New review of Civ III:Conquests at IGN

[Slax]

A new review has been posted at IGN. Look at this link:

http://pc.ign.com/articles/457/457522p1.html

Have fun!

[korn469]

In addition to the unique units for the new civs, there are nine new units available to all players. An early naval unit that doesn't require resources can help you scout out your coastline, while a late era anti-tank unit (also not requiring any resources) can shift the weight towards the defensive player. There are some small tweaks to most of the existing units in the game as well. For the most part, these changes are fairly minor but the new defensive first strike capability of musketeers and the enslavement potential of some of the naval units definitely change the pace of the game. Bombers can now destroy ships through bombardment and submarines can choose which unit to attack when going up against a stack of enemies. Both these additions make these units much more effective than they were previously

defensive first strike? i bet that means zero range bombardment...
nine new units
1. curagh(sp?)
2. trebuchet
3. tow infantry
4. modern marines
5. modern paratroopers
6. tow infantry
7. anti-aircraft
8. ???
9. ???

Beyond that, the team has addressed a number of smaller issues that have a profound effect on the pace of the game. You can clear forests now in half the time it used to take, for instance. On the other hand, the maximum research time has been increased from 40 to 50 years. Players who rely on that 40-turn ceiling will find themselves falling farther and farther behind now. (Although, if it's taking you 40 turns, there are plenty of other problems to be dealt with.) Hurrying production is now 50% more expensive than it was before, making those rush jobs much more costly

hmmmm...i'm not sure if i like these changes or not, especially the 50% hurry, but i'm looking forward to conquests

[alva]

Sounded like a well balanced and fair review.

[Doc Tsiolkovski]

Sounds good. Well- informed, and clearly written by someone who knows and understands the game (though it looks like he didn't play every single Conquest, but Hey, he does focus on the Epic Game anyway). And it gives away a surprising amount of information.
The only thing that seems strange is that it gets nearly the same score as ptw, but in the hindsight I guess the ptw score was too good...

Did you notice the Republic part btw? Do you have any idea how much this will change the Gov choices ?

[Stuie]

Originally posted by korn469

nine new units
1. curagh(sp?)
2. trebuchet
3. tow infantry
4. modern marines
5. modern paratroopers
6. tow infantry
7. anti-aircraft
8. ???
9. ???

Looks like you need more question marks. He may be including the Ancient Cavalry and Crusader units that are produced by wonders (Zeus and Knights Templar respectively).

I thought this was interesting too...

The English and Carthaginians are seafaring people now, while the Celts and Iroquois are agricultural.

And Fall of Rome lost even more of whatever appeal it had left, seeing as you cannot play either Roman faction. Boring. Oh well, Rise of Rome sounds very cool.

Good review from someone who seems to have put in a lot of time playing Civ over the years. Now back to waiting.

[Stuie]

Originally posted by Doc Tsiolkovski
Did you notice the Republic part btw? Do you have any idea how much this will change the Gov choices ?

Ah, you mean this:

Republican governments will find it much harder to wage war now as their unit support cost has been doubled. That's right, doubled. While it sounds harsh, it definitely helps emphasize the distinction between the warmongering governments and the more peaceful ones.

I already modded Republic to have double support costs, and it's still the best government.

[Fried-Psitalon]

I think you may find Republic's dominance of the governments to be at an end.

[Saint Marcus]

And Fall of Rome lost even more of whatever appeal it had left, seeing as you cannot play either Roman faction.

To the Editor!

[Fried-Psitalon]

Originally posted by Fried-Psitalon
I think you may find Republic's dominance of the governments to be at an end.

RE: Fall Of Rome and playing Rome - when you see the scenario, you'll understand why the "Romes" were made unplayable.

[Chronus]

Republican governments will find it much harder to wage war now as their unit support cost has been doubled. That's right, doubled. While it sounds harsh, it definitely helps emphasize the distinction between the warmongering governments and the more peaceful ones.

Hmmm . . .

