19th Dec 2009
Really great turn-based strategy game. I enjoyed it more than Civ 2 or 3.
It seems to be the most friendly turn-based strategy game for players who are new to this type of game. Game is simple yet deep and always for much customization.
There are many mods available for this game as well. Civ4 is definitely worth picking up for turn-based strategy players.
The only personal criticism I have of Civ4 is their combat system which is quite simple and it's not tactical combat like in other turn-based games. However this is a hallmark of all Civilization games from the first; they were never primarily about combat. In a way the 'simple' combat has an advantage in that it's quick to resolve, so it speeds the game turns up in a way since your not bogged down by long combats every turn like in other types of games.
15th Dec 2009
If you love Grand Strategy Games and you've never heard of Civilization then you must of been living under a rock somewhere for the last 12yrs. The entire series has been revolutionary and Civ 4 is no different.
Civ4 has taken the normal Civ recipe and expanded upon it in several directions. More civs to play, leaders to be, choices to make and options to tinker. It's also managed too do all this while making the game EASIER to learn for new people, yet like all its predecessors is very hard to master it completely.
If you ever get the chance to partake in it, Civ4 multi player can be some of the best MP gaming around. Another huge feather in its cap is the MASSIVE modding scene. Some of you have probably heard of "Fall from Heaven" at some stage if you read gaming Mags or sites. This amazing mod for Civ4 transforms the game into something else entirely, that is equally as special in its own right (http://kael.civfanatics.net/).
Bottom line is, if you love grand strategy, or even just like it a little bit, Civ4 is a great purchase that will entertain you for many many hours.
25th Sep 2009
Civilization IV is the best strategy game to date. It also happens to be my favorite strategy game, but that is my own preference for strategy games in general over other genres. What sets CIV IV apart is its design philosophy (echoed also in the game as a tech blurb) that "perfection is achieved not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." Put simply this is a fresh interface design, simplified combat mechanics which puts the focus on tactics and maneuvering over sheer numbers, and plenty of new tools at your disposal to challenge all types of gamers from conquest seekers to builders. Built upon this great foundation is a vibrant community of modders (people who use the game files to build upon the base game, or take a more imaginative turn to something entirely different) that work tirelessly to provide even more hours of enjoyment. In summary Civilization IV Complete is a requirement to strategy gamers everywhere.
7th Sep 2009
I've played a lot of games, and I think that it's quite possible that Civilization IV is the best game ever made. It's hard to compare between genres, but Civilization IV has all of the elements that make a game great: It is addictive. It is cerebral. It is easy to learn and difficult to master. It caters to many different styles of play: a bloody warmonger can conquer the earth and have fun doing it, and someone like my wife can unite the world in love and peace and have fun doing it. The modding community is amazing, and there are several mods that completely change the way the game is played. This adds even more replayability to a game that doesn't need any help in that area. Overall, this will likely be one of the few games in your collection that you will pick up over and over again for years.
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