I've been playing Civ V a lot, and really enjoying it, although the game has been getting considerable flak from the Civ community, complaining that it is not as good as Civ IV.  (But those people were probably the same ones that I remember from years ago complaining about Civ IV, saying it wasn't as good as Civ III.)  It is a big change in direction for the Civ franchise, and I think it will take old Civ players some time to get used to it.

I do agree that there are some kinks in the new system which will take a while to work out.  A big patch is coming out soon and I'm sure others will be following.  In general though, I think Civ V is a strong step in a new direction.  The new UI is especially appealing, and I like the new hexes and combat system.

redwood wrote:

Do you think the simplified tech tree is because you have a demo?  Or do you have the full version?

I have the full version.

The simplified Tech Tree, however, is complemented by a new Social Policies Tree, which is a function of culture instead of science.

Hi Qixel,

Do you think the simplified tech tree is because you have a demo?  Or do you have the full version?

I've played this a few times now at the easy levels and it is quite fun, although as some critics have pointed out, it emphasizes military over other victory conditions.  But the combat system is the best ever, no doubt about that. 

The tech tree is a little too simplified for my taste, and I'm pretty sure there is a bug that makes it easy to miss some of your activated units.  Still it's a great game that I'm very happy with it.  It certainly does not supersede previous versions.  You can easily go back to Civ 4 or 3, if you want a different take on the basic system.

Since you must now register the game through Steam, you no longer need the CD ROM in the optical drive, and you receive updates automatically...I already got one.

Civ V is turn based against comp, but real time with other players.  It's acutally a hybrid, all players take their turn at the same time, but must also end their turn.  It's not continuous like Age or Empires.  Civ is probably the best video game out there, really great.

vowles_23 wrote:

Mmm, looks interesting - is it similar to Age of Empires?

I haven't played Age of Empires, but that one is real-time strategy, right?  Civ V is turn-based (at least versus the computer).

Civ V has several ways to win.  In addition to military victory, there are diplomatic, cultural, and technological victories possible.

Mmm, looks interesting - is it similar to Age of Empires?

I've got colonization.  It's fun, but not as fun as Civ.

UNiMEDiA wrote:

I'm not sure if you've ever played sid miers Colonization (the original) but it is a blast, especially for a game so old.

No, I'm not familiar with that one.

I'm not sure if you've ever played sid miers Colonization (the original) but it is a blast, especially for a game so old.