Ok first impressions:
I got Civ "Play the World" - the only one they had. Don't laugh I bought it in French as I'm in a French speaking part of the world. So I could not study the game in detail, but here are my thoughts:
Good:
Graphics. Not real 3D like in AC, but a definite improvement from Civ 2.
Nation special units - love the idea!
Resources finally make sense!

Advanced diplomacy (still not AC level)
More than 7 civs on the map (at last!)
Epoch shift like in Rise of Nations and other games (better done this time)
Nice catapult bomabrdment

.
Bad:
No whatsoever historical information about technologies and units. IF it is there plz tell me where to find it.
Interface. Those round buttons make me sick! I was much more used to menus in Civ 2. Maybe I'll get used to it :S.
Wonder movies?
City Interface. Blured pictures, way too big city map, city info all over the place. Maybe it has some meaning all that

.
Idea: Unit design would be nice. Like in AC. Ex: human + bronze cuirass + bronze + sword + leather armour (rest) = light hoplite?
Questions:
I heard there is a way to make armies by combining 2 or more units - true?
When I destoyed a city I got 2 slaves. Will they be gone if I destory the Germans and do they need to be fed?
Why did everyone ganged up on me when I attacked the Germans?
I'm year 1425 and just acuired Gunpowder (Easiest level) so don't laugh (too loudly

). More comments will follow if I finish my first game (Damn those Germans!

)