Well, I'm no expert but, considering the fact that I'm a peaceful builder . . . will this further my cause by forcing warmongers to use the warmonging govs (and, thus, reducing their research)?

Or will it only penalize the peace-builders by forcing them to use a war government (to maintain a large military) in a game that is ultimately won by the civ with the largest military?

[Stuie]

Originally posted by Fried-Psitalon
RE: Fall Of Rome and playing Rome - when you see the scenario, you'll understand why the "Romes" were made unplayable.

I understand from reading the review why they are not playable. I'm just saying that's not what I'm interested in; everything I've seen about this particular conquest has just been disappointing.

As for Republic, I hope you're right; having one government that works (or can be made to work) for everything diminishes from an otherwise enjoyable game.

@Saint Marcus - let me know if you want any help with your Fall of Rome scenario. I'd be happy to playtest or collaborate or whatever. You can PM me if you're interested.

[Kaos XIII]

Finally, a glimpse of the long-awaited Napoleonic Scenario.

However, it appears northern Egypt has been left off. What's up with that???

[littlechief]

Legions can also build roads - do you know if this will just be in scenarios or the regular game. That would be huge in the regular game.

[Panag]

hi ,

dont forget to take a look at the screenshot thread , loads of new info there , way more then in the preview

link below in sig

enjoy

have a nice day

[TechWins]

defensive first strike? i bet that means zero range bombardment...

That could really add some complexity to battles, especially with modding.

This part

An early naval unit that doesn't require resources can help you scout out your coastline

Depending on where this unit is on the tech chart this could play a big impact on the game I think. Already discovering the map is way too easy, so I don't like the idea of that. However, if the trireme (is that what it's still called in Civ3 lol?) requires a resource to be built, then I might like this idea. I'm thinkin this is definitely going to be something that could be great for modding, because I don't think the Civ3 team will balance this right. The modding part of it is still good, though.

Hopefully this

Communist leaders can now create a Secret Police headquarters that acts as a second Forbidden Palace.

entices more civs to play as a Communism. However, will the AI now when to properly become a Communism (i.e. large military, spread out civ)?

I don't think I like this at all

As far as agriculture goes, it's really great when combined with the short-lived advantages of the expansionist trait.

I'll probably just wind up turning off civ traits if I think it's even more unbalanced, and I think it's unbalanced enough as it is.

I'd prob say more, but I gotta get going. Overall, I think this expansion pack will only be good if a lot more options are given in the editor, else I don't think it's going to serve that much purpose to me, since I don't play scenarios very often.

[ixnay]

I like what I read. Lots of good-sounding stuff in the game.

[Louis XXIV]

Originally posted by TechWins

Quote:

defensive first strike? i bet that means zero range bombardment...

That could really add some complexity to battles, especially with modding.

It already exists. But they are probably using it to make Musketeers better.

Quote:

An early naval unit that doesn't require resources can help you scout out your coastline

This part Depending on where this unit is on the tech chart this could play a big impact on the game I think. Already discovering the map is way too easy, so I don't like the idea of that. However, if the trireme (is that what it's still called in Civ3 lol?) requires a resource to be built, then I might like this idea. I'm thinkin this is definitely going to be something that could be great for modding, because I don't think the Civ3 team will balance this right. The modding part of it is still good, though.

The Curragh is available with Alphabet. My guess is that the Galley (not Trireme) won't require resources. Map Trading has been pushed back to Navigation, so it will take longer before the entire map is explored.

Quote:

Communist leaders can now create a Secret Police headquarters that acts as a second Forbidden Palace.

Hopefully this entices more civs to play as a Communism. However, will the AI now when to properly become a Communism (i.e. large military, spread out civ)?

I hope so

I don't think I like this at all

Quote:

As far as agriculture goes, it's really great when combined with the short-lived advantages of the expansionist trait.

I'll probably just wind up turning off civ traits if I think it's even more unbalanced, and I think it's unbalanced enough as it is.

