What do you loooove about Civ III?

Buttercup · Jun 26, 2012, 07:19 AM

I suspect I might have been coming across as being a bit too mean to dear old Civ III recently, so I thought I'd do a thread to readdress the balance somewhat.

I must admit I do keep playing and although my gaming pleasures are not as detailed as Civ II (especially when it comes to playing on past a victory), Civ III still has some of that 'I wanna load a new map' factor which keeps me coming back for more.

And, in all fairness, there are a few concepts and mechanics in Civ III which I do find an improvement over Civ II. So let's have a thread where we can freely gush about some of the truly great aspects of this strangely addictive old Turn Based Strategy game!

My starter for ten would be Cultural Borders.

If there was one thing that frustrated the heck out of me about Civ II it was the nonsensical way your borders were limited by the limit of your cities production squares. How infuriating it would be to start filling an area with cities only for one solitary square on the coast to be really awkwardly positioned so that it could not be covered by your current batch of Settlers. Hey Presto, an AI Civ would jump on that spot and create a city.

I remember this being quite a common complaint about the game and one that players were looking forward to being resolved in Civ III. And I think Civ III does a great job here. Not only do borders expand to fill all the awkward squares, but the AI is also deterred from settling in these awkward spots due to fear of Cultural Conversion.

In this respect, I give Civ III a ten out of ten

Chronicles · Jun 26, 2012, 10:38 AM

That it returned to the Sid Meier style of civilization after 'Civilization Call to Power' which I really did not enjoy, but was convinced that it was the sequel to CivII - we didn't have internet and I was 11 or something.

Theov · Jun 26, 2012, 10:48 AM

The tension of staying ahead.
Discovering new land.
Managing a lot of variables into an efficient empire while not being restricted too much.

Cyc · Jun 26, 2012, 11:05 AM

When a plan comes together.

Theov · Jun 26, 2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyc

When a plan comes together.

Don't you love it!

Verarde · Jun 26, 2012, 07:09 PM

The satisfaction of having beaten a new difficulty level.

Well, that might be because I beat my first Monarch game the other day. 1948 AD Space with the Celts.

I'll see if I can think of something else later.

MarkK · Jun 28, 2012, 02:43 PM

What I love about Civ III?
Cratering my enemy into submission, or to his death.
What do I hate about Civ III?
Cleaning up my own cratering.

Quintillus · Jun 30, 2012, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkK

What I love about Civ III?
Cratering my enemy into submission, or to his death.
What do I hate about Civ III?
Cleaning up my own cratering.

True statement. That's part of the reason I'm adverse to using nukes, too - it's a pain to clean up the mess afterwards.

Hellfiredoom · Jul 04, 2012, 05:31 AM

What's not to love?!?!

@ Cyc and MarkK - thx for the laughs!

SteamCiv · Jul 04, 2012, 10:26 AM

I just ran across my old cookie limited edition tin of CIV3 collectors released in October2001. Almost forgot I had it. And in there along with my old CDS for that game, my missing LORDS of MAGIC disk!

I was excited when I got Civ 3, but ultimately, did not play that much. I miss some of the flash bang touches of Civ 2. Adam Smith's Trading Company video comes to mind. Even though I religiously purchased the expansions installed them and played a turn or two, Civ 3 faded away into a cabinet drawer. The CCM mod got me back into it.

Some of what I write may relate more to CCM mod than Civ 3 itself but perhaps that is what makes Civ3 special, its easy personal customization which is currently assisted by the huge amounts of graphics in the downloads area. If one is willing to apply themselves and learn a bit about the folder structures, how to use a text editor, the customization features of Civ 3 remain accessible to many users without advanced programming or expensive specialized graphics applications.

