So, what is wrong with America?

[Sansa_Stark]

I find it really interesting that America got only 3 out of 175 votes in my "most interesting civ" poll, and that happening on forum where I presume most posters are US players.

I think I understand where this is coming from, I consider them most generic too. Every other civ has something really attractive - interesting early military bonus (Scythia, Aztecs, England), wonder bonus (Egypt, China, France), special district adjacency bonus (Japan, Brazil), espionage bonus (France) or GP bonus (Brazil).

America has none of it, and it seems that people do not find late culture bonus, or legacy bonus (as a bonus to brand new mechanic) that interesting.

So, do you think that it may turn out that America is in fact more interesting than it looks like now, or is it a misstep by developers?

To me it seems that America in fact lacks something really unique, but I think that legacy bonus turns out to be very strong, and all those small bonuses will add up to create interesting game play.

 

[Ulthwithian]

Frankly, I think that it's simply that Americans want to play something not American, while non-Americans don't want to play America for RL 'implications'.

 

[Haig]

They are cool, other civs are just cooler.

Actually every civ revealed so far have been more interesting than Civ 5 versions.

 

[Abraxis]

Their inclusion always seems awkward. Like the developers don't want to make them too focused so as to alienate any American who wants to play as America. Or maybe they've just never really figured out what America's national identity is, but are forced to include them because of their market.

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

There's usually a fall-off in these kinds of popularity contest. The new civ always seems hotter than last week's new one.

 

[gfeier]

There's usually a fall-off in these kinds of popularity contest. The new civ always seems hotter than last week's new one.

That... and the fact that we really don't know how their government legacy bonus will actually play out.

 

[ehecatzin]

I actually like this incarnation better than the one civ5. The focus on expansion, keeping it's neighboors in line, and pushing a cultural victory actually fits them really well.

 

[Magil]

I don't think America is dull or anything, it's just... well, Meiji Restoration is enough on its own to make Japan the most interesting challenge to me. If it was a list of 1-8 or whatever I don't think I'd put America at the bottom (I'd probably put England there, I have no desire to play them currently).

I mean, I could only vote for one Civ on the poll, so it had to be Japan. Doesn't mean I think there's something "wrong" with America though.

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

I actually like this incarnation better than the one civ5. The focus on expansion, keeping it's neighboors in line, and pushing a cultural victory actually fits them really well.

I agree. Between Teddy Roosevelt and the cultural victory focus, it suits what I appreciate about my country and the legacy I prefer for it.

 

[Gangrin]

interesting early military bonus (Scythia, Aztecs, England)

you lost me there. Redcoats and Seadogs are not early by any stretch of imagination. OTOH American +5 bonus on starting continent is, so i'd argue that America is good for early conquest and is not shoehorned into one particular tactics (as Scythians with horseman-spamming, for example), and that's one of the reasons i don't particularly like it - i don't like to wage war early. Scythians i like even less.

 

[The Highwayman]

Their P51 UU is late game, as the Film Studio appears to be. I'm still unclear about the government legacy bonus and how good it will be. The home continent bonus and Rough Rider seem solid enough, but are less interesting than what everyone else brings to the table.

 

[Firebug]

America is a hard one to focus on, i feel. It's such a new country, in perspective to other civs.

 

[skyclad]

Their P51 UU is late game, as the Film Studio appears to be. I'm still unclear about the government legacy bonus and how good it will be. The home continent bonus and Rough Rider seem solid enough, but are less interesting than what everyone else brings to the table.

Government legacy bonuses sounds great! Already i saw in the lets play people getting for examples 10% bonus to wonder construction from the Ancient era warmonger governments legacy bonus, by the time they switched to a Medieval era government type. That bonus last the whole game and America would get 20% instead not too bad!

 

[EgyptRaider]

Actually, although I didn't vote America myself (I want for China because of the Great Wall), I think it is by far the best designed iteration of the US so far. Normally I even evaded putting US in the pool of civs I would fight against, let alone playing it myself, but I've been convinced that even (ex)colonial civs like the US and Brazil just as much deserve a place in the pool of civs. And pretty sure that I'll end up playing them both.

 

[SammyKhalifa]

They were also the first one introduced, and people tend to have short attention spans with this sort of thing.

 

[MarcoFurio]

No one has realised how good is the +5 combat bonus in the early game.
The Government legacy bonus last all game long.
Also with Film studio that gives late game culture and, maybe an improved air combat mode, the Mustang can be a good UU.
America is one of the best choices, especially because they don't have a single strategy for winning. Players can change their priorities according to their necessity.

I vote America and China for the most stable civs (but not my favorite).

 

[Lord Tirian]

Their inclusion always seems awkward. Like the developers don't want to make them too focused so as to alienate any American who wants to play as America. Or maybe they've just never really figured out what America's national identity is, but are forced to include them because of their market.

On some level, America is also - a little bit - the "intro civ", in Civ5 and Civ6. Solid bonuses and good all-rounders... but not leading to a particularly pronounced strategy. Scythia? All about horse rush warfare. France? Culture with diplomacy to keep on top. America? Uhhh, just play a "normal" game and be a bit better at it.

I'm exaggerating but the very varied bonuses plus late-game focus means there are less "extreme" strategies which are a lot of fun and draw experienced players (e.g. in Civ5 stuff like eternal golden age with Darius).

 

[Brianstorm]

you lost me there. Redcoats and Seadogs are not early by any stretch of imagination. OTOH American +5 bonus on starting continent is, so i'd argue that America is good for early conquest and is not shoehorned into one particular tactics (as Scythians with horseman-spamming, for example), and that's one of the reasons i don't particularly like it - i don't like to wage war early. Scythians i like even less.

Could help you in early conquest, could also help you fight barbarians and be defensive with fewer units or military buildings, allowing you to focus anywhere else you want!

 

[VicRatlhead5199]

They'd be my number 3 right now if that helps. It's just that the Aztecs and Scythia look like they'll be fun and interesting right out the gate.

America looks like it could be perfect for one of those hostile CV games and much more interesting than CiV's version. Nothing wrong with them. In fact they're pretty powerful.

 

[Red Pearl]

you question was "Which civilization looks most interesting to you?"
America is powerful and flexible but it does not have distinct playstyle.