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General discussion (archive)Which Civ should I start with?(22 posts)solved(22 posts)solved
(22 posts)solved
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This is my favourite topic
Posted February 01, 2012
As someone who's never really given the Civ series a good play, I figured that now is as good a time as any since I don't have much in my queue. I just don't know where to start, though. There's a ton of games. I-V on PC, that console one, FreeCiv, some facebook game. In all seriousness, I'm sure my choice comes down to I to V. So which one, Civ junkies?
Post edited February 01, 2012 by EC-
This question / problem has been solved by Psyringeimage
Posted February 01, 2012
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EC-: As someone who's never really given the Civ series a good play, I figured that now is as good a time as any since I don't have much in my queue. I just don't know where to start, though. There's a ton of games. I-V on PC, that console one, FreeCiv, some facebook game. In all seriousness, I'm sure my choice comes down to I to V. So which one, Civ junkies?
Start from 1 ...
Posted February 01, 2012
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EC-: As someone who's never really given the Civ series a good play, I figured that now is as good a time as any since I don't have much in my queue. I just don't know where to start, though. There's a ton of games. I-V on PC, that console one, FreeCiv, some facebook game. In all seriousness, I'm sure my choice comes down to I to V. So which one, Civ junkies?
IV or V are the last, most modern, most easy to master installments of the series. I, II, III are only for fans of classic games, however I liked them all.

IV is more complete, balanced and cheaper than V. V is less old and less complex than IV. Both are good and both are different from each other.

Forget console Civ or Facebook Civ. :)
Post edited February 01, 2012 by Trilarion
Posted February 01, 2012
Where does Freeciv fit in this 'hierarchy' of Civs?
Posted February 01, 2012
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Trilarion: IV is more complete, balanced and cheaper than V. V is less old and less complex than IV. IV is better.
Fix'd that for you ;-P

In all seriousness, what are your experiences with 4X games or strategy in general. Do you consider Europa Universalis to dumbed down or is MoO 2 making your head spin?
Posted February 01, 2012
4 balances the newbie friendliness and the quality content of the series the best.

Get the complete pack. Beyond the Sword is all you'll really need to install, though a game or two of vanilla Civ IV won't hurt newcomers, especially since for whatever reason Beyond the Sword removed the tutorial.
Posted February 01, 2012
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EC-: As someone who's never really given the Civ series a good play, I figured that now is as good a time as any since I don't have much in my queue. I just don't know where to start, though. There's a ton of games. I-V on PC, that console one, FreeCiv, some facebook game. In all seriousness, I'm sure my choice comes down to I to V. So which one, Civ junkies?
If you want most easy and casual game titled with Civilization then play crappy facebook Civ,in there you don't play game,but you're resource of money for operator play a business game.
Original Civilization series and Alpha Centauri are complicated,but there are many guidance and walkthrough.
I like Civ 2 and original Colonization,and loving Advanced Civilization,but all items still don't appear any download shop.
If you like fantasy Master of Magic is best.
Posted February 01, 2012
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spinefarm: Start from 1 ...
This.

You may get better graphics with later parts, but with Civilization 1 you'll experience how is it to play the game which stood the test of time.
Post edited February 01, 2012 by SLP2000
Posted February 01, 2012
Just go from V.

It's by far the most streamlined experience of them all. One unit per title really fixes the whole SOD (stack of doom) mechanic. Also, it's the prettiest.
Posted February 01, 2012
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spinefarm: Start from 1 ...
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SLP2000: This.

You may get better graphics with later parts, but with Civilization 1 you'll experience how is it to play the game which stood the test of time.
Civ I is also nintendo hard on most dificulties. Go for Civ IV, best of all experiences. Civ V is shinier but truth is it feels too shallow.
Posted February 01, 2012
4!!!!!
Posted February 01, 2012
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Titanium: Just go from V.

It's by far the most streamlined experience of them all. One unit per title really fixes the whole SOD (stack of doom) mechanic. Also, it's the prettiest.
It also turns the game into a city state manager instead of a civ game. My god, I got spammed with requests and crap every turn almost.

V may have changed for the better in the meantime but i'd heartily recommend IV first. It's just a great all round experience, and it even costs less.
Posted February 01, 2012
It depends. ;) Here are my thoughts:

Civ 1 - very dated graphics and UI, atrocious AI, brilliant concept, but crude excution in many aspects. I'd recommend against starting with it, it has no advantages over the others. It is less complex than Civ3 or Civ4, but so is Civ2.

Civ 2 - Probably a decent point of entry. Gameplay is less complex (and therefore less overwhelming) than the later Civ games, but on par with Civ1. Graphics, presentation and UI are _far_ better than Civ1. The AI is still very bad. Many crude gameplay mechanics from Civ1 are still present.

Civ 3 - Further improved presentation (though some well-loved elements from Civ2 are missing, notably wonder movies, and advisors played by real actors). Gameplay is more complex, but also introduces new problems (corruption as a very non-fun new game mechanic, overpowered artillery). Decent AI for the first time in the series.

Civ4 - Definitely the most complex game in the series, also the one with the best AI. Most gameplay issues from the previous game have been ironed out. The UI is very good too - while the amount of information can be overwhelming at first, it always gives you the information you need, especially if you improve it with the BUG mod.

Civ 5 - Not really a Civ game, but rather a failed mix between Civ and a wargame (like Panzer General). Gameplay has been simplified a lot, but isn't working as well as the previous Civs. The AI is back to being atrociously bad. The UI is a clickfest that hides information when you need it. Players are forced into pre-designed playing styled by removing choices during play. I'd stay away.

Conclusion:
I recommend to start either with Civ4 or with Civ2. Civ4 is the more mature game, but also more complex. If you're okay with the idea of playing a couple of games before you truly understand all the concepts, then choose Civ4. If you prefer to start with simpler gameplay, choose Civ2.
Posted February 01, 2012
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Psyringe: snip
I wholeheartly agree with your post. Except for one point. Who, on Gods green earth, has for only a second missed the real life actors of Civ II? I mean, really?

And Civ 4 has Spock as narrator. That alone is awesomesauce!
Posted February 01, 2012
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Asbeau: Where does Freeciv fit in this 'hierarchy' of Civs?
Freeciv is based on Civ2 and has more multiplayer in mind. The AI is very different to the normal Civ games, in my opinion more agressiv. What I really like on Freeciv is the way you can manage all your cities easily from one screen.

To the topic: There is really no rule to play in a special order, each game has it's own charme. But if you have the chance start with the first and see how the series changed step by step. Civ2 is my big love because of nostalgia reasons - beside a german football manager (Anstoss 3) it is and will very likely be my biggest time-eater forever.

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SimonG: Who, on Gods green earth, has for only a second missed the real life actors of Civ II? I mean, really?
Me. It gives the game a special charme and atmosphere. It's maybe not a big miss, but still a nice special. ANARCHY!!!;-)
Post edited February 01, 2012 by DukeNukemForever
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General discussion (archive)Which Civ should I start with?(22 posts)solved(22 posts)solved
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