The best Civilization yet... I think so.
Like I said before, Civilization IV is essentially the same game that has come and gone for over a decade, but new additions to the game help to make it have a more polished and epic feel to it. First off, the interface and the graphics engine have all been redone in earnest for Civilization IV. I found that it was a little difficult to get used to the new interface being that I’ve been playing Civilization III for a long time, but many of my original grumbles were put to rest after I became more familiar with the interface which works better than that of its predecessor. There are many new elements of gameplay that make Civilization IV work well. New production systems do not allow you to carry production to other projects, military units are now given generic “combat strengths” so you no longer have to deal with the issue of a lone spearman defeating 5 tanks, government is run through civics which allow for you to create your own government instead of having to use an archetype of one, and the list goes on and on. All of the gameplay features enhance the experience of playing the game and detract nothing, so this is not a weaker game from earlier itineration.
The other major area that the game has taken a serious facelift is in the sound and graphics departments. The sound of the game is a much more important part of the game itself. Along with the familiar sounds of production completion or combat on the field there are also new sounds that accompany pop-up warnings. For example, if barbarians stream over you border and pillage improvements, you’ll hear a track of people screaming and swords clashing along with a little tab pop-up. These are very helpful in situations where you must multi-task and keep your eye on several things at once because it will instantly alert you to a crisis. Also, the game is voiced by Leonard Nimoy, a cool little touch that helps to create a sense of notoriety in the game. The graphics have undergone a huge change too, making the leap into full 3-D. All of the graphical touches add to the epic feel of the game, especially the new set of things that will grow out from your cities as they expand. One word of warning that I feel is necessary though is to do some research into what graphics cards and computer systems will support Civ IV. I have a factory direct HP computer with integrated sound and graphics and the game works fine which was a real surprise for me. But the general complaint by many communities is that some graphics cards and PC’s won’t run the game. I would also recommend that you meet the recommended requirements rather than the minimal, because this game eats up a lot of RAM in order to function properly.
All in all, Civilization IV is a great game and the next step in one of the most revered strategy franchises of all time. Check your computer, check your wallet, and get over to the nearest retail store to pick up Civ IV today.