Is CIV5 worth my money?

[TheMeInTeam]

All I can say is try it out. You'll never know what you think until you try it yourself like anything in life.

To me the game would be awesome if diplomacy was better. If civilizations had more personality. They all are static and act the same. The game needs more elements like religion and espionage, something to make it more interesting. The DLCs have restricted change to just adding new civs and scenarios, but no new elements to improve the game. The AI needs vast improvement, it does not know how to differentiate between unit types and is really bad at combat. With the current 1 Unit per tile rules, there is severe unit movement congestion many times, which hinder the AI from being effective militarily. The only way it becomes the least effective is because of huge bonuses it gets from harder difficulty levels, allowing it to create more units. Even still, most times many of its forces just run around with no apparent objective, wasting time and space. The naval AI is equally horrendous and does not know how to escort embarked units. Other than that I like CiV, try it out.

Some of the scenarios are really fun. I love the 1066 one and the Korea scenario. The New World scenario was really fun but it was designed for only 100 turns. I wish this was changed to like 200 turns or 5000 vp because it was really the most fun I have had with CiV to date. I think scenarios should be made so you can have fun and not be in a rush, unless you choose to test yourself. I had fun with the privateers and running my fleets. Hopefully they add a privateer to the game soon. CiV desperately needs a true expansion. And thats what I want for XMAS SANTA!!!

What civ V lacks isn't religion or espionage. It's basic game flow and not enough strategies that are situationally viable + distinct.

 

[AZRainman]

8. Do I like more realistic graphics over cartoony ones?

That was a key point for me with civ 5, since it's 10x more visually appealing.

I just can't get into games that look like they were coded for the 90s.

 

[RD-BH]

The AI's military tactics are lacking, it is no Panzer General.
... your previous posts indicate this could be important to you

I find the game documentation/civilopedia to be lacking.
... no problem here
... means you learn more by playing

The game is playable.
You will need to learn a new system of play.
Decisions look similar to previous civs,
... but have different impacts/value/weight in Civ5.
... again, need to learn a new system
Constant warmongering/psychotic AI takes some getting used to.
... don't be afraid of it, though
Significant lack of depth/variable paths to victory.
... for me, all VCs blend into each other (they play the same)

Having said all that:
... I think it is worth the money (play/dollar)
... I hope it improves.
... I'm not fond of Steam (personal dislike of corporate control)

 

[TheMeInTeam]

That was a key point for me with civ 5, since it's 10x more visually appealing.

I just can't get into games that look like they were coded for the 90s.

But...civ V WAS coded at a 90's level! Just look at the MP functionality and the fact that unit command lag is bad enough that a human being can select + move units faster than the game can handle moving them...with animations OFF!

There are a lot of things to enjoy in civ V and it could easily be worth the money, but in a thread like this it's best not to sugarcoat or mislead on flaws of this nature.

 

[shahjahen]

There, I fixed that for you. Please, you can't make a general statement based upon your own view. I was a huge fan of Civ4 and I absolutely love Civ5.

you right buddy, i liked what CIV 5 promised but has dissolved into DLCs which should been part of patches to correct the game. I dont hold much hope for decent expansion at all.

What civ V lacks isn't religion or espionage. It's basic game flow and not enough strategies that are situationally viable + distinct.

*nods* in CIV 5 i felt like i wasnt playing against different cultures and civilizations. It was more like i was clearing out large nests of bar bar villages. Just a zerg rush to win militarily.

 

[James T]

Depends on how you value your money. I have ~250 hours in, and I can't stop playing. Worth it for me .

 

[nokmirt]

What civ V lacks isn't religion or espionage. It's basic game flow and not enough strategies that are situationally viable + distinct.

It is missing depth immersion as well. This includes things like religions and espionage. They should be added in some form. In a way that suits CiV not CiIV.

 

[TheMeInTeam]

It is missing depth immersion as well. This includes things like religions and espionage. They should be added in some form. In a way that suits CiV not CiIV.

Real question is the source of depth. In a strategy game, the core origin is the amount and difficulty of choices that affect the outcome of the game. When there are less viable choices, you really don't have the chance of having a game that has immersion; instead you memorize a cookie cutter approach or two and execute it each game.

Only after the current features have viable choice balance would additional features make sense.

 

[That nerdy kid]

yes, with all dlc.

 

[cman2010]

Ask yourself these questions, and if you find yourself saying "yes" a lot, you should probably get the game:

8. Do I like more realistic graphics over cartoony ones?

yeah because george washington and others showing up in the ancient times
wearing clothing from there time period is really realistic

 

[michaeljhuman]

I have gotten my money's worth many times over from Civ V. Would have been better if I could have bought Game of Year addition with much of the DLC built-in, but it's still good.

* I think the graphics look nice
* I have not mastered it
* The gameplay seems prety fair, but you have to be careful with diplomatic decisions
* I think I most enjoy a science victory mixed with some early AI conquest...it's nice to clear out the continent you are on
* There's a lot of options to experiment with
* I played Civ IV, and prefer Civ V (I like V's social policies, and did not love IV's religion)
* While painful sometimes, one unit per tile combat seems to make for more interesting gameplay than IV's stacks of doom
* It's being supported still with patches and DLC
* I have played over 100 hours I am sure, and it still holds my interest (your opinions may differ)

 

[Shizuko3]

No. I have more fun with new and-most-complete-that-civ5-will-ever-get-civ4-mods than with Civ 5 ...

 

[Peng Qi]

yeah because george washington and others showing up in the ancient times
wearing clothing from there time period is really realistic

So you're saying that, because leader clothing doesn't change, Civ 4 has more realistic graphics that are less cartoony than Civ 5.

