Recommended games similar to Civ ?

[ImperialGuard]

I am hopefull that the patch may improve Civ 5 (AI in particular), and in the next 6-18 months the game may be more captivating for me with an expansion that re-works some of the core gameplay features.

I am looking for some advice on other TBS games that people might recommend.

In particular I was thinking about Europa Universalis III especially as you can pick it up right now for approx. $20 including all existing expansions.

Any feedback on Europa Universalis III, or other recommended games would be appreciated !

 

[MoonFlare]

X-COM:UFO Defence,SMAC

 

[PawelS]

Victoria II

 

[bonafide11]

I tried playing EU III a few years back thinking it'd be like Civ, but besides being a historical based game, it really seems nothing alike. I'm sure some people played it more than me and could give better feedback, but to me it was just a historical simulation that I didn't find particularly fun. It didn't even seem to have that much strategy. This is from my brief experience playing it, so someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Drakarska]

Vic II, GalCiv II, and CTP2 with I forget which mod, lol. Apolotyn ( sp?) has the source code, and a link on how to compile the game to play. Quite interesting actually.

@ Bona: I was in the same boat. I was so used to Civ playstyle that EU III actually wasn't to fun to play. So I spent a bit of time over on their forums, took some notes, and tried a few of the suggestions. Turned out to a rather good idea, as now EU III is actually quite enjoyable to play. It's the initial " I'm a Civ player dagnabbit" phase that you need to get over ( at least for me) in order to allow yourself to adjust to something different.

 

[Luckystrike77]

It's really not many games out there that is very comperable, I'm afraid. Galactic Civilizations 2 and Sid's Alpha Centauri (Civ in space in many ways), Colonization and Call to Power is those most related in my opinion. Elemental: War of Magic, and the good old Masters of Magic is the most related fantasy versions.

That said, I really recommand Europa Universalis 3, it's an awesome game with all it's expansions, but the play style is nothing like Civilization's. It's also much more based on real history. If you love history, and dream of ruling a nation in the rennaisance, during the age of exploration and forward, it's perfect for you.

 

[Drakarska]

It's really not many games out there that is very comperable, I'm afraid. Galactic Civilizations 2 and Sid's Alpha Centauri (Civ in space in many ways), Colonization and Call to Power is those most related in my opinion. Elemental: War of Magic, and the good old Masters of Magic is the most related fantasy versions.

Agreed. Everything seems to be dwindling away from TBS and going to RTS. Although to be fair, most of the Paradox games allow you to slow things down and even pause. It's a little sad really.

 

[Dermo]

Does anyone have any experience with Elemental War of Magic?
My initial (pre-release) impression of the game was quite favorable, however I've heard that it had a less than stellar launch, so I haven't actually bought it (yet) as i was expecting to be completely occupied with with CiV

 

[charon2112]

Europa Universalis III (while great) isn't a TBS, it's actually a real-time strategy game. You can make decisions while it's paused though, so it plays better than most RTS's...

GalCiv2 is awesome also.

 

[charon2112]

Does anyone have any experience with Elemental War of Magic?
My initial (pre-release) impression of the game was quite favorable, however I've heard that it had a less than stellar launch, so I haven't actually bought it (yet) as i was expecting to be completely occupied with with CiV

I love Elemental. Not so much because it's perfect now...but they are constantly improving it and I know it will be great at some point.

 

[Luckystrike77]

Does anyone have any experience with Elemental War of Magic?
My initial (pre-release) impression of the game was quite favorable, however I've heard that it had a less than stellar launch, so I haven't actually bought it (yet) as i was expecting to be completely occupied with with CiV

It had it's flaws at launch, but a huuuge 1.1 patch is coming soon. It's in beta now, and seems very promising indeed. The foundations and basic gameplay in Elemental is brilliant, they just need more meat on the bones, some balancing and hopefully less city spam. The AI is also being worked on. This patch will change alot. I am optimistic indeed. Expansion packs are also promised.

 

[ImperialGuard]

Thanks for the ideas.


Re: Victoria II - I have Victoria + Revolutions..I liked it, didn't love it.... Is Victoria II a big improvement?

Re: Elemental - Is waiting for the "forthcoming big patch" a good idea ? I like to support Stardock ... loved GalCiv II

I have Hearts of Gold III ... just felt it wasn't really fleshed out....anyone playing with Siemper Fi ? Did that improve the game significantly?


LOVED the XCOM series .... wish someone would do a proper remake

 

[Dermo]

Thanks for the ideas.


Re: Victoria II - I have Victoria + Revolutions..I liked it, didn't love it.... Is Victoria II a big improvement?

Re: Elemental - Is waiting for the "forthcoming big patch" a good idea ? I like to support Stardock ... loved GalCiv II

I have Hearts of Gold III ... just felt it wasn't really fleshed out....anyone playing with Siemper Fi ? Did that improve the game significantly?


LOVED the XCOM series .... wish someone would do a proper remake

Agreed. Still love GalCiv and miss X-COM a lot. Looks like Elemental is getting bumped to the top of my Christmas wish list. Thx to everyone for their comments

 

[Sparthage]

Like many others who have posted, I too love GalCivII.

 

[Thormodr]

I most concur with the above mentioned games.

Victoria II is excellent.

EU3 is excellent as well and will get even better with the new expansion Divine Wind.

That series keeps improving, version by version and expansion by expansion. Firaxis could take notes.

Elemental is sort of a diamond in the rough. It's fun for me as it is now but it's going to get a heck of a lot better. It has amazing potential with Kael doing what he does best and Brad working on the AI, which he does best.

I liked GalCiv II as well. Top notch.

 

[Supr49er]

I love Elemental. Not so much because it's perfect now...but they are constantly improving it and I know it will be great at some point.

Especially with Kael on board

 

[Mumin]

Speaking of Kael, I assume that you have played Fall from Heaven II? Best 4X game ever....even though it's "just" a mod

 

[Supr49er]

FfH2 and Fall Further (mod mod) are all the Civ IV I play
That's why I have optimism about Elemental.

 

[hclass]

Men...
You all are condemning Civ5 so much in so many threads and are now praising other titles in this forum.
This is the max sarcasm I can think of. Keep on... and I suppose you will get the new patch sooner and push a Civ6 out much earlier...

 

[JBConquests]

I did a bunch of reading online in forums about elemental and I read that it is very buggy. The impression I got was that it is just as buggy and unbalanced as Civ 5 and that I should wait a few months before buying elemental.