(August 28, 1999) Not all is happily ever after in the land of Civ: some gamers are simply not satisifed with the quirks and quarks offered in Civilization II: Test of Time.
Case in point, GameSpot's spin on the game. Reviewer Elliot Chin is unapologetic:
"The worst part about this game is that you simply cannot play any of the nontraditional games without always having the massive technology poster open and at hand. The designers renamed practically everything, and nothing makes sense anymore.
Why rename the granary, such a vital structure in the early game, to a storehouse [one of several examples provided]? Why screw around with what gamers already know? I understand the desire to change things around in the interest of surprise and variety, but all that this effort achieves is needless frustration.
Call to Power at least tried to create brand-new units and new wonders and even made new movies for the wonders. Here, the designers didn't even do that.
... excluding Midgard, there aren't even any new scenarios in Test of Time. So what did we wait for? New graphics and new names. That's just not worth $40 and two years' time".
Chin's personal tilt on the game? An abysmal 1 (10%), contributing greatly to the overall 4.2 score that ToT was given.
Don't look for any happy faces over at GamePen either. Peter Suciu grows downright bitter as the review progresses.
"If you’ve played Civilization II in any previous form, or even dabbled in original Civilization, then you know all you need to know about Test of Time. Nothing has really been added.
Visually the game has never looked better. At first it is hard to believe that this is the same game since the designers really did wonders making the game look more dynamic. The units now have more dimension to them and are fully animated as they move across the map. The map has also been updated and appears with a bit more detail.
... the biggest problem with ToT is that it simply tries to be too much, but offers too little. None of the previous versions’ scenarios work with ToT, something that made the Multiplayer Gold version a must buy for those who missed the scenario packs. ToT added the fantasy and science fiction games, but neither is as well developed as the some of the excellent scenarios.
It should also be mentioned that the diplomacy in Test of Time hasn’t been improved noticeably so anyone who has had played AC, Call to Power or even Master of Orion II will be in for a rude reminder of how far we’ve come, and how far this series needs to come".
Here comes the final blow...
"... it just seems like Microprose is sucking every last breath out of a classic – and classics deserve better".
ULTRASTING SOLUTION
(August 24, 1999) If you haven't heard of the Ultrasting problem in Civ2:ToT, stop reading now :) If you have faced it, John Possidente brings some good news from the Civ2 team directly on our ToT forum:
(1) When your spaceship lands on Centaurus, you are given the ability to research UST. You are not given the advance gratis.
(2) UST should show up on your next "Choose an Advance to Research" list. Sometimes, it won't show up right away--there's a random element to the list--but it should certainly turn up within 2 or 3 times.
(3) Do not save the game between the time your ship lands and the time you have actually selected to research UST. We've discovered that when you save the game, the event-driven changes to advance availability
are not saved. Once you have made UST your current project (or finished researching it), it is saved--but until then, saving, exiting, and reloading will take away your ability to choose UST as a research project.
We're fixing this in the patch, but for now, this is the interim solution. Hope it works for everyone."
You can discuss this on this thread.
EUROPEAN LANDFALL
(August 23, 1999) Copies of Civilization II: Test of Time bound for Europe are starting to make apperances in countries across the continent.
Thomas van Kooten is the first to let us know of ToT being available in a non-NA (North American) country... the Netherlands, to be exact, in a franchise of the software store "The Max". However, there is one part of its arrival that is not welcome: the price.
"Unfortunately it's been released as a full price title here: fl. 99".
Van Kotten went on to say that this is roughly the equivalent of 45 Euros.
WINDOWS 2000 COMPATABILITY
(August 21, 1999) Although there as of yet has been no official word from MicroProse/Hasbro with "their line" regarding compatability for Civilization II: Test of Time under Windows2000, we got an unexpected but pleasant note from Graham Hoggard that he has " installed it under NT4 SP4 and -- on the same computer (dual boot) -- under Win2000. It seems to be running fine so far".
Anybody else with something to report on this front? Email DanQ and we'll pass it
along to the Civing world!