Agricultural civs get an extra food in their center square (but you won't notice it until you get a better government because of the Despotism penalty), if you are next to water, you will get that extra 1 food from start, though. Irrigated Desert squares produce more food the normal. And you get cheaper Aquaducts, Recycling Centers, and Solar Plants.

I don't think it is too unbalanced. Besides, the Inca (Agricultural, Expansionist) have a fairly poor uu.

[TechWins]

It already exists. But they are probably using it to make Musketeers better.

Yeah I know it exists, but can it be used the way this review is describing it? Does it work right now where if you have a bombard strength above 0 and a range of 0 when you get attacked you first use your bombard ability then it goes into the real battle? I've never tried or even though about that before.

The Curragh is available with Alphabet. My guess is that the Galley (not Trireme) won't require resources. Map Trading has been pushed back to Navigation, so it will take longer before the entire map is explored.

Yeah, I haven't played much Civ3 lately, and I remember everything by Civ2 still. I made the same change to my Civ3 game where map trading is pushed back to Navigation and same goes with the Communications switch. I thought it was cool Civ3 is doing this, since I'm already doing it in my games anyways. Even with the change the map is still explored very rapidly. Now adding a unit that comes even earlier than the Galley will only make it come faster for the map being explored, especially if the Curragh (you say it is) has a 3 movement. I'm anticipating that the Curragh won't be able to transport any units, but when the Galley becomes available you'll know exactly where to expand to overseas. This will only mean that overseas imperialism will come sooner in the game, and I personally don't think that will improve gameplay. I'm almost positive I'm going to change around the Curragh and Galley.

I don't think it is too unbalanced.

Agricultural is an awesome trait to have I think. Maybe to good. Also, with the rate increase from Industrious being decreased I think the Americans (and any other Civ that may be Expansionist and Industrious (I don't have them all memorized) ) with at a huge disadvantage. Well, for me at least, because I like to play on random type maps. When you are placed on a smaller island with another nation your Expanionist trait is nearly useless. A lot of times this happens to me. This why I believe I'll eventually be turning off the specific Civ-traits. Btw, I typically only play with the Americans, or I randomize my Civ.

[Louis XXIV]

nine new units
1. curagh(sp?)
2. trebuchet
3. tow infantry
4. modern marines
5. modern paratroopers
6. tow infantry
7. anti-aircraft
8. ???
9. ???

I know there are:

Curraghs
Trebuchets
TOW Infantry
Flak Cannons
Mobile SAMS
Modern Paratroopers
Ancient Cavalry (produced with the Statue of Zeus)
Crusaders (Knights templar)

That's 8, so you might be right about Modern Marines.

[sabrewolf]

For the Roman player, whose Legions can also build roads, you can develop a fairly convenient road network relatively early in the game without sacrificing your military development

wow, i really like this idea. it may slow down your attack slightly, but you can send your first units building the roads while the other units are still being built! great idea

edit: oops, i just saw this has been said before

[Panag]

hi ,

for more info like air regiments and such , visit the picture thread , link below in sig

have a nice day

[publius]

my guess is the ninth unit is a cruiser, added to the main game from the ww2 scenario because it will have anti-air ability. otherwise with the strengthened naval bombard you won't have a good defense until aegis, which is very late.

[Saint Marcus]

@Saint Marcus - let me know if you want any help with your Fall of Rome scenario. I'd be happy to playtest or collaborate or whatever. You can PM me if you're interested.

always. check your PM inbox.

[Panag]

Originally posted by publius
my guess is the ninth unit is a cruiser, added to the main game from the ww2 scenario because it will have anti-air ability. otherwise with the strengthened naval bombard you won't have a good defense until aegis, which is very late.

hi ,

well we shall have one huge advantage now , we can just take all these units from the scenario's and put them into one big super game , .....

WHO - AAH

have a nice day

[SirOsis]

Still no mention on how the multiplayer is. Are we going to be able to play the conquests multiplayer even if there are only 8 civs and how will that work?