Basically, the whole game has been revised compared to Civ3, insofar it is not a sequel in the strict sense it is a completely stand-alone game. The leap into the third dimension is actually quite nice to look at, really necessary he was as few as that it represents a real improvement. The world is colorful gaudy what unfortunately somewhat at the expense of clarity in some cases. In particular, the city screen already takes some acclimatization period. At the request of many fans is now available again, the legendary miracle Movies! These are not particularly spectacular, but still nice to look at. The pawns in the diplomacy screen are quite simple, but also very nice to look at. Who needs please as the realistic image of Queen Victoria, Abrahm Lincoln or Otto von Bismarck? This is a game :-)
Overall, the new gameplays (Celebrities, religion, government, etc.) can be seen as very positive. They bring new zest to the game and provide more complexity. It was the creators aim is to eliminate as many of the "party poopers" from Civ3 and replace them with better, more intuitive things. Besides, many player suggestions were accepted and implemented. Civ4 thus Plays much smoother and simpler than its predecessor, but has gained in complexity at the same time.
The anger of the previous speakers about the immense hardware requirements I can not quite understand. With the latest patch (and especially with the current graphics card driver!), The game runs smoothly and smoothly, I had not been a crash. Clearly, the further one progresses in the game, the longer the computer laps, but that's just the way (if one realizes what it must be calculated!) And can not be avoided. That is, since 1 part and so also in all demanding rounds strategy games like this. And soooooo long the laps so now again not :-) If that does not fit, the need to play real-time games.
Another positive point is the retention of the round principle. This is what makes the special charm of the Civ series for me. So I can calmly after work without time pressure and very relaxed my cities are planning to organize attacks, commercial contracts include etc., in between making me a cup of coffee or whatever!
Also very nice, I think the new technology tree. It now has a lot more opportunities to explore something. In Civ3 there were only three basic directions that have explored just opponents like myself. Now all research in all different directions, so that there is actually to change places with the enemy always technologies.
Another very positive point is the experience of winning units. This wins the game immensely strategic depth, as you can now specialize its units (for example, on defense, attack cities, rapid deployment force, patrol, etc.). This unexpected possibilities arise during the warfare.
To name negative points I find it relatively difficult :-). But in my opinion there are not so many. The zoom levels are chosen to be somewhat unhappy. In the largest zoom level you see the units, although very detailed, but nothing else. You zoom further and further behind, the "by-inclined-up" view on a 90-degree-of-top-view, with which I do not get along now. Especially in the advanced game I think it's because sometimes a bit exhausting to to orient. The religious principle I found at the beginning of something out of the way. The meaning and function (and especially the benefits!) were somehow not clear after several games I was able to do something. It is at the beginning a bit difficult to understand where the money is. Because of the numerous factors had just been an increase of +20 gold per turn and suddenly -20. And then you have to first raustüfteln what happened exactly. But come the longer you play, the more you walk in, after a few games you will feel at home as usual, the predecessor Civ3 then appears completely irrelevant and boring ;-)
The much-quoted "Archer wins against tanks" problem is not really occurred to me. Clear, wins sometimes a weaker unit against a stronger, but overall that happens very rarely ... and then if also understandable. If you proceed strategically, you can avoid such situations.
CONCLUSION:
The logical continuation of an ingenious game idea. Compared to its predecessor Civ3 there is virtually only improvements. Particularly positive are: the government building block (as in Alpha Centauri, many more options), experience winning the units (immense tactical depth!), Abolition of "fun killers" (no more unrest in the cities, no annoying pollution, etc.) and more variety in the tech tree (more freedom in research, 'real' targeted research in specialized areas). Negative points for me there is only a very few, who often criticized by previous speakers bugs and crashes are no longer with the current patch and drivers, the Hardware hunger keeps my mind in check.
All in all a great game, a still addictive gameplay, lots of great new features - just a thoroughly enjoyable game. For fans of the Civ series anyway a must buy. Who does not like turn-based games, but prefers to play real-time should stay away from here, which is not happy with Civ4. But who gets involved in the game flow a bit slow and the immense possibilities, here are the best in the series and is especially sleepless nights and the legendary "Only-yet-a-round-then-go-I-but-really- the bed "feeling!
