I've never played a single game of Civ2!

[aaglo]

So that's why I have a question for you civ2-vets.

Now I have civ3, and soon I'll have the PTW-expansion to it. Now, should I buy civ2? Is it worth it, or would it disappoint me?

[Straybow]

Well, there are enough differences between Civ3 and Civ2 to give them radically different flavors. What is it you are looking for in a game? Civ3 used trade only for strategic resources (plus automatic luxury trade within the nation), which many of us hard-core Civ2ers found boring. Many of us found the culture flipping to be a complete game killer.

We really like hunting for good trade payoffs and building up the trade routes of a city (which add trade arrows just like the trade arrows received from working a tile). And no flippin' culture flipping!

For $10 how can you go wrong? I think I saw Civ2 MGE (multiplayer, but stand-alone unlike PTW) at the local Babbages/EB for $15.99.

[DaveV]

Re: I've never played a single game of Civ2!

Originally posted by aaglo
Now, should I buy civ2? Is it worth it, or would it disappoint me?

I have a feeling it will disappoint you. Just as a lot of the Civ 2 vets have found Civ 3 unsatisfying, I think it would be just as hard to go the other way. Things that may bother you:

You'll find the AI appallingly passive. It expands slowly, and attacks with dribs and drabs of units. It's fairly easy to acquire and maintain a research lead.

Diplomacy has fewer options. You can demand or offer tribute, trade techs and units, ally, declare war or peace, and that's about it.

All the civs are identical. No civ-specific units nor abilities.

Graphics are a lot more primitive.

There are a large number of well-known exploits, some of which are game-breakers.

On the other side of the coin, Civ 2 has a much larger and better-developed tech tree, more units, and more choices in strategy. The consensus on the Civ 2 forums is that Civ 3 is a prettier, but shallower, game.

[Straybow]

Hey, DaveV, did you change your avatar? I thought you had a size 5 "Boston" rather than a size 2 "2Boston"

[Rasbelin]

If you buy Civ II, you'll understand better why Stella Polaris should have more elements from Civ II than it now has.

[DaveV]

Originally posted by Straybow
Hey, DaveV, did you change your avatar? I thought you had a size 5 "Boston" rather than a size 2 "2Boston"

No, it's the same as it's been since I created it. It's an in-game shot of a case where I was on my second pass through the city list. I don't like the default naming convention of having cities named "Boston" and "Boston 2" because I can't tell their units apart.

*** we now return our readers to the topic...

[H Tower]

Re: Re: I've never played a single game of Civ2!

Originally posted by DaveV
All the civs are identical. No civ-specific units nor abilities.

that's true unless you play the scenarios. Which, btw, are completely kickass.

Scenarios IMO are the best part of civ2

[Rasbelin]

I agree with H Tower and I add that the true multitasking on the Windows desktop is also one reason why Civ II is great entertainment while working.

[Ming]

There is still a strong communtiy for Civ II MP. It is indeed a different game from Civ III, and works a heck of lot better at this point in time.

If it is cheap, buy it... and join us in the Civ II MP forum

[aaglo]

Well, thanks for the advices/tips/whatever.

Unfortunately I don't play MP (for now atleast), so you wouldn't see me at MP-forums. Especially when I know that you all have played this game for 7 years, and me being a newbie... I would propably be slaughtered in a few turns...

And another thing: where can I find more time, if I buy this game? Should I shorten my sleep and work time?



anyway, thank you. I'll consider buying civ2. Your comments seem couraging enough.

[H Tower]

drop by the Scenario League forum when you get the game and the friendly posters will be glad to point out to you their favorite scenarios

[aaglo]

H Tower -

Somehow your comment seems sarcastic...

[H Tower]

i wasn't trying to be, its just really late here right now, we really are nice people

[aaglo]

Now you are only making the impression worse...

[atawa]

If you allready play civ3 then learning civ2 wouldnt take much time.
Just read up in the strategy section and start playing MP here or on the zone: www.zone.com

Another good way is to join our Democracygame for civ2 (Link in my sig)