Games like Civ3

[mattoconnor36]

I was hoping someone might be able to help me out with a question. My dad has been playing Civ3 over and over for years now. He tried Civ4 and didn't care for it (something about there not being multiple computer opponents- he doesn't play online). So, my question is, are there any games that are similar to Civ3 (he also loves the game risk, and said Civ3 is like it). I'm trying to help him out, but not being a big gamer, I was hoping that someone that has enjoyed this game thoroughly might have some recommendations.

Thank you, Matt

 

[Buttercup]

There's a game called Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. It's a sequel to Civ2 and takes place on the planet where everyone sends their ships to at the end of Civ2. I have no idea if it plays on modern Windows operating systems (Civ2 only works on XP and previous systems) but if it does I should think he'll like it. It has lots of original features including aliens

 

[Puppeteer]

Agree on SMAC. That was my first game of the genre, and it and Civ3 are the two I go back an play when I do play. I bought Civ4 and CivRev but couldn't get into them.

SMAC doesn't have strategic or luxury resources, but the diplomacy is more capable (you can ask someone to stop their war with another faction, for example) and you can design your own units: chassis, weapon, armor and power source if I recall correctly. If you design a super-unit it costs tons of credits. If you specialize you can build more cheaply. It makes for fun and varied gameplay.

There is also FreeCiv which I haven't touched in ages. It used to be multiplayer-only, but I think I heard they have computerized opponents now.

Oh yeah, Colonization and Call to Power exist. And, uh Orion was it? Master of Orion? Never played them, but they are of the same genre and release period as Civ2/Civ3/SMAC-ish, give or take a few years.

You could start here and experiment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn-based_strategy

Oh yeah, Battle for Wesnoth. Another open-source game, and that was actually fun to play. It's not quite comparable to Civ3, but it is turn-based, as some strategy and is fun.

 

[Quintillus]

Another one with some popularity in these parts is Galactic Civilizations II. Think Civ, but in space. There's a few other differences, of course, but it's the same type of gameplay. I've played it, and it's a good game, though my tastes run more towards earth-bound Civ.

 

[CommandoBob]

My dad has been playing Civ3 over and over for years now. He tried Civ4 and didn't care for it (something about there not being multiple computer opponents- he doesn't play online).

That sounds a little too much like me. ( and )

Speaking as a Civ3 dad with a Civ4 son I would suggest this:

Don't try to try change him (and I know you are not).

Get Civ3 yourself and make sure it matches his version (vanilla, Play the World or Conquests). If in doubt, get Civ3 Complete for each of you; it has all three versions in one install.

Talk to your dad about doing a Succession Game together. (See What is a Succession Game for details on what one of these things is.) Say, you, him and a few others playing as India trying to conquer the world on a huge map at monarchy difficulty level.

Your pitch could be, 'Hey, Dad, I found this civfanatics site for Civ 3 and they have some neat ideas. Have you ever played a succession game?'

In time, after doing this a few times, suggest that the two of you upgrade to Civ4 and do some SGs together. I bet he would.

As a dad, I don't need a new game. I do want to share time with my son and have something we can talk about. Trust me, this would mean more to him than you will ever know.

 

[CommandoBob]

Thank you, Matt

Welcome to the forum, mattoconner36!