Civilization 3: Conquests Expansion Pack review:2 stars (Misleading Title) - This is actually a review of "Civilization Complete" that I've posted here since there isn't a place to post reviews on the CIV Complete Amazon page.

I have two complaints to share:

1) "Civilization Complete" appears to be more about marketing than content. Read the other reviews to see what I mean. There is very little new here except for repackageing. If you are considering purchasing the "complete" version, I would encourage you to ask yourself a couple of questions. First, - and especially if you're new to the game - 'Do I need all this stuff?' There is sooo much to master and manipulate in the original (and still available) version of Civilization III that it would be a while before you would 'need' the other material offered in the "complete" version. And if you are already familiar with Civilization III, ask yourself why you would pay $35 for material that you can put together yourself (for the most part) by purchasing Civilization III and Conquests at a third of the cost.

2) Releasing an 'updated' version of a game just a few months ahead of releasing a truely new version of the same game is an old Firaxis trick. Just last year, we were told how great "Conquests" was. Then less than a year later, they release "Civilization Complete." Guess what? Civilization IV will be released in November. Again, if you are simply dying to play Civilization then just buy CIV3 for less than a quarter of the cost of the "complete" version and save your money until CIV4 is released.

OK, that was my whine. Now, for praise: Civilization remains one of the most provocative and thoroughly enjoyable games around. After playing it for a few years I still find myself challenged by trying new approaches or simply upping the difficuly level. I have been enjoying the Editor more as well as incorporating information and downloads from various fan sites on the net. True, this game lacks glitzy graphics, but then so does chess. I bought Civilization III first and later added Play the World and Conquests. I've actually gone back to CIV3 alone - Conquests has some wierd bugs and features I eventually found irksome.

Recently, I've taken to exploring ways to get away with as little military as possible which has been fun (as well as thought provoking).

I'm looking forward to CIV4's release...4 stars (A great game but still room for improvement) - I think Civilization III is a fantastic game and I especially love this expansion pack with all the new civilizations, new wonders, technologies and the two new forms of government.

One big improvement I find in Conquests over the original is that trade is better. the AI is more willing to trade their surplus fur/iron etc than in the original. that really bothered me about the original cause I remember one game when my neighouring AI civilization had a surplus of four fur and still wouldnt trade any with me. Another improvement I like is the option to make the AI civilizations more aggressive. This is good as I have played one game in the original civ3 on Monarch level which I completed without a single war occuring in the whole history of the game. That's just not realistic. thankfully now u can make all the AI more aggressive which is good. also conquests allows new civs to be created when one is destroyed which is good.

However I think there are still faults in the game that I'm sure will probably be rectified in Civ4. The latter part of the game is very slow and can get annoying especially when pollution keeps occuring on every go and u have to keep sending your workers to a new pollution spot to clean it up. Fortunately civ4 has promised to eradicate this. another major problem is the military side of the game. the "stack of doom" tactics that u use to defeat an enemy is simply not realistic. fortunately again civ4 has promised to correct this problem also. the final fault i can find with civ3 in general is the way every civ starts at the same year 4000BC. i think it would be nice if u had maybe only 3 or 4 civilizations starting the game and then a few more randomly start up over the next few thousand years. also it would be cool if factions of your civilization broke off or rebelled to become independent civilizations later in the game especially if they were located on a seperate island or continent from your mainland.

to sum up i say buy conquests if u already own civ3 (its only $14.99). if not i think ur probably better off not get addicted to the game at this stage and simply wait for civ4 to come. that promises to be a much better game to get addicted to.1 stars (Wow!) - Who thought that Civilization 3 could get any better after Play The World? With the conquests expansin, computer games are taken to a whole new level. Its almost too realistic. Its imposible to imagine how so much alterenatives of how to play a game you have in only one.
Civilization 3: Conquests Expansion Pack Features:
Computer Games
Action
Adventure
Strategy (Strategic)
Fantasy
Historical (historic) Recreation (Recreations)
Military (Wargames
Simulations
World Building (Builders)
Great Deals (Outlet store)
CD
For one or more players using LAN or Internet connection
Expansion pack for wildly popular strategy game
Includes seven new civilizations
New units, disasters, techs and wonders
Plenty of new abilities and game options to explore

Civilization 3- Conquests Expansion Pack is the CD-ROM version. The full version can be purchased by clicking on the "CLICK HERE TO ORDER" button below for around 19.99USD.