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Author
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Topic: Which is better? Civ2, CTP, or Alpha Centauri?
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Akron
Civer
IP:  |
posted May 31, 1999 16:07
    
I just got CtP as a gift. What is its real value? Right now, my old p133 can't support it, but I should be getting a new PIII 500 Mhz Processor. Paid $3000 for it. I've read the CtP manual, and the game looks good. With the patch, can someone please give me a pros cons list? Please? And what is the real value of CtP?Thanks. Akron |
Googlie
Civer
IP: |
posted June 01, 1999 23:44
From my perspective, there are elements I like in all 3 games, and I'm still playing all 3.My problem with SMAC, which is currently what I am playing most often, is its tame ending. I'm not much into conquest, and being able to buy Transcendence in one turn ruins the suspense. CivII had great suspense, racing the other civs to get one more structural before launching, and even launching a 35/16/3 spaceship that could overtake another civ's 15/8/3 ship. Addiction is CivII's greatest strength. Always "one more turn". Plus familiarity - knowing what to research and where the shortcuts were. CtP left me cold initially with its bugs. But I did like the PW concept, and wasn't so hung up on the city screens as others. But the 1.1 patch worked wonders, especially with CD's 4.01 addition. But, it lacks addiction. I get partway through a game, bedtime, so shut down. Next day I'm as likely to fire up SMAC or CivII and play a complete game over a couple of days than return to my CtP saved game. AlrightyThen said it best - the game really has no heart. But, in all fairness, I haven't tried a One City Challenge in CtP, which I found for both CivII and SMAC to be my real test, so maybe I haven't given it the best chance to shine. Right now, my vote is: 1. CivII
2. SMAC
3. CtP Googlie [This message has been edited by Googlie (edited June 01, 1999).] |
Byllee
Junior Civer
IP: |
posted June 10, 1999 22:37
I waited since SMAC was anounced to play
SMAC. I would still be playing it if CTP
hadn't been released. I love the new
interface and especially how the computer
does not allow you to make human mistakes
like forgeting to change production in a
city. I like the fact that any battle you
have can have unexpected results, good or
bad. The graphics are great which is some-
thing I always thought wouldn't be important
in a strategy game.
I recently played the game using the mod
ver. 4 patch. I felt like I had done it my
way when I had built many underwater cities
and my citizens were enjoying the benefits
of virtual democracy.
Winning this game is definitly user
defined.
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Fugi the Great
Civer
IP: |
posted June 11, 1999 13:44
A have all three. I would say it would be a tie between Civ2 and SMAC. I bought SMAC when it first came out, and liked and played everyday until I got so burned out with staying up so blasted late. I also bought CTP right when it came out, started it up and played half a game and shut it off - boring. Went back to SMAC, and CIV2. Got involved in the threads about Civ3, so a I figured I should give CTP another try - still boring but it had a few neat ideas. The patch for CTP came out, so I tried it again, fixed most of the bugs and caused a few more - but its still boring. Right now I'm so sick of all of them, that I went back to C&C Red Alert.
I just wonder if it has anything to do with the music/noises heard in the game. The music in CTP is IMHO annoying. SMAC - music or just noise? The Wonders movies for all games are turned off, they serve no useful purpose.
After second thought, I think Civ2 is the best, I just wish there were more types of units available and civs would stop declaring war just because I refuse to give them a tech. |
Rigil_Kentaurus
Junior Civer
IP: |
posted June 12, 1999 14:52
I don't own CTP, but there's something I want to say:- The creative SMAC-community is almost non-existent, noone seems to make any modifications. - I don't think SMAC is very replayable. Buy Master of Orion 2! It may not have Sid's name on it, but it still rocks! |
Knight_Errant
Civer
IP: |
posted June 12, 1999 15:59
It was somewhat silly to expect a rational evaluation of anything other than Call To Power on a Call To Power forum.Most of those who stay are going to be pro CTP even fanatic. Those who are opposed to CTP are going to already be gone to other forums more friendly to their views.
Now for my answer to your question. I enjoyed Alpha Centauri more than CTP. Civ 2 is really counted as a precessor to the two for me. I enjoy Civ 2, but it is in a different generation. One reason I am drawn to AC is the fact that I like science fiction. CTP has a little of that in the advanced ages. CTP, though, is hard for me to really get into. I find that about 75% of the time I can easily save the game and leave. Civ 2 would keep me for just one more turn. Alpha Centauri does a bit of the same. Still I enjoy both. If the diplomacy were fixed in CTP I would probably enjoy it more. As it stands, I am punished for being a good player. Everyone hates me if I'm too far advanced, everyone takes advantage of me if I'm not advanced. A case of computer gains up on the human players.
