Should I buy?

[Jex]

Oh yes, I'd recommend it. You should probably buy Civ 4 Complete on Amazon, however; It is completely DRM free, and lets you snoop around all the game files and modify them as you like. My guess is the Steam version wouldn't let you do that.

Personal preference, of course. You don't risk losing the Steam version if your computer bricks and you haven't made a backup copy.

 

[The7Sins]

Oh yes, I'd recommend it. You should probably buy Civ 4 Complete on Amazon, however; It is completely DRM free, and lets you snoop around all the game files and modify them as you like. My guess is the Steam version wouldn't let you do that.

Personal preference, of course. You don't risk losing the Steam version if your computer bricks and you haven't made a backup copy.

I agree with what you have said on have him buy it from Amazon and for the reason why being making it modable.

However you are mistaken about Steam. If his computer dies he will still have access to his games he bought via it. Just download Steam on his new computer and as long as he remembers his password he can access his account. Then just redownload all his games from the client to his new machine.
I know this because I've had the same Steam account for years and am on my third computer and second IP with it on it.

 

[W|M]

Civ IV has better nukes, especially in mods. Therefore, you should get Civ IV ASAP.

 

[Jex]

@The7Sins: You misunderstood my point on Steam, in fact you are saying exactly what I said. I said that if your computer bricks, you can still play the Steam version, since Steam provides the "backup" copy for you.

 

[The7Sins]

@The7Sins: You misunderstood my point on Steam, in fact you are saying exactly what I said. I said that if your computer bricks, you can still play the Steam version, since Steam provides the "backup" copy for you.

Misunderstanding things is what I get for reading and posting in threads 5 minutes after waking up.

 

[damerell]

Oh yes, I'd recommend it. You should probably buy Civ 4 Complete on Amazon, however; It is completely DRM free, and lets you snoop around all the game files and modify them as you like. My guess is the Steam version wouldn't let you do that.

The files for the Steam version are just as present and modifiable as any other version. Why guess when you can find out the facts?

 

[midget_roxx]

heh I love these threads. 99% of the time you get someone asking whether they should buy this game on a forum that the game is dedicated to, then after reading all the comments from people will end up buying it

 

[Iranon]

There are deeper games in the genre, mostly SF-based (Aurora takes the cake)
There are more detailed games in the genre, Paradox Interactive makes some decent ones.
There are prettier games in the genre, looks of Civ4 didn't impress me even at its time.
There are more elegant games in its genre (the mechanics are a cruel abuse of mathematics)

Nevertheless, I'd say Civ4 is still the most rewarding game of the genre that's fit for a a wide audience. Enough substance and variety to keep nerds / enthusiasts happy for years, without making things unduly difficult for more casual players.
It's quite different from Civ5 though, in my opinion much more solidly designed (some features of Civ5 make the game fragile and hard for AIs, requiring ham-fisted workarounds).

If you get it, I recommend playing Beyond the Sword with the BUG mod.

 

[Mec AntiKythera]

heh I love these threads. 99% of the time you get someone asking whether they should buy this game on a forum that the game is dedicated to, then after reading all the comments from people will end up buying it

I am curious as to the other 1% !!

 

[rah]

I remember reading initial reviews for V on game sites dedicated to the game and after reading all the comments most people did not buy the game.