Today I just couldn't resist the cheap price for CtP II, and being a Civ games fan, I've bough it.
My first impressions were when I watched the intro video - I liked it a lot, and thought that this game isn't as bad as others speak it is. And then I started a game as the Jewish, with 8 enemies. Level was Beginner, to feel what the game tastes like.
In 6 hours of playing, the game didn't crash single time, what is a very good result. Next, I noticed the performace. I started playing CtP I with Pentium 166 MMX / 16 MB RAM, and it went SO SLOW, then UI upgraded the PC. But, CtP II seems to run even faster than CtP.
Another positive feeling is the fact they have included the Earth Map - I haven't yet seen it in details, but even if it's crude, it's Earh, after all. I believe this map is yet better than Civ I Earcth Map.
Combat system really is better, and the battles occur in real-time, also giving a handy retreat options.
I have gone up to the point of almost reaching Modern Age, all enemies are Ancient, 1 is annihilated, Germans have only one city remaining.
I like the Diplomatic options, as they are better than in the original CtP, but SMAC probably yet has it better, but these are quite close ones. Threats really work sometimes, especially when I'm figting a war on my own continent.
Interface was easy to transfer to, and I could quite quickly understand what to do in order to trade, swich government, etc. But, it was damned difficult to find out how do I change the squares that the city works on.
As in SMAC, borders are a very cute addition to the game, even though I think they should be a bit wider there.
I didn't like the new numbers, like attack of 25 for a Knight. This is for realistic combat purposes, but having played both original Civs and CtP I, I've used to keep in mind that 25 is a high, late-game attack value, not the one for a Tank.
I've scrolled through the Great Library to see how the units look, and have to admit that Fusion Tanks were better in CtP I.
Despite all, I miss space. I've never fought any serious wars in space, only a few minor battles, but I liked the idea of colonizing the Space. However, it's possible to live without it.
Units' speech seemed better in CtP I for me, at least those German phrases were good. Some of them, like Spies "Fur das Vaterland" and Leviathan's "Laden Fusionsvernichter" are yet deep in my memory.
Actually, it exceeded my expectations. I've heard so many players saying bad things about CtP II, that I though this isn't really good, but after the first hour or so I felt quite good and comfortable within it.
I've already noticed some of the bugs, but they're simply small annoying bugs, while ones in CtP I completely crashed the game often.
Worst of all, there's no PBEM, and according to post by MarkG, it will never come true.
But, overall, the impressions are so far more positive than negative, perhaps also because of the mere price I paid for it.
------------------
Solver -
http://www.aok.20m.com