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mgblst
Civer
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posted June 14, 1999 12:18
There all good games, civ2, ctp ,smac. They all have different elements of gameplay. If you can get enought good strategy games, then you really need them all. I wouldnt get rid of any of them for anything.For so long i waited for the sequel to civ 1, and then hoping for a sequel to civ 2, and we have two contenders. Grab them both. Has anybody checked out Imperialism II or Settlers 3. I just cant get enough strategy games. WOOOOO!!!! |
Nosferatu
Junior Civer
IP: |
posted June 15, 1999 08:43
I agree with mgblst.
But the best one (as for as i think) - is civ1.
it was a breakthrough in gaming history... ------------------
Nosferatu returns to the world
of the undead.
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Tom Davies
unregistered
IP: |
posted June 18, 1999 14:03
Despite its problems I prefer CTP.CIV II is great and fast but I hated the battles where loss of one unit often meant loss of the lot. CTP is slow and has quite a few bugs but I much prefer the combat and the graphics are quit dinky. SMAC - well I only play LAN base games now and you had to buy it twice to do that (a good old con if there was one - why don't the reviews ever point this out). Its grahics are crap and I hate the interface screens so I lost interest within an hour -despite the double purchase - and have no inclination to go back to it. |
TheHelperMonkey
Civer
IP: |
posted June 18, 1999 19:53
AT least the graphics don't bog you down and the interface is about 10 times better than CTP's. |
ANDY~BUZZ
Civer
IP: |
posted June 22, 1999 14:35
Even though the diplomacy is bad in CTP, in Alpha if you choose a certain government like Police State every body says that that government sucks and turns against you. |
TheHelperMonkey
Civer
IP: |
posted June 22, 1999 18:38
And your point is...? It's like choosing communism, everyone hates except for the communists. It's supposed to be like that. |
jbs
Civer
IP: |
posted June 23, 1999 13:23
Background: Civ 1 and then Civ 2 my favorite games. Civ 2 still on hard drive. Bought SMAC and played two games - I got bored - no one more turn for me. Maybe because winning was so easy. Then CTP game out, and I was disappointed, and frustrated. Rank at that time Civ2, MOOII, SMAC, numerous other games, CTP.With the patch and with CD's mod I rank Civ2, CTP, MOOII, Imperialism II, and SMAC is not on my list. For all the fans of SMAC I have nothing against the game, it is just boring to me and thats my opinion. I liked the diplomacy, I like the borders, I disliked the fractions, and I disliked the bland colors of the planet. With Civ2, I can easily load an Earth Map or play on a radom world, I can easily pick my tribe or rename cities, I can easily click on the city screen and manage all the city affairs. I disliked the necessary mircomanagement with more than 20 cites. CTP has potential and the fact that almost all the game files are editable is its major saving grace. In the long run I think that CTP will supplant Civ2. I like CPT and Civ2 because of the empire building and the chance to rewrite history. I like MOOII becasue of the empire building and the space battles. I like SMAC becasue I can design my own units, but did not get that same empire building feeling or satisfaction which is why SMAC was dropped from my list. |
Proc
Junior Civer
IP: |
posted June 23, 1999 16:41
I currently own Civ2 and CTP, and I like Civ2 more. Why? Well CTP is slow, and that's probably because of my slow computer, but I liked speeding through the units in Civ2 and moving them really fast. The graphics were all right, but at least they weren't crap. I really don't care about the animated units in CTP, for a while I even played Civ1 after getting Civ2 (but it got annoying).The main problem with CTP is the lack of immersion. With Civ2, I actually feel like the ruler. I think it's because of the wording of messages in Civ2. It's kinda hard to explain, but CTP just lacks the magic Civ2 had. I can still remember the long days when I played Civ2 and attacking with Chariots and Knights. CTP never gave me such memories, all I can remember is the time it crashed when I was on such a good island (tons of goods!). It crashed when I tried to save. Well that's my opinion, and I don't think I'll buy SMAC. I'm waiting for Diablo 2! (www.diabloii.net), I think I'll play Civ2 now... |
dinerbass
Junior Civer
IP: |
posted June 29, 1999 17:05
Sorry, haven't played SMAC, but have been an avid Civ1/Civ2 player for years.The poster who said "Unfinished Symphony" of CTP struck a chord. There are many improvements (Unit stacks fight properly, no more moving caravans, build roster, new ending, and another thousand years of development), but the bugs are destroying all this. Civ1/2 was annoying that the AI civs had no pollution probs, but now its worse, they just destroy the world unless you take them over. The diplomacy is as bad as ever, with AI civs ganging up on the human and happily going to war the turn after giving them 5,000 gold, a good tech and a map, despite the perfect reputation record of the human. It seems impossible to play peacefully, and the only way to stop them is by, er, wiping them out, which means 100+ cities and nowhere is it written how many cities a given govt can handle. Worst is the pollution bug which rewards the careful player who has reduced pollution by giving them a flooding / UV catastrophe anyway. Nice one, Apolyton. This makes me want my money back, and I'll buy it again when it works.
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