Just too freakin addictive!!
For one, did any of the people who called the game boring for not being similar to warcraft 3, actually take time to play the demo, or the original games? It's particularly insulting when they say how Civ 1 or 2 better, yet don't mention how, or call it a boring game in comparison to Civ 1 or 2 (LOL!!), and recommend one pick up an RTS. Someone even went into details about how the game wasn't historically accurate because leaders never changed and civilizations didn't follow their true history!?!?!?
I do, however, feel for those who are having complications running the game, since they are seriously missing out.
It is an understatement to say this game is simply fun. It is enthralling, is easy to control (the numerous concepts are difficult to master however), and possesses an addictiveness that makes it almost impossible to rise from.
The game always starts out with you choosing a city, and assists the player by suggesting good locations for your city. Some may dislike this, but the assistance provides long lasting effects, particularly when the population grows later in the game.
The game allows you branch out on just about any path you choose and most civilizations start out possessing certain benefits, with leaders that possess specific traits. For instance, George Washington, of the American Empire, is financial and organized so plots with commerce get 1+ added to their commerce when rise about 2 or more commerce, and receives -50% civic upkeep cost and certain buildings are half off.
There are numerous building and technologies in the game that affect how a starting civilization may turn out. You can focus on militaristic develops if you plan on starting wars early on. Cultural bonuses ensure that you borders expand. You could focus on economics if you plan on ensuring your population is always happy, and growth to ensure that they are alway healthy (both of the last two generally ensure there is no unhappiness). The choices you make may dire or beneficial consequences in the long run. An underdeveloped military makes your empire easy pickings for a militaristic nation. Poor culture will ensure that your cities are captured by more influencing civilizations without any bloodshed. You can trade technology and lands with you opponents, or form diplomatic treaties that ensure trade or the ability to move through friendly lands without provoking war.
There are Great People in the game which can provide immense benefits to cities in which they are settled (if yiu choose to settle them), or provide other small benefits by continuously doing certain tasks. If things get out of control, you can have the game automate things for you. This can be especially helpful when your engaged in war.
War can be tedious and resource waisting. It also makes your citizens unhappy the longer the war continues. Units can receive promotions in order to better combat certain units, or to provide certain benefits in certain terrain. Certain units are better able to combat certain units, cavalry can crush archers, archers crush melee fighters, and melee fighters crush spearman. The a.i. isan't a push over in combat either.
The a.i. generally excels at playing on a level that constantly challenges the player, and makes for a shrewd, if somewhat artificial, opponent. It generally makes good deals, and generally assist it's allies when war calls (not always though). There are many more details, but I must ensure I am in the confines of required review length.
The sounds are pretty good, particularly the menu music, and the noises you hear when you zoom in or out during gameplay. The graphics are pretty good for this type of game I suppose, they aren't the selling point however. I haven't experienced any crashes or installation issues as of yet. Though it is odd that the second disk is labeled play, when the first is the play disk.
Just get this game if you love strategy!! You (hopefully) won't regret it. Hopefully my review was clear and concise (probably not), and my comments on a few of the user reviews, not offensive.