As with Civ 1 and 2, there is a lot of action going on in Civ 3. Whereas I tried Civ 4 and 5 (i did not go far into 5), I could play a game of Civ 4 without any serious war, Civ 3 had me fighting for survival and certainly presented me with more opportunities to get dragged into war even as a peaceful player. "We hear you have acquired 32 gold. Hand it over so that may we may continue our cordial relationship..."

timerover51 · Jul 04, 2012, 11:53 PM

Probably that I spend as much time trying to beat the corruption and pollution algorithm as I do beating the game. Against that, when I succeed in beating all three, I do have a sense of having accomplished something.

gps · Jul 05, 2012, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamCiv

I could play a game of Civ 4 without any serious war,

Which might be seen as a huge advantage for the peacemonger type of players. Have you ever tried the "aggressive AI" option in IV?

timerover51 · Jul 05, 2012, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamCiv
I could play a game of Civ 4 without any serious war,

Quote:

Originally Posted by gps

Which might be seen as a huge advantage for the peacemonger type of players. Have you ever tried the "aggressive AI" option in IV?

You can play Civ3 without having a major war. Simply choose a custom map, say 200 X 160 or better in the editor, no X wrapping, and continents. If you are careful with the starting locations, and go with less than 31 civilizations, you can spread everyone out so that you never have a major war.

dominatr · Jul 05, 2012, 01:27 PM

I love the maps and colors. Whenever i would play a game i would just watch the replay and look at the maps, because it was just so cool!

Jingo7 · Jul 26, 2012, 07:11 PM

What keeps bringing me back to Civ3, and compels me to post on this forum, is that it just feels like serious business. I feel like that with many of the games that were created around the Civ3 era, Empire Earth, Homeworld, Anno 1503, Medieval total war, etc. They just feel real, gritty, modifiable, endlessly re-playable. I didn't care that the irrigation looked like irritating bright blue crayon, half the fun was fleshing out the world in my own head. I loved the masochistic pathos of finding yourself in an almost unwinnable situation,
my cities being bombed to bits by an enemy Republican Coalition, while my population is wasted away as city after city is captured and conscripts lay down their young lives for whatever reason I imagine is supremely important in whatever world I'm playing (OK thats a bit twisted I guess)

nyarmondt · Jul 26, 2012, 10:53 PM

Armies & UU's

ZeletDude · Aug 17, 2012, 10:31 AM

It reminds me of playing it when I was younger, I also love the scenario made for it.

Jun 26, 2012, 07:19 AM	#1
Buttercup Warlord Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 299	What do you loooove about Civ III? I suspect I might have been coming across as being a bit too mean to dear old Civ III recently, so I thought I'd do a thread to readdress the balance somewhat. I must admit I do keep playing and although my gaming pleasures are not as detailed as Civ II (especially when it comes to playing on past a victory), Civ III still has some of that 'I wanna load a new map' factor which keeps me coming back for more. And, in all fairness, there are a few concepts and mechanics in Civ III which I do find an improvement over Civ II. So let's have a thread where we can freely gush about some of the truly great aspects of this strangely addictive old Turn Based Strategy game! My starter for ten would be Cultural Borders. If there was one thing that frustrated the heck out of me about Civ II it was the nonsensical way your borders were limited by the limit of your cities production squares. How infuriating it would be to start filling an area with cities only for one solitary square on the coast to be really awkwardly positioned so that it could not be covered by your current batch of Settlers. Hey Presto, an AI Civ would jump on that spot and create a city. I remember this being quite a common complaint about the game and one that players were looking forward to being resolved in Civ III. And I think Civ III does a great job here. Not only do borders expand to fill all the awkward squares, but the AI is also deterred from settling in these awkward spots due to fear of Cultural Conversion. In this respect, I give Civ III a ten out of ten

Jun 26, 2012, 10:48 AM	#3
Theov Emperor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,201	The tension of staying ahead. Discovering new land. Managing a lot of variables into an efficient empire while not being restricted too much. __________________ A Guide to the Governments of Civ3 Complete I still play Civ 1.

Jun 26, 2012, 11:05 AM	#4
Cyc Looking for the door... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Behind you Posts: 14,735	When a plan comes together. __________________ There is a town in north Ontario, With dream comfort memory to spare, And in my mind I still need a place to go, All my changes were there. Blue, blue windows behind the stars, Yellow moon on the rise, Big birds flying across the sky, Throwing shadows on our eyes.

