My old comment was a joke at how the game was good because it didn't crash. Now that I have played a few games I can conclusively state a factual opinion. The game is slightly better than worse, 6/10.

Many other players have stated their love for the early game because of the wonder and choices you make. I feel the same way. The neolithic age is so unique to strategy games that I feel like it deserves a mention. The ancient, Classical, and Medieval era have cultures that can dramatically change how you play the game between the different eras. You can go growth heady in one era and then shift over to gold based play. But that is where my liking for the game ends.

When you get part of the way through the early modern era the game just feel like a battle between you and the game and not the other players. You really have to convince yourself to continue playing because it become drawn out, stupid, and boring. When you enter a new era the game brightens up for a while but then comes crashing down.

Something Else I would like to mention is that the game does a terrible job of teaching new players how to play effectively. I spend many games being confused as to why I was falling behind the AI after the ancient era and when I figured out, I squinted so hard because the game isn't designed around. hell there are achievement for doing the exact opposite so why??? I feel like many cultures, like the Khmer, are strangely overpowered compared to the others.

TL:DR The early game is fun and engaging but past that, go at your own peril.

6/10

My old comment was a joke at how the game was good because it didn't crash. Now that I have played a few games I can conclusively state a factual opinion. The game is slightly better than worse, 6/10. Many other players have stated their love for the early game because of the wonder and choices you make. I feel the same way. The neolithic age is so unique to strategy games that I feel like it deserves a mention. The ancient, Classical, and Medieval era have cultures that can dramatically change how you play the game between the different eras. You can go growth heady in one era and then shift over to gold based play. But that is where my liking for the game ends. When you get part of the way through the early modern era the game just feel like a battle between you and the game and not the other players. You really have to convince yourself to continue playing because it become drawn out, stupid, and boring. When you enter a new era the game brightens up for a while but then comes crashing down. Something Else I would like to mention is that the game does a terrible job of teaching new players how to play effectively. I spend many games being confused as to why I was falling behind the AI after the ancient era and when I figured out, I squinted so hard because the game isn't designed around. hell there are achievement for doing the exact opposite so why??? I feel like many cultures, like the Khmer, are strangely overpowered compared to the others. TL:DR The early game is fun and engaging but past that, go at your own peril. 6/10