OzWiz
Chieftain
Remember how Civilization used to taste?
Mmmmm, I do!
Rich, intricate flavours tantalized the senses. The interactions of myriad layers of subtle, and not-so-subtle ingredients were always new and interesting. By carefully selecting morsels each mouthful could be made unique. As I consumed, in a very real way, I also helped create that great Civ experience.
Surprisingly no matter how much one gorged there was always room for just one more bite.
And so, with great anticipation, I ordered the all-new Civ V. It looked delicious even if the presentation was a little crude: while the new shape of the components was superior to the simple square-cuts of the past, and I loved how combat units were presented in chunks, rather than tall layered-pancakes, the plate was decorated with large, distracting blobs of colour and the utensils felt a little unwieldy. I remembered that this was the work of new chefs, and that the taste was what really mattered. The hype of the critics reassured me too as, with trembling hands, I placed the first morsel onto my tongue.
Immediately I knew something wasnt right. Sure it was unmistakably Civ-like, but it was just ... insipid. The complexity was gone. Frantically I tried mixing different elements but unlike before it made no difference. Regardless of my choices it always seemed the same bland and with a slightly acrid aftertaste.
Quickly I was satiated and could eat no more. I took time to observe my fellow diners, who seemed to fall into two camps. There was profound disappointment on the faces of the diners who like me, felt the new Civ was lacking. And I felt envious as I saw the gusto, the passion, I too had once felt as others could not help themselves, try as they might, from having that just-one-more-bite. I could not help wonder how long their enthusiasm would last but was this real concern or the bitterness of loss ... I could not tell.
The chefs werent interested in my criticisms. Thats how it was planned, they stated. But I knew, both from the list of ingredients they had carelessly left in my menu and from the lack of herbs and spices, that much had been omitted. Why this would be I couldnt be sure, although I did note that the number of kitchen staff had been recently reduced.
And so, even as I sit here dreaming with melancholy of that glorious old-style Civ, I wonder if they will ever take the best of the two recipes and combine to create a hearty, delicious successor for me - and other grief-stricken diners? Or are my tastes too old fashioned, never to be catered for again?
Mmmmm, I do!
Rich, intricate flavours tantalized the senses. The interactions of myriad layers of subtle, and not-so-subtle ingredients were always new and interesting. By carefully selecting morsels each mouthful could be made unique. As I consumed, in a very real way, I also helped create that great Civ experience.
Surprisingly no matter how much one gorged there was always room for just one more bite.
And so, with great anticipation, I ordered the all-new Civ V. It looked delicious even if the presentation was a little crude: while the new shape of the components was superior to the simple square-cuts of the past, and I loved how combat units were presented in chunks, rather than tall layered-pancakes, the plate was decorated with large, distracting blobs of colour and the utensils felt a little unwieldy. I remembered that this was the work of new chefs, and that the taste was what really mattered. The hype of the critics reassured me too as, with trembling hands, I placed the first morsel onto my tongue.
Immediately I knew something wasnt right. Sure it was unmistakably Civ-like, but it was just ... insipid. The complexity was gone. Frantically I tried mixing different elements but unlike before it made no difference. Regardless of my choices it always seemed the same bland and with a slightly acrid aftertaste.
Quickly I was satiated and could eat no more. I took time to observe my fellow diners, who seemed to fall into two camps. There was profound disappointment on the faces of the diners who like me, felt the new Civ was lacking. And I felt envious as I saw the gusto, the passion, I too had once felt as others could not help themselves, try as they might, from having that just-one-more-bite. I could not help wonder how long their enthusiasm would last but was this real concern or the bitterness of loss ... I could not tell.
The chefs werent interested in my criticisms. Thats how it was planned, they stated. But I knew, both from the list of ingredients they had carelessly left in my menu and from the lack of herbs and spices, that much had been omitted. Why this would be I couldnt be sure, although I did note that the number of kitchen staff had been recently reduced.
And so, even as I sit here dreaming with melancholy of that glorious old-style Civ, I wonder if they will ever take the best of the two recipes and combine to create a hearty, delicious successor for me - and other grief-stricken diners? Or are my tastes too old fashioned, never to be catered for again?
