# Recommend me a game to replace Civ IV
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [October 27, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216 "2005-10-27T22:41:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)
#### Post date: [October 27, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/1 "2005-10-27T22:41:59Z")
Hello there dopers —
Frustrated previous owner of Civ IV here - that’s right, I said previous - because I’ve taken that thing back to the store. Oh I want to play it! I get green with envy and purple with frustration when I read all the good reviews and see how many people are enjoying it. But when I put it on I get the black land of death (on both of my computers) - and I’m sick of installing and rolling back drivers and turning off graphics / etc. ☹
Ahem! Anyways - there’s a whole 'nother thread in the Pit for that sort of thing.
So here’s the thing. I haven’t bought a computer game in a long time. Long story, but I was sort of saving up for Civ IV - since it’s the type of game I enjoy. So now I have cash to burn and a mad hunger for a new PC game.
So (finally he gets to the point!) what game should I get to replace my Civ IV which wouldn’t work?
Suggestions? I’ve thought about Rome: Total War, or Age of Empires, or just buying another copy of Civ III? Help dopers!
- Peter Wiggen
---
### Author:  [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2005, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/2 "2005-10-28T01:56:58Z")
> [@PeterWiggen](#):
>
> Hello there dopers —
>
> Frustrated previous owner of Civ IV here - that’s right, I said previous - because I’ve taken that thing back to the store. Oh I want to play it! I get green with envy and purple with frustration when I read all the good reviews and see how many people are enjoying it. But when I put it on I get the black land of death (on both of my computers) - and I’m sick of installing and rolling back drivers and turning off graphics / etc. ☹
>
> Ahem! Anyways - there’s a whole 'nother thread in the Pit for that sort of thing.
>
> So here’s the thing. I haven’t bought a computer game in a long time. Long story, but I was sort of saving up for Civ IV - since it’s the type of game I enjoy. So now I have cash to burn and a mad hunger for a new PC game.
>
> So (finally he gets to the point!) what game should I get to replace my Civ IV which wouldn’t work?
>
> Suggestions? I’ve thought about Rome: Total War, or Age of Empires, or just buying another copy of Civ III? Help dopers!
>
> - Peter Wiggen
Have you ever played _Europa Universalis II_? I’d give it a try; still gets updated from time to time by the programmer, has a great forum with lots of ongoing commentary, a VERY supportive MP community with lots of available games, and can’t be beat for the elegance and intricacy of the play. Graphics are kinda lame, but only cause they are based on the old Boardgame of the same name. 🙂
---
### Author:  [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2005, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/3 "2005-10-28T03:56:21Z")
Another vote for **EU2** here (says an **EU2** support forum mod!). I also enjoyed **Total War - Rome** \* a lot\*.
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### Author:  [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2005, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/4 "2005-10-28T04:15:03Z")
Rome Total War is one of the best RTS games ever, and has some very strong ‘civ style’ elements.
If you want a turn based game, see if you can track down a copy of Alpha Centauri, you will not be disapointed.
If you’d like to get a very decent pure RTS game, try to pick up a bargain bin copy of Dawn of War, you should be able to get your hands on it for twenty bucks, tops.
---
### Author:  [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2005, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/5 "2005-10-28T04:24:27Z")
Sigh, getting my copy of [Civ IV](http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/civilizationiv/review.html?sid=6136659) tomorrow, and I pray to Og that it works on my laptop or tabletop.
Anywho, I also recommend [Rome: Total War](http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/rometotalwar/index.html?q=rome) which also just released a pretty neat expansion, [Rome: Total War Barbarian Invasion](http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/rometotalwarexpansion/index.html?q=barbarian).
Also recently picked up [Empire Earth II](http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/empireearth2/index.html?q=empire%20earth), which has been ok so far, but doesn’t have the scope of either of the above.
Haven’t played [Age of Empires III](http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/ageofempiresiii/index.html?q=age%20of%20empires), yet but it looks kinda neat.
---
### Author:  [@Bob\_Loblaw\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Loblaw_1)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2005, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/6 "2005-10-28T04:46:42Z")
and it is mind boggelingly slow. The graphics are different, not better. So what I’ve got is a game that is really slow and I haven’t figured out yet.
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### Author:  [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2005, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/7 "2005-10-28T04:47:57Z")
Alpha Centauri.
I’ve played 'em all from Colonization through Civ III. If you care about gameplay, Alpha Centauri is the best. It took Civ II to the next level. Everything since has either been improvement on graphics or interface but has completely failed to improve on the enjoyment level of Civ II or Alpha Centauri.
Graphics are nice. So are neato interface doodads. But I play games for the substantive gameplay enjoyment. I’ll take a fun ugly game over a beautiful boring game anyday.
---
### Author:  [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2005, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/8 "2005-10-28T05:09:44Z")
> [@Bob Loblaw](#):
>
> and it is mind boggelingly slow. The graphics are different, not better. So what I’ve got is a game that is really slow and I haven’t figured out yet.
Seriously. I tried it out this afternoon at my friend’s place (and it works on his 9800 Pro), and that is without a doubt one of the slowest games I’ve ever played. Sitting there for minutes on end mashing the end turn button waiting for things to finish just to get a prompt for what we’d like to go for during the next mash-a-thon. After a boring 90 minutes we loaded up Unreal Tournament 2004. Now that has gameplay.
---
### Author:  [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2005, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/9 "2005-10-28T05:59:12Z")
Thanks for the suggestions guys. Seeing as how I was blowing about 70 bucks on Civ IV and the Civ IV Strategy Guide, I’ve decided on the following:
Rome: Total War
AND Alpha Centauri
AND Europa Universalis II
(All ordered used off of amazon).
