Like a good sequel, Civ 4 addresses many of the most unbalanced elements of Civ 3, improves several areas, and adds some new interesting elements.  Unfortunately, some of the same old problems remain.  In terms of unbalancing elements, railroads no longer act as teleporters between conected cities, but now simply allow for far more rapid transit.  Also, some of the most overpowering Wonders of the World have been either removed or modified, so players no longer need to depend on early wonders to win.  Other wonders have been given new powers that make more sense, such as the Statue of Liberty no longer giving you the ability to switich at will between governments (!).  Now it makes it more likly to produce a "Great person," one of the new units that is highly useful. Also in the imporved column, combat now makes more sense (tanks no longer loose quite so often to spearmen) and a unit experience program that increases unit value.  Different civics, and there are a lot more of them now, have more interesting and unique traits.

For new features, the game now features religion, and "great people" useful merchants, artists, and scientist units that appear through building up of culture.  Government now consists of an intersting matrix of choices, each with pluses and minuses.

Unfortunately, depite these improvements, the game still holds the same basic problem -- the luck of where the computer drops you at the begining is one of the great determinents of success.  Not able to build a city near a river in the first two turns -- bad luck for you.  Too close to several warlike civilizations runnign one without early military prowess?  You'll spend the first millenia defending yourself while distant civs fly by. On an isloated distant content?  You'll have a tough time trading which is essential to keeping pace.

In the end these weaknesses are at the heart of the whole civ system, a kind of geography is destiny alla "Guns, Germs, and Steel."  Maybe that is the lesson of the game, but while the strategy can be fun, the game drags on and the element of luck can be irksome at best.
Like a good sequel, Civ 4 addresses many of the most unbalanced elements of Civ 3, improves several areas, and adds some new interesting elements. Unfortunately, some of the same old problems remain. In terms of unbalancing elements, railroads no longer act as teleporters between conected cities, but now simply allow for far more rapid transit. Also, some of the most overpowering Wonders of the World have been either removed or modified, so players no longer need to depend on early wonders to win. Other wonders have been given new powers that make more sense, such as the Statue of Liberty no longer giving you the ability to switich at will between governments (! ). Now it makes it more likly to produce a "Great person," one of the new units that is highly useful. Also in the imporved column, combat now makes more sense (tanks no longer loose quite so often to spearmen) and a unit experience program that increases unit value. Different civics, and there are a lot more of them now, have more interesting and unique traits. For new features, the game now features religion, and "great people" useful merchants, artists, and scientist units that appear through building up of culture. Government now consists of an intersting matrix of choices, each with pluses and minuses. Unfortunately, depite these improvements, the game still holds the same basic problem -- the luck of where the computer drops you at the begining is one of the great determinents of success. Not able to build a city near a river in the first two turns -- bad luck for you. Too close to several warlike civilizations runnign one without early military prowess? You'll spend the first millenia defending yourself while distant civs fly by. On an isloated distant content? You'll have a tough time trading which is essential to keeping pace. In the end these weaknesses are at the heart of the whole civ system, a kind of geography is destiny alla "Guns, Germs, and Steel. "  Maybe that is the lesson of the game, but while the strategy can be fun, the game drags on and the element of luck can be irksome at best.