Civilization IV Screens [PC]

[bapenguin]

Boomtown (http://pc.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=8788) has a handful of new screenshots for Civilization IV. The screens show off the new map view of the cities.

Release Date: 11/15/2005 (PC (http://www.gametab.com/pc/civilization.iv/4116/))

[Ailer]

I have a question. Why do they keep throwing graphics at my civ games? I mean, they serve no purpose and pretty much everyone turns off the animations at some point.

[Kleeze]

And to get better graphics they decrease map sizes even further - i want HUGE maps to dominate much more than better (compared to previous games) graphics.

[noxa]

I'm actually kind of disappointed with the way the game looks. I've been a big fan of the series since way back in the day, and this one just doesn't look appealing at all. I think they would have been better off using Civ3 with better pre-rendered graphics and maybe some 3d effect overlays then going far outside their core competency (2.5d engines) and making something that looked like it was from 1999 (read: ass).

I'll still buy it, play it, and pwn it, but I don't think I'll be thinking 'damn this looks cool' :|

[net7runner]

Ewwwww.

Since when does 3D automatically mean better?

[Taco]

I prefer the 2d hands down, but whatever.

Anyone know if they are doing anything gameplay wise to justify this? It just doesn't make sense to me. It's not like Civ3 didn't sell, so why change something for the worse?

[superherotaco]

I second net7runner with his "ewww" statement. It may have been cool to add 3D so that cities wern't just static squares, like a metropolis would be huge, but this is not the way to go with 3D.

[MadHiro]

They're going with this engine because they already had it built from the Pirates! remake. It lets them cut down build time, and hopefully spend more time on game mechanics, playability and the like.

I don't care what it looks like, be it 2D or 3D or a command line, so long as its fun and has new things. I'm more than slightly afraid of what they plan on doing that hasn't been done before, better. I still think this series peaked with Alpha Centauri.

[if76]

This is truly hideous....not that I'd be buying this game for the graphics anyway.

I think they either need to go the super realistic route or the abstract board-game route. Trying to do realistic-looking towns with huge towering people just looks wierd.

If the average person had the capability to render civ3 graphics in real-time i'd say go for it. Since the average civ player isn't necessarily a graphicscard whore I'd prefer to see a more 2d/3d look.

[Franjo]

these screens sure dont make you say wow. Compare these to Age of Empires 3. I think I may try AOE instead of civ. Might be good for a change.

[Emmaus]

I'm not sure why all the hate for the graphics. It's the gameplay baby. I like the new look. If I want Civ3 graphics I'll just play that.

[Taco]

Alpha Centauri had some really good ideas and moments. But the game as a whole felt to loose to me. But it defintly peaked with good ideas.

People can say what they want about Civ3. I played it more than any other in the series(I've been playing since previous to CivNet). It didn't have as many "Oh cool" moments as Centauri, but the gameplay was tight and I personally loved the way resources were handled. Adds another angle to both diplomacy and war.

3d Graphics in Civ, in my opinion, can have an effect on gameply, but we'll see.

[Redline]

I like 3D graphics, sure. I love the way Oblivion looks for example. But 3D graphics are just something that this game doesn't need. However, I grant you the point about reusing the Pirates! engine is good for dev time. The team will already be experienced with it and have tools from that project. Still, I think these 3D graphics could look a little more appealing. I think the main problem is the colour choice for the textures... anyone agree?

THAT SAID, the changes they have made to this iteration sound awesome, so I'll most likely be buying it anyway.

[Taco]

I'd rather they reuse the Civ3 engine.

[BleedTheFreak]

I'd like to point out, that this game looks *really* nice in motion, lots of animation and the way the zoom looks is very cool and will be very handy. Check out the movies at gamespot.com for yourself, if you get a chance.

[MadHiro]

THAT SAID, the changes they have made to this iteration sound awesome, so I'll most likely be buying it anyway.

I'm not current with the changes they're claiming to effect. Do you have a link to a list of them?

[Hieremias]

Forget the technical aspect of the graphics, Firaxis needs to hire a new art director. The Civ3 map was ass ugly to look at once railroads are discovered, and it doesn't look like Civ4 is improving that at all. You're going to be looking at a blotch of yellow covered in black lines. How nice.

[gojira]

Hopefully that will be improved on soon. I'd like to know how the Ai is? Any big improvements? And did they add better diplomacy and more victory conditions like SM:Alpha Centauri had?

God damn Alpha Centauri rocked. I need to play some like RIGHT NOW. :D