Which Civilization should I get?

[Ladette]

People talk about Civ 5 eating into their nights, but I actually got a lot more engrossed in Civ 4 and continue to play it instead. I'd take 4 straight up over 5 even without the expansions and the cheaper price.

 

[Antari]

Civ4 has alot more to do, as well Civ5 is taking a bit of a new direction, more beginner friendly. But to me its not Civ. Besides Civ4 has Lenard Nemoy narrating... how can you go wrong?

 

[faefrost]

How much horsepower you have in your system may well effect your decision as well. Civ V is really pretty, but it runs like a dog on a middle of the road system. Civ IV runs wonderfully on almost anything.

 

[Darth Crater]

Get CIV (Civ 4, as opposed to Civ 5, which is "CiV"). Download the "Fall from Heaven 2" mod. Cancel your plans for the next month.

 

[Xanadu84]

I say Civ 5, because after Civ 5, stacking units and square tiles looks stupid.

 

[Avaholic03]

I say Civ 5, because after Civ 5, stacking units and square tiles looks stupid.

This.

I also prefer the simplicity of Civ 5. The earlier ones tried to do too much, and it seems to always end up imbalanced. Ultimately it is personal preference. I've definitely got used to the strategy involved with Civ 5 though. If only the AI was a little smarter...but that's what online play is for.

 

[Stammer]

Civilization V is definitely for beginners. I was basically introduced to the series with that game and it did a pretty good job. But there's a ton of flaws with it: namely the AI. You'll be pulling your hair out wondering why your best friend just stabbed you in the back and went to war with you. THEY won't tell you and the GAME certainly won't tell you.

Otherwise yeah, it's a lot simpler and the grid system is a lot more intuitive.

 

[Neverhoodian]

You should get "Civilization" by The Andrew Sisters. Uh, yeah, hurray for obscure 40's pop-tune reference.
Probably Civ 4?

It ain't that obscure anymore. It was one of many songs Fallout 3 used for their radio stations.

Back on-topic, I recently bought Civilization V and have been really enjoying it. It's the only Civ game I've played though, so I can't give you a comparison. If you do get Civ 5, you'll probably want to download a mod or two that addresses some of the issues the game has. For example, I would recommend the "What would Ghandi Do" mod, as it makes diplomacy a bit more forgiving. In the "vanilla" game, if you piss off one rival civ the other civs will start hating you as well. Before you know it, you're fighting four or five wars at once. The mod basically makes friendly or neutral civs more forgiving.

I keep hearing how Civ IV is regarded as the better title by vets, so I'll probably buy it later and try it out.