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Civilization IV Review (continued)
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Manufacturer: Aspyr Media
Find all Aspyr Media reviews
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
Platform(s): Mac OS X
Release Date: June 30, 2006
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
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Retail Price: $49.99
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More User Submitted Civilization IV Reviews
Date: 2007-09-24
The best since the original!
Civilization was one of the first video games I ever played. I still remember my first game, when the computer's tanks easily rolled over my horsemen. This newest version is the best of the uneven sequels. If you don't know, the game basically tasks you to guide a civilization from the days of nomadic tribes to the conquest of space. Along the way you research technology, colonize the world, wage war, trade resources and build wonders of the world. Civilization does a little bit of everything, from strategic war gaming to city management, none of them in the detail you might find in other games, but with such a variety that you really feel like you are running a nation. The graphics in this newest version are excellent, but a bit heavy on computer requirements. Really, is it necessary to have such steep requirements for a game that is fairly simple at its heart? I would also be remiss if I didn't mention Leonard Nimoy's excellent vocal narration.
The mac version is excellent, except for one thing: Mac publisher Aspyr is doing an awful job of publishing updates. The problem is that you must be running the same version to play against PC players, so internet play is impossible until they get off their lazy behinds and update the game.
Date: 2007-09-18
Excellent graphics, but just tooooo complex
Having spent many, many hours playing Civilization 3, I was expecting Civilization 4 to be even better. Well, the graphics are much, much better, but I found the game just too complex. There are too many decisions to make, for my blood. Of course much of it can be put on automatic, but what is the fun of just watching the action? I found the new religion feature to be confusing. I was also disappointed in finding that I could not view as much of the game field as I could on Civilization 3. If I zoomed out far enough to see more of the field, then the field became blurry. I finally gave up and went back to Civilizaton 3.
Date: 2007-08-13
Let us rate what was intended, not what we desired.
I would like to begin by stating something very simple.
We all criticize games, films and music by what we often desired, by our preconceptions and expectations. This is a very bad way to review something.
This game is a remarkable game, with a lovely interface and great concept. The only reason for not giving this game 5 stars is simple, no game is really deserving of that, unless you can think of no way to improve it. This game has many things that can be improved upon. It is not perfect, but nothing really is. I noticed earlier that an individual called 'snootch' gave a review, and you should read it, but basically discard it. The criticism that is brought to bare against this game is simply a frustration of theirs against the industry and the way things currently are, runaway global free markets, poor product and greed. This is a debate for another time and I do encourage you not to join his/her 'crusade' by boycotting such games as this. I admit game are produced far to fast these days, with often great emphasis on speed, and on improving graphical prowess. This often ruins gameplay and depth.
However the depth of this game has not really been neglected, nor has the gameplay diminished. The game looks graphically beautiful and yes, it will chock your computer's memory and general performance. However this is simply a glitch in the memory leak of the game, and numerous fixes are available. The PC version is significantly more affected the MAC version, and thus MAC users should be grateful. However all these problems are fixable and you can be a total novice and achieve a smooth running game, on full graphical settings, with spec BELOW that of the recommended, use common sense and don't just assume what your PC says to be true. I for example use a hacked graphical driver, (due to it being a mobile card, a Nvidia GeForce 6600 Go... in case you are curious, since Nvidia are terrible at supporting their mobile "go" range) - and therefore it detected my settings as being ultra low, however I can fully utilize full graphical settings with no problem. Address issues you have on online forums and you will be having fun in no time. I understand these should have been addressed with the original copy of the game, however this was not done, but it is no reason to "boycott" the game.
The gameplay is fun and can be very challenging. The computer can often feel like it is picking on you, or giving you a free ride, and the AI to that extent can be a little random, but hey, that is part of the fun!
There are changes from Civ3, and it is NOT advised to go back and buy the CIV3-Complete, since it is significantly more expensive and simply not as good. I agree this insidious corporate tactic of releasing expansion backs which should have been the original is frustrating and so I would I agree, do not buy them unless you want them, however 'Beyond the Sword' does look to be a significant improvement, Warlords was a waste of time, but this looks worth it, and ultimately it is up to you. My Girlfriend prefers to wait for expansions (like with the Sims) and will wait years before buying complete sets, I however am less patient and buy things IF and only iF (IFF), I decide I really like it, it is up to you.
