A great Game in NEED of Indexed Strategy Guide

[BCMac]

Just got Colonization as a bonus from ASPYR's recent CIV4 Bundle sale, running on a dual iMAC and have found no substantive difference in mechanics or gameplay from WINDOWs version. I love the economic challenge to build towards surviving the ultimate REVOLUTION.

Have I missed something?
or do I just have to scroll through THREAD after THREAD to find out more info on subtillitys or variants from the FEW DETAILED STRATEGY pieces outside of the the overall COLONIZATION section?

As I've played with the game and overcome the LACK of a detailed MANUAL such as in CIV4, 3, Warcraft, Starcraft etc, I've had to download and print those articles covering the points of concern / interest etc in order to develop my own techniques. Trial and Error in the educator but the GAME has such detailed depth that I know that I am surely overlooking MANY Strategies by simply not knowing ALL the BASICS let alone the subtillities!

Is there a KeyWord SEARCH that I've overlooked?

I'm a POLITICALLY INCORRECT WARMONGER in my game life in contrast to my REAL social activism. I PLAY CIV to win by CONQUEST and need more info on LOOTING & WARFARE on distant towns villages - native and European.


I'm seeking the
Pro's AND Con's AND STRATEGIES

1.) of Raiding / Looting Indian Villages

2.) techniques of Native warfare and counters

3.) warfare against rival Colonies

4.) the ADVANTAGES / PRIORITISING of developing specific TRADE items for development

5.) Detailed ANALYSIS of TRADING:
- specific commodities and finished products (cost vs return)
- to NATIVES vs Europe

I'll stop there and see where this leads.
GREAT GAME that will probably be rediscovered because of ASPYR's marketed bundle

NAMASTE

 

[dalgo]

Welcome to Colonization BCMac.

The Civ4Col - Strategy Articles forum contains a wide variety of strategy articles but because of the open nature of the game there are many different ways of playing it and your particular interests may not be covered. The best way is just to play the game and develop your own strategies as you go.

 

[Freddy K]

Colonization is about discovery. A detailed guide has the potential to seriously spoil it and possibly invoke the sentiment "I would never have thought of this on my own." That's why the in game encyclopedia is mostly descriptive and keeps mum when it comes to strategy.

Unlike in heavily scripted games (like RPGs) which benefit from detailed guides, there isn't really anything you can miss, no collection to complete, no story other then history.

Sid Meier games are designed with elegant simplicity in mind: All features are rarely more than they appear to be.

Once you have figured out all the facets, there is only randomness and rubber band AI to keep you entertained.

 

[BCMac]

@Freddy K

I'm a 40+ year gamer VET who cut his teeth on board games. I love the "exploration" and "randomness" Sid's games provide,

HOWEVER

having to scroll through hundreds of posts on this site is not how anyone should have to learn the basic game mechanics.

Stuff liking changing "Goods" amounts on the city screen,
transporting Wagon Trains to allow you to trade with inland tribes on Islands you don't inhabit,
the technique of best utilization of Great Generals,
combining Privateers and merchant ships for raiding,
how to raise horses,
etc etc

This is a stand alone game, yet a veteran gamer like me who has mastered all the other CIV4 games at their highest level has had a huge learning curve with this game. The CIV guide and tutorial don't deal with the "advanced" mechanics necessary to win this game. I've figured it out (at least to the REVOLUTION - more to find out about what happens then) but how many just give up on a GREAT game cause they don't hook up here or won't give it the time?

Namaste