**New Civ2 MGE Graphics Now Available**

[ravinhood]

AC rates a 90 as well. It's its own game type and style, though using the Civilization engine, I like the way it allows you to play it so many different ways. Like the unknown advancement through the tech trees, you pick an area instead of a specific tech, this adds lots of randomness to the game along with the excellent diplomacy and the excellent ability to design your own troups and vehicles (love this part the most).

Might just as well add "Master of Magic" which also uses the Civilization engine in a fantasy setting, even after all these years nothing has come along with the depth and randomness and enjoyement of MOM. Not even HOMM or Age of Wonders can touch it's excellent design, the AI could use some help, but, heh, have you played the latest AOW:SM edition that AI needs a LOT of help, worst AI in a fantasy game I've seen in awhile. And of the HOMM series I still like II the best, you could adjust the AI in that game from easy to extremely hard, the HOMM III AI did not have this feature where you could adjust EACH AI individually. Just like in AOW origional, it was the best of it's series because you could give the AI different "traits" where in the latest models they all have one type of personality and it's really stupid at that.

It really has never seemed to fail over the years of sequels to most games even with the Civilization series, HOMM, Age of Wonders and many of the rest of the other games out there, when they try to add MORE FLUFF, they end up screwing up the game that many came to love and enjoy. MOO III was a disaster. HOMM IV wasn't impressive, AOW:SM is dull and boring (graphics are great though lol), Civilization III isn't as entertaining as CIV II. Personally I think sequels should stop at II, I haven't seen many that were better after sequel II, just milking the donkey after that is mostly what I see. I will say that Warlords III was my favorite of that series (A III that was actually pretty good), but, Warlords IV suks.

Funny though, I'd really think I'd like to see a DIABLO III, I've enjoyed both series of that game, I think because it's simple to play, and is an excellent hack n slash with a bunch of neat stuff to build your character up with from traits to specialized loot which I don't think anyone would see it all in a lifetime. Something I would wish for out of a Diablo III would be more "random maps" along with random monsters, sort of an almost never ending world of random maps and creatures and a random level boss every so many levels of experience and you don't get to Diablo until you reach level 99 this time around. heh But, the ending would need to be spectacular for that kind of effort, really something inline with the ending of Dungeon Siege, I was astounded by the ending of Dungeon Siege, never expected it and it was the grandest finale of any rpg I've ever played. If you've never seen the end of Dungeon Siege you really should get that game (probably really cheap now) and experience it.

[Warfare1]

ravinhood:

I certainly agree with your comments.

The diplomacy with the AI players in Alpha Centauri sometimes made you feel like you were actually dealing with real people... Some of those AI characters were pretty crafty... you never really knew what they were up to... heh

As to games in general:

It's almost as if a game series reaches a game design and version that is good, functional and enjoyable, but beyond which (in later versions), loses a great deal that made the earlier versions fun, playable, and entertaining.

In addition to those games you mentioned above, I could also add Warcraft. I still enjoy playing Warcraft II. The graphics aren't top-notch, but there is a real charm and character and playability in the game that seems to be lost in Warcraft III (with 3D).

Same with Panzer General II. Here is a game that could have had it all, if only SSI had improved upon this version of the game. I love the maps, units, battles, etc. Pity, that there is no game currently being made that is similar to PG2. I would like to see an improved PG2 which has bigger maps, a strategy map, naval warfare (like Pacific General), and an event system (like Civ2), etc...

And I still prefer the 2D art in The Age of kings over the 3D stuff that is all the rage... The 2D looked so natural...

[Home40]

Actually, to answer my own question - the game's a classic and virtually bug-free as far as I can tell.

[rhondabrwn]

I also agree completely with Ravinhood's comments.

I just can't get in to CIV III - nothing specific, just the "feel" seems less crisp to me and the extra animation just bogs things down further. After hundreds and hundreds of hours in CIV II, I still feel like I've barely scratched the surface of the game's potential. Discovering all of the improved graphics and scenarios out there to be downloaded, just totally revitalized it for me once again.

It's all about the game, not the eye candy. Which is why Operational Art of War and similar games of that era continue to have a following. I actually find the flashy graphics in KP and BiN to be rather distracting. My most memorable computer wargaming experiences continue to be the old Talonsoft Battleground series plus Operational Art of War scenarios. The sun has risen many a morning on an all-night Gettysburg campaign as a sleepless mom made sure my boys were up to catch the school bus. Civ II is in the same category of time-suspending fascination.

[Warfare1]

PC Gamer magazine in 2005 rated Civ 2 the third most popular game in history.

It has to be one of the most versatile games ever created. A person can create a WWII scenario, then turn arund and make a RPG scenario set in a fantasy world.

I think there is a reason why Strategic Command 2 looks a lot like Civ 2 graphically. In addition SC2 is using almost the same type of event system.

Speaking of fantasy scenarios. Here is a link to a Lord of the Rings Trilogy set of Civ 2 scenarios by Favoured Flight. These three scenarios have become a true classic.

Journey to the land of Moria and Kaza-Doom...

Download them here:

http://www.favfly.fsworld.co.uk/addons.html

[SeaMonkey]

So Warfare what can you tell about the Civ2 event engine?

I am an avid player and scenario designer of SC and would appreciate an "heads up" on the configuration.

Actually, I was hoping it would be like Norm's TOAW.

[Warfare1]

ORIGINAL: SeaMonkey

So Warfare what can you tell about the Civ2 event engine?

I am an avid player and scenario designer of SC and would appreciate an "heads up" on the configuration.

Actually, I was hoping it would be like Norm's TOAW.

