Sid Meier's Civilization IV (Complete Edition) (PC, 2009)

Let's see, I have the original Civ 4 which I loved. So after reading the reviews for the two expansion packs, I opted to purchase the complete version. I have to say, I'm glad I did. I expected 3 separate CDs or DVDs, but the original Civ 4, Warlords expansion pack, and Beyond the Sword expansion pack were all on a single DVD. Nice!

Installation was very straight forward. I am using a Windows 7 Home Premium x64 edition on an HP Pavilion dv6 w/ 4GB RAM and 640GB hard drive, w/ an ATI 5650 laptop video card. The game loaded perfectly without any hiccups. Game play itself is stellar, and the random events (e.g., earthquakes, floods, intercultural marriage invitations) adds yet another bit of complexity that helps round the game out.

Granted, this game is very graphics intensive, so make sure that your desktop or laptop has the hardware to run it. Fans of the previous Civilization games will love this version (especially since it combines everything onto one DVD). The level of game challenge customization seems limitless since you have over 11 different cultures to choose from, infinite maps, the ability to make alterations through the World Builder, and basic trading of goods and discoveries, let alone the micro-management for those of us that are ultra-geeky.

If you're new to the Civilization series, then a simple summary of this game is that it's a turn-based strategy game where you are charged with leading a civilization through various eras through time in an attempt to keep your civilization alive and dominate the world through the use of intellectual discoveries, religion, governments, armies, diplomacy, etc. A single game can vary from a solid hour or so to several hours of non-stop play.

Overall, I'd say that if you're a Civ fan and don't want to wait until Civ 5 is released, then get Civ 4: Complete Ed. If you're new to the Civilization series, I suggest borrowing it from someone who has it...try it. If you like it (odds are you will), then grab the Complete Edition. You won't be disappointed.

Now...I can calmly wait until the release of Civ V. :D

This is a flippin' awesome game. Better than civ 5 because theres more units, religions, resources. Civ 5 uses fancy 3d engine graphics to cut out the fun of linking trade routes. And i believe Steam is just a way of advertisement that many people would just soon avoid.

But as for civ 4, it's a heap better than 3. The concepts the the ideas. And this is the last game in the series that let's you stack units.

Before you buy civ 5, buy this game and then play the holy you know what out of it. Try every civ, and every leader, it's a different game each time.

But this is just my opinion. I always have been a fan of Sid's Civ series. From MSDOS to Windows 98 to here and now.

I think Civ 6 will burst on the scene with great graphics and great ideas and units. A kind of "marriage" between Civ 4 and Civ 5.

I have been a fan of this series since the first game and looking forward to playing civ V when it comes out.

Taking cities and nation through history is enjoyable. One can be victorious one of the three ways, World domination, Diplomacy or winning the technology race.

Its a must play game for strategy gamers.

Civilization IV is one of the best strategy games ever to be released for the computer. This package includes Civilization IV, and the three expansions, Beyond The Sword, Warlords, and Colonization. Two first two mentioned are expansions which add things such as new units, gameplay features, and scenarios to the original Civ IV experience, while Colonization is a complete remake of one of the older Civilization Games that were released, with updated graphics and gameplay. This is an excellent buy for anyone that really wants to play the expansions for a cheaper price, or to even just start experiencing the Civilization series for the first time. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of strategy games.

I bought this game because I was in the mood for a turn-based strategy game that would run well on my somewhat low-spec laptop. I was not disappointed.

Gameplay is very involved. I really enjoy how city management works, as well as the Culture and Religion systems, along with the Great Person system. The game does provide a pretty cool feel for the progression of history, although depending how you choose your technologies and priorities, it is possible to do chronologically impossible things such as founding Christianity in 300 BC, and having Moses build The Church of the Nativity in 100 BC. :-)

The combat system is pretty intuitive. Geography is a real strategic factor, which I really like. My only criticism (and it's a common one) is that it's a little weird to see things like archers shooting down helicopters.

Installation was a breeze on Windows 7 64-bit.

Overall, great game. Very involved. Highly recommended for any grand strategy fan.