 

[Thaitanium]

WHAT !? Will there really be a GOTY edition with all DLC sale on xmas !???

btw the AI didn't learn to fear the others until it is losing the war and negotiate for peace then he will prob denouce you after. these unrealistic bastards....

 

[AZRainman]

But...civ V WAS coded at a 90's level! Just look at the MP functionality and the fact that unit command lag is bad enough that a human being can select + move units faster than the game can handle moving them...with animations OFF!

There are a lot of things to enjoy in civ V and it could easily be worth the money, but in a thread like this it's best not to sugarcoat or mislead on flaws of this nature.

Turned based MP games is an oxymoron to me...serious waste of time, timer or not.

Show me a better 4x game in this format.

 

[DAC]

Hey everyone.

Its funny, I'm just after joining Civ Fanatics (after lurking for a long time) to ask the question of this thread.

I keep logging on Steam, looking at CIV V GOTY and just hovering over the purchase button. I can honestly say I've watched that trailer about 40 times lol.

So the questions I have (in the same theme as the thread topic) are:

1. Are there any bugs or issues that need to be ironed out? In other words is there anything that would make the game unplayable or broken at times?

2. I understand that wars seem to happen alot and for random reasons, but is it as bad as the complaints? In other words, although you now have to have a powerful army, is warmongering/conquest the only option? As I'm a bit of a carebear/wonder wh*re type player who likes clean, shiny and peacful cities.

3. I understand that people think CIV IV and CIV V are like chalk and cheese, but I thought CIV IV was a bit rubbish until Beyond the Sword was released. So I'm just wondering if there has been news or rumours of any future expansions that will improve or add to certain aspects of the game? Rather than the individual Civilization DLC.

Thanks.

 

[Mesix]

Hey everyone.

Its funny, I'm just after joining Civ Fanatics (after lurking for a long time) to ask the question of this thread.

I keep logging on Steam, looking at CIV V GOTY and just hovering over the purchase button. I can honestly say I've watched that trailer about 40 times lol.

So the questions I have (in the same theme as the thread topic) are:

1. Are there any bugs or issues that need to be ironed out? In other words is there anything that would make the game unplayable or broken at times?

2. I understand that wars seem to happen alot and for random reasons, but is it as bad as the complaints? In other words, although you now have to have a powerful army, is warmongering/conquest the only option? As I'm a bit of a carebear/wonder wh*re type player who likes clean, shiny and peacful cities.

3. I understand that people think CIV IV and CIV V are like chalk and cheese, but I thought CIV IV was a bit rubbish until Beyond the Sword was released. So I'm just wondering if there has been news or rumours of any future expansions that will improve or add to certain aspects of the game? Rather than the individual Civilization DLC.

Thanks.

I also hovered over the purchase button in Steam, but for me it was the Korea/Wonders DLC bundle package. My brother bought me the GOTY edition for my birthday (easiest way to buy a present for someone on another continent is to buy something which can be downloaded). I have spent way to much time clicking just one more turn with this game. While it does not have as many features as BTS, and the AI leaves a little to be desired, there are no game breaking bugs that will prevent you from playing trough over and over again. Unlike previous versions of the game, I have found the scenarios packaged with the DLC bundles (and the GOTY edition) to be very well designed and fun to play through which adds to the value of the game beyond the standard sandbox mode that Civ players know and love.

 

[michaeljhuman]

Hey everyone.

Its funny, I'm just after joining Civ Fanatics (after lurking for a long time) to ask the question of this thread.

I keep logging on Steam, looking at CIV V GOTY and just hovering over the purchase button. I can honestly say I've watched that trailer about 40 times lol.

So the questions I have (in the same theme as the thread topic) are:

1. Are there any bugs or issues that need to be ironed out? In other words is there anything that would make the game unplayable or broken at times?

2. I understand that wars seem to happen alot and for random reasons, but is it as bad as the complaints? In other words, although you now have to have a powerful army, is warmongering/conquest the only option? As I'm a bit of a carebear/wonder wh*re type player who likes clean, shiny and peacful cities.

3. I understand that people think CIV IV and CIV V are like chalk and cheese, but I thought CIV IV was a bit rubbish until Beyond the Sword was released. So I'm just wondering if there has been news or rumours of any future expansions that will improve or add to certain aspects of the game? Rather than the individual Civilization DLC.

Thanks.

1. I see some graphics glitches from time to time - always had these since say 1; I think they are a bit less prevalent (I think you can save and reload game to fix them, and they are minor texture issues); Multi-player seemed to crash periodically when I last played it, but it's been a long time, so maybe that's improved/fixed

2. I have played minimal war wongering games...I did a science victory not long ago, where I spread to 4 cities, tried to be peacful, and dominated the one AI who attacked my soil (I was probably 2 or more tech levels above him in military, he quickly asked for peace offering me all sorts of stuff for it.) After that, I easily won by 1904 on quick speed

3. No news of expansions other than the DLC - so nothing like BTS yes

 

[zyx]

WHAT !? Will there really be a GOTY edition with all DLC sale on xmas !???

btw the AI didn't learn to fear the others until it is losing the war and negotiate for peace then he will prob denouce you after. these unrealistic bastards....

There has been a civ5 summer sale last summer, so the possibility of a civ 5 x-mas sale is rather high, I'd asume.

 

[leckig]

if you were fan of CIV4 than you'll hate it.

that is a BS generalization.

To OP - download demo on steam. IMHO the game is now very good plus you can get it for little money.