In addition to working on the graphics for Civ2, I have also been studying the event system within the game engine.

It is a simple Macro language that is extremely powerful. In many ways it is far more powerful and versatile than that in TOAW. This type of event system can be used quite well for making up for most deficiencies in the actions of the AI.

Sid Meier broke the mold with this very simple, but effective event system that seems capable of almost anything. This simple system does not seem to have been improved upon almost 9 years later.

When I first heard that SC2 was going to have an event system similar to Civ2 I was very happy. For the first time wargamers are going to have a very good way to design scenarios that will allow for some truly unique ideas and tough challenges.

Since I have learned to use the Civ2 event system I can take almost any scenario created by others and make it as tough as I want in single player. Time and time again I have been beaten by the AI!

An example of the way this event system can be used is found in the Civ2 scenario Red Front v1.5 by Colwyn, which can be downloaded in one of the above posts. In single player it is an extremely tough and challenging scenario.

As for the Civ2 event system itself:

Not only will the event system within Civ2 allow for triggering certain dates and text to popup, but it will also allow for determining diplomacy between civs, having random and fixed units appear whenever the scenario designer wants, having terrain change, having civs disappear, have new music play during the scenario, creating units during the scenario, having unique units appear, having the taking of cities trigger certain events (such as historical events or allow for the introduction of money, units, etc for a particular civ), etc, etc...

The possibilities are almost limitless...

What this means for wargamers is that scenario designers in SC2 will have at their finger-tips an extremeley unique and challenging event system that will provide for truly unique and endless replayability that will provide that tough challenge we all want in single player.

[SeaMonkey]

Sounds exciting, thanks Warfare.

Now about that SC2 event engine, where did you here it would resemble the one in Civ2?

[Warfare1]

ORIGINAL: SeaMonkey

Sounds exciting, thanks Warfare.

Now about that SC2 event engine, where did you here it would resemble the one in Civ2?

This was always my impression based on comments by Hubert a long time ago at the Battlefront forums. He mentioned that there would be scripts and events that could be opened in notepad (same as in Civ2) and these could be modified. His plan was to have a very open, modible game system.

It has been quite some time since we have heard any real info about all of this, and things change, so it is anyone's guess as to the extent it will resemble Civ2's event system.

I am hoping for the best, but please don't accept my impressions as being written in stone [:)]

My impression is that SC2 will not only resemble Civ2 in appearance, but that it will be just as modifiable.

From the SC2 FAQ:

Can I create my own custom campaigns, and/or worlds with the SC2 Editor?

Yes, in fact, the exact same editor has been used to build all the default campaigns for SC2. In general, there may exist some natural limitations tied to the game engine, after all it has to at least make sense for a WWII grand strategy game, but other than that the only limitation really is your imagination. With the editor you will be able to change unit and country names, edit unit combat values, create custom alliances, custom maps, set weather zones, edit terrain, resource and unit placements, customize research and diplomacy rules per country, edit/create any number of scripts that can control specialty items like convoys, lend-lease, annexation and surrender rules and much, much more. The sky really is the limit!

[Warfare1]

Here's a thread showing players returning to playing Civ2:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthrea ... ge=1&pp=20


Here is another extremely useful thread with lots of tips for playing Civ2:

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=96725

[ilovestrategy]

OMG!!!!! [X(] I was so happy to see this thread. I bought Civ II when it first came out and it has been my favorite ever since. I tried Civ 3 but it doesnt have the same feel of balance that CivII does. My favorite goverenment is the communists. Just put some troops in your cities and "teach" the citizens how to be content! [:D] And thanks for those new graphics! [&o]

[ravinhood]

I think if you notice the timeline in Civ III is faster than in Civ II also, so it seems like your rushing the whole game to get to that next tech. Plus as mentioned the AI just isn't aggressive enough in Civ III as it is in Civ II, even if you do only get 6 or 7 computer AI opponents. If Civ II just had some of the things Civ III had like more AI opponents and that resource trading feature that would be great enhancements to it, but, the rest they should have just left alone. Oh and those Heroes were pretty kewl in Civ III also. But, Civ II just still offers more overall, especially in the challenge level of the AI as far as war goes, maybe not as far as being overall challenging by the added cheats it gets in Civ III's highest difficulty.

[Bodhi]

After finally locating my CivII CD to do an install, I've found that the graphics file is no longer available from the URL supplied. Anyone kind enough to send me a copy? Thanks.

[Pippin]

Same with Panzer General II. Here is a game that could have had it all, if only SSI had improved upon this version of the game. I love the maps, units, battles, etc. Pity, that there is no game currently being made that is similar to PG2. I would like to see an improved PG2 which has bigger maps, a strategy map, naval warfare (like Pacific General), and an event system (like Civ2), etc...

Aye, the last two PG versions were so bugged, it was not very pretty. Life just sucks when you are trying to avoid certain maps in a campaign, etc, because otherwise you will face a locked up game and crash to desktop. And thanks for not even giving us a damn friggen patch that works right!

Gota love it when spin off titles hit the shelves...

As for Civ, I finally was able to uninstall it. I won't be re-installing for a few more years. I've wasted too much time into it.

[Warfare1]

ORIGINAL: Bodhi

After finally locating my CivII CD to do an install, I've found that the graphics file is no longer available from the URL supplied. Anyone kind enough to send me a copy? Thanks.

Bodhi:

The download link is now working.

Please go to the first post in this thread and download the NEW graphics for Civ2.

This is now v1.1 - I altered the units file slightly.

[Bodhi]

Thanks Warfare1, got it.

[Warfare1]

Have fun!