I'm coming home!

[ChiefSparkY]

I tried to like them, I really did but Civ 3 and 4 just seem to move further and further away from what I loved about Civ II. So I'm giving up hi-res graphics and instead embracing just having actual fun again!

Anyway, I've got the Chronicles box and I've got Windows installed via Parallels on my Mac. Civ II Gold is installed and I have the resolution whacked all the way up to 1920 x 1200 - bit of a difference from the old days! It was fantastic to load it for the first time in many years and after playing just a few turns, I was absolutely hooked again. Glad to see there's a few like minded people on this forum!

So, my point of this thread is about Test of Time - I didn't buy it back in the day, although I remember it being around (I was having too much fun with Civ II Gold to even think about going shopping for new games).

I've a couple of questions: (1) After some research (game manuals and online), it seems that it is possible to play in "classic" Civ II mode, albeit with some bug fixes and updated graphics - would that be accurate? I've no interest in the fantasy mods etc, so the classic game with updated graphics would be great. (I've seen some screenshots and it seems that the updated graphics don't ruin the clarity...)

(2) What do you guys play? Civ II Gold or ToT? Anything I should be aware of outside of bug fixes?

Thanks for any info and chat! It's good to be home

 

[Sub]

Thinking about it, it's kind of sad. I own every version of Civ 2. I have the original, the gold edition and test of time. Out of all three, I like the original the best, only because the AI doesn't hate you if you're the strongest civ.

In any case, to my knowledge, Test of Time is the same exact thing as regular Civ 2, with the exception of different graphics. It is possible to change Test of Time so it looks like the original civ 2. Check it out: http://forums.civfanatics.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=147851&d=1171082361

I'm not sure where you can get that graphic pack, though. It might be here.

I believe there's also a graphics pack that makes Civ 2 looks like Call to Power.

 

[Peaster]

I don't own ToT, but some players like it for the fantasy scenarios, and some scenario designers like the events-handling. If you don't care about those, most people here play classic or gold. If you're only going to get one, I'd get gold [better interface, multiplayer option, and you can open most scenarios]. But the AI gets quite hostile in gold, so many players prefer classic - especially spaceship players, I guess. Classic probably also gives an edge in competitions like GOTMs.

 

[ChiefSparkY]

I didn't realise there was a difference in the attitudes of the AI from Classic to Gold. Is this the only difference in the AI? The AI does seem pretty harsh in Gold and if that was the only difference, I'd step down to Classic...

 

[Peaster]

Yes, that's the only difference in the AI's. In Classic, when you raise the AI's attitude to Worshipful, it will usually stay that way for a while, or maybe sink gradually. In Gold, it can turn hostile in a turn or two. So, everyone prefers the Classic AI.

There may be a patch for the hostile AI in Gold. I dunno. I don't follow those threads carefully.

I mentioned some advantages of Gold already. It also has slightly cleaner interface. Easier/faster to check the civilopaedia, to start a new game, etc. But these are minor things. I think you'll like Classic.

 

[Thorvald of Lym]

Skyer1 created a patch for the hostile MGE AI about a year ago:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=154251

A major bug reported (post #14) is that after using the 'Find City' command, all your citizens turn black unhappy.

 

[Sub]

The downside to that patch is that it disables the adviser council. While it may not be a big deal to seasoned players, it is a cool feature.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

I've been playing basic Civ II lately, and realizing how much I missed the Council and the Throne Room.

But I've been a diehard Test of Time fan for many years now, and ultimately will go back to that version. Honestly, am I the only person here who's given the Fantasy and Science Fiction versions a good, thorough try? I find I'm really missing the mini-quests, like finding the Gate to Hel, bribing the Dwarf, killing the Red Dragon and the other one in the Underground World. I miss the quick exploration the Bombus unit offers.

 

[AZA]

Peaster says... the AI gets quite hostile in gold, so many players prefer classic - especially spaceship players, I guess. Classic probably also gives an edge in competitions like GOTMs.

I did not realize that. I have always and only played the gold edition. Interesting.
From my experience if your in the lead ( playing diety ) the ai is very agressive. One strategy is to lay back and develop your civ cities and terrain, minimize learning, saving money, and then start a rabid tech stealing, subversive and expansion behavior.

So while playing GOTM different players are using different civ versions?
That would certainly effect scoring.
hum.

My son got Civ 3 and 4 but i just couldnt get the hang of it. Heck i like Civ2 plenty, so why change?

One thing i've alwys wanted to do tho is play head to head with someone skilled. Recently my son and i linked computers and could play. It takes so much more time to do this because our turns can take so long, effectivly doubling the already excessively long time of a game. And there is some funky stuff that occurs like you dont get to see what is happening when you are being attacked. It is interesting tho but he will not play me much because i know all the mean tricks. Its demoralizing for him to see that he has lost 3 or 4 cities in one turn.

AZA