From: askoonce@unity.ncsu.edu (Anthony Koonce)
Subject: Re: Civilization - reviews requested
Organization: North Carolina State University Project Unity
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 18:41:00 GMT

In article <DRESNICK.93Jan11073438@e40-008-7.mit.edu>, dresnick@athena.mit.edu (David I Resnick) writes:
|> Hi,
|> 
|> I'm pondering buying Civ. for the mac and have some questions for
|> those who have bought it.
|> 
|> 1) How smart are the computer opponents?
|>     This is my main concern in all such games.  I hate playing
|>     computer games in which the computer has one mediocre strategy
|>     which, once known, makes the game trivial to win.

There are 5 levels of difficulty and you can play against 3 to 7 other civilizations.  It is very easy to 'win' playing on the easy levels ie: beat the h--- out of the other civilizations, it is not exactly easy to get to Alpha Centari (which is the other way to win) unless you go for a highly scientifically advanced society (which doesn't nessesarily give you a military edge). I tried playing the hardest level for kicks, I thought I was doing pretty good to have muskets and about 5 good citys, then 
tec civilization quickly and efficiently blew me away with tanks and bomber units. The computer strategy seems to be military might, but I'm not sure yet. I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars for computer players.
|> 
|> 2) How is the interface?
|>    I am not a Mac interface freak, but do like a nice interface.  E.g.
|>    I found the BOTCF interface most irritating.
|> 
Interface is pretty good. A lot of things can be done with either the mouse or the keyboard, I haven't found a way to use the mouse to end the turn instead of reaching for the return key (any ideas out there?). As has been said before on the net, the use of color is very nice, a lot of information is given by the color of the unit icon on the map, its also very well done 8-bit color, not 4-bit like Railroad Tycoon. (I've never played BOTCF, whatever it is) *4 1/5 stars
|> 3) How is the replay value?
|>    Are there many REAL options for good play?
|> 
There are options for changing climate, land area, age of planet, etc or to play on Earth. As mentioned above there are various levels of difficulty. Also there are many, many styles of play, do you want to be expansionist, militaristic, peaceful, etc. I don't know what is best to win at the higher levels but I think you have to carefully balance all options. This game takes a long time to complete a session. On my LC I've played until 2050 AD and reaced Alpha Centuari (a win) and it took my about 12
 total, and it wasn't because the game is particularly slow. I got the game on Thursday and I haven't gotten to bed before 3 in the morning since then. I'm not sure about the long term though. *4 stars.
|> 
|> 4) Are there any (many?) bugs?
|>    I ain't a beta tester...  Are there any bugs which significantly 
|>    affect play?
|> 
I personally haven't seen any bugs, but there are some on the net that have experienced them. I personally would give it 5 stars
|> I'd really appreciate answers to any/all of these questions by you
|> folks who already have Civ.  
|> 
|> Thanks!
|>  
|> --
|>        David Resnick                           dresnick@athena.mit.edu      

*********overall score:4 1/2 stars out of 5 ************

My personal feeling is that if you like strategy games, this is a must have, if you like Spaceward Ho! and Railroad Tycoon, you'll like this.

I'd like to see it networked!!

Happy conquering.

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-There is nothing quite as nice as good food, pleasant company, and a long
nap.

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