ambiance

[Naokaukodem]

I think Civ 3 have a poorer ambiance than Civ2. In Civ2, we could really feel the diversity of cultures go through our civilization, because units were the same for all, but in the same way, they were more specific like the Legion (for all), the Elephant War (for all), etc... in the same way, the modern age was better represented through units in my opinion. There was a better feeling for an "oil atmosphere", particularly because of sounds i think, that were very caracteristics. Graphisms are also involved, as civ3 graphics can have their detractor because they are "synthetic" and seems a lot more impersonal. Also maybe the fact that some units like the planes are not movable anymore is involved too, for example there is not this sound when the planes was crashing anymore! Civ2 was really doing as if combustion and post-combustion was not-"assimilated", just new technologies with big smell and big noise.
However the good point for Civ3 ambiance is the ancient age, with those smooth impies units (good animation) and good musics.

So i would want a combination of those two ambiance models in civ4, and even more, like the sun brighting on pikemen armors and the animals running throught the country and swimming through the ocean!

 

[TyranusBonehead]

I think one cool thing that they do with Warcraft III is allow the ability for the player to drop down to ground level. It doesn't add any real advantage to being able to do that, but it makes you feel more a part of the game. Anything to improve game immersion for the player is greatly welcome.

 

[sir_schwick]

One way to make the evolution and units in general more interesting is making all unit graphics/sounds unique for civs. Some civs had relatively the same unit at a various times, so those civs could share those units to save HD space. This means a Roman Legion(3/2/1) and a Spartan Hoplite(3/2/1) would be Swordsmen(I know Hoplites weren't swordsmen, but they were the cornerstone of Greek armies) but with different names and graphics. This would especially be neat so all tanks did not look like Shermans and all MA did not look like Abhrams. Also an attack helicopter series of units would be cool. Shorter range with much greater bombard ability.

 

[Naokaukodem]

One way to make the evolution and units in general more interesting is making all unit graphics/sounds unique for civs.

Or we can do all unit graphic/sound the same for every civ, but every unit particular, like in civ2! Imagine the Jaguar Warrior, the War Charriot, the Bowmen, the Hoplite, the Legion and the War Elephant in the same civ! Just like in Civ1 and Civ2. I think this adds to game atmosphere a lot. some units of Civ2 or even Civ1 are nearly SYMBOLS of the entire game, like the War Elephant! I really think this diversity of heteroclyte units and noisy sounds in all directions and all the sweat are relevant of what feels really Civ2.

Or we would need to see more unique units during a single game, so yes, the idea of all unique units for civs would be nice, but would have a small chance to be implemented. I think the basis civ should be the same for all, and with plenty specific (not unique) units like said above. And i think that each civ should have a specific unique unit also, not replacing any other unit, but proposed in the same time. For example, in civ3 it would be: the Swordmen would be proposed with the Gallic Swordmen with Celts. That would make in Civ4: the Legion is proposed with the Gallic Swordmen with Celts.
Also it would be cool that tech trees and units would be marked by a strong specific culture, so that the War Elephant would seem totally natural in the tech tree in the middle of the middle age. Units and even buildings, yes, could be specific in form and even caracteristics, of a given culture. Deeper, each civ could be influenced by a given culture and see its tech tree and units change with the time.