Info on Prima's Civ 3 Guide

[Out4Bl00d1]

Is this strategy guide worth buying? I've had Civ3 and PTW for some time now and I haven't won a single game yet. I can't get the hang of this game. Also, there's 2 guides from Prima, one is called Civilization 3 and the other is Advanced Strategies (Includes PTW). Thanks in advance.

 

[GerrardCapashen]

I don't have it, but nearly everyone else says not to get it, and I have not been impressed with Prima's guides in general.

 

[DaveMcW]

If you can't win at all the guide may be useful. But with a little bit of effort you can read the much better CFC guides.

Here is a good place to start:
Where To Find Great Advice On The CivFanatics Website

 

[DaveMcW]

And remember, you can never have too many cities or workers!

 

[Out4Bl00d1]

I make a lot of workers and stuff, but it always seems to take like 60 turns to make a swordsman or something like that. Also I used Germany recently and went on an all out conquest, played for 2050 years. Managed to destroy one Civ I think. Never even got a leader man. I'd have to say that 2000 of those years was wartime. I was on the offensive the whole time too. Also, after 2050 years I think I was still in the industrial age or so. I was gunning for getting flight for the first time ever but then the game suddenly ended and that broke my heart. I can't get enough of this game though, so I don't see myself stopping even though it will take me 300 turns to make a barracks or something like that

 

[GerrardCapashen]

What difficulty level are you playing on?

 

[Dart]

If you read here, the book will only confirm most of the information you find here. The only bit of info I found that surprised me (D'oh, why didn't I think of that!) was what types of Governments were liked and shunned by each individual Civ. It also has quick reference guides in back, though I don't find that any quicker to look at than the game itself.

This is for the PTW guide, I haven't looked at the vanilla Civ one at all.

 

[Caelth216]

Don't get the guide. The strategy tips here and the ability to ask questions and get answers are far superior to the guide. I bought one of Prima's guides in the past and it didn't have as much info as the fan based websites. You can get up to date charts here and the latest info on patches and such, the guide cannot provide that.

 

[tao]

I got the guide and can confirm everything said so far: There is not mich (if any) new information in there, that can't be found in the manual. Or on-line.

Personally however I think it is more easily readable. I believe by reading the guide, I very much eased the learning curve. And you may read it while commuting, sitting in the garden, etc.

Given the background from the gude, you will then even more profit from the information on civfanatics and the forums, because you have a better framework to fit it in.

On the other hand, you may like to slowly explore a game by trial and error....

 

[Chieftess]

Strategy guides can be outdated quick. Just look at the differences between Civ3 1.07f and Civ3 1.29f. Plus, you'll find a lot of stuff here in the forums.

 

[metalhead]

Don't waste your money on the guide! There are so many inaccuracies and outright falsehoods, that it is a complete waste of money.

 

[satchel]

IMO, the Prima guide reads more like a commercial for Civ III than like a strategy guide. With few exceptions, its uncritical, rah-rah "look at this cool feature! and look at this other cool feature!" is pretty much unhelpful to someone who has a basic understanding of the game concepts and wants to learn how to get better at the game. It consistently tells you what's great about every unit, improvement, wonder, etc. without giving you much of an idea of what the tradeoffs are. You will do much better by reading some of the better strategy articles and discussions right here on CFC forums.

 

[Reagan1984]

Don't get it

I have to agree it's more like an ad.

I read both the instruction manual and the guide over a two day business trip.

Both read very much the same.
In fact, I found myself really only going back for the grey "Tip Box"
only.

This board is MUCH better

(although I've noticed some rather grumpy members, but I'll get yelled at that this comment should have appeared in "the proper thread")

 

[MTheil3508]

I bought it for $19.99 and read it in one hour. It has some nice references and a few good tactics (even some I have not seen here!). Now I usually use it for reference.

You might be better off just reading the book in the store and taking some notes.