C3C Better than C3 Vanilla?

[hyn]

I love Civ 3 but I can't get over the fact that we (Mac users) are left out with the expansion. I've heard that C3C is quite buggy, and I know if adds many civilizations, but aside from that, what are the changes?
Do the changes add to gameplay in the positive way, or do they ruin it?

In short, is C3C (with C3 Vanilla of course) better than C3 Vanilla?

Because there are some instances where an expansion pack of a game can ruin the original.

Thanks.

 

[AlanH]

Hi. Welcome to MacCivfanatics

As a GOTM staffer, I regret that I can't join in the fun when we release the C3C games, really only because it's one less competition each month I can play in. But even if I could play COTM I probably wouldn't have time for two games a month.

My impression from the COTM spoilers I read is that there are differences in game strategy - various new tech slingshots for example, and the split between scientific and military Great Leaders has an effect. But it just seems different, not necessarily better. I'm not sure it's any more buggy than vanilla Civ, either.

However, one of the great things about CivIII is its variety. Different aspects appeal to different people, and you may well get off on things that I don't rate highly, like being able to play extra units or civs. For me, the mods I have available in vanilla provide more than enough of a range, and competing against other players/teams in GOTM and SGTOM is more satisfying than beating up yet another AI civ, or growing a huge empire for months as a sole player. Think chess - that's not been modified for hundreds of years, but still attracts lots of great players.

 

[dojoboy]

Having played both extensively (C3C on my Toshiba laptop), the only difference between them of any interest is the tech tree changes. Delaying the ability to trade maps and communications really enhaces the early game, which makes scouting even more important. Now, the extra civs are nice but I don't feel they are unique enough. The two new traits do add some spice, but... . Are era specific UUs and two traits enough? Now, this goes for vanilla Civ as well, but with twelve it doesn't seem as watered down than as it does with 31. Does this make sense? I guess I partly feel traits should be very apparent in game-play. As it is now, a player is little effected by traits because he can "overcome" them. I do like the religious trait, it, industry and agriculture are pretty effective.

Now, if C3C miraculously appeared tomorrow, it is the Christ-mas season , for the mac, I would buy it ASAP.