Gamer Recognizes Game

Sid Meier’s “Civilization” series is a set of games that has managed to withstand the test of time. Each new entry brings something new to the table, but the core of the game has remained mostly the same for years. However, there was one point in the series that a major shift was made.

And now, with “Civilization VII” releasing to mixed reviews, there is no better time to go back and look at the “Civilization” game that had the series perfected before the major shift in its design philosophy.

Released back in 2005, “Civilization IV” doesn’t immediately stand out from the games that came before or after it.

Just like other games in the series, it’s an explore, expand, exploit, exterminate — or 4X — turn based strategy game centered around being a major world leader from history and constructing your civilization from the ground up.

You pursue one of five win conditions ranging from conquering the world to winning a popularity contest hosted by the United Nations. If none of the conditions are achieved before the in-game year of 2050, the nation with the most points wins.

The game can be played with other human players, computer players, or completely on your own in a custom game. One highlight of “Civilization IV” is that it’s regarded as having the best computer opponents in the entire series.

In particular, the ability to play with others on one computer through the hot seat function was a blast. I myself have fuzzy memories of projecting the game onto a wall in my garage and playing with my brother and friends.

Another element that was a major step up from previous games was the graphics. The fully animated 3D graphics of “Civilization IV” were the first of their kind in the series. Not only do they make the map and gameplay feel more immersive, but they also give world leaders more character by making them more expressive.

In terms of difficulty, depending on what level you play at, “Civilization IV” can either be incredibly mindless and relaxing or rage inducing and unfair. The game has a wide range of difficulties set by the player, which change how computer-controlled enemy nations function, along with the rogue barbarians scattered across the map.

Barbarians serve as a way to keep the player honest, as you don’t have full sight of the map at the start of a game. All you can see is where you have explored, and sending a unit out undefended could result in a barbarian appearing and killing the unit. Players can either roll the dice and hope they don’t encounter a barbarian, or take extra time to create a military unit to send out.

“Stacking” is a feature still available in this game but was removed in “Civilization V” and onward.  “Civilization IV” is notorious for allowing players to assemble the largest army possible, move them in one cohesive unit, and send them to swarm their enemies. While this feature wasn’t perfect, the one-unit-per-tile solution in “Civilization V” and onward only serves to make combat feel more clunky.

“Civilization IV” also had three expansions released at different points in the game’s lifespan — Beyond the Sword, Warlords and Colonization.

“Colonization” is a remake of the original Sid Meier’s “Colonization,” and is a more focused version of the “Civilization” formula.

Instead of the game running from 4000 B.C. to A.D. 2050, the game takes place from 1492 to 1792 in what was at the time the “New World.” Be the first colony to establish yourself and overthrow your ruling nation and you win the game.

Warlords and Beyond the Sword are both expansions on the base game of “Civilization IV,” with Beyond the Sword being the most comprehensive of the three.

Recognized by many as the greatest game in the series — as well as one of the greatest game series of all time — “Civilization IV” is also noteworthy for having its theme “Baba Yetu” be the first video game song to win a Grammy.

Ultimately, modern “Civilization” games are totally different from “Civilization IV.” It is that stark shift that has honestly made it harder for me to pick up newer entries in the series.

Despite at this point having sunk hundreds of hours into it, I don’t think “Civilization IV” is going to get old anytime soon.

This game perfected the formula of the “Civilization” series, and in my opinion, will always be the best game in the franchise.