Gamers will be shocked to find out that most of the strategies that they've developed over the years for Civilization no longer work. The improved diplomacy, for example, forces the player to establish diplomatic ties with as many civilizations as possible as you'll need them as the game progresses. You can no longer attack a country, take over a couple of cities, and then make peace and expect them to forgive and forget. They'll make a treaty with you, as most of the civilizations work toward peace now rather than war. The governments have been refined as well.
Despotism is much worse than it was before, so monarchy is a key early advance.