Civilization Chronicles - Looks great!

[geneshifter]

Have you guys seen the Civ Chronicles coming out in October? Here's a linky:
http://www.civilization.com/chronicles/

I already have complete copies of all things Civ, but this collection is pretty sweet. Plus, you get a Civ card game, DVD behind-the-scenes, etc... I can't wait for this to come out. Priced at $59.99 would be better but that card game is gonna be fun I bet. :D

[geneshifter]

By the way, I just bought one of the things that I had missed all these years: Civ 2 the Collector's Edition. Here's a link to the auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&item=250024536374&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

It was apparently only released in the UK and I do not remembering hearing about it at all. Anyone else ever get one of these? The contents are old now but it finished out my collection that I had previously thought was complete.

[drewbrim]

Considering that I make Civilization 2 (multiplayer) my all time favorite game on any "top whatever no." list. I'm right there with you.

But how is that UK collectors edition any different than the Civ II gold edition here in the states? The scenarios are on a separate disc instead of all on one, but other than that everything looks the same.

[geneshifter]

Considering that I make Civilization 2 (multiplayer) my all time favorite game on any "top whatever no." list. I'm right there with you.

But how is that UK collectors edition any different than the Civ II gold edition here in the states? The scenarios are on a separate disc instead of all on one, but other than that everything looks the same.

Yes, that and the packaging are the only differences as far as I can tell. Still, it'll be a nice addition to me because, like you, I hold Civ 2 as one of the 3 best games of all time. I like all the games but Civ 2 was just so great. It's the only game I personally have ever played more than 2 hours at a time. I have actually sat in one spot and played games of Civ 2 for 6 hours. That is unheard of for me.

[Nature Boy]

The price seems kinda steep but since I don't yet own Civ IV and the card game seems like something I'd enjoy (I love board games) I think I'll pick it up.

What's "Test of Time" all about? I have the Civ II Gold Edition - does it contain TOT? I know it contains a bunch of scenarios but I've never heard of TOT before now.

Civ II is not only in my top 3, it's in my top 1. There is simply no video game that I've put as many hours into as I have Civ II. I don't have the time to sink into games like I used to, so getting used to Civ III and IV is something I haven't had the luxury of attempting. It's just so much easier to play Civ II again since I know it backwards and forwards :)

[blissfulnoise]

As a long time Civ player, I'll definately be picking this up.

It'll sit right next to my copy of Rome on 640K a Day.

[geneshifter]

What's "Test of Time" all about? I have the Civ II Gold Edition - does it contain TOT? I know it contains a bunch of scenarios but I've never heard of TOT before now.

That was a Microprose game that was released after the gold edition if I remember correctly. It was not officially an add on for Civ 2. I think there was some sort of digital rights argument going that resulted in this game. Wish I could remember :(

[geneshifter]

What's "Test of Time" all about? I have the Civ II Gold Edition - does it contain TOT? I know it contains a bunch of scenarios but I've never heard of TOT before now.

That was a Microprose game that was released after the gold edition if I remember correctly. It was not officially an add on for Civ 2. I think there was some sort of digital rights argument going that resulted in this game. Wish I could remember :(
Actually, I may be wrong about the official part. It was still developed by Microprose so maybe it was an official add on to Civ 2. It really wasn't one of my favorites to tell you the truth.

[drewbrim]

What's "Test of Time" all about? I have the Civ II Gold Edition - does it contain TOT? I know it contains a bunch of scenarios but I've never heard of TOT before now.

That was a Microprose game that was released after the gold edition if I remember correctly. It was not officially an add on for Civ 2. I think there was some sort of digital rights argument going that resulted in this game. Wish I could remember :(
Actually, I may be wrong about the official part. It was still developed by Microprose so maybe it was an official add on to Civ 2. It really wasn't one of my favorites to tell you the truth.

Test of time is/was the abortion of the Civ family (although an offical one). This release was basically a graphically enhanced and redesigned version of Civ II. The main difference being that if/when you landed on Alpha Centauri, you could then battle the Centaurians for supremecy of the new planet. Cool concept I guess but there was no reason to charge $40 for this nonsense. There were also a couple new scenarios if you chose to partake but I've always found these to be difficult because they renamed all the units and advances. So a granary is now a storehouse and the advance warrior code is now warcraft. So basically even if you're familiar with the game you have to play it with the chart by your side at all times.

[Nature Boy]

There were also a couple new scenarios if you chose to partake but I've always found these to be difficult because they renamed all the units and advances.

