imho this is, potentially, the best Civ game by some distance.
Civ IV was very good, but imho, Civ V is potentially another step up, but, as many have pointed out, it has a long way to go, even after the patch. However, I think that, in time, it will get there...
I think it's so unfair that the Distributors put so much pressure to release games long before they are ready. The writers have no opportunity to finish things before they release, or even do any proper testing. I would prefer to wait 3 or 4 extra months for a finished product. However, that is not likely to happen, as commercial pressures and money are more important to these people than finished games!