Ultimately what I think I enjoy on the whole about Civilization 5 is that it is very much 'back to basics' and a reinvention of the series. It stripped out all the B.S., the extraneous, the draconian, the archaic and went back to the simple concepts the series was founded on.
Civ 3 and 4 tried very hard to expand on what Civilization 2 was, most especially 4, but in that they started weaseling out into this or that abstract element, tacked on a heavily aged body that was failing to support its own weight (religion, civics, multiple leaders, etc.). Lots of arbitrary design elements lingered in 3 and especially 4.
In 5, they absolve that and go straight to concept. They ignore all the mouse holes in the walls and instead focus on decorating the room - the place where you'll actually be. Streamlined and efficient, all elements a part of one another and all elements with a distinct purpose beyond "this is an addition to what you already had" - the game flows so well, and has such a strong focus.
I find it very easy to appreciate, and it has me hooked like when I was a kid discovering Civ for the first time. It ultimately builds its self into what it is - Civilization, not 'Civilization 4: Part 2'.
I'd also like to say I really enjoy the aesthetic approach of the game, not just visually in the graphic department, but also how mature and respectable the presentation of the game is. 4 and more so 3 always had 'wacky' humor elements, weird bouts of favoritism or villainy placed on different Civs and every leader was heavily characturized. In 5 everyone has a more 'lifelike' design, and everyone is given an equal and positive ground to stand on - as said, I find that much more mature and respectable.
Civ 3 and 4 tried very hard to expand on what Civilization 2 was, most especially 4, but in that they started weaseling out into this or that abstract element, tacked on a heavily aged body that was failing to support its own weight (religion, civics, multiple leaders, etc.). Lots of arbitrary design elements lingered in 3 and especially 4.
In 5, they absolve that and go straight to concept. They ignore all the mouse holes in the walls and instead focus on decorating the room - the place where you'll actually be. Streamlined and efficient, all elements a part of one another and all elements with a distinct purpose beyond "this is an addition to what you already had" - the game flows so well, and has such a strong focus.
I find it very easy to appreciate, and it has me hooked like when I was a kid discovering Civ for the first time. It ultimately builds its self into what it is - Civilization, not 'Civilization 4: Part 2'.
I'd also like to say I really enjoy the aesthetic approach of the game, not just visually in the graphic department, but also how mature and respectable the presentation of the game is. 4 and more so 3 always had 'wacky' humor elements, weird bouts of favoritism or villainy placed on different Civs and every leader was heavily characturized. In 5 everyone has a more 'lifelike' design, and everyone is given an equal and positive ground to stand on - as said, I find that much more mature and respectable.