Civilization IV

[hewhocaves]

...comes out tomorrow. Who (besides me) is going to get it?

John

[The Supreme Canuck]

I will... but not just yet. :)

[Paul Beardsley]

I'm definitely not...

...But that's because I am doing a PGCE course at the moment and consequently have very little time for enjoyable, insightful, mind-expanding games. In other words, I would if I could!

[hewhocaves]

here's a pretty big preview for those people interested.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/660/660495p1.html

[Moose]

I will be, eventually.

[Eta C]

As will I. I'll need a new computer at home first, though. From what I've seen it will fix up some of the resource shortages that made III a pain (although realistic). Nothing like getting steam power and discovering the only coal source was across the world. Also, the government system appears to resemble the one from Alpha Centauri where you pick various characteristics (free market vs planned economy, police state vs free, etc.) Should be fun.

[Swift]

I love Alpha Centauri. But I'll probably need a serious computer upgrade before I get this.

[Yoshua]

I want more religion options. Like being able to perpetuate some of the ancient religions now regarded as mythology.

I'd love to usher in the atomic age by shining the Light of Ra upon my enemies.

[hewhocaves]

the game will be disgustingly moddable, from what everyone has been saying.

lol... 2 inches of snow and Morgantown is in gridlock. how will I get to the computer store?

[Moose]

I liked the "design your own" aspect of vehicular warfare in Alpha Centauri. What I didn't like, however, was the oversized vehicular graphics.

I loved making submersible carriers, and (planetbuster) missile subs. Not 'cause they were efficient or of much use against the AI players, but for the sheer intimidation factor. ("If that loaded transport does anything other than an immediate naval u-turn directly away from my territory claim, I will launch every zig and set you up the bomb. All your base are belong to no one. Make your time and have a joy-joy day.")

All in all, needlejets rock.

[WHarris]

I'll be waiting for the Mac version.

[hewhocaves]

EGAD! it's been delayed for a DAY!!!

what will I do with my lack of life??

I guess I'll just wander around the boards :-)

John

[Musashi]

So I went to go look for it at Best Buy before I saw that it was delayed. :( But, this turned into a good experience because I picked u p Pirates! for $29 and the Prima gmae guide for $0.01. Yay, I mean, ARRRRRRR!

[Moose]

Oh, you're going to enjoy that, Musashi. If you need any hints for coping with any of the minigames (the ballroom dancing minigame comes to mind), let me know.

[Yoshua]

I've put off getting Pirates! for far too long. But it seems it will have to wait even longer as I don't have an unlimited budget for games and there's too many new ones I want now.

Not to mention Pirates of the Burning Seas isn't too far off (www.burningseas.com). Differant sort of game, but fills the same need. Though it is an MMO, so that means it's kind of expensive to play and probably very time consuming.

[Musashi]

I rock the ballroom dancing. I haven't invaded any towns yet, but I am the 5th most dangerous pirate on the list. :)

[Moose]

The land battles are probably my favorite minigame, because it's non-twitch, and that how you fight the battle, tactically, has a much greater effect on the outcome than the actual numbers.

If you learn the location of Henry Morgan's hideout, he's worth diverting to track down. Morgan has the only large frigate you can get without harassing North European war-shipping to provoke pirate hunters.

You can, unfortunately, only get the Ship of the Line by harking someone off bigtime, and getting very, very lucky to boot. I've only ever done it once, and not for lack of trying (mine was a new ship delivery I caught just off the docks.) To be honest, though, the large frigate won't sink spanish trade ships (and fast galleons) on the first roundshot broadside. Ships of the line often will.

Oh, and if you're into dirty tricks, try visiting a pirate village and inciting the captain to attack someone. Then round up the ships as they leave town. They're forever falling for that one.