OLD AND NEW
(August 21, 1999) You know the expression "a picture speaks a 1000 words"? It definitely applies to the case of comparing the interface of the original Sid Meier's Civilization II, released three years ago, to today's Civilization II: Test of Time. How computer graphics have changed in this short period!
Teymur Ashumov sent us a screenshot of "the old Civ" and "the new Civ". Here's what he has to say on the subject:
"Just thought I'd demonstrate the graphical changes in Civ and TOT... two comepletely identical screenshots,
one from Civ (world map, Romans) and one from TOT, (also world map, Romans) -- the only difference TOT's improved
graphics. Now you can see for yourself exactly how big the changes are".
Indeed we can, Teymur! Thanks for the submission!
SIXTY PERCENT * TWO
(August 20, 1999) Two more reviews of Civilization II: Test of Time have been published, and they both come to same rating: 60%. That's gotta smart.
Starting off is from reviewer Tom Chick at CGO. Here are some select highlights:
"The most obvious change is the graphics, which are at once better and worse than Civilization II. The maps also have little tics of animation as fish jump out of the water and fire spits out of volcanoes. These details make for great screenshots, but they bog the game down and muddy up important information.
Some of the changes are almost entirely inconsequential. The minimap can display a spinning globe instead of a flat map. Fancy? Yes. Useful? No. You can open an inset window on another part of the map. If, say, you wanted to for some reason.
With one exception, there's a conspicuous lack of ambition in this mildly updated version of Civilization II. There are no new Wonders of the World, city structures, or government types; it's all the same familiar stuff thinly veiled under new names. After playing more recent and refined strategy games, it's hard to go back to plain ol' vanilla Civilization II, given some of its shortcomings.
[Mick] Uhl has done an astonishing job of wringing a rich and varied game from the same old mechanics by dividing the tech tree and units among six races, giving each its own strengths and weaknesses. The imaginative terrain types spread across the four maps also add flavor to each race.
Were it not for the Midgard scenario, this game would sink into the same bog of mediocrity that swallowed Activision's Call to Power, a game as ambitious as Test of Time is lazy".
Now we come to the review we became aware of thanks to a helpful time from reader "liveD" -- this one at GameCenter. Again, just a 60% rating also, by Martin E. Cirulis. However, Cirulis did not look at all of ToT's facets, and is thus not terribly detailed, and some may say that it is effectively incomplete. Nonetheless, some excerpts:
"MicroProse's recent Civilization II Multiplayer Gold Edition was a kitchen-sink expansion disc and a nice compilation of a classic sequel. Test of Time, on the other hand, seems to be based on the idea that gamers can't get enough of the Civ II engine.
There are new, modified units and structures for these new worlds, but they aren't very different from previous versions. Apart from their new graphics, these units are direct analogies to the traditional Civ units, but with new abilities, such as flight, thrown in.
The interface takes getting used to, especially if you are a seasoned Civ veteran, but it is a nice change from the same old screens of the past games, and it complements the graphics face-lift.
However, you may find it difficult to justify buying this full-priced game when the game is, at its core, an expansion disc with a few graphical tweaks and mods. The game's new features are well done, but as far as gameplay goes, Test of Time is a poor second to Civ II Gold.
Has MicroProse's franchise survived the Test of Time? Just barely".
NOT HARD ENOUGH
(August 14, 1999) PC Gamer UK reviewer Julianne Bowman, in her account of Test of Time, has stated that "the truly hardcore among Civ II players will be disappointed that improvements weren’t pushed a little harder". It is because of this, in simplest terms, that she rated the game only a 7.5/10. Other excerpts:
"[ToT] falls into the add-ons category, but offers enough tweaks, bells and whistles to satisfy the hordes waiting ravenously for next year's Civ III.
The most ambitious change in Test of Time is the introduction of multi-map gameplay. It's a great idea, and one which has huge potential to keep your grey matter buzzing, especially in the more difficult play levels.
All these new settlings call for a good handful of new units and technologies. While Test of Time doesn't fail to deliver, it also doesn't try too hard to surprise. Most of the innovations are in the science fiction and fantasy settings, where names and descriptions have been altered, but functions remain the same.