Was it the only Civ II regular expansion that did this? Because that's definitely included in the Gold Edition as well. I remember their being a "Mars" scenario that I thought was a cool idea but abandonded for the same reason - I'm too lazy to learn new names for everything :)

Surely I've won by going to Alpha Centauri though, and I don't recall ever having the option to fight anyone...

[drewbrim]

Again it's not an expansion so much as it is a remake of the same game with added content. Not all that different when comparing Super Mario All-stars to their NES counterparts. In the SNES versions you have the same games with a graphical (is that a word?) upgrade and the "Lost Levels" are the new content that has been added. In the same way Test of Time was Civ II with improved graphics and animations, while the new scenarios and the Alpha Centauri continuation are the added content.

For this to have been palatable they should've sold it as the Test of Time expansion and not as "The first new Civilization game sold in 3 years!"

[Synergy]

That's some sexy packaging. I just recently got the chance to play Cilvilization (yeah, I know. I suck), but I quickly got addicted to Civ IV once I went through the tutorial. Thanks for sharing this!

[THATinkjar]

Whoa - that collection looks awesome! It'll be a buy on day one for me, whenever that turns out to be. Seriously, Firaxis: give us a European release date already! Actually... just give us a European release full stop!

To get you guys in the mood... CivFanatics posted a "deleted scene" (read: part of an interview with Brian Reynolds, which ultimately wasn't used) from the included book. Have a read (http://www.civfanatics.com/interviews/CivChronicles_Brian_Reynolds.php).

[Mangar]

I love Civilization. My favourite game of all time. Hell, it's one of the few game series that i refused to Pirate. :D

But you are essentially paying 70$ for a Nice Box, a Card Game, and a 96 Page book. There is nothing new here, and generally nothing Civ fans don't already own. Not to mention that for "most" people, the Civ series is similar to say Madden in terms of playing past versions. You rarely go back to the older ones, once a new one is out.

They could have at least included Colonization and Alpha Centauri into the mix. Both standalone games, with no sequels or updated versions. Yet were both done by Sid, and are offshoots of the series. (Excellent ones at that)

[FantasiaWHT]

I love Civilization. My favourite game of all time. Hell, it's one of the few game series that i refused to Pirate. :D


Ironic, Civ IV is the only game I've ever had to "pirate"

Before you shoot me, I'm not a bad guy ;)

I bought the game and the damn thing will NOT RUN on any of my 2 laptops or desktop. It didn't like the fact that I have a CD burner on all three I guess... I tried getting rid of the DVD burning software, installing updates... I went through both the publisher and Microsoft to try to find an answer and nothing ever worked.

So I went and found a NO-CD hack. Works like a charm, but I can't install the patches and probably can't buy the expansion pack either, sigh... and I really wanted to play the barbarians! Maybe i'll do some more research into the underworld...

[Nature Boy]

I bought the game and the damn thing will NOT RUN on any of my 2 laptops or desktop. It didn't like the fact that I have a CD burner on all three I guess... I tried getting rid of the DVD burning software, installing updates... I went through both the publisher and Microsoft to try to find an answer and nothing ever worked.

You're not running Alcohol 120% or something similar, are you ? I've heard those games can cause some newer games to have fits.

Personally I don't think the No-CD hack is pirating at all. As a laptop owner I simply like playing the games I own without having to spin the CD and waste CD power. I wish they'd come up with other ways to prevent piracy personally.

[Nature Boy]

But you are essentially paying 70$ for a Nice Box, a Card Game, and a 96 Page book.

Not in my books I'm not. I don't actually own Civ IV yet, nor have I ever played the aforementioned Civ II spinoff.

When it comes to PC gaming I learned very early on that buying a game brand new makes no sense. If I wait a couple of years you can typically get the game plus a few expansions for cheaper than the game was brand new.

This isn't quite the same thing, but it's close. I think the collector inside of me is way too intriged by the book and the card game (i.e. good job Atari :) ).

[FantasiaWHT]

You're not running Alcohol 120% or something similar, are you ? I've heard those games can cause some newer games to have fits.

Personally I don't think the No-CD hack is pirating at all. As a laptop owner I simply like playing the games I own without having to spin the CD and waste CD power. I wish they'd come up with other ways to prevent piracy personally.

Not running anything weird at all, which is the sad part. Yeah, I don't really feel like a pirate, but it's probably the closest I'll ever come hehe.