Sid Meier's Civilization 3 Complete

Sid Meier's Civilization 3 Complete
by Aspyr Media

Sid Meier's Civilization 3 Complete
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Product Summary

Brand: Aspyr
Primary Contributor: Windows
Format: DVD-ROM
Release Date: 2006-01-08
Platform: Mac OS X
Publisher: Aspyr Media
Product features:
  • Ultimate 3-in-1 box set that includes Civilization III plus the Play the World Multiplayer and Conquest expansion packs
  • Features great new Civs, and Scenarios
  • Contains a new active world generator for more realistic maps and organic terrain features
  • Civilization III: Conquest includes seven new civilizations, enhanced technical features, and more
  • Improvements to the AI, Combat System, Interface, Rally Points, Governors, Leaders, Unit-Stacks, and Game Balance
Accessories:

Video Game Reviews of Sid Meier's Civilization 3 Complete

Customer Review: Fatal flaw
Summary: 3 Stars

This game has the potential to be one of the greatest all time games of the genre. If it weren't for a fatal flaw which dooms it from the start. I'm talking about the concept of strategic resources. Or at least the haphazard, illogical way they are implemented.

One of the things that Civ3 brings to the table is the idea of strategic resources. Certain resources that are vital to certain technologies. Obviously its hard to make an internal combustion engine without oil. This is an interesting concept, but its implemented in such an irrational manner that it makes the game laughable. For instance, coal is required to make the railroad. This is perfectly logical in the early stages when trains were pulled by coal fired steam locomotives. But this restriction remains in affect permanently. Which means long after the discovery of oil, the railroad is still forbidden without coal. Even though, by this time, trains would be powered by diesel/electric engines. Oil is required to produce things like automobiles, tanks and modern ships. But it doesn't seem to be a requirement for airplanes and airports. In one game I played recently I lacked saltpeter (no guns) and oil (no tanks, etc). This led to the ridiculous idea of building airports in my forward cities and using aircraft to transport my long bowmen into battle. In another game, I lacked oil, which put modern ships such as destroyers, cruisers and transports beyond reach. Which means that very late in the game I used sail powered gallions to transport my troops to enemy shores, escorted by nuclear submarines. The contradictions are too many to list. I was able to research and learn the secret of steel, even though I had no iron (a strategic resource) in my civilization. How do people who don't have access to iron (or even know what it is) develop steel? The result is that in the later stages of the game I'm able to build modern cities, factories, and yes, that nuclear submarine....all without iron. Of course I still couldn't make swords. They need iron. It's just so silly. I get the idea that the whole strategic resource thing was a last minute addition. One of those "Hey wouldn't this be cool" ideas that get implemented without adequate thought.

Of course, these issues, in themselves, wouldn't make the game unworkable if it wasn't for the fact that the designers of Civ 3 never took Geology 101 in school. The strategic resources are WAY too scarce in the game. I know you don't want dozens of them scattered everywhere. If everyone has easy access to everything, what's the point? But I played one game where there was one, only one, oil resource ON THE ENTIRE WORLD MAP. And it was on a tiny island consisting of three squares. Noone found it until the game was almost over. It would improve the game so much if the quantity of resources could be adjusted as a game parameter.

Oh, and before I go, I don't want to pass up my other MAJOR gripe with this game. Mandatory end time on the game. Huh? You're playing along and then "Times up. Game's over. Having fun? Too bad. Get lost. Go do something else". I just love playing a really big and involved game for hours and hours, and just ready to see my grand plans take shape and the game designer says "Sorry, that's enough, go away". What idiot came up with that idea? Again, it should be an option, or adjustable.

This is is a game with great potential looking for a way to express it, but its been boxed in by the short sighted designers. It could be so great if there were just a few options that let you adjust the game mechanics to your style of play. But the designers seem hell bent on making sure that you play the game EXACTLY they way THEY want it played.

Description of Sid Meier's Civilization 3 Complete

Features the original Sid Meier's Civilization III, and two expansion packs: Play The World and Conquests.
Time Magazine calls Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete the "Greatest Computer Strategy Game of All-Time." Featuring Civilization III plus the Play the World Multiplayer and Conquests expansion packs, Civilization III: Complete offers you more ways to win, more pathways to explore, and more strategies to employ as well as exciting new online modes of play.



Plot a path to victory by matching wits with history's greatest leaders. View larger.


Civilization III: Complete offers the most detailed and beautiful art, animation and sound ever found in the genre. View larger.


Employ the latest military technology -- if warlike conquest is your strategy. View larger.


Set up gameplay scenarios that challenge your skills. View larger.
When it was first created in 1990, the original Civilization instantly set the standard and defined a new genre of empire-building strategy games. Still recognized as one of the greatest games of all time, Civilization was an addictive blend of building, exploration, discovery and conquest. Players matched wits against some of history's greatest leaders as they strove to build the ultimate civilization that would ultimately stand the test of time.

That legacy of excitement and conquest continues with Civilization III: Complete, featuring the updated and enhanced multiplayer expansion pack Civilization III: Play the World, as well as all of the great new Civs, Scenarios, and Features from Civilization III: Conquests! Among the numerous enhancements include new interactions, alliances and realistic artificial intelligence responses that put players in the middle of negotiations, trade systems and diplomatic actions. Also new is an advanced trade system to manage resources, trade routes and spread of technology, as well as improved combat options that provide finer levels of control for enhanced war-making capabilities.

New Technologies, Wonders Of The World and Great People expand the scope of the game, while new elements of Culture, Nationality and the Arts help players plan a new peaceful pathway to victory. The game also includes a new active world generator for more realistic maps and organic terrain features, as well as the most detailed and beautiful art, animation and sound ever found in the genre. With the easier-to-use interface, you'll experience streamlined management and better control as you navigate through the levels.

Civilization III: Play the World Features
In addition to the multiplayer modes that include turn-based and simultaneous game types, appearing for the first time in a Civilization game is a turn-less mode. You can ace off against the best Civilization players worldwide with fast-paced multiplayer games like Elimination, Domination, Regicide and Capture the Flag. Also included are eight new Civilizations, featuring new leaders including Genghis Khan Temujin, King Hannibal, Queen Isabella and King Brennus, as well as all new units that will challenge your diplomatic and combat skills. An enhanced scenario editor, including new unit and tile sets, lets you construct a scenario from any time period. You can also strengthen your empire with new map features, like outposts, airfields and radar towers, new guerilla and medieval infantry units, and new wonders and city improvements. An updated interface improvements allow for more efficient management, and a dazzling new opening cinematic and combat animations bring your civilization world to life like never before.

Civilization III: Conquest Features
With Conquest, the operative word is "more." You get seven more powerful civilizations, from the innovative Sumerians to the mystical Mayans. More units lets you use Trebuchets to batter down the enemy's walls, or Sumerian Enkidu Warriors to quickly gain military dominance. More technical features give you the tools to map the world using satellites. But beware, there are also more dangers, such as volcanoes and other disasters. Best of all, there are many more improvements to the game, including improvements to the AI, Combat System, Interface, Rally Points, Governors, Leaders, Unit-Stacks, and even Game Balance.

All told, Civilization III: Complete is a game of epic proportions, the ultimate 3-in-1 box set that will give you endless hours of addictive entertainment.

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