So looks like in a couple of days I’ll check out for a couple of years. Oh well, who really needs to get 1000 posts a year or whatever?
Anyways … THANKS!
- Peter Wiggen
---
### Author:  [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2005, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/10 "2005-10-28T08:35:58Z")
I have a thing for WWII and contemporary First Person Shooters/Sims, so [WWII: Panzer Claws](http://www.gamestats.com/objects/017/017197/) appealed to me. Maybe it’s what you are looking for?
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### Author:  [@ROU\_Dirty\_Only\_if\_Done\_Right](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ROU_Dirty_Only_if_Done_Right)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2005, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/11 "2005-10-28T09:45:11Z")
> [@PeterWiggen](#):
>
> Hello there dopers —
>
> Frustrated previous owner of Civ IV here - that’s right, I said previous - because I’ve taken that thing back to the store. Oh I want to play it! I get green with envy and purple with frustration when I read all the good reviews and see how many people are enjoying it. But when I put it on I get the black land of death (on both of my computers) - and I’m sick of installing and rolling back drivers and turning off graphics / etc. ☹
> **Snip**
>
> - Peter Wiggen
Incidently there is a semi-official fix to this problem here.
[http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=140859](http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=140859)
---
### Author:  [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2005, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/12 "2005-10-31T04:53:25Z")
> [@PeterWiggen](#):
>
> AND Europa Universalis II
Good stuff! Especially if you like deep historical gameplay you’ll be in clover. Apply patch 1.08 for sure; we have semi- and un-official post 1.08 patches, and lots of user mods available. Do drop by [the forums](http://www.europa-universalis.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=51) for anything you might want to chat about.
---
### Author:  [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2005, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/13 "2005-10-31T07:26:20Z")
> [@PeterWiggen](#):
>
> Thanks for the suggestions guys. Seeing as how I was blowing about 70 bucks on Civ IV and the Civ IV Strategy Guide, I’ve decided on the following:
>
> Rome: Total War
> AND Alpha Centauri
> AND Europa Universalis II
>
> (All ordered used off of amazon).
>
> So looks like in a couple of days I’ll check out for a couple of years. Oh well, who really needs to get 1000 posts a year or whatever?
>
> Anyways … THANKS!
>
> - Peter Wiggen
Ahh good old Alpha Centauri I found it far more enjoyable then Civ III when it came out. If you like Rome: Total War you might want to check out Medieval Total War. The major difference is that the world map plays more like a board game moving from tile to tile instead of actually having to march your units from city to city. Even though I have Rome and its expansion pack I still fire up Medieval Viking Invasion from time to time.
---
### Author:  [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/14 "2005-10-31T14:55:40Z")
> [@ROU Dirty Only if Done Right](#):
>
> Incidently there is a semi-official fix to this problem here.
>
> [http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=140859](http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=140859)
The black land of death described by the OP is, as I understand it, due to the graphics card lacking hardware T&L. This is different from the renderer error described here. I could be all wrong though, as I still don’t have the game (curse you Amazon!).
To the OP: Be sure to check out the Alpha Centauri has an expansion pack, Alien Crossfire.
---
### Author:  [@Shadez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shadez)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2005, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/15 "2005-10-31T17:18:33Z")
> [@Terminus Est](#):
>
> The black land of death described by the OP is, as I understand it, due to the graphics card lacking hardware T&L. This is different from the renderer error described here. I could be all wrong though, as I still don’t have the game (curse you Amazon!).
The black land of death can be counteracted by going to worldbuilder and telling it you want to see all the land from the start. On regular zoom level it is kind of dark, however if you zoom out it gets brighter.
Obviously I only consider this a temporary solution.
---
### Author:  [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/16 "2005-10-31T17:24:39Z")
[Rise of Nations](http://www.microsoft.com/games/riseofnations/) is MicroSoft’s answer to Civilization. I, myself, love nuking the crap out of my neighbors.
This game is sort of Civ and AoE mixed up with both turn based and real time aspects.
---
### Author:  [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/17 "2005-10-31T17:59:15Z")
A computer version of Avalon Hill’s [Diplomacy](http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/diplomacy2005/index.html?q=diplomacy) was released earlier this month.
---
### Author:  [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2005, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/18 "2005-10-31T21:08:35Z")
> [@Askance](#):
>
> Good stuff! Especially if you like deep historical gameplay you’ll be in clover. Apply patch 1.08 for sure; we have semi- and un-official post 1.08 patches, and lots of user mods available. Do drop by [the forums](http://www.europa-universalis.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=51) for anything you might want to chat about.
I know who _I_ am over there; same as here. Who are you over there? I love finding out that people I know from one board are people I know from another board! 😃
---
### Author:  [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2005, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/19 "2005-11-01T04:59:24Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#):
>
> I know who _I_ am over there; same as here. Who are you over there? I love finding out that people I know from one board are people I know from another board! 😃
I completely failed to realise why your _nom de net_ here was so familiar. Huh.
My ID over there is a bit unencrypted for my liking, but too late to change: I’m the moderator of the EU2 Bug Reporting forum who isn’t **kurtbrian** or **Carolus Rex**. I also work in the EU2 Tech Support forum there, and am a beta tester on the **Diplomacy** game that **Lute Skywatcher** mentioned a couple of posts ago.
---
### Author:  [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2005, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-game-to-replace-civ-iv/328216/20 "2005-11-01T05:18:44Z")
I would love to play Alpha Centauri, but it absolutely refuses to work with my graphics card. It’s been so long that I don’t remember what the error was, but it refuses to play nicely with a GeForce2 GTS. The game won’t even run.
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