Favorite era?

[Ecthy]

When is Conquest coming out then?

[Harovan]

In ~4 weeks (USA).

[Theseus]

My favorite is Medieval, hands down.

That said, I've had a lot of fun in every era, including Modern. Took me a while to get there (I didn't finish a single game for at least the first six months I played), but, oh, Modern Armor, how do I love thee...

[Tall Stranger]

While Middle Ages are fun, nothing beats the ancient era, IMHO. The discovery of whether the map generator gods were kind or cruel, the REXing, the initial scramble to make contact with other civs, and the glee of plotting your neighbors dismemberment are a blast.

[G'Kar]

I voted modern, but I probably like industrial better. That's when you get some of the most interesting units; destroyers, battleships, carriers, planes, infantry, arty, tanks. And unlike the modern era, there are usually meaningful war to be fought during industrial.

[Ecthy]

Industrial is still coolest, and if it's only because of that es-dur sonata 3rd movement from.... can't think of the composer now...

[Snotty]

Industrial has the potential to be coolest. If only I could get there and still have the AI breathing down my neck....

[Ecthy]

damn... what's that name?

[GhengisFarbâ„¢]

I don't think its near as fun when your WINNING. The constant struggle to get ahead, being right on the edge of domination and doom is the best part the game.

[Hagbart]

I like the ancient age the most. Layiing out the empire is fun.

[Mountain Sage]

My best era is the 'Monkey era', where humankind could pick up bananas for free in the world's jungles.
My best season is when the bananas are ripe.



The banana smiley is overworked...

[Brundlefly]

Ancient because they game moves quickly. I have never played a game into Modern age. Halfway through Industrial, it either becomes clear that I will win the game, or the game becomes too difficult to manage and I get bored and start over. This is on emperor level. On Diety, I never get out of Ancient because the other civs become too powerful and I feel like I cant catch up to them.

[MrWhereItsAt]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
My interest decreases with progressing game. The ancient age is cool, you lay the base of your game strategy here and build up your economy. Then comes the medieval age. Pikemen, knights, catapults, later replaced by musketmen, cavalry and cannons. The best wonders of the game. Nice atmosphere. When I hit the industrial age, things become increasingly boring. I usually already have a big advantage here, and mostly the ToE gets me so far ahead, that the game is virtually over. The industrial age ends the need for good tactics and smart unit placement. The railroads a la Firaxis ruin the game, at least for me. Huge stacks of footsloggers, the lacking ability of the AI to use bombardement, and the ruining of once thriving AI civs to pitiful, backwards communist countries in endless MPP driven wars do the rest. Most of my games end in the industrial age, because I can't stand them anymore. I'm in most games far ahead and feel as if I'm herding a drove of idiots. The modern age has cool music, but that's about all good I can say about it. Thank god, with the UN, the spaceship and the quickly growing culture it has plenty opportunities to leave the mess victorious.

Amen to that. ALL of it.

[Jethro83]

Recently, I've avoided warfare in the ancient era, preferring an agressive peaceful expansion strategy. I will also be building up my spearmen and chariots and a substantial cache of gold to upgrade them later on.

Once the middle ages kick in, borders are more well-defined, and I have a better idea as to who I can cooperate (few resources, behind me in tech, far away, never demanded tribute), who I can simply tolerate (kept to themselves so far, no resources, far away) and who I absolutely must eliminate (someone who demanded tribute, someone next door, someone getting too powerful, or someone with too many of the world's resources). Then it is total war with knights and musketmen (and far later on cavalry) until I stand alone in control of most resources, and the larger part of my continent.

That is the time where things get the most interesting. Therefore, my answer to the original question is the Medieval era. However, I'm one who doesn't consider the Industrial and modern eras boring. During the Industrial era, I simply consolidate the gains from my empire's total war period by enacting a policy of pure building and peaceful trade, possibly even with former enemies I might have spared.

Then when Modern era kicks in, I like to play the world peacekeeping force with my battleships, aircraft carriers, stealth bombers, marines, etc. trying to keep the smaller guys from destroying one another, or being destroyed by other larger powers.

[Master Zen]

Modern Era.

Yeah, I only get there about once in ever 20 games but modern warfare is just soooooo fun, especially if it's you against a powerful killer AI fighting an all-out war all over the world. Those wars are well worth the wait considering I usually finish in the middle ages or industrial.