I still have no idea what the AI is like, as the easiest level seems, well, rather easy. The opponent, India, is quite passive and you've got a huge headstart.

City development is quite different. I'd tell you more but I really don't understand exactly how it's different. It hasn't "clicked" for me yet. I think I'm still in my Civ II/Civ III mindset.

Religion seems very cool, but it sure confused me. I founded a national religion in Buddhism, but then I got Moses as a great Jewish prophet. He just kind of walked into Rome one day. Not sure where he came from, but there was some desert nearby, so that could explain things, I guess. Anyway, he could build something really cool if he went to his Jewish holy city, which was Delhi, in India. Humm, I'm pretty sure you don't win the game by building really cool things for your enemies, so I figured that was a bad idea. Confused, I hid him at a nearby winery for a thousand years or so. He seemed happy, but I'm not sure my civilization was better off for it. Then I founded Confucianism (not sure how that happened either, but I think it had something to do with discovering the Code of Laws), and got a minor prophet, I think. Not sure what I was supposed to do with him either, so I hid him in some iron mine for the rest of history. I'm pretty sure hiding prophets in various places around the world is not the most effective way to use these guys, but as I said, certain things in the game haven't "clicked" for me yet. Occasionally, I'd get notice that such and such a city adopted a certain religion, which was kind of neat. Why it was kind of neat I have no idea, but I remember thinking, "That is kind of neat." Then I would get confused and just go build more praetorians so I could smush the Indians.

Anyway, so far so good. Time to start a real game. Second difficulty level for the easy win?



Isn't it something like... if another civ adopts the religion you discovered, there's a better chance of them liking you?

Eilim 10-27-2005 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVic
Isn't it something like... if another civ adopts the religion you discovered, there's a better chance of them liking you?



Yep, plus you get gold from them, and an easier chance of exerting cultural control I beleive.

I'm really loving the "great gerson" aspect of it.You really can boost your individual cities or even your civ as a whole depending on what you choose to do with them.

SunDevil 10-27-2005 01:26 AM

Here is a beta tester who created a walkthrough for everyone who is on the fence buying the game, or something to tie over the people who are waiting for it.

http://www.kalikokottage.com/civ3/sullla/civ4intro.html

Butter 10-27-2005 07:18 AM

Why would they make this game so graphics heavy that you need an advanced video card to run it properly?

Crap.

Samdari 10-27-2005 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69
Why would they make this game so graphics heavy that you need an advanced video card to run it properly?

Crap.


32 MB of video RAM is NOT and advanced video card. Not since 1998.

Ben E Lou 10-27-2005 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samdari
32 MB of video RAM is NOT and advanced video card. Not since 1998.

The T&L support appears to be the problem. I'm getting the black screen of death on a 4-month old laptop. I can run AOE 3 on it, EE2, and SimCity4, but not really Civ4. That's a problem for a TBS game. It would be easier to swallow if it were an RTS with pretty graphics, but this is a freakin' TBS. Anyone with sense even turns off the animations after about 15 minutes of playing the first game in Civ games. I really don't get it either.

JonInMiddleGA 10-27-2005 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog
It would be easier to swallow if it were an RTS with pretty graphics, but this is a freakin' TBS.


I find fewer & fewer TBS out there, most these days seem to be determined to be eye candy that happens to include some words. YMMV, but that's how I feel about them.


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