Playing until the end. Great improvement for a great game

[frodobaggins1983]

Dear friends,

I just wrapped up my second full game (both runs as Augustus/Rome on Sovereign), and I have to say—I’m really enjoying it!

I definitely struggled with the changes, especially the AI and independent people, but overall, I had a fantastic time. While I do agree with some of the common concerns floating around (UI could use some improvements, some balance tweaks are needed, and a few bugs remain), I have to say that I absolutely love the game.

Interestingly, I didn’t win either of my first two runs, but that didn’t stop me from having fun. Even when I was behind, I always felt like I was still in the game, which is something I rarely experience in 4X titles. In fact, for the first time ever (and I’ve been playing since Civ 2), I actually finished games where I wasn’t leading—without feeling the urge to quit. That alone is a huge improvement for me!

Another aspect I really enjoyed: in both of my games, the real contenders for victory didn’t emerge until over 40% of the modern age had passed. And crucially, they weren’t always the civilizations that had been leading in earlier eras. In Civ 6, you can often predict the winner much earlier, so this added level of unpredictability was a welcome change.

I also found myself shifting from the classic “one more turn” syndrome to “one more age”, struggling to stop playing (or, let’s be honest, to get some sleep) until I wrapped up an era.

So, thank you, Firaxis—I love what you’ve created!

Yesterday, I kicked off my third run as Xerxes/Persia. Antiquity went well, so fingers crossed!

As for the most important adjustment I’d like to see? Modern era pacing needs some tuning. Both of my games ended in a points victory just a few turns before the AI would have won via economic (Game 1) or scientific (Game 2) victory. Some fine-tuning there could make late-game competition even more engaging.

Looking forward to hearing how your runs are going!

 

[Mr Jon of Cheam]

Glad you liked it. As I wait patiently for Tuesday, this is one of my big questions: have the changes worked to make the end game more interesting? I never finished my games in VI, encouraging to hear your take on it, even if it is early days.

 

[CGPanama]

I also found myself shifting from the classic “one more turn” syndrome to “one more age”, struggling to stop playing (or, let’s be honest, to get some sleep) until I wrapped up an era.

This comment made me realize that I was doing this too. I found myself taking breaks when I hit the new age, so I might eat lunch an hour later than usual instead of skipping it altogether.

Firaxis may have found the cure for onemoreturnitis. Or at least a temporary remission.

 

[Siptah]

Glad you liked it. As I wait patiently for Tuesday, this is one of my big questions: have the changes worked to make the end game more interesting? I never finished my games in VI, encouraging to hear your take on it, even if it is early days.

Partly. On sovereign, I had the 15 artifacts before the best AI collected 5. it was clear very early in the age that I would win this before the AI got a chance (if I understood it correctly, you are competing for the spots, so getting 5 explorers out quickly leaves them no chance if you have more culture at the era start).

However, they provided much more military resistance than in earlier games. I might have underestimated their power because I was shredding through enemy armies in the exploration era. If I focused more on better/more units, it might have been easier. But one AI built a lot of fleets that protected their cities quite well. It was never „they could beat me in the long run“ here as well.

My ally was better than me with factories, but I also didn‘t focus on this.

So, I don‘t think that in a situation in which the player is the mightiest empire it‘s much more thrilling. But I can see that would be different when the AI gets more bonuses to culture and science on higher levels. Yet, what’s clearly improved is that it‘s not clear who will win after you‘ve won two early wars.

Overall, I think the AI is most competitive in Antiquity, and much less in the other two eras. Sample is just one game though, and apparently on too low difficulty.

 

[Nikolai II]

This comment made me realize that I was doing this too. I found myself taking breaks when I hit the new age, so I might eat lunch an hour later than usual instead of skipping it altogether.

Firaxis may have found the cure for onemoreturnitis. Or at least a temporary remission.

This is a good point indeed. The one more turn is there, but the age transition is a natural break point.

 

[Jeppetto]

Personally I always struggled getting back into game previously saved from another day, so much actions in progress I forgot my thinking-context for. I finished plenty of games, but with more duty and less enjoyment on subsequent days. I have hope the Age system intends to resolve this.

 

[StargazingDog]

Personally I always struggled getting back into game previously saved from another day, so much actions in progress I forgot my thinking-context for. I finished plenty of games, but with more duty and less enjoyment on subsequent days. I have hope the Age system intends to resolve this.

I think so. I have been saving my game at the age transition. When I start the game the next day, it's like starting a new game.