Civilization IV is out... See you next spring

Well, I was afraid of this. Civilization IV is out, and I got hooked again. It's unlikely that I'll be able to do anything constructive until I get sick of the game. That should be sometime in the spring. Pity me.

Just to be clear, I realize I'm somewhat susceptible to the lure of Civilization games. I got hooked by both Civ 1 and Civ 2, and had one hell of a time getting clean. Somehow, I managed to completely miss Civ 3, but I suspect I would have been hooked by it too.

If you are looking for a slam-bam action game, or something with stunning graphics, or even something that is up-to-date, you will be disappointed. The graphics are a throwback to the nineties, the entire game is turn-based, and the game engine is mind-numbingly slow. In fact, by most of the usual standards for judging games, Civ IV would get extremely low ratings.

There is, however, an overriding factor that always makes a Civ game worth playing. The gameplay is probably one of the most seductive things you can do to a geek who leans toward megalomania... as all geeks do. This version is no different.

I've barely scratched the surface on how this game is played, and I'm already getting addicted. I've wasted 10 hours of my life on two games played at the simplest level, and won by the simplest means. I shudder when I think about what is in store for me.

If anyone knows the name of a good video game rehab clinic, please drop me a line.

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