Which leads on nicely to the modding of the game. You could of course just mod the game yourself. Now I do very much protest at the remark that the game is only possible to mod if you have done a 'computer science' degree et al, but this is just simply nonesense. I have modded Leaderheads fully 3D, animations, skins, new models, tech trees, added new Civs and more. This in fact, as Firaxis boast, the most moddable version ever, and one of the most moddable games currently on the market. What you need is some intelligence , patience and the ability to read what others have written and to take a learning role, until you can fully fly yourself. Those that want to just 'jump in' may be sad, but if you have the patience to read basic tutorials, and familiarize yourself with the game types, and file types, you can be doing very advanced modding very quickly. I mean this game is large and complex, what do people expect? An old fashioned 'C&C Red Alert' styled .ini editing? Let's just dip into notepad and edit shall we? You must excuse my sarcasm, but this point always rather annoys me. If you are not mature enough to do the work, don't expect the results. If you are - well you are in for a treat, and you can edit everything bar the damn game engine! What could be better?
Of course there could be MANY improvements, every time I lay either online, campaign or just skirmish against the AI, I am constantly jumping up and jotting notes down for new ideas and better improvements. My idea for the game probably seems to bare NO similarity to the original! But that is part of the fun! You can let your own imagination run wild, or just download what others have done, or just enjoy talking. I can assure anybody that all the corrections I have thought of, would also apply to Civ3-Complete. In many respects a more satisfying 'battle-engine' would apply. I have been frustrated losing a battle with 93 percent success chance, simply because the computer can't afford the loss! The ability to use tactics and creativity in battle would be a welcome change, the option to either just simulate the battle like it does now, or the ability to command the units by my own hand would be very welcome, a concept I first noticed in a LucasArts game, Star Wars Supremacy/Rebellion. A greater level of complex diplomacy would also be welcome, the chance to actually debate and manipulate the character into bargains, peace treaties, wars etc - what is the point of having personalities if they don't affect this, or have any great significance? We have complex text games and so on now, so why this could not be introduced is perplexing, BUT these are just 'if I had my own way'- games get progressively better, usually, and I sense such changes could be present in later games, maybe even Civ5.
ONE WARNING THOUGH:
This game DOES possess one BIG problem. Do not hibernate your Laptop etc. Because if you do - it has like a 1/3 chance of for no reason at all, refusing to recognize your game Disc, and the only solution is a total restart, it is frustrating and really not pleasant, and no reason for it, especially when they have some very powerful and in built "anti-noCD patch" software - which exits any game after 100 turns if you try to 'noCD Patch it'. It is quite pathetic actually, if people are going to pirate software, they will do it, why punish the honest, less computer literate people, and not punish those capable of the piracy. Such protection not needed, so you WILL be carrying your CD around wherever you go if you want to play it. Pointless. But that is just how it is.
The basic conclusion is that this game is thrilling, and is probably the best TBS (Turn-based strategy) currently available. If TBS is your bag, then you should go hunting. The comment made by 'snootch' about it not needing to look good is just plainly short sighted of him/her. Everything in this world could just be 'functional' but we gloss things up to make them better, and more enjoyable, we desire style, and this does not disappoint. The cutscenes are very entertaining, the music is simply breath taking and this all adds to make this brilliant game, simply brilliant with a glossy touch. Eye and ear candy is necessary and very impressive in this game. The MAC and PC are compatible and this makes for great multiplayer action, and the games can so intense, or cruel as to cause 'monopoly' styled rifts between even the best of friends or lovers. It is a great game for couples, and for good friends because there is so much to discuss, and you can change the handicaps to make sure everyone has an equal go. The tech tree as usual makes no sense! But hey I imagine that is just part of the fun, and mod it, if you so desire. I am yet to investigate the World Builder fully and will be gutted if it can not perform. This is game though is a top notch show, and really quite excellent. If you don't take life too seriously and actually have a sense of humour this game will be fantastic, if you are philosophical and sullen then this game will be challenging and engrossing - so no matter who you are, or what your bag is, this game if you like TBS' will make you want to 'Rock on'. Buy it, enjoy it, and join the community. This game is not perfect - but it is the best yet, and the start of many great things to come.
Enjoy yourself and remember to work hard, play hard.
V.R.
Date: 2007-07-13
Amazing
The version of Civ that I last used was 2. It was as its name - 2D, 2 ... bad, overall. Civ 4 is amazing. With whole new aspects of the game, such as religion, culture, more units, etc., CIV is a whole new world.
Date: 2007-07-04
CIV IV for Mac
Civilization has always been one of my all-time favorite games on the PC so when I discovered that it was available for the Mac (which I recently switched to) I was very excited, but also a bit skeptical. Mac's aren't necessarily known for gaming but after reading a few reviews I decided to give it a try and I'm glad that I did. Civ IV on my Mac runs better then it ever did on any of my PC's. It looks virtually identical if not a little more crisp and playability is excellent. There are a few minor differences, like the way units are animated when they move (some units seem to float from one square to another instead of actually walking) but other then that it is a spectacular rendition of a world class strategy game. If you own a Mac and are a fan of the Civilization series, don't even hesitate to pick this one up!
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