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Author Topic:   Call to Power

Rong posted 02-26-99 01:01 PM ET
Don't get me wrong, I love SMAC and I can't stop playing it. But you have to admit, the crimson Planet does lack some aesthetic appeal, perhaps only to the human eyes so used to the home world. Now I've just read through GameSpot's preview on Civilization: Call to Power (http://www.gamespot.com/features/ctp/index.html), boy, did I miss the sunny meadows. I'll probably buy it too when it comes out in mid-March, if only for the greener pastures.
Just wondering if anyone else shares the same sentiment.

Deadron posted 02-26-99 01:06 PM ET
Given that I've posted a lot of complaints repeatedly, I should reiterate the positives too:
I think that overall the landscape is great. It might be a little overly darkish or a little overly red, but these would be minor tweaks. This is an alien planet, it looks alien, the 3D aspect is done very well (especially the Garland Crater).
Utrecht posted 02-26-99 01:52 PM ET
Is it just me or are the Forums on Call to Power Broken?
I would like to find some sort of active message board where the CTP zealots can speak about thier game. I am considering buying it (up from hell no!) but want to hear/see a little more before I upset my wife with another game purchase.
Scrubby posted 02-26-99 01:55 PM ET
Yup, I'm with you there Rong. I wish there was a palette switch on the terrain and critter editor. Could you imagine the customizations then? Arrakis, Hoth, Dagobah, etc. etc. Is this stirring anyone else up?
Fenris posted 02-26-99 02:01 PM ET
check the downloads secton, Firaxis has just posted alternative palletes. Personally, I'm not going to try them, Chiron looks alien and I like it that way!
MrSparkle posted 02-26-99 02:20 PM ET
I went over to check out gamespot's preview of CTP with a totally open mind, but I simply was not impressed.
Gamespot's preview may be off-base, but I doubt it. CTP seems to be almost identical to Civ2, except in some areas the preview points out that "such-and-such feature is now even EASIER to use."
That last statement was repeated over and over again in the preview, and that just doesn't sit well with me. Strategy games are not toasters; after a certain point a game's ease of use is of secondary import. I really enjoy SMAC, and I'll be the first to grant that it is largely unchanged from Civ2, but it is at least *somewhat* of a departure from it. Call to Power just ain't doing it for me right now. I may have to eat those words, but I doubt it highly.
Scrubby posted 02-26-99 02:25 PM ET
I think Activision have extrapolated the wrong things to "improve" in Civ. The water bases and the extension of time to the year 3000 was a good idea... However, unit diversity is just plain silly. I think I echo an earlier post when I say any game that has me building lawyer units to sue other cities to stop production is just... dumb! My other, more pressing, problem with CTP is that CIV III is not necessary. SMAC logically extends the game but even it is a deadend, this game model is refined and nearly perfected by SMAC but anymore changes and you will have a new game on your hands, one that isn't Civ.
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Author	Topic: Call to Power
Rong	posted 02-26-99 01:01 PM ET Don't get me wrong, I love SMAC and I can't stop playing it. But you have to admit, the crimson Planet does lack some aesthetic appeal, perhaps only to the human eyes so used to the home world. Now I've just read through GameSpot's preview on Civilization: Call to Power (http://www.gamespot.com/features/ctp/index.html), boy, did I miss the sunny meadows. I'll probably buy it too when it comes out in mid-March, if only for the greener pastures. Just wondering if anyone else shares the same sentiment.
Deadron	posted 02-26-99 01:06 PM ET Given that I've posted a lot of complaints repeatedly, I should reiterate the positives too: I think that overall the landscape is great. It might be a little overly darkish or a little overly red, but these would be minor tweaks. This is an alien planet, it looks alien, the 3D aspect is done very well (especially the Garland Crater).
Utrecht	posted 02-26-99 01:52 PM ET Is it just me or are the Forums on Call to Power Broken? I would like to find some sort of active message board where the CTP zealots can speak about thier game. I am considering buying it (up from hell no!) but want to hear/see a little more before I upset my wife with another game purchase.
Scrubby	posted 02-26-99 01:55 PM ET Yup, I'm with you there Rong. I wish there was a palette switch on the terrain and critter editor. Could you imagine the customizations then? Arrakis, Hoth, Dagobah, etc. etc. Is this stirring anyone else up?
Fenris	posted 02-26-99 02:01 PM ET check the downloads secton, Firaxis has just posted alternative palletes. Personally, I'm not going to try them, Chiron looks alien and I like it that way!
MrSparkle	posted 02-26-99 02:20 PM ET I went over to check out gamespot's preview of CTP with a totally open mind, but I simply was not impressed. Gamespot's preview may be off-base, but I doubt it. CTP seems to be almost identical to Civ2, except in some areas the preview points out that "such-and-such feature is now even EASIER to use." That last statement was repeated over and over again in the preview, and that just doesn't sit well with me. Strategy games are not toasters; after a certain point a game's ease of use is of secondary import. I really enjoy SMAC, and I'll be the first to grant that it is largely unchanged from Civ2, but it is at least somewhat of a departure from it. Call to Power just ain't doing it for me right now. I may have to eat those words, but I doubt it highly.
Scrubby	posted 02-26-99 02:25 PM ET I think Activision have extrapolated the wrong things to "improve" in Civ. The water bases and the extension of time to the year 3000 was a good idea... However, unit diversity is just plain silly. I think I echo an earlier post when I say any game that has me building lawyer units to sue other cities to stop production is just... dumb! My other, more pressing, problem with CTP is that CIV III is not necessary. SMAC logically extends the game but even it is a deadend, this game model is refined and nearly perfected by SMAC but anymore changes and you will have a new game on your hands, one that isn't Civ.