Getting back into Civ 4

[Chronicles]

Hi,

I've been playing civilization since the first game. Last week I played a game of civ6. I really liked the game, but I find the AI too simplistic. So I'm trying to get back into civ 4. I'm slowly coming to grasps with its mechanics again (especially early expansion and city maintanance). Still, I don't feel it. It's like I'm going through the motions. Furthermore, the tech pacing is so quick (even though I play on epic speed), before I know it I'm pumping out Rifleman.

Any tips on getting that 'adddicted' feeling again? I really like to roleplay and feel like I'm building an empire and that's just missing at the moment. Do you recognize this, and if so, how do you battle it? Its good to know I'm not very good, I used to be able to beat Noble.

 

[krikav]

Spending more time on each turn perhaps?
I started to play this game playing on marathon a long time ago, and I think the reason was what you mentioned.

Now I don't feel the need for that. Playing on normal with no huts no events.
Have you added blue marble? It's really nice visual effects that hightens the enjoyment alot imho.

 

[Chronicles]

Spending more time on each turn perhaps?
I started to play this game playing on marathon a long time ago, and I think the reason was what you mentioned.

Now I don't feel the need for that. Playing on normal with no huts no events.
Have you added blue marble? It's really nice visual effects that hightens the enjoyment alot imho.

I have blue marble enabled (in fact, I have Better Bat AI), and that helps. Maybe I should spend more time on my turns. Yesterday evening I played 300 turns in a few hours (admittedly, a tiny map with 3 other civ's so a game is still quick). I find I force myself to early rush with axemen, but it's a strategy I don't really like. I like to build and hope the AI attacks me, so I can feel like a victim and take revenge That doesn't happen a lot, so maybe I should turn on agressive AI. Do you think that would help?

 

[krikav]

Iirc, agressive AI is bugged and in some ways make the AIs less aggressive...? Can't remember.
You can pick the AIs, Genghis, Monty, Ragnar, Alexander... And make sea level high, that will make the game more crowded and increase the chances of you getting attacked.
So would increasing the difficulty level.

 

[Chronicles]

Thanks for the tips, I'll try that.

 

[Anysense]

I have blue marble enabled (in fact, I have Better Bat AI), and that helps. Maybe I should spend more time on my turns. Yesterday evening I played 300 turns in a few hours (admittedly, a tiny map with 3 other civ's so a game is still quick). I find I force myself to early rush with axemen, but it's a strategy I don't really like. I like to build and hope the AI attacks me, so I can feel like a victim and take revenge That doesn't happen a lot, so maybe I should turn on agressive AI. Do you think that would help?

300 turns in a few hours Such speed would make me dizzy. You problem with insufficiently aggressive AI is easily remedied - try Deity. That will make you feel very much like a victim

You also can try 'always war'.

 

[Chronicles]

Admittedly, there was only room for 5 cities before running into my neighbours, and I haven't been at war (just started one).

 

[lymond]

I can recommend two possible remedies here:

1) Play mods. If you are really looking for role-playing aspects there are a lot of mods out there that odd a lot to the game or even change it significantly. From 'kitchen-sink" mods, as I call them, to Fantasy mods, or more focused historical mods.

2) Change your perspective on how you play this game. Civ IV is a very complex game. There's a lot to learn in order to become successful and play higher difficulties. You will find most here in this forum are 'students of the game'. We play to continuously challenge ourselves, move to the highest level, and learn new things. Most here play on normal speed with normal settings (no huts/events) and find that very rewarding. We learned by sharing ideas, playing games together, and helping others learn through shadow games. I don't know exactly your experience with the game yet, or the level you play, but I suspect that you have a lot of stuff that is even very basic to learn. You play very fast. This game was meant to be played deliberately and meticulously.

 

[Major Tom]

As for a role play, I find it most exhilarating going for a peaceful space win with minimal military, manoeuvring through the diplomatic challenges to come. You might need low sea level for enough initial landgrab.

Terra map with huts on can be fun and a very different game experience (beelining optics), especially with Joao and his carracks.

And you mention building, another variety is to build just wealth and troops after necessary settlers, workers and granaries.

Edit: And have you ever tried espionage economy? Can be very fun and also very different.

Edit 2: Civ IV isn’t simcity. You need to enjoy this game from another perspective.

 

[<Nexus>]

Any tips on getting that 'adddicted' feeling again?

I am designing my modmod to have that feeling (at least for me). It's a modmod of the famous Rise of Mankind - A New Dawn mod. It is designed to have a very slow start to feeeeel the ancient era too. And accidentally it has Chronicles in the title too

 

[Chronicles]

I can recommend two possible remedies here:

1) Play mods. If you are really looking for role-playing aspects there are a lot of mods out there that odd a lot to the game or even change it significantly. From 'kitchen-sink" mods, as I call them, to Fantasy mods, or more focused historical mods.

2) Change your perspective on how you play this game. Civ IV is a very complex game. There's a lot to learn in order to become successful and play higher difficulties. You will find most here in this forum are 'students of the game'. We play to continuously challenge ourselves, move to the highest level, and learn new things. Most here play on normal speed with normal settings (no huts/events) and find that very rewarding. We learned by sharing ideas, playing games together, and helping others learn through shadow games. I don't know exactly your experience with the game yet, or the level you play, but I suspect that you have a lot of stuff that is even very basic to learn. You play very fast. This game was meant to be played deliberately and meticulously.

I saw the shadow games, maybe I should read up on that. I tried watching let's play video's but I'm more of a reader. I have played the game extensively and know basic strategies, such as cottage/specialist/hybrid economy, but it's been so long since I've played that I should read up on them. I should also set different goals, as you said. I always tend to go for a science victory and get disheartened if the AI is ahead of me in tech and quit. That's probably not the way to learn.

And I would like to try Rhye's mod, because I've read so many good things about it, especially considering I like to roleplay.

 

[Imperator Knoedel]

And I would like to try Rhye's mod, because I've read so many good things about it, especially considering I like to roleplay.

Oh you definitely won't regret that!

I would however recommend getting the far more polished Dawn of Civilization mod ( or perhaps even my modmod for it ) instead of the older original that shipped with BtS. Whatever good things you have heard about Rhye's mod, DoC made them even better.

And once you're down the modding rabbit hole, there's really no stopping. Final Frontier, Planetfall, Fall From Heaven II, there's just so many gems that this community has brought forth.