Yeah but..... how is that even fun? You can of course do a range and cavalry spam and conquer everything before you get to the industrial era, but what is the point?
If your goal in this game is to simply beat the braindead AI in the easiest way possible, and do that over and over every time you play, then no, there is no point to almost any feature in this game.
But there's also no point in playing the game at all in that case.
The point is why did they make a game so easy to beat?
Why do they continue to make the game easier and easier?
A game where you not only have to give the AI a bunch of bonuses at the start but you have to handicap the way you play so you can enjoy all the mechanics of the game.
They are making the game easier and easier since Civ IV.
At least Civ V would have a runaway AI and you would actually have a chance of losing if you sand-boxed around too much.
I have to agree with
@Takfloyd.
I have basically shelved the game and find no point in playing it.
Since Gathering Storms release I have played 2 and 1/2 games total.
They have simply made the game easier.
In the months prior to the GS release I was playing 4 hours per day on a weekly average.
GS has some good things going for it that look or feel fun.
However, you players that enjoy sim city are getting your wish in the direction this franchise is heading.
Might as well take Declaration of War out of the game entirely since it breaks the game.
I find it interesting that beating the "brain dead" AI the easiest way possible is frowned upon.
I suppose that means if you can beat the "brain dead" AI the hardest way possible you have really accomplished something.
It seems to me that having a "brain dead" AI in the game is the real problem.
Charging 32 dollars to downgrade the game has left a sour taste for some of us.
You literally have the Deity AI with Warriors and Archers running around in the mid and late game now.
Walls... it appears the Deity AI doesn't need them anymore!?