Article: Civilization 4 Review by Chris "Velociryx" Hartpence (Part 1/2)

[DanQ]

Chris “Velociryx” Hartpence, perhaps best known in gaming circles as author of what has been widely described as a definitive guide to Alpha Centauri's Alien Crossfire expansion pack, has completed his review of Civilization IV exclusively for Apolyton Civilization Site (ACS). He received his copy of the game thanks to funds raised through an effort in ACS' Civ earlier this year.

Hartpence's ~3,700 word review has been broken up into two parts. Part 1 has been published today. It outlines his first impressions of CivIV, and recounts why he never finished his first game of it. I was charged with the task of writing a review of [this game], he begins. To do that, and to do it in a timely manner, I do not have the luxury of sitting down for hours on end and playing fifty or so games through to completion... So[,] my first "minigame" of Civ lasted up until the dawning of the Classical Era, and what a blast it was!

Most commonly known in many online circles as just "Velociryx", the second and final part of Hartpence's review is scheduled to be published on November 30th. Hartpence is also an economist, helpdesk analyst and author of other titles including Five Days in May, a horror fiction novel favourably reviewed by The New York Times.

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Dan; Apolyton CS

[alva]

As always, a pleasure to read.

[Skanky Burns]

Indeed. Looking forward to part 2.

[Urban Ranger]

I clicked on the link, and got an error 404.

[alva]

The first time, so did I. Luckily it worked the second time.

[GeoModder]

Den tweede keer ging het (niet) van den eerste keer.

Link brings me to a "congrats, you found a missing page" message.

[MarkG]

fixed

[child of Thor]

Nice stuff Vel (and MarkG!) - i've experienced much less of the game than you(and it will remain that way for a while), but i'm feeling about the same as you at this point.

1. It worked(which probally helps form a good impression!)
2. It looks like it has all the depth that each of us wished Civ2 could have when you had finished it a few times.

Give it some patches and TLC and probably by the time i get around to buying and playing it, it will be something special - a godsend for PC gamers in the console dominated market.

[Nikolai]

Heh... I smiled in recognition when I read it. Vel, you nailed it right where it belonged.

[Error404]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
I clicked on the link, and got an error 404.

What you got????

P.S.
ok I've red it... nice! But now I'm waiting for the real game review

[vee4473]

I am looking forward to part 2, only because I want to see if the "first half game elation" carries over for him.

or if he does indeed start to see some problems.

I hope Vel does indeed intend to play a few games to the very very end, otherwise a review is pointless.

I know he intends that, and that is the reason for the time lag between parts 1 and 2.

[DanQ]

Originally posted by vee4473
I hope Vel does indeed intend to play a few games to the very very end, otherwise a review is pointless.

I know he intends that, and that is the reason for the time lag between parts 1 and 2.

Actually, no, that is not the reason for the time lag.



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Dan; Apolyton CS

[vee4473]

oh, well that is what i assumed, since how could a real review be made if he doesn't play a few games through to the end?

He stated that he doesn't have the luxury to do that at the moment, so i assumed more time was needed.

[Straybow]

Most reviews are written by folks who get a pre-release copy.

I guess the Nemoy intro is kinda like the still-graphic intro of Civ1. I loved the atmosphere that created for the game.

[Velociryx]

Not to worry, the second part of the review does indeed cover games played thru to completion...and I'll say no more...

-=Vel=-