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After reading the manual bit by bit between turns, I've now read it a second time in one go. Civ manuals have always been quite good, so I wondered which one is the best so far:
Civilization (by Bruce Shelley) - 124 pages, somewhat dry, but rather concise language, simple structure with two main sections ("The World" and "Cities") explaining the game concepts, short descriptions and statistics of all units, buildings and wonders included in the relevant sections, four-page-overview of the game in the introduction ("Cities and Civilizations"), a history of the world in 20 pages, short designer's note, six pages of basic, but helpful strategy tips ("Player's Notes"), index.
Civilization II (by Jonatha Caspian-Kaufman) - 189 pages, more conversational language, somewhat apologetic about the game's complexity ("Phew! That's a lot of stuff to digest all at once!"), summary boxes for most chapters, instructions for playing the tutorial savegame, detailed summary of changes from the original version, reference section "Screen by Screen" (30 pages), 5 pages designer's note, index.
Civilization III (by John Possidente) - 228 pages, summary boxes for most chapters, imaginary tutorial (i. e. without a savegame to try out), detailed summery of changes from Civ2, tables for wonders and culture buildings included in the relevant sections, 40 pages screen-by-screen reference, unit, terrain and resource tables in the appendix, index.
Civilization IV (by Paul Murphy? - there's no special manual credit) - 200 pages, distinguishing basic and advanced rules, detailed desciptions of early advances, units and buildings included in the "basics" section, terrain, resource, sea & naval unit and promotion tables in the advanced section, building table in the appendix, 10 pages designer's note.
I still tend to favour the Civ1 manual, but I'm not sure whether that is fair. Although some features have disappeared, the game has become more complex over the years and the structure of the original manual may not fit anymore.
Still, I wonder whether it is wise to label some rules as "advanced". The chapter "Cities" in the advanced section seems rather important for a basic understanding of how the game works. It's hard to tell if you have experience with previous civ versions, but I would imagine the city screen to be somewhat confusing for new players who are recommended to play a few games before reading that section.
What I particularly like about the new manual, are the "early options" sections. While they do not offer lots of strategy tips, they do present the choices players face in the early game (which units to rely on, which wonders to go for etc.) and thus help them to get into the strategy.
Anyway, which of the manuals did you like best?
Civilization (by Bruce Shelley) - 124 pages, somewhat dry, but rather concise language, simple structure with two main sections ("The World" and "Cities") explaining the game concepts, short descriptions and statistics of all units, buildings and wonders included in the relevant sections, four-page-overview of the game in the introduction ("Cities and Civilizations"), a history of the world in 20 pages, short designer's note, six pages of basic, but helpful strategy tips ("Player's Notes"), index.
Civilization II (by Jonatha Caspian-Kaufman) - 189 pages, more conversational language, somewhat apologetic about the game's complexity ("Phew! That's a lot of stuff to digest all at once!"), summary boxes for most chapters, instructions for playing the tutorial savegame, detailed summary of changes from the original version, reference section "Screen by Screen" (30 pages), 5 pages designer's note, index.
Civilization III (by John Possidente) - 228 pages, summary boxes for most chapters, imaginary tutorial (i. e. without a savegame to try out), detailed summery of changes from Civ2, tables for wonders and culture buildings included in the relevant sections, 40 pages screen-by-screen reference, unit, terrain and resource tables in the appendix, index.
Civilization IV (by Paul Murphy? - there's no special manual credit) - 200 pages, distinguishing basic and advanced rules, detailed desciptions of early advances, units and buildings included in the "basics" section, terrain, resource, sea & naval unit and promotion tables in the advanced section, building table in the appendix, 10 pages designer's note.
I still tend to favour the Civ1 manual, but I'm not sure whether that is fair. Although some features have disappeared, the game has become more complex over the years and the structure of the original manual may not fit anymore.
Still, I wonder whether it is wise to label some rules as "advanced". The chapter "Cities" in the advanced section seems rather important for a basic understanding of how the game works. It's hard to tell if you have experience with previous civ versions, but I would imagine the city screen to be somewhat confusing for new players who are recommended to play a few games before reading that section.
What I particularly like about the new manual, are the "early options" sections. While they do not offer lots of strategy tips, they do present the choices players face in the early game (which units to rely on, which wonders to go for etc.) and thus help them to get into the strategy.
Anyway, which of the manuals did you like best?
. It didn't get completely wet, it's still readable. Only the front cover got ruined. I just like to keep all my computer game stuff in near perfect condition. don't ask me why. I'm weird this way. I'm trying to keep my Civ4 Special Edition box in good condition.
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