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Civilization III

EMAIL PRINT pc

7.4 User Score:

Universal acclaim

Based on 24 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 45 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Infogrames

Developer: Firaxis

Genre(s): Turn-Based Strategy

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: October 30, 2001

Summary

In Civilization III, you'll find new pathways to explore and strategies to employ, greatly expanded diplomacy, more powerful combat, a new trade system, new technologies, more powerful tools to build and manage your empire, and the most detailed and beautiful art, animations and sound ever found in the genre. [Infogrames]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Civilization II Civilization III: Conquests Civilization III: Gold Edition Civilization III: Play the World Civilization IV

Cheat Codes & Hints: Adrenaline Vault Cheat Code Central Game Revolution

Also On The Web: Civilization Fanatics' Center Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Computer Gaming World

It was difficult to write this review, because each time I started the game to check on some detail, six hours mysteriously vanished. [Jan 2002, p.92]

100

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

The biggest, deepest, most spectacular strategy game ever made.

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100

Next Generation Magazine

The changes mostly seem to increase your options for trying new strategies, without altering the core game. And actually, that’s a brilliant approach. [Jan 2002, p.90]

100

Computer Games Magazine

Perfectly captures the epic sweep of the previous games but adds a bunch of new features that improve upon an already brilliant concept. It's superior in every way to "Civilization II"—and for that matter, any game of this type in recent memory.

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FiringSquad

Complex combat, climbing the tech tree, and resource management (commonly found in RTS games) make Civ III a deep strategy game – far beyond a simple Simulation game.

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Voodoo Extreme

A flat out brilliant game...This is another addicting game that you very well could lose sleep and miss work over (I should know, I’ve done both).

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IGN

The interface is much better implemented this time around...To make a long story short, Civ. III is a worthy heir for the franchise and a definite must have for any strategy gamer who doesn't want us to make fun of them.

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GameSpy

Subtle and clever...The game, like its predecessors, is about addiction. Unfortunately, it does a great job of it.

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TotalGames.net

For goodness' sake don't play this on evenings when you have to work the next day because the odds are you'll still be in front of your machine in the early hours, striving to build one more bit of your spaceship, or conquering just one more city before you go to bed.

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GameSpot

It's back with a vengeance...in short, a triumphant proclamation that strategy gaming is alive and well and still able to keep you rooted in front of your computer for hours at a time.

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PC Gamer

Just like "Civ II," it blends a simple start with a vast array of options and pulls them together into a detailed, compelling, and seamless gaming experience. [Holiday 2001, p.65]

Game Over Online

The AI overall is vastly improved.

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ActionTrip

Apart from some minor bugs and several strange solutions Civilization III has to offer infinite possibilities and extreme replay value.

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Game Revolution

The game is still frighteningly addictive, constantly dangling new accomplishments in front of players who, at 3 am, are still planning on playing "just one more turn."

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GameZone

A classic in the making, Civilization 3 once again serves up a big plate of turn based gameplay covered in gobs of strategy and tons of choices, this is one that will keep you coming back for another helping over and over again.

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Media and Games Online Network

A worthy and immersive extension of the series, and comes close to perfection in terms of strategy.

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Gamers' Temple

At its best, Civilization III is addicting and enjoyable. Unfortunately, it suffers from some play balancing , AI, and occasional stability issues which bar it from realizing its full potential.

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Game Informer

A release finally worthy of the fans who have been waiting patiently for it. [Dec 2001, p.114]

Adrenaline Vault

If you're a fan of the series or of the genre, then I can readily recommend picking up Civilization III -- just keep in mind that it may not be all you expected, especially later in the game.

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Cincinnati Enquirer

There's enough depth and playability here to keep you clicking well into the spring of 2002.

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G4 TV

The entrancing music and compellingly complex but accessible gameplay are still unparalleled, making minutes transform into hours as your nights are dominated by the story of your civilization.

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Yahoo! Games

The progress made in this installment is a little disappointing, but that said, Civ III does continue the franchise's tradition of delivering the very best that the genre has to offer.

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GamePro

It’s hard to knock one of the best, most addictive strategy games ever made—but Civ II owners may wonder why they’re paying fifty bucks for what's essentially a decent facelift and a gameplay balance patch.

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Electric Playground

Like so many things that come in threes, this one just can't compare to parts I and II.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.4 (out of 10) based on 45 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Xemawth gave it a10:
Fantastic, to say the least. The third installment into the civilization series really lives up to the praise and aspiration that Sid Meier's games always seem to have. I personally prefer this game over Civ IV because it goes back to the basics and if you don't have a hardcore gaming rig you can play the game with relative ease. Despite some... questionable... battle outcomes (the classic tank losing to the knight on horseback scenario) it is something you get used to the game really brings to light what should be expected from a turn-based strategy game. In my opinion Civ III really emphasizes the reality of raising a civilization and grooming it to become the conquerer of the world.

Ping Squirrel gave it a3:
When I purchased this game, I was looking forward to it. I can recount the time I have spent playing Civ II with my friends and just having a glorious time of it. Then, I got to this. I don't know what happened. The corruption is stifling, no matter the government you choose, the combat seemed lack luster at best, and the AI did all it could to abuse the cultural boundaries. In short, it felt like this installment was a test for ideas for Civ IV. If you like it, more power to you, but it just feels like it was released incomplete. Feel free to skip over it to the far more enjoyable Civ IV,

Joshua gave it a10:
This game is as good as strategy gaming gets, and deserves full marks. Civ 3 and its expansions provide seamless and highly refined game play, culminating everything that this ground-breaking series has brought to gaming in the 21 years it has been in existence. A must-play for strategy and history enthusiasts. Put your plan to take over the world into action!

Ioe T gave it a10:
Civilization III is the best strategy game, turn-based or otherwise, that I have ever played. Civ 3 is easily one of the most re-playable games around, especially for people who love empire builders, next to CS:Source and the Super Smash Bros. trilogy. Another outstanding feature of Civ 3 is the editor, it allows users to very easily change all aspects of their gaming experience in lay-mans terms, unlike python from Civ 4. The game also includes tons of accurate historical information for history buffs, like myself. The only weak points of the game are the multiplayer aspects, with the exception of hotseat, but who needs the real world when you have the entire span of human civilization at your fingertips?

Mitch K gave it a10:
The people that rate this game poorly because of the tank/spearman issue likely do not know how to play the game. The game does not determine battle outcomes by icon, it uses a number system. So in the case where a spearman is attacked by a tank: Spearman (in city, fortified, on a hill, across a river, etc. etc.) will be pumped up quite drastically and make it feasible to beat a tank. Awesome game, endless fun.

Y M gave it a0:
An at first addictive game, but the absurdity of losing a battle between tanks and bronze welding warriors. Not to mention taking a couple of hundred years to sail around the world.

Jeffrey T. gave it a10:
Incredible... the unique player units and dependance on resources is a great addition to the game... Hard time fighting for aluminum... but that's part of the game!

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Civilization III

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