Attention has been given, however, to improving many of the quirks that left dedicated gamers screaming in frustration. And players can look forward to much stronger AI, especially in the harder levels, where enemy units seem to have picked up an almost fiendish level of cunning. But where Test of Time really blossoms is the beefed-up graphics and sounds...
If you're counting your pennies closely and looking for the biggest return on your investment, Test of Time may feel a little too repetative to get your pulse racing. Completists, however, won't want to be without it. After all, with Civ III on the horizon, Test of Time may be presenting more than a hint of where the greatest turn-based strategy game of all time may be headed".
PATCH UNDERWAY
(August 12, 1999) ToT Producer Alex De Lucia today confirmed that the first patch is underway:
"Guys - wehave already begun work on a patch for Test of Time. We are currently adressing the issues we found in QA before release but deemed not serious enough to hold up shipping the game. We have since noticed a few issues here as well - notably the UltraString and missing description for Marco Polo's Embassy problems. Please help us with this process by sending all relevant info and save games ( if you have an event related error - sending a save game before the event didn't occur would be more helpfull ) to our consumer service guys - support@microprose.com
We will be co-ordinating with them to get the issues and get them fixed ASAP. No release date set for the patch just yet but my best guess is early September".
Talk about a timely response to Civer's concerns! The response from the community to this news has been overwhelmingly supportive so far.
BUG CONFIRMED
(August 12, 1999) With the help of some Apolytoners, the first bug in ToT has been confirmed.
Here's what John Possidente, co-designer with Mick Uhl, posted the following in our ToT forum yesterday:
"We've found that sometimes, arriving at Centaurus does not give you the technology that it's supposed to (Ultrastring Theory).
With help from a couple of Apolytoners, (you know who you are) I think I've found the problem. Somehow, we released an events file that has a single error in it. (Patch time!)
To fix it yourself, go into the events file for the Extended Game (with any text editor) and search for the first appearance of the text "AlphaCentauriArrival" (no quotes). Five lines after that, you'll see a line that reads:
whom=TRIGGERATTACKER
Change it to be:
whom=ANYBODY
Save the file, overwriting the old one. Hope that helps".
BEST SELLER!
(August 11, 1999) Though it has not yet been publicly available for a week, Hasbro Interactive's Civilization II: Test of Time is making a big name for itself!
According to The Dragon's Den sales records, ToT is currently it's #5 Best Selling PC Software Title at the moment.
Even better news comes from EBWorld, who list ToT in the #2 spot on their top-selling PC Games list.
As more gaming companies release their numbers, so will we. Know another outfit where Test of Time is a hot commodity? Mail us about it!
OFFICIAL ToT P.R.
(August 10, 1999) Hasbro Interactive yesterday published the official Civilization II: Test of Time press release. Click here to read.
3 NEW ToT SCREENSHOTS
(August 10, 1999) You got 'em, baby! The filenames are gameshot1.jpg, gameshot2.jpg, and gameshot3.jpg, and all come to us courtesy of the Evil Avatar website. Enjoy!
THE NEXT FAVOURABLE REVIEW
(August 8, 1999) The second known review of ToT has been made public, over at the GamePower website.
Reviewer Mark H. Walker, a longtime electronic entertainment journalist, has given ToT a positive 3.5 out of 4 possible bolts rating. Here are some of things he had to say on the game, which covers a lot of ground:
"With the release of Microprose's Civilization II: Test Of Time, the franchise's book finally shuts.
It is, however, a fitting closing. At its heart, Test Of Time is Civilization II redux. The game uses a similar economic and research model, and the combat engine is identical. Unfortunately, the clunky interface -- you can't scroll with the mouse -- still waits to be updated, and the micromanagement still waits to be eased. But, as every game reviewer for the past three years has written, these are only minor flaws.
Test of Time is not just another add-on package. World leader wannabes may not only conquer the original world, but an expanded version that includes Alpha Centauri, a science-fiction milieu, a fantasy setting, and a Midgard scenario that is similar to the universe found in Civ II Fantastic World.
Test Of Time introduces simultaneous multi-map gameplay. In the science-fiction game, each map depicts a different world; in fantasy contests, each represents a different realm, such as the sea, land, air, and underworld. It is no longer enough to be a big fish in your own small pond; you must now consider what is happening the next pond over.
When all the blasting is said and done, the Civilization II book will close. Fortunately for the storied franchise, Test Of Time sends it out with a bang".
IN THE ZONE
(August 8, 1999) Microsoft announced on Friday that Civilization II: Test of Time was now available for free multiplayer matchmaking on the MSN Gaming Zone.
With almost 34,000 gamers online at any given time, engaging in hundreds of games every waking moment of everyday, "the Zone", as it is commonly referred to, has placed itself in the forefront of online gaming. Hook up with your friends on the Zone today!
SPECIAL DEAL
(August 8, 1999) An interesting note was passed our way by an avid Civer who asked to remain anonymous. Read on and you will likely understand why.
According to the source, MicroProse (MPS) is offering an enticing deal through the Digital River online store. Here's an excerpt from the mail sent out to some VIP customers:
"As a valued MicroProse Insider, you can pre-order your copy of Civilization II: Test of Time CD-ROM game NOW for the special price of $44.95 plus shipping and handling.
Also, be one of the first 2,000 people to take advantage of this offer and get a Civilization II: Test of Time Strategy Guide absolutely free, a $19.99 value!
This special offer is available only to MicroProse Insiders for a limited time, so act now"!
The anonymous tipster also had this to add:
"I ordered it through them as fast as I could... Shipping was $8, so I paid $53 total, but for that price I'm getting a $20 strategy guide for free, so I figure even with shipping (and the $44.95 being the "official" retail price) I'm saving $12 off buying them both ($65 versus $53). They shipped the order Thursday via UPS ground, so I'm hoping to see it show up early next week".
If anyone else can "second" this, please get in touch with DanQ as soon as you can.
REVIEW WITH SCREENS GALORE
(August 5, 1999) Robert Plomp, aka CyberShy, got in touch with us recently to let us know of his ToT review; it's quite comprehensive, and contains some excellent, never-before-documented screenshots. In total, 39 new screenshots were added to our archive today, thanks to the work by and permission from Plomp.
We invite you to click on the link above to read the entire review. To get the ball rolling, here are some interesting excerpts from it:
"The biggest change in my eyes is the appearance of new worlds. Where Civilization II was played on only one world, ToT can be played up to 4 different worlds at the same time. In the extended game there are 2 worlds, Earth and Alpha Centauri.
... though where usual the Mongols, the Indians and the Sioux were, are the 3 new alien civilizations. In the edit rules section, you can't exclude the space race, since this one does have to happen in the extended game.
You don't just build an improvement in your city, but now you can see what you build.
When you build a new city, you don't only hear some people work, but you hear
the people applause and scream of joy. This all together gave me a very good feeling
about the game.
This view [view] has totally [been] upgraded in ToT. One of the best things is that you don't only see the city radius in the city view, but you can see all the terrain near to it. That makes you get a better overview of the city surroundings, while in the city view.
Another new feature in the game-environment is that you can chose between a small map in the upper right corner, or.... *new*.... a globe. This globe gives a very good overview of the world, and is spinning all the time.
The diplomacy screen did not change, though the graphics are upgraded as well here, up to 16 bits. The animated heralds have been removed from the game.
All the pop-up boxes, from the minister reports up to the retire screens have
new backgrounds. In fact the total graphical structure of the game has been upgraded.
These new graphics give a new environment as well to the game.
All in all I refuse it to name ToT just an add on. It is the old game and the old engine, but then in a total new coat. It's not more of the same, but rather an expansion, with the new worlds,
and an improvement of the game environment with the graphics and sounds".
CAN YOUR SYSTEM MUSCLE IT?
(August 3, 1999) As ToT starts hitting store shelves, a key issue on everyone's mind is this: can my present system handle it?
Enter the system requirements:
MINIMUM:
166 MHz Pentium or faster; Windows 95 or Windows 98 with DirectX; 16 MB RAM; High Color graphics (640 x 480 16- bit color - 2 MB video RAM minimum); quad-speed CD-ROM drive; hard drive (60 MB free); DirectX compatible sound card.
RECOMMENDED:
200 MHz Pentium or faster; 32 MB RAM; High Color graphics (1024 x 768 x 16-bit color); hard drive (235 MB free).
FOR MULTIPLAYER:
28.8 kps Windows-compatible modem (2 players); local area network with TCP/IP or IPX protocol (2-7 Players); Internet play requires a 28.8 kps or faster connection (2-7 players).
Last but not least, the issue of compatibility under Windows NT 4 came up recently in our ToT forum. John Possidente has responded that he is unsure and will look into it further, while Alex D. had the following to offer:
"Well was it tested on NT - I don't know but again as John says further investigation is required. Will it work on NT? Most likely since it is all Windows-based and the only thing we use DirectX for is multiplayer - so that part of the game will not work on NT. More info to follow once I hunt down our QA guy and ask what happened when they tried NT".
EXCLUSIVE, YOU SAY?
(August 3, 1999) EBWorld has scored an exclusive offer in conjunction with the public release of ToT. The bottom line? To quote from the official website, "order Civilization 2: Test of Time from EBWorld, and get a free Scenario CD by mail".
Want to get a piece of this action? Click the link above to read on.
TIME IS ON OUR SIDE
(August 2, 1999) In recent weeks, our ToT forum has had the privledge of two members from its team posting on a regular basis; in addition to John Possidente, there is also Alex D., ToT's Lead Producer fielding questions from Civer's across the globe about MicroProse's latest (and anticipated to be last) add-on for Sid Meier's Civilization II, originally released in 1996. This will be the first add-on for the game released since MPS was acquired by Hasbro Interactive last summer.
If the current state of our ToT forum is any indication, you can expect of wide base of support and enthusiasm from Civ fans to continue after ToT is released. Registration is free, so if you have not already done so, why not sign-up today! If you previously registered but have not been frequenting our forums these past several weeks, what are you waiting for?
To give you an idea of what has been and continues to be discussed on our forums, here are some highlights:
Release Date
Of course this is the primary thought on everybody's mind. The answer comes from Alex: "EB and Babbages might have TOT as early as the 4th and should be in stores there by the 5th. All other retailers should have TOT on shelf by the 6th". [Source Thread]
Demo
A resounding "no"; this also comes from Alex. "It would have taken more time for us to go in and disable things so you could not have the full game. We thought that time would be better spent fixing bugs and polishing gameplay items". [ Source Thread ]
New Multimedia
Confirmed! As stated by Possidente on July 28th: "Roland and the guys made some good new music. We also co-opted some of the music we liked from previous games. I wasn't too involved in that side of things, though, so I don't know much more than that.
As for video, we made a new intro and a good number of new cut scenes (winning and losing animations, stuff like that). For scenario builders, we added an event action to call AVI files, too. Our focus was on gameplay and features, however, so we didn't add any new "multimedia" bits--no new Wonder movies. We also lopped out those foolish councilors". [ Source Thread ]
Limits
Yes, there are some to note. Again from John: "All the limits we know from Civilization II are still in place and not expanded--255 cities, etc. (255 cities overall -- not 255 per map). The good news is that the roll-over bugs have been found and corrected. Now, when your treasury or population hits max, you just don't get any more; they stop at the top". [ Source Thread ]
Strategy Guide
There must be a lot of Civer's out there who will scream for joy when they read this from Possidente: "I'm happy to say that I think the new book will be on time with the game. Hasbro Interactive's legal dept. approved it Friday, and it went to the printer today. Dave Ellis, who wrote the original Civ II guide, is co-authoring with me, and I think we've got a good book.
There's also a mini guide that E.B. or Babbage's (I forget which) is giving away as a pre-order gift. That should already be available". [ Source Thread ]
We should also note that localized versions of ToT will not be made available under after the North American release.
FIRST EUROPEAN REVIEW OF ToT
(August 2, 1999) ToT got a 84% grade in the European PC Zone magazine (not available online to date).
If anyone who has a copy of this review, and would be willing to take the time to type out an excerpt or two from it, it would be greatly appreciated to add to this article.
If so, please mail it to DanQ; the sender will be credited for their co-operation.