Jun 26, 2012, 07:09 PM	#6
Verarde On An Island Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,944 Images: 1	The satisfaction of having beaten a new difficulty level. Well, that might be because I beat my first Monarch game the other day. 1948 AD Space with the Celts. I'll see if I can think of something else later. __________________ The Renewal--A Tale Of A Tribe I am no longer the DrumStudent...I am the DrumTeacher! That's right, I have a webcomic. Updates twice per week on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 2 players. 2 sides. One is light, One is dark.

Jul 04, 2012, 05:31 AM	#9
Hellfiredoom Warlord Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 222	What's not to love?!?! @ Cyc and MarkK - thx for the laughs! __________________ Mongol General: Why do you play Civilization? Conan: To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.

Jun 26, 2012, 10:38 AM	#2
Chronicles Chieftain Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 30	That it returned to the Sid Meier style of civilization after 'Civilization Call to Power' which I really did not enjoy, but was convinced that it was the sequel to CivII - we didn't have internet and I was 11 or something.

Jun 28, 2012, 02:43 PM	#7
MarkK Chieftain Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 60	What I love about Civ III? Cratering my enemy into submission, or to his death. What do I hate about Civ III? Cleaning up my own cratering.

Jul 04, 2012, 10:26 AM	#10
SteamCiv Chieftain Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 46	I just ran across my old cookie limited edition tin of CIV3 collectors released in October2001. Almost forgot I had it. And in there along with my old CDS for that game, my missing LORDS of MAGIC disk! I was excited when I got Civ 3, but ultimately, did not play that much. I miss some of the flash bang touches of Civ 2. Adam Smith's Trading Company video comes to mind. Even though I religiously purchased the expansions installed them and played a turn or two, Civ 3 faded away into a cabinet drawer. The CCM mod got me back into it. Some of what I write may relate more to CCM mod than Civ 3 itself but perhaps that is what makes Civ3 special, its easy personal customization which is currently assisted by the huge amounts of graphics in the downloads area. If one is willing to apply themselves and learn a bit about the folder structures, how to use a text editor, the customization features of Civ 3 remain accessible to many users without advanced programming or expensive specialized graphics applications. As with Civ 1 and 2, there is a lot of action going on in Civ 3. Whereas I tried Civ 4 and 5 (i did not go far into 5), I could play a game of Civ 4 without any serious war, Civ 3 had me fighting for survival and certainly presented me with more opportunities to get dragged into war even as a peaceful player. "We hear you have acquired 32 gold. Hand it over so that may we may continue our cordial relationship..."

Jul 04, 2012, 11:53 PM	#11
timerover51 Deity Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago area in Illinois Posts: 2,362	Probably that I spend as much time trying to beat the corruption and pollution algorithm as I do beating the game. Against that, when I succeed in beating all three, I do have a sense of having accomplished something.

Jul 05, 2012, 01:27 PM	#14
dominatr King Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 761	I love the maps and colors. Whenever i would play a game i would just watch the replay and look at the maps, because it was just so cool! __________________ Join my NES! DominatrNES II: From Chariots to Corporations!

Jul 26, 2012, 07:11 PM	#15
Jingo7 Chieftain Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London, UK Posts: 25	What keeps bringing me back to Civ3, and compels me to post on this forum, is that it just feels like serious business. I feel like that with many of the games that were created around the Civ3 era, Empire Earth, Homeworld, Anno 1503, Medieval total war, etc. They just feel real, gritty, modifiable, endlessly re-playable. I didn't care that the irrigation looked like irritating bright blue crayon, half the fun was fleshing out the world in my own head. I loved the masochistic pathos of finding yourself in an almost unwinnable situation, my cities being bombed to bits by an enemy Republican Coalition, while my population is wasted away as city after city is captured and conscripts lay down their young lives for whatever reason I imagine is supremely important in whatever world I'm playing (OK thats a bit twisted I guess)

Jul 26, 2012, 10:53 PM	#16
nyarmondt Chieftain Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Middle Arrakis Posts: 40	Armies & UU's

Aug 17, 2012, 10:31 AM	#17
ZeletDude How Cute Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Where ever you want me to be Posts: 4,275	It reminds me of playing it when I was younger, I also love the scenario made for it. __________________ Like Politics? Come Play! It'll be